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                                                                            NBC The ’68 Comeback Special

                                                                            We watched The ’68 Comeback Special repeatedly to ensure that we captured every
                                                                            detail in our set, costumes and hair and make-up.
                                                                              Baz  felt  very  strongly  that  every  design  element  of  the  Comeback  Special
                                                                            needed to be historically accurate. The set was very simple in its design and the
                                                                            standout look is created by the audience that flanks the intimate stage on all four
                                                                            sides. To get this setting and the atmosphere right, we analysed countless video
                                                                            frames to cast and costume the audience to match as closely as possible to the
                                                                            original television show.
                                                                              The  challenge  of  accurately  costuming  the  audience  using  both  found  and
                                                                            bespoke outfits was something I’d never done so exactingly. It was a thrill to see all
                                                                            these characters come to life once they were dressed in full hair and make-up,
                                                                            sitting in position and lit ready for the scene.
                                                                              What’s interesting about the ’68 Comeback Special is that it was designed as an
                                                                            in-the-round  shooting  set.  Our  challenges  really  came  in  hiding  the  modern
                                                                            technology  we  were  using  to  capture  the  images.  It  became  clear  early  on  that
                                                                            because of the camera angles, we would end up seeing our modern lighting rig.
                                                                            In  order  to  create  a  period  look  and  feel,  we  worked  with  Mandy  Walker  and
                                                                            Sean Conway to incorporate period-appropriate lights so we would get an accurate
                                                                                                            look but nevertheless not inhibit the free movement
                                                                            THIS PAGE, FROM TOP the empty   of the camera that we needed.
                                                                             ’68 Comeback Special stage set.   Baz  wanted  to  create  footage  that  matched  the
                                                                              Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
                                                                              on the set of Singer presents…   original  special  that  was  shot  on  television  floor
                                                                            Elvis surrounded by his fans and   cameras.  We  needed  to  build  housings  for  our
                                                                             the Blue Moon Boys. The show   modern-day  cameras  so  they  would  look  period-
                                                                                became known as the ’68     appropriate, too,  and  capture  the action  from the
                                                                             Comeback Special as it signalled
                                                                             the reinvigoration of his career.  same vantage point.





























































          58   vogueliving.com.au                                                                                                                                           PHOTOGRAPHERS: DAMIEN DREW (TOP), TRENT MITCHELL (BOTTOM)
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