'A Shot in the Park' + 23

    Twenty-three years ago Brian Vouglas and I collaborated on a birthday spoof created for Karl-Heinz Teuber and his celebrants. Sadly, for the wider public, the 2002 video files have been not available until the present. However, in Karl's memory, this newly reworked version (edited for time and additional audio) can now be enjoyed. ;-) Starring: Brian Vouglas

 

 .[UPDATE 2026-06-01]:

     While creating this video with Brian, I thought to shoot a quick scene in the elevator, knowing where the light would fall on Brian's face and how a low angle POV might enhance the effect and add to the film noir feel I was trying to achieve.. 

    In the viewfinder I could see the shadows details of Brian's face while shooting the one and only take,* and was technically disappointed to say the least, when the later playback revealed none. 

    How wrong I was. 

    Actually, the enigmatic deepness of the dark only strengthened the composition and overall effect. Turned out, it was a lucky accident!

    Anyway, today, for my pleasure and possible future utility, I decided to make a title card of the freeze frame lifted from that scene, adding the pun Brian supplied finished product. .

.

A cropped title card made from the elevator freeze frame. 

*As The Crestview Apartments is a working enterprise, we only had the moment using the building's north wing elevator to return to Karl's fifth floor residence, to photograph the scene. Killing two birds with one stone as they say. Not exactly guerilla filmmaking per se, but close.

 

;-) 

 

[SECOND UPDATE 2026-06-04]:

     "On June 4, 2026, I decided to upload and post the title card to my Facebook with the following copy**: Here is a happy photographic accident I once experienced with a camera and its shortcomings. 

Back in 2002, Brian Vouglas and I once collaborated on an open-ended, birthday video: a crime spoof we shot to celebrate the natal day of our friend Karl-Heinz Teuber, and in which his party guests, as the usual suspects, would be called in for questioning. 

In the lead-up, Brian played a detective on his way to Karl's SF apartment in search of clues.

With the exterior shots of the Crestview Apartments taken, where Karl resided, we next entered the north elevator. There I had an image in mind. 

Taking advantage of the old, wood, prerenovation paneling and film noir reminiscent lighting, I proceeded to videotape, Brian from below, all the while on our way up, clearly able to see with my eyes the grim facial features in shadow under Brian's brim.

We only had the one take.

Alas, when I later played the scene back, I panicked - the dark had swallowed up the details! What a technical fiasco the fedora had fostered!

Then I realized the mistake instead had actually added to the mystique, well, at least in my mind. I think Brian also enjoyed the man-of- mystery effect, thinking it intentional.

Anyway, today, I thought I'd again give it the once over - 'Freeze, frame!' - and turn the visual into a title card with the pun Brian lent the production."

     

 ;-)

 

 **Wish I could say "backcopy" instead - I like the sound of that word much, much better, but technically speaking, it doesn't really apply. 

Ironically, the above citation of it does exactly that - rendering the Facebook copy, a backcopy when cited here!