Teenstreet Day 2

Today was the second day of TeenStreet. Kids are everywhere, and there were dozens of different languages in hearing range at any given time. I've gotten so used to tuning the other languages out that my brain delays when people are speaking english to me. During the afternoon I got out and shot some pictures of the student activities. There were rock walls, races, mini concerts, karate workshops, and even a live action foosball table. And I don't mean a game of soccer, they walled off a rectangular area and put in pipe dividers to represent the rods that the little plastic foosball players are on, and had the kids pretend to be the plastic foosball players. I'd put up pics of it, but I'm not sure how the TeenStreet officials are about posting pics of kids. We need more events like this for students in the US, it's definitely more interesting than standard worship concert and 'celebrity' guest speakers. There's more than just whacky games though, there are many different break out groups, and focus sessions, and work shops for the students to attend. Tons of options.

Tonight I operated Camera 1, which is one of the primary cameras that focuses on the stage, especially the lead singer, or person speaking. It requires fast reflexes, as well as the patience to hold the same shot for what seems like an hour sometimes. I like it though, it's fun, but also a big responsibility.

Here are some pics I took today, that I know I can post without complaint.

The OMNIvision logo on the side of the truck

Snow man for the TeenStreet Christmas

Timmy, one of the guys I've been working with. 

Jay's camera, as I interrupt a shot he was trying to take

Weird shooting technique Jay was trying to teach me. His face is supposed to still be in focus while the rest of the shot is blurred. 

This is John, one of the CleanStreet guys I was editing a video for. He's dutch, and hilarious. He should be on stage one day, as a comedic actor. 

-Richard

Pics from session 2

Here are a couple of pics I took during this mornings session. Good ole iPhone makes the perfect camera for taking pics while running a camera.

It was Christmas at TeenStreet today, so they had a flying Christmas angel.


Here's a pic of the stage during worship.


-Richard

Fist day of TeenStreet

Today was the last day for setup, and also our first show. 4000 kids and helpers gathered tonight, and worshiped together. It's going to be a busy week, with tons to do. Will be filming and photo documenting events all around the campus, and editing more videos.


-Richard

Teenstreet 2011 Set Up Day 4

Today was the final day of set up, and we had a tech rehearsal tonight, with live band on stage. It went well, with no major problems. Jay and I were the handheld camera crew, with me as the "cable monkey." Had the chance to edit some videos for a group called "CleanStreet," a group of older kids who clean up the facilities. These guys might as well have been paid comedians, cause they were hilarious.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to take any pictures today, but will try to get some new ones up in the days to come.

Teenstreet 2011 Set Up Day 3

Day 3 was much more productive, the stage was set up, and we got to set up the cameras, and truss. The projectors were hung, as were the screens. Jay and I filmed 2 videos today, one about different personality types, and the other was promoting cleanliness. The videos took up most of the afternoon, and evening, but were fun. 

 LED being hung on back wall

 Truss in the air

 Speakers

 Fine tuning the camera

Defiantly was a busier day than yesterday, and the day before.

Teenstreet 2011 Set Up Day 2

Well, we're still waiting on the crews to finish setting up the stage, and lights. Sad thing is they haven't arrived at the arena yet, and it's almost 11. We did have a few things we could do though, like hanging a big curtain in front of the scaffolding, which will be the back of the stage. Also, I secured Camera 3 in the catwalk, and tied back the curtain that was blocking it's view. The down time did allow me to get some pictures of the construction.

This is the old In Touch video truck, now the OMNIvision truck. 

Part of the light rig, waiting to be lifted

Some of the crew hanging curtains

Camera 3, in the catwalk. 

This will soon be the stage

Camera 4, on wheels

The iBus, where the internet, and laptop charging is.

Teenstreet 2011 Set Up Day 1

Set up has gotten of to a slow start. We unloaded the gear trucks, and ran some video cables, and set up a couple of cameras. The main delay is waiting for the local German pro's set up the lights, stage, and audio. They're very efficient, and very safety conscious, so it's going slow, but steady. Since we couldn't do much else, we all relaxed for most of the afternoon. Jay and I used the opportunity to walk around in down town Offenburg. 

This was some ice-cream we got at a local resturant, it was great. Jay had to speak to the waiter in Spanish, the guy only knew German, and Spanish. 

We should get to set more up tomorrow, once the stage is finished. 

Made it to Offenburg

Delta flight 14 to Frankfurt took off and landed right on time. We landed in Frankfurt at 7:40am, local time, giving me ample time to get thru customs, and find a bus to the train station. Train was also right on time, leaving Frankfurt at 9:54am, and getting to Offenburg at 11:30am.

For the record, Google maps should not be relied on in foreign countries. I had no clue where I was headed, and walked a good while with only a vague idea of where to go. I found a Tourist Information office that was able to help me find a good map to the Arena. Wasn't too long a walk, made it to the Arena at about 12:00pm, and registered in time for lunch. I'm was the first person from OMNIvision to arrive, and am still waiting on the team. They should be pulling in around 6:00pm or so. The waiting time has given me a little time to rest, and sneak in a nap or two. It's not too hard to fall asleep, since I got no sleep on the plane.

Can't wait to start setting up the event.

Leaving America

Thankfully I made it to the gate on time. In fact I made it to the gate 1.5 hours early, thanks to Clark dropping me off right after church, and there was no one in line at security.


This is my flight, Delta flight 14 to Frankfurt. Flight should take about 10 hours, getting me to Frankfurt 7:30am their time. We'll see how that goes.

Leaving for Germany tomorrow

Thank you all for your prayers, and support. Tomorrow I leave the USA, headed for Deutschland. I'll try to update this blog daily, with anything interesting that happens. The first week will be mostly technical setup,  but I'll try to post some pictures of set up, and Offenburg. Below is the Coat of Arms for Germany, didn't know countries had coats of arms.

Once again, thanks for your prayers.