Doc about a Dance studio thats out of time.... now with footage!

[TimurCivan]

NOW WITH FOOTAGE!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Timurcivaninterviewreel.mov

MY family owns and operates Times Circle rehersal Studio ( it used to be Michaels, then Jerry Leroys, and now is FAzil's (times circle is the technichal name). Essentially, its a world famous dance school where Fred Astaire rehersed, the Copacetics created new kinds of Tap, Hip hop dancers create new kinds of dance, and world class Flamenco dancers create new art.

Sadly, the corporatizing of NYC real estate, has finally caught up with us, and the 80 year old historic school is closing its doors, and the building is going to be torn down to make room for overpriced luxury condos.

In order to say good bye, im shooting a Documentary on the place. Taking to the oldtimers, and the young folks about how the place effected them and how they feel about it closing its doors...

here are a few Raw Stills.

SGproRev2 - Canon 35mm F2.0 and a Canon 135mm F2.5

http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Image0.jpg

http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Image2.jpg

http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Image3.jpg

http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Image4.jpg


New Grabs:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/2750/1186351304.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/2750/1186351384.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/2750/1186351436.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/2750/1186351487.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/2750/1186351552.jpg

[electricpig]

Beautifull images. You have their trust, and especially in the first and last I think you've captured the essence of the people. And that's without knowing them.

This will be a great tribute to a slice of history.

(and will confirm an order for an SGPro in the near future - good to see you using Canon lenses)

[Beat Takeshi]

Looks good. I like the softness of the shots with the warm tones. Feels nostalgic. I would move the chair around the room for each shoot so it doesn't look like you just had people in a line waiting to sit for an interview in the same seat.

[Capt Quirk]

Nice thought, and I totally dig it. But, I thought it was something of a supernatural theme from the title. That would be even better :)

[Indywannabe]

When? What are you going to do with the final product?

[TimurCivan]

its going to donated to the avery fisher, juilliard, and parsons/NYU libraries.

[bwest]

stills or grabs? Stills=camera? is this done with a softbox?
very nice images. If its sgpro im very impressed!
Im suprise you used canon lenses... any specific reason?

[Beat Takeshi]

I was just in the son of Avery Fisher's 5th ave apt last week. Makes our place look like a bus stop compared to it.

[Derrick_SA]

Hi there,

These look cool, but perhaps to movie like for a doc ?

the last grab of that lady looks like it came out of a VERY SCARY MOVIE !!! :-)

- Derrick

[J.R. Hudson]

These grabs look great; what a bummer on todays inflation.

Let us know when we can see this !

[Indywannabe]

its going to donated to the avery fisher, juilliard, and parsons/NYU libraries.

Will there be some showing or ceremony? ...and maybe premature, but what timefrme?

[TimurCivan]

stills or grabs? Stills=camera? is this done with a softbox?
very nice images. If its sgpro im very impressed!
Im suprise you used canon lenses... any specific reason?

No softbox, an arri 650 and a piece of diffusion. i like the sharper light. Softboxes are far too overused. its a crutch for poor lighting skill. ( except for David Cronenwelth)



I was just in the son of Avery Fisher's 5th ave apt last week. Makes our place look like a bus stop compared to it.

I was in Bob Boyette, of "Miller Boyette Productions".... That probably was equally nice.... it was 2 floors of a Central park east apartment building. TWO FLOORS. think about this, a 1 bedroom apartment on CPW is 2,000,000$.......




Hi there,

These look cool, but perhaps to movie like for a doc ?

the last grab of that lady looks like it came out of a VERY SCARY MOVIE !!! :-)

- Derrick

I liek the way they look, i turned the detail way down. i want smooth and soft. Im sure Cecila will be thrilled to think she reminds people of a horror movie.



These grabs look great; what a bummer on todays inflation.

Let us know when we can see this !

Yea, one of our benefits was that since we had the lease on the building for so long, our rent was cheap. so we could charge people 10 - 20$ an hour. Other studios charge almost 60$-100$ an hour. This ment that the poor, passionate people could come and work. People who worked as bus boys, waiters and office clerks, could come here, and perfect their craft, then go perform their hearts out at theri venues. ITs amazing, looking at the Village voice or other arty newspapers all the people that get huge 2 page reviews on dance come from our place, because they dont have corporate backing, they are free to take chances and be bold, sexy, or whatever they want. Its a beautiful thing thats getting eaten up by commerce. Unfortunatly, one of the flaws of capitalism isthat eventually it destroys art.


Will there be some showing or ceremony? ...and maybe premature, but what timefrme?

No no big unveiling, maybe a cut will wind up on Current TV, and i will submitt it to some film festivals.

[kevinM]

Stills look really nice.

I like the strong edge light too.

Not crazy about the strong highlights on the cheeks and foreheads though. They look like they are beginning to sweat a bit.

This sounds like a good story. Good of you to take the time to tell it.

[TimurCivan]

yea its a 90 year old building shot in July. there is no Airconditioning. EVERYONE SWEATS. lol.

[TimurCivan]

UPDATE:

The HDD that had all the footage on it, inthe midst of a backup session, Crashed.... So as of now there is NO footage. though my Lord and saviour in the form of EASE Data recovery PRO, is currently sorting out the problem. Oy gevault....

[electricpig]

This sounds like 'Lost in LaMancha'.
Freak 250 year floods etc. When's the last time I heard of a harddrive crashing?

The gods are against you and this institution.

Don't let them beat you, with EASE as your guardian.

And backup straight away next time...

[Christopher Barry]

Timur, those frames look great. Recover that data! This documentary, classic in time, like the Studio and people who frequent(ed) it.

[TimurCivan]

data is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More grabs coming check first page.

[Capt Quirk]

This sounds like 'Lost in LaMancha'.
Freak 250 year floods etc.
Terry Gilliam had the worst of luck on that project...poor Bastard. I'm glad you're having better luck Tim.

[TimurCivan]

yea its all there and looking awesome.

[Capt Quirk]

How much time do you have before it goes? I still think there is a good supernatural story in there ;)

[TimurCivan]

Funny you mention that, because there are ghosts in the building.

[JimiK]

Hey Timur I am very sorry to hear that.
We had an audition a couple of years ago at Fazils for a pilot.I met Fazil and his wife.Beautiful people.
I was planning on having the auditions for my upcoming feature there.Pitty I guess it wont be happening.
When are they shutting down?

[TimurCivan]

you've still got a solid 6 months before anyhtign happens.

Yea Fazil is my uncle, and i work there occasionally too. He basically took over the business so Elena ( his wife) would have a place to dance, luckily, she is a genius, and is critcially acclamed modern oriental dancer, and for 30 years had a place to practice for 9 hours a day, without having ot work, though she taught classes and gave workshops.

[JimiK]

That's good news for me.
Thanks dude.

[TimurCivan]

no prob, tell em youre my friend they will take care of you.

[JimiK]

Thanks.Will do that.

[Capt Quirk]

Funny you mention that, because there are ghosts in the building.
There ya go! Take advantage of it, and shoot a movie before it's too late!

"They swore they would love each other until the end of time. Even after death, you can sometimes see them dancing together. "

[TimurCivan]

hey im gonna use that quote......

[Capt Quirk]

By all means, feel free. But I want at least a supernatural short out of the deal. If I could swing a trip to the scary city, I'd even help you with the production, just for the opportunity to experience another haunted location.

And, you'd be able to let all those old timers have one last dance before it goes away.

[TimurCivan]

come on up... the joint is SCARY as hell at night.

[Capt Quirk]

I'm sure it isn't as bad as the last place we lived. You'll have to trust me on that. As far as coming up, it just isn't possible at this time, but thanks for the invite.

[Mark Harris]

Hey Timur, good stuff. Wish I'd had more time to shoot with you on it.

[TimurCivan]

Yea man, theres gonna be more. i'll let you know :)

[Isaac_Brody]

Good work Mr. Civan.

[TimurCivan]

This is what i called you for that day. Remember? i needed a hand on the class coverage stuff. Gaffing and shooting a dance calss while remaining inobtrusive is hard for 1 guy... lol.

[TimurCivan]

Im suprise you used canon lenses... any specific reason?

I have tons of them.

[Mark Harris]

I have tons of them.

Where did that retarded-assed question come from?

[TimurCivan]

Mark and I shot a Hip Hop jam last week. Lots of Good footage. I descided to drop the HD for this Doc, its eating up too much bandwith and its hard fo me to Edit. Im coming down to DVCpro50.

I know the bitrate is actually higher than 720pn, but the framesize is too much for my graphics card.

Will put up some grabs soon.

[Jeff Anderson]

Timur - any more news on this? Just curious, the frame grabs look awesome.

[TimurCivan]

we are unfortunatly closing on dec 31st....... afaik.

[TimurCivan]

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/08/us/20080209FAZIL_index.html

The NY times featured the place. If you are a NY times reader, the article features my Doc!!!!! they even mention my name!


http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/dance/index.html

[Mark Harris]

Wow, that is awesome, dude!!!

I mean, the part about mentioning you, not the studio closing...

[TimurCivan]

Yea today was the last day ofclasses.... people were crying, even my mom. it was really sad.....

[Beat Takeshi]

Sorry to hear that man. I hate how everything good and wholesome gets mowed down.

[TimurCivan]

Now with footage! first post.

Thank aram... it sucks not having a place to shoot in.....

And here:

http://www.timurcivan.com/downloads/Timurcivaninterviewreel.mov

[Jeff Anderson]

Too bad about getting shut down... Footage is beautiful though. Very nice work as usual.

[Bertholt4]

Sooo nice!!!! I like your framing - it has something of an individual, "unperfect" perfectness.

[LightSourceMedia]

Great stuff Tim !
Gonna have to get my M2 out and play with it now...i do love that DOF...
Great story and history behind it all ! thanks for sharing it with us...

cheers,
daniel b

Lightsource Media
Creative Director-Owner
www.lightsourcemedia.com
Freelance Director of Photography
HD,Film,SD,DV,Cellphones....and anything else i can use to capture stories and paint beautiful moving images...

[Bertholt4]

Hello Timur, I would realy like to know: did you shoot this with 2 cameras?

Did you use sometimes the bare HVX, or is it all SGpro?