Amuse Bouche visits NCCAF - 2010

Some photos from Amuse Bouche's visit to the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival (a.k.a. Dirty South Improv Festival). This is Amuse Bouche's third year attending. I once more attempted to process this film for improved shadow density; results were still contrasty but not unusably so. Several exposures were scanned twice and merged.

Ilford D3200 - rated around E.I. 1600-2000, over-developed and under-agitated.

A shot of Boston Improv (at least I think that's their name). Really nice fluid scene transitions and a fantastic group dynamic. They had a really good showing last year as well, though this year they had more people (by contrast, most troupes sent fewer this year). The crowd went nuts after their set, chanting "Boston!" Truth be told, I don't remember many of the montage specifics, but they were truly outstanding even among a bunch of really good acts.

I'll update this post when I remember this group's name.
A party we went to between sets, hosted by UNC's improv team. It was a really neat chance to meet and make friends with other college troupes; I met a guy who knew my best friend from elementary school in Charleston, SC. Small world.
I have more than one portrait of this man in this pose making this face. But this was the first such portrait that I took with this camera.
Zach Ward, coordinator of the festival, introduces the late set. One scan for highlights, one for shadows.

Again, I'll update this when I look up the group's name. The scene had a photographer character in it, and that coupled with the 'stage picture' made for a really nice photo. Again, two scans; I'm beginning to have some faith in my shadow-detail processing method.

Yes, that's MC Frontalot, performing an opener of Yellow Laser Beam before the BeatBox set. Live and a capella, with the guy on the right as a beatbox. Frontalot didn't play in the scene, but he sure enjoyed it. By contrast, MC Chris was a guest the past two years, and attempted to perform in scenes. That attempt was probably misguided. (2 scans).

Frontalot again, making a funny face. I didn't process this scan very well (2 scans).

Here are members of BeatBox, which we began to suspect might have a rotating membership. This set was not nearly as strong (no offence though, it was a good set) as last year's, and I didn't really recognize anyone from BeatBox last year. Notably present on the far right is Jill Bernard of Drum Machine fame... an incredible solo longform improv act. More on her later. (2 scans, actually 3 but 2 of them were very close together)

Neat stairs in the parking garage. Processed a bit too flat.

Meeting before workshops on Saturday.

We commented that it was rather early in the morning to hold a meeting. This is evidenced by the fact that almost everyone in this shot is apparently falling asleep. Which is in itself a pretty good joke.

I met a friend from high school who was overseeing the building that day; I had sent her an invitation to our show on Thursday but she had given up Facebook for Lent and not received it. She did, however, recommend Cosmic Cantina to me, which I then proceeded to visit for lunch. It is well hidden.

Official Product Placement of Amuse Bouche. Also, apparently I can't focus and/or I was thirsty.

Exterior of Cosmic Cantina (which is kind of interior in a covered alley). Too flat as a result of hastily trying to pull in the neon sign, I guess I could re-export it if I felt like it.