Style Book

Location Photos

Location Photos

Merriman's Playhouse

Merriman’s Playhouse

Scene #1

POV patron of event at Merriman’s Playhouse

Arrive at building, enter, buy ticket, sit down and take in view

(Steven Merriman announces band)

Cut to footage of band playing

            Audio cuts to testaments of Merriman’s patrons on why they love the venue

Scene #2

Old photographs of Merriman’s playhouse with a narration of the history

Segue into interview with Steven Merriman

Discuss what the venue means to him/community with B-roll of events at Merriman’s

Discuss what goes into running the venue with B-Roll of Steven entertaining guests

Discuss the piano shop with B-roll of him working on pianos

Scene #3

Cut to open jam Monday’s footage w narration

Audio cuts to interview w jam session contributor

Video alternates between jam session and interview

Scene #4

Cut back to interview with Steven on the future of Merriman’s

End with outside footage of set break with people lined up outside

Documentary Subject

Steven Merriman

This handsome gentleman photographed above is Steven Merriman. He is the co-owner/operator of Merriman's Playhouse. Merriman's Playhouse is a multi-functional jazz performance facility. He also owns and operates the other side of the building which is an amazing complete piano service facility. He is an extremely passionate individual and entertaining to boot. I would particularly love to have him be the focus of this documentary because I know he would greatly appreciate the result as well. 

Questions:

-Could you tell me a little bit about the rich history of Merriman's Playhouse?

-How is that you were able to make your dreams come to fruition?

-What does a place like Merriman's Playhouse mean to the community of South Bend?

-How are you able to reach out and recruit with such high caliber musicians to play here?

-Your building functions as both a jazz venue and a piano service shop. Could you tell me about the demands of operating both?

-I know you are an incredibly passionate person and it shines through your work. Can you tell me how your work makes you feel?

-I have been to numerous shows here and one of the things I love the most is how this isnt just a standard jazz venue. You have groups that have heavy african influences, some Italian influences, others New Orleans pedal steel. Can you tell me a little about the decisions to book these groups?

-I know this is a long process but can you run me through the logistics of servicing a piano?

-What have been some of your proudest moments operating Merriman's Playhouse?

-Where do you see the future of Merrimans Playhouse going?

Interesting Phrases and Script

1. If you cant boogie, I know, Ill show you how.
2. You've got to pay the money if you want the pillow.
3. I was petrified. I went and hid behind a door.
4. Ya man, it's definitely the chemtrails.
5. You don't know shit about Marvin Gaye!

Cafe de Lawrence

            Lawrence sat alone outside a café. It was the third time this week Lawrence had sat alone outside this particular café. Now, the reason he sat alone outside this café for the third time this week had very little to do with the way the scones crumbled between Lawrence’s fingers, although he also enjoyed that very much. No, the reason Lawrence was sitting alone outside this café in the very same chair, sipping an identical double caramel macchiato, at the exact precise time of 5:43 pm EST as he had done the previous two days, was because of the server. (Beat #1: This beat will be defined with camera movement; the camera starts slowly zooming on Lawrence then quickly does a 180 to the server.)

            Lawrence’s sever was a most queer fellow whose bespectacled face and pock marked cheeks did nothing to help his thin, lanky appearance. He wore enormous shoes, a pressed white dress shirt two sizes too large, and sported a custom belt buckle that read “Luchador #1.” This man was truly a sight to behold. But as impressive as the gentleman’s appearance was, it was nothing compared to his ability to serve tables. (Beat #2: This beat will be defined by the actor who is standing at one table then shifts gears to racing around the patio)

            The first time Lawrence had patronized this café, he had been taken by this man’s physical presentation, then immediately dumbfounded by his serving operation. He maneuvered the patio with the agility of a world-class figure skater. Triple axel to table 6. Backwards Salchow to drop a check. Double Lutz to avoid a customer. The man was a flash. He was like Groucho Marx, flying impressively everywhere at once. All the while not a hair moved on his pencil thin mustachio.

            Now as strange as this man was, Lawrence was not a person to pass judgment on any one from appearances alone, in fact he prided himself in just the opposite. That being said, Lawrence could not stop himself from returning to this café to observe this strange creature.

            As it turns out, it is far from this server’s outstanding appearance and complicated movements that set him apart. No, no, no, in fact the most peculiar part about him was his speech. (Beat #3: This will also be defined by the actor who immediately turns and heads straight for Lawrence when he hears the last slurp of his drink) The first time Lawrence had polished off his refreshing double caramel macchiato, this Garcon-of-sorts zipped across the patio to address the finished beverage, the tails of his apron flapping in his draft. (Beat #4: This will be defined in the environment. POV Lawrence and the sun flashes blocking his view of the server as the camera pans up to the servers face.) His long gangly shadow spread across Lawrence’s face and Lawrence blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sight of a bean-pole dressed in an oversized, bleached white café uniform staring down with intensely magnified eyeballs. The man pointed at Lawrence’s empty cup, blinked twice, and said, “ You’ve got to pay the money, if you want the pillow.” 

Music Video Pitch

Equipment Resources
Camera- Prof. Langston
Lighting- Sheehan Probst
Costume & Props- Josh Schleer

Talent Photos

Josh Schleer

Welcoming Stranger

Resource List

Shooting Schedule

Tranquility Video

Tranquility from sheehan probst on Vimeo.

Tranquility Photos

Music Video Analysis

I chose the music video for the song Let It Happen- Tame Impala. This video is a combination of a narrative and conceptual piece. It follows the protagonist through his day/medical journey. It shows the narrative of whats happening but it does so in a conceptual kind of way regarding death and acceptance.

Color: mostly sterile indoor fluorescent lighting. Then sharply contrasted to warm oranges, purples and blues at the moment of death.

Shape: very square, manmade and structured shapes surrounding him. Once again until he is approaching death when the clouds are the main shape. Again sharply contrasted to show the beauty of death.

Line: Most everything is rigid, hard lines up until when he is flying through the clouds the lines are soft and contour emphasized. Also the shape of the body pulse when shocked is kind of a combination between the two which I found interesting because life is trying to be forced back into him.

Movement: fast throughout the whole video. I think to show how scheduled and controlled our lives are. And how sudden death can be a part of that life

Tone: The tone is somber throughout. From the very first shot you can tell this person is troubled. But it is beautifully contrasted at the end when he unbuckles his seatbelt and dives into the unknown. (the seatbelt is just a great metaphor in itself)

Rhythm: The rhythm is steadily fast paced throughout once again to depict the rush of day to day life and how death can suddenly be present

Some of the key moments include when he first keels over in the airport because that is when your first introduced to the severity of the situation. This is then repeated two more times when he collapses in his hotel room and when the airplane is going down. The most important key moment is when he unbuckles his seatbelt and jumps into the beautiful white light. This is photographed in such a way that there is emphasis on color, shape and tone. All three of theses are now much more organic and welcoming than the previous footage.

Almost throughout the whole video the camera is moving. The scenes where he is having a medical attack the camera is moving in sharp, jagged movements to emphasize confusion and anxiety. Then a 1st person POV is shown and the camera is now rolling fluidly to represent a trip of sorts. The whole video is based on anxiety and a rushed feeling so to represent that the camera moves with harsh, fast movements. The end of the video, where acceptance of death is eminent, the camera work is steady moving and panning slowly and beautifully.

The video definitely follows the story of the song but the song is very abstract and never definite in the lyrics. The lyrics are all about emotion and how someone feels about the acceptance of death. The lyrics do not say anything about a man having a heart attack in an airport then flying through clouds to the next realm. The video clearly follows the story of the song, but it also is an interpretation from the videographers standpoint. It is most certainly a beautifully produced video.

Self Portrait and Bio

Hello!
My name is Sheehan and it is always good to be back in school and with Prof. Langston. Since our last class I have changed my favorites of all categories of media as I try to be ever evolving. Some of my favorite movies include Pulp Fiction or really anything Quentin Tarantino. I also particularly like Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan. One of my favorite movies came out last year in Birdman. I dont watch much TV shows as thats more of a commitment and my time is limited. I pretty much live for music and sound design. That would be part of the reason why I love Birdman. I also love the scores for movies like Lord of the Rings and Jurassic Park. My list of music that I love quite literally does not end because by the time you get to the bottom I will have added more.

If I could make any media without restrictions, what would it be? This is an interesting question. I don't think I have an answer at this moment because I haven't explored all the possibilities quite yet. Right now I particularly enjoy sound design in video and I also have a passion for photography. Obviously if I could mix music all day I would be alright with that too. I don't know how you couldn't be interested in making media! I am a person who really appreciates detail and there are just so many levels to making media that for me the possibilities are endless. As far as my goals I can't really say I have a definite career path by any means. I would very much like to be surrounded by music so maybe I would like to work in radio or sound editing for video. Im not sure but I plan on moving out to Oregon and making it happen. Whatever "it" is.