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Upcoming Events

Exciting programs and seminars that teach production like no other course out there.

JULY 18, 19, 20, 21 NYC Lighting Seminars by Walter Graff

May 2005 - Two Day Producers Workshop

Introduction to
Location Lighting

Everything You Need To Know To Shoot ENG

 

Walter Graff Lighting Seminars - July 18,19,20,21 2005 - NYC

Walter Graff is excited to offer another of his very special lighting seminars in New York City. This seminar coincides with DV Expo East at the Javits Center. (Our event is not affiliated with EXPO). The seminars will be held in a sound stage in Manhattan on July 18, 19, 20, and 21. Each day is a single event and each event is identical to the others. Choose any ONE day that is best for you.

Walter's January and April 2005 hosted by Abel Cine Tech were very well received. See here! Both sold out in three days time. We've received numerous request from people who attend EXPO for seminars during the EXPO event, so we have set up four individual days.

This seminar is less about camera equipment and more about technique although various cameras will be used in the demonstrations including a DVX100, SDX900, and a Varicam. While you may feel that you know too little or too much for this event, many who have attended in the past say regardless of their level of knowledge, this seminar spoke volumes to them. Bottom line, if you want to expand your lighting knowledge, this is the seminar for you. If you want to learn textbook lighting, take another course, this is a real-world experience that should captivate you and have you seeing lighting in completely different way.
Based on Walter's past events these seminars will sell-out fast so sign up below so as not to be shut out as were some 200 people during the last two events.
Walter Graff's seminars are highly regarded. Walter speaks in clear, straightforward language that the beginner and professional alike can understand. Many who have attended past lectures say that they've learned more in one day from Walter than they have from any other professional seminar at more than twice the price. Walter doesn't lecture as much as he works together with the group. Freeform conversation is a big part of his lectures. Look at is as more of a get together where everyone shares their ideas and no one is above or below anyone else, regardless of experience. EXPO offers some lighting events, but ours is a full day and $300 less than a one-day package at EXPO where you will be with cattle learning at very impersonalized lectures.
Here is what you will learn:
9am: Introduction- We'll spend this time getting to know each other. A bit of breakfast will be offered (coffee, bagels, doughnuts, etc) Walter will gauge the group's knowledge level, which will help him to determine the direction of the day.
10am: The Basics- Many professionals who have taken Walter's courses in the past often question this part of the program. Most feel that they are beyond this. Yet those same people who question this part of the day are the first ones to admit that they never knew there was so much about lighting no one had ever taught them. At the same time, beginners find what Walter teaches here easier to understand and grasp than any text or video on the market. It's a great way to put everyone on the same page. This morning session includes an interesting presentation on color, understanding a video signal, thoughts on lighting and videotape examples for discussion. Its a great way to start the day.
11am: From Theory to Practice- Walter demonstrates just how many variations of the head-shot there are, and in doing so, helps the group to see how shade, color, and texture make the difference between simply illuminating someone and creating a work of art. The use of various fixtures is demonstrated as are gels, cutters, internal camera adjustments and camera diffusion.
12:30pm: Lunch - We supply the lunch and everyone gets to relax and meet some new friends.
1:30pm: From Lighting Plot to Real Life - Walter looks at some real world set-ups including a dinner scene, a night interior, Car interior, and other cinema verite examples, and shows how you can achieve an efficient and effective chroma-key set-up.
3:00pm: Tabletops- you may never need to do one, but an introduction to how it's done opens up a whole new world of lighting.
4:00pm: You make the call- This is Q&A time, and the answers are demonstrations.
6:00pm: The end of the day. Many times, those who provide the venue for Walter's seminars ask the question "How long do you need?" Walter's answer is often, "You will be throwing us out of here because no one will want to leave". While we hope to get out by 6pm, if we need to go longer we will.

What this seminar will teach you more clearly than you have ever been taught before:

That you don't need a million dollars for a great look

What video represents electronically and how that helps you to understand its limitations

White Balance

Depth of Field

Internal Camera Adjustments

Filtration

Use of Color

Lighting Chroma Keys

Creating Background Looks

Differences in Men, Women and Skin Shades

Color Considerations and Psychological Effects of Color

Mixed Color Temperatures

Creating a Mood and Theme

Down and Dirty Techniques When You Have Little Money, No Lights, and No Budget

Anything Else You Can Think of During the Q&A...

Demonstrations will include power-point, video examples, hand-outs, and hands-on technique.
 

Pre-paid cost for this well received one-day-seminar including everything above: $100.00

This money will be completely refundable if you can not make the seminar for any reason or if this seminar is not what you thought it would be.

Times: 9am-6pm

 

THIS SEMINAR HAS LIMITED SEATING AND REGISTRATION MAY BE CUT OFF AT ANY TIME

Pick any one event from below.

UPDATE! ONLY THE JULY 19TH SEMINAR IS STILL AVAILABLE. CLICK THE ICON BELOW TO SIGN UP BEFORE IT SELLS OUT!


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About Walter Graff

Walter Graff has worked in the field of commercial, feature film and industrial /broadcast television since 1982. He has successfully worked in more areas of production than most others work in a single career. Walter has a unique combination of technical and creative knowledge that has helped him to excel in many areas of production. He has directed numerous single and multi-camera broadcast and commercial productions for government, agency, and broadcast clients. Walter was a highly regarded network level lighting director and has worked with many organizations such as NBC, ABC, ESPN, and  NIPPON TV. He has consulted and designed numerous TV studios over the years. Walter is a also respected cinematographer who has lensed over 1500 programs for cable and broadcast networks including NBC, A&E, and FOX. Walter has also produced content for nearly 40 broadcast shows and an equal number of television pilots.  He was a pioneer in creating the look and feel of seven daytime talk programs in the nineties. His innovative producing technique and shooting style is considered by many industry peers to be the precursor for today's reality programming. Walter has earned numerous industry accolades including EMMY awards, Telly Awards, and New York Festival Awards to name a few.

The photos found throughout this page are from some of the many hundreds of commercials, broadcast programs, industrials, and special effects that Walter has lit over the years.

 

Page updated 6/155/2005 7:00pm

 

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