Sons of Vienna | Documentary Series
Opus 76 | JACENKNET
Crew
Jason Kraynek – Director of Photography, Camera Operator (A), Gaffer, Editor, Colorist
Ron Shay – Director, Writer, Producer
Robert Felker – AC, Camera Opertor (B), Grip, PA
Jessica Lynn – Hair MUA
Opus 76 – Studio
JACENKNET – Production Company
Talent
Angelo Xiang – Violin
Brian Thornton – Cello
Bonnie Terry – Violin
Janet Sung – Violin
Anthony Molinaro – Piano
Pablo Villegas – Classical Guitar
Desiree Ruhstrat – Violin
David Cunliffe – Cello
Marta Aznavoorian – Piano
Rebecca Boelzner – Viola
Aurelien Fort Pederzoli – Viola
Anne Leonard – Art Historian
Networks
Apple TV, Amazon, Sky TV, Sky Arts, Now TV
Gear
CAMERAS – RED Dragon, Canon C300 mark ii
LENSES – Canon CNE Primes
LIGHTS – Arri, Litepanels, Blind Spot Gear, Hive Lighting
RIG – Shape, Wooden Camera, Easyrig, Flowcine, SmallHD, Teradek
From the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century Vienna was never without a world-famous composer living and working within her friendly confines. Who were these master composers? We know their music well, but what of their lives, myths, and legends? The Viennese took pleasure and found stimulus in music, art, and architecture. It was in this colorful environment that Haydn and Mozart, among others, wrote the timeless compositions that have become the foundation of classical music. Past masters, eight in all, will be vibrantly brought to life not with black ties and tails but with vibrant tales of a different sort.
xx
This series was shot during July/August 2017 with a full network release on Jan 2018. In addition to being the Director of Photography, I was a camera operator (A), gaffer, editor, colorist, and put together the production crew for episodes 2-6. Episode 1 was filmed as a development pitch before I came aboard.
This project involved many talented people in modern-day classical music from around the world including Angelo Xiang, Brian Thornton, Bonnie Terry, Janet Sung, Anthony Molinaro, Pablo Villegas, Desiree Ruhstrat, David Cunliffe, Marta Aznavoorian, Rebecca Boelzner, and Aurelien Fort Pederzoli.
Director Ron Shay has had a long career in advertising since the 80s and it was interesting to work with someone who has seen all the changes that filmmakers go through in that time. His stories of how things were shot and the industry were very informative.
It was a long complex shoot to pull off with only 3-4 people (1 being the Director, the other being an HMU when needed). Trying to make all the interviews and performances look different in spaces I had no prior knowledge or control of, and only using the gear I owned was challenging. There was the stress of working around what could be considered musical instruments worth a very large house.
I spent the better part of the next 3 years editing various versions, decks, and series trailers for pitches. I learned the limits of 6 different 40+ minute timelines, 4 different camera formats, and all the things that go into UK exports and specs. *It is a lot.
Sons of Vienna has since been picked up by networks including Apple TV, Sky TV, BBC, Amazon Prime, and many others. We were in development to start a new series involving dance (much like ‘Fire Together‘ the documentary I shot in 2018) till Covid hit and production halted indefinitely.
BEHIND THE SCENES
