Thursday, November 20, 2008

Day 6

The crew met up at the office and went over to Antone's at noon, for the march to City Hall in support of the Live Music Task Force (or rather, of creating a central music office for it). The mood at Antone's was anticipatory and lively. People brought guitars and drums, which usually show up at every protest anyway, but for once they were being played by professionals (and man, does that make all the difference). A few local news crews showed up as well - it was definitely an event.

We got some really interesting footage I think, mostly of people just having conversations. Nathan and Rob would literally find people who seemed to be having interesting discussions, roll up behind them and start filming (naturally we got their permission to actually use the footage afterward - or rather, I did, being the one with the release forms in hand). There were all sorts of people: a young guy and a girl, two dapper gentlemen in nice shirts, a bunch of dudes just hanging out outside talking about music etc.

_MG_7651
Rob and Nathan inside Antone's, finding their shot

_MG_7661
Dave and Nathan casually recording these dudes' conversation (Rob's arm stage right)

Finally, we all walked over a few blocks to City Hall, holding signs and singing and doing your run of the mill protest-y things. Nathan was running back and forth in the crowd trying to get all the good moments, while Dave tailed him and tried to stay out of shot. Rob was somewhere too, but I didn't see him since I was busy following Nathan's trail of close-ups with my relentless pursuit of signed release forms.

When we got into City Hall, the march ground to a halt - ironically - as we all passed through the security checkpoint one by one. The rest of the crew went ahead into the main chamber to set up and find good spots - I followed eventually, with the camera bags in tow.

The agenda finally got to the central music office (momentum was dented again a bit as we walked in on a meeting about libraries), and the crowd went nuts. After various aspects of the case in favor of the office were presented, it was approved, to many cheers. The mood was jubilant, and people seemed pretty happy. I've only been here a week (well, a week tomorrow), but even I could perceive the wave of relief and pleasant expectation that swept through the crowd. Well, what was left of it, anyway - a few people had drifted away, most likely back to their places of work, since this meeting was in the middle of the day on a Thursday.

_MG_7670
Awaiting the decision in the City Hall main chamber

_MG_7673
The Austin City Council - check out Rob crouched on the left!

_MG_7679
Post-decision revelling. Still finding shots. We don't rest. Ever.

No comments: