Wichita Sessions is a complex collaboration
It’s a Thursday night, and Commerce street, a long, dark, brick road just south of the downtown arena is quiet. Halfway down the street, two figures stand outside the Diver Studio art gallery, blowing plumes of cigarette smoke into the fresh spring air. They’re Scott Allan Knost and Derek Tucker, enjoying a quick smoke before they start filming with the producers of Wichita Sessions. I greet the two as I enter the dark art gallery and walk up the old, wooden steps to the second level.
In a large room that runs the length of the building, there is a gang of audiophiles, videoheads, and other creatives in a buzz as they setup the scene: cables are being unwound, tripods constructed, and video cameras calibrated. A single soft box (an overhead lighting rig, with bright lights diffused by a broad, white fabric) hangs from the ceiling, bathing subjects underneath in a clean, white light. On the far wall, a large crane (called a boom) is poised for pan shots, sitting on a track that traverses the edge of the band space.
Immediately, I get the sense that creating the high quality episodes of Wichita Sessions is no small feat. Rather, it’s a complex endeavor, involving the collaboration of some of the finest media minds the Air Capital has to offer.
Tonight’s shoot features a Wichita Favorite: Uche and the Crash. The band is excited (and a little nervous) to be filming for the KPTS hit series. They’re busy preparing their instruments and equipment for the big shoot. I ask Uche how he feels about being on the show: “I’m honored. I’ve seen Nikki Moddelmog, Sluggos, and Spirit of the Stairs. It was incredible.”, chuckling he goes on, “I just hope we don’t screw up. We don’t want to lower bar, because right now it’s all been top notch.”
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I had a chance to speak with Leah Miller, publicist for the series: “It’s a lot of work, but these guys are really passionate about what they do.” Along with other members of the crew, Leah works at the downtown video firm digitalBRAND. Eric Zoller is president of the company – he shares his vision: “We originally set out to make a music concert show we would want to watch ourselves. More and more we are finding that there’s a great demand for showcasing the incredible and diverse musical talent we have right here in Wichita.” Zoller co-produces the show with local independent producer Lonny Quattlebaum.