TuneTrek-Old Coast Guard Station

TuneTrek-Old Coast Guard Station-Virginia Beach, VA

August 31st. 2012

The first person I spoke to when advancing Virginia Beach was Darcy Nelson at the Old Coast Guard Station.   This was the first time that i didn’t have to make any more phone calls.  She embraced the project from the get go and we arranged a time for me to film.

I decided to take the shuttle bus that went up the main drag.  As I approached the stop, I saw the aftermath of a car hitting a woman on a bicycle.  She was being attended to and seemed ok but all traffic was blocked.   

Just as I decided to start walking 20 or so blocks with my gear in the summer heat,  the police began letting cars around and the bus came.   The driver sounded just like Mos Def in 16 Blocks.  Crazy.

The station sits nestled next to a tall beach front apartment building. I almost missed it.

I began by interviewing the local Docet Jim Phillips who gave me all sorts of history about the station. Very informative, so much that he had to take a rest midway between the tour.  Thanx again Jim.  

Darcy showed me the Lookout Tower which has a live beach cam.   

Very cool but I couldn’t compose the shot i wanted.

The main room where they kept the surf boats and apparatas wound up sounding and looking great. 

Blue Man was my focal stand in.  He's cool.

Thanx Darcey for all the help and time.   

Click here to watch the episode.

http://youtu.be/aByPlTfcG-k

On to the next.

Trek it!

MP

TuneTrek-USS Olympia

TuneTrek-USS Olympia-Philly
 
Aug 4th.  2012
 
So I’d been doing my usual research and hadn’t been able to find a location that worked into my time frame.   I’d pretty much given up hope when I received a call from, and you’ll never believe this, Hope!  She was the Director of Marketing for the Independence Seaport Museum and she was excited about the project and wanted to see if I could come to the Olympia on the next day.  "Absolutely", I replied.  She even picked me up and drove
me back after the shoot.  Thank you again Hope. 
 
I got a full tour of the ship and a lot of history.   This ship still had 2 masts with sails because the steam engine technology was so new.  

Incredible engine room.

 
I got permission to film in the captains quarters.   Incredible blend of nice furnishings and massive 5 inch guns.

 
Very humbling.
 
Check out the episode and stay tuned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0pX2uTVjc
Peace,
MP

TuneTrek-Union Station-Indi

July 12th.  2012

So I arrived in Indi with a couple days free for advancing and scouting out locations.

I'd done a bit of research and was most excited about trying to get into Union Station.

The first of it's kind in America.  Built to handle multiple trains arriving into one central location.  1849.

The Headhouse with the tower was built in 1866 to help accommodate the volume of passengers coming in and out of the station.

I couldn't get a hold of anyone over the phone so I decided to head over and see if I could find someone.

Luckily, the first person I saw had a clipboard and looked official.  Her name was Jen Wilson and she took care of the events that were booked in the main space.   She was very interested in the project and took a bit of time checking on when there would be a window for me to get in and film.

She then got me in touch with her boss, Doug Allison who was very helpful and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing a project that involved nudity.  Apparently, he allowed a photographer to come in and later found out that he was shooting pictures of naked models...while there were tours going on....with children.   I assured him that I would be keeping my clothes on.

Here's the incredible room I performed in.

Check out the episode here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0pX2uTVjc

Peace,
mp