Metaheroes Inbox

[atypical_echo]

You’ve reached Mark, for some reason. It’s 2022 apparently, last I checked - just text me. Or, you know, leave a message if you must.

Comments

[atypical_echo]

[He is grateful and is happy to let the guy handle that while he grabs cases and drapes them over his shoulders by a plethora of straps.]

Are any pictures going to involve your presence? Or just the site itself?

[robintohood]

Just the site itself. I rather the photos focus on that than on me.

[It would draw more attention than necessary to him as a civilian]

[atypical_echo]

Yeah, that's fair.

[And, you know, it might raise the attention that Jason was, well, he looked sorta young to be owning a place like this? So people might think that's weird?]

So karaoke bars go a number of ways, including still sorta dive bar, college bar, foreign traveler attraction, or horribly neon. please say not horribly neon. That's hard to shoot.

[robintohood]

[Snickers]

Don't worry. Neon's not my thing. I went more of a speakeasy vibe to the place, with obvious modern upgrades like the karaoke machines.

[atypical_echo]

Oh man, that's a great choice. This should be fun.

[And now that he's loaded down like a pack mule he's ready to go. Especially since he doesn't recognize Jason as the person he met at the party in the past, so he doesn't need to be awkward about it.]

[robintohood]

[Good thing for masks. Jason helps him haul the other equipment to Descendant]

Thanks. I was trying to go for a classy look without making the place come off as stuffy. People should be as comfortable and as casual as they want here.

[atypical_echo]

So, why 'Descendant' for the name?

[He is happy to get the help going in, it's awkward to move it all in one trip, dangerous too. This will save him the extra trip.]

So I think I'd want shots of the bar and tables to see if I can get that mood across.

[robintohood]

Our bar is kinda similar to another karaoke bar that used to be around. It was called Ascendant. So the name's a nod to that.

[Jason leads the way to the first floor of the building. Most of it is an open space with tables and chairs already set up. The walls are also visibly brick]

We got private rooms too for customers to reserve ahead of time.

[atypical_echo]

Oh man, bare brick. Beautiful choice. That's going to look great in shots. And yeah, I'll want private room shots too, give you a nice range of what you can use in promotional work.

[He finds a table and puts down some of his bags to free himself up to walk the space.]

[robintohood]

Not a problem. We got the cheap rooms and the VIP ones. We also got a special reading room.

Need more help with your stuff?

[atypical_echo]

Reading room?

[Oh man, he needs so much help.]

Any chance you know how to set up the stands for the reflectors.

[robintohood]

[Nods]

Yeah, I can do it. Just let me know how to angle them once they're up.

[Jason starts to set up a stand]

The reading room's a bonus I threw in. It's supposed to be a quiet space for reading and drinking. You can donate a book or take a book for free in there.

[atypical_echo]

Oh good to hear. I've explained them before, but I tend to stay hovering.

[He looks over briefly, sees the man's confidence with it, and nods before starting his walking of the first floor. This is a great space too.]

That's amazing. I'm going to need shots of that too. Do you have a lot of books there yet? Oh and I'm liking the look of the bar. Who did you use on design? They're great!

[robintohood]

[Jason's pleased to hear how impressed Mark is with the place. It's a good sign that he picked the right decor]

The private rooms and the reading room are all towards the back. Most of the shelves have been filled now. And I was the one who decided to make the place a speakeasy but I can give you the names of the people who helped me.

[Jason had to pay extra to expediate the process but it looks like it's going to be worth it]

[atypical_echo]

They deserve some credit. People might want some of their guidance. Not me. I can't afford it, clearly. Poor artist is a state you rarely grow out of.

[It's going to be worth it. If only it wasn't also a bar, Mark would be a regular. As it was he returned to the table with his camera bag and took out a lens to get it on his camera.]

I'll start with the bar. General rule, any liquor bottles you have with really obvious labels and logos, could you turn them away from the bar? I know it will take some time, but it's the easiest and quickest way to avoid any accusations of advertising.

[robintohood]

[Jason nods and walks over to bar to turn the bottles]

Yeah, I get it. Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. Thanks for letting me know.

And hey, maybe you'll hit it big too. I'm making sure your credit's all over these photos.

[atypical_echo]

[Mark wants to laugh at that.]

Nah man, I doubt it. Weddings and christmas cards and family news letters for me. I'm trying to see if I can get that wonderful playhouse to let me do some promo work for them too. But hey, every step counts, right?

[He'd help with the bottles, but he's not touching those. Instead he needs to get the lights moved so he can do some flash tests.]

[robintohood]

It's better than nothing at least.

[It takes several more minutes but Jason steps back once he's done with with the bottles]

How's that?

[atypical_echo]

Looks great.

[Tempting. They look tempting. So he fiddles with a setting.]

You should move, let me get these flash tests done, make sure I'm not blinding us.

[robintohood]

[Jason nods and steps away from the bar to let Mark do his thing]

[atypical_echo]

[Good. Mark starts to take a number of flashes, adjusting the light levels until he's got something he likes.]

Nice. This is totally good. Now let's see what pictures I can get before the voice of Joanie in my head says 'Mark you're hyperfocusing'

[robintohood]

["Joanie?" Interesting...]

Well, you got plenty of other things here to focus on if that helps. Come on. I'll show you the private rooms.

[Jason leads Mark towards the back of the first floor]

[atypical_echo]

Hold on.

[He does grab more than a few shots of the bar, ones he's certain he likes, before he goes to follow Jason. They can carry things when needed.]

Don't worry about it. What my sister doesn't know won't get me lectured.

[robintohood]

What? You got a habit of taking a million shots or something?

[atypical_echo]

[Mark winces, which he figures should be enough of an answer.]

There may be a bit of a history.