News & Events

Sneak Preview – Ghost Shoot #1

Monday, October 25th, 2010

As All Hallow’s Eve approaches again for another year, the leaves are turning orange and red and drifting to the ground, the fog rolls in off the ocean on dimly lit days… and it is time for the Ghost Project. Students in Class 8 are creating a few longer sequences this year, with more ghost shots in each sequence, and working in groups. Variations are possible with different look development treatments, some different ghost characters (still to be shot) and different edits.

The first project shoot was at the historic Filberg Lodge in Comox, recreating a scene from the classic Christmas Carol story. In our version, Scrooge has come in from the cold, gotten ready for bed, and is just having a snack and a drink by the fireplace. He hears a noise… a clatter of chains… and the ghost of his partner Marley appears in the room to question and torment him.

Many thanks to the whole class for helping with the shoot, and especially to Jason Tranetzki for acting in the Scrooge role. Lost Boys’ Production Manager/Specialty Make-up Artist Ria Ambrose cosmetically “aged” Jason for the shoot.

Also big thanks to Carlos Guzman for the following location photos.

Class 8 Begins!

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Welcome to the fall 2010 session – Class 8 at Lost Boys Learning.  Students hail from Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Barbados via Gatineau, and good ol’ Los Angeles.   They are joining the Class 7 group, already in progress and working on their first Term 2 project, the UFO (sneak peek coming soon!).

The first project for the new class is the Title Project.  We’ve been shooting all week, everywhere from a farmer’s field to a brewery to a back alley.  The concepts are challenging and the results will be great!   Here are a few location and set photos from four of the shoots.

Graduation – Class 6

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Congratulations to the new class of graduates!  Our sixth and largest class, comprised of Caleb Clark, Drew Erickson, Lance Frisby, Stephen Holbrook,  Mark Poe, Evdoxia Sardi, Kenneth Van Aken and Hui-Wen Wu are just wrapping up their final week.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, August 13, at the Courtenay & District Museum Rotary Room.  Cocktail party style mingling, then speeches and handshakes, diplomas and demo reels.

Way to go Class 6!  A heartfelt thanks from Mark and Gillian to all of you for spending the last year with us.

New Green Screen & Gear

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

So far this year we have purchased a few new toys for the studio, including new gear for the green screen stage – the “garage” area of the studio that houses our costumes and gear. The new 10×20′ green screen is sturdy foam-backed chroma-key fabric. It hangs on a portable, adjustable rack that can be transported or set-up and lit in our studio.

Our lighting kit includes three softbox lights with diffuser panels, all tripod mounted with one boom stand as well. The key & fill lights provide a flattering diffused light, while the boom light acts as a hair light separating the subject from the background. We also have a selection of worklights, fans and task lights to fully light the screen and provide effect lighting and movement for the actors.

We also built a custom mini-dolly track, using Glidetrack and other parts, perfect for digital SLR cameras and easily portable to remote locations.

We have two new costume racks that hold our ever-growing assortment of costumes, uniforms, hats and props.