PJ Olsson's Rock Camp 2009

Tonight after rehearsal, the Fabulous Five hip-hop dance ladies were having a little fun with PJ. Here are a few stills from the video we shot.

The photos from the Rock Star photo shoot are in and posted for everyone to enjoy.  Another thanks goes out to Adam Johnson of Brockit for making the photo shoot possible this year.

Full Gallery Here

Brockit is providing free downloads of the photos that can be used for viewing or sharing on your computer, cell phone, facebook, myspace, etc.  These photos are great for any sort of digital usage.

You can also order photographic prints in various sizes right from the Brockit web site.  Add the photos you want, place your order, they prints will arrive by mail in a few days.

Brockit.com: Free Downloads | Order Prints

Additionally, if you have been enjoying the photos taken by Ray Bosley, you can download digital copies from his web site for $0.99 and/or order photographic prints.

That’s right Rock Camp followers, PJ and kids will be on Upper Peninsula TV as Jeni Jewell from WLUC TV6 in Marquette, MI paid a visit Wednesday evening.  Jeni began by shooting video as songs were practiced.  When it came time to interview the Campers, she said she, “didn’t want to break any hearts”.  Jeni picked a month and asked who was born in that month.  She then asked those kids if they would be comfortable being interviewed for the TV broadcast.  About halfway through the first interview, Todd felt a need to start lobbing some softball questions at the kids as well.

I was impressed with the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the answers given by the kids.  When it came time to interview PJ, I found I had to put my camera down as there was so much emotion when he explained why he was doing the camp and described his experiences growing up in the local music scene in the 80s.  This guy has a heart size XXL.

The most fun part of the evening was watching Jeni film the closing.  It looks to me like being a TV broadcaster is a pressure-cooker and would not be my choice of careers.  Jeni rehearsed the closing to get the day, the time, the event name, the group name, and the sponsors just right.  It was impressive that she did this with no notes, no teleprompter, and no assistance of any kind.  Jeni is one young lady with a lot of poise.

And just to make sure she’s still following Rock Camp, we want all her friends and co-workers to ask her when the concert is.  Those of us watching her closing bet she’ll never forget.

Thanks Jeni

FULL IMAGE GALLERY from Jeni’s Visit

Todd told me my job during the Rock Star photo shoot was to shoot behind the scenes. There was a lot of scene to shoot behind.  Adam Johnson of Brockit had his Rock Star photo equipment and assistants with him.  Todd of Brassard Media had two video cameras and a couple of assistants.  Jessie was organizing rock star poses from publications, and PJ was a non-stop blur of motion.

The music instructors, “Doc” Milt Olsson, Mike Irish, and Mark Lucier were in the house along with a group of dancers and a special guest appearance by Hannah Bethel.  It was definitely a rock star kind of night. It was a real learning experience for me shooting behind Adam as he set up enough lighting to land the space shuttle.

My goal was to be unobtrusive and stay out of the way.  To accomplish this, I shot half the time with flash (during Adam’s down time and lens swaps) and half the time at high ISO with slow shutter speeds.  Since Adam is still as a statue when he shoots, keeping him sharp at  slower shutter speeds wasn’t too bad.  Slow shutter speed is an issue, however, when the non-stop bundle of energy otherwise known as PJ would blur across the lens.  It was kind of like shooting a puppy dog circling a fire hydrant getting ready to do his thing.  And we all know PJ knows how to do his thing.

The kids were great and the energy in the building reminded me of playing on stage in front of an appreciative audience.  I especially enjoyed shooting Mark “Loosh” Lucier and his lovely daughter.  I graduated from High School with Mark’s wife Paula.  When Mark and Paula’s daughter had her back to me and was talking to her Dad, I swear it was her mom, same voice, same speech pattern.

Mark, thanks for all the great poses.

Adams, thanks for the great learning experience.

Todd, thanks for the invite.

PJ, thanks for putting on this great event.  I keep wishing I was a teenager again so I could be one of your campers.

Ray

FULL (lots of pictures) GALLERY

Hey everyone!  This is me, Todd Brassard of Brassard Media, the dude who’s bringing you all of these web updates, but who are those guys below?!?

Are you sure you want these guys instructing your children?

Mark Lucier (left), PJ Olsson (middle), Mike Irish (right)

Thanks again Adam for the cool photos!