KCMiller said:
Hi, it's me, the OP
!
I couldn't remember if the Town Square (sorry about the mixup!) was one solid round plaza type thing, or if, like one of the pictures shows, it was bisected by a walkway.
OK - the reason I needed a picture is because I'm trying to decide where is the very best place to sit to watch my DS and DD march with their marching band down Main Street this December. I'd prefer to WATCH parades from somewhere else, like Frontier Land or up by the castle, but to videotape the band and to really get some great shots of the kids marching with the castle in the background, I have to be on Main Street.
Now that I see the center of Town Square isn't as solid as I thought, can someone tell me - CAN you sit right there at the head of the street?
KC
Spectro always starts (enters) from the Fire Station/Barbershop on Main Street, moves counter-clockwise around the "Town Square/Flagpole Green" (in front of the train station) and down Main Street towards the castle.
It winds counter-clockwise around the "Hub", into Liberty Square, veers left into Frontierland, down the street in Frontierland (past Country Bears) and finally exits between the McDonald's Fries "covered wagon" and Splash Mountain.
Even if there are 2 Spectro's on the same night, the parade follows this same route and goes at the EXACT same SPEED (its computer "controlled").
My best tip for you is to have a GROUP of PRE-COORDINATED camcorder operators, WITHIN A FEW YARDS of each other, who's job it is to "shoot the band" ALL ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STREET (don't want the "direction" of the band to "change" on-screen because one shot is "right-to-left" the other is "left-to-right").
Because a single camcorder will miss MOST of the band, several coordinated units can cover MORE of it and then the footage can be edited together for the best end-result. (Most schools have video production/editing capabilities.)
A great position for at least one (or two) camcorder(s) is on the upper train platform.
It is very hard to get a spot there as many folks like to sit here.
If its important, be there 2-3 hours before the show and hold your spot.
Alternately, if you're too late to get that spot, make a "deal" with a person who is sitting at the rail that you ONLY need to be there for the time it takes to record your band going by (these "pre-show bands" march by many minutes [say 10-15 minutes] BEFORE the actual parade) and if the person would let you into "their spot" -just for a few minutes of the band going by- (then you'll quickly move to let them return) they would be helping the school get lasting memories of the day.
Lastly, borrow or buy a TRIPOD for holding the camcorder.
(At least for the camcorder(s) on the train platform.)
Wiggling shots are impossible to watch and can be avoided for $20-$30 spent at Wal-Mart for a basic "video tripod".
Frame one, two, or three "good shots" (wider, not too close).
Frame the first shot and let the band march THROUGH the picture,
quckly frame another shot, let it march by, etc.
Practice using the tripod until you're comfortable.
A group of "moms and dads" with thier own camcorders and a PLAN (Ed will shoot wide from the train station, Joan will be below with shots of the drum majors and then the drum section, Bill will get "Mr. Johnson" as he walks next to the band, Jane will catch the trombones and then the woodwinds...) can make a great team to capture the event.
Don't forget to coordinate with the BAND so everyone will be clear about when they will be PLAYING (and not just marching to cadence).
As you might have guessed, I do this for a living and have HOURS of spectacular WDW events in my collection.
With some pre-planning and proper positioning, you will be able to document an exciting day for the kids (and YOU).
!
