Celebrating "Polaris": Dark Sky Productions' Journey to Three NGIFA Nominations

Ingenuity of Set Design:

The set design for "Polaris" was a creative masterpiece in itself. Each location, from the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the stark beauty of Joshua Tree and the serene shores of Lake Elsinore, was transformed into a canvas that breathed life into the story. The attention to detail was awe-inspiring.

In the heart of Los Angeles, we brought the bustling urban landscape to vivid life, capturing the city's vibrant energy. The set designers skillfully recreated iconic cityscapes, adding depth and authenticity to our scenes.

Joshua Tree, with its otherworldly rock formations and surreal desert landscapes, presented a unique challenge and opportunity. Our team worked tirelessly to integrate the natural beauty of this location seamlessly into the narrative, creating a breathtaking backdrop for pivotal moments in the film.

Lake Elsinore, with its tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings, provided a striking contrast to the urban and desert settings. The set design here emphasized the tranquility of the location, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

Skillful Direction by Adam Adorno:

A film is only as good as its director, and Adam Adorno's skillful direction was the guiding force behind "Polaris." His vision and leadership elevated every aspect of the production.

Adam's ability to harness the unique characteristics of each location and translate them into visual poetry on screen was truly remarkable. He understood how to capture the essence of Los Angeles' frenetic pace, Joshua Tree's mystique, and Lake Elsinore's serenity.

Moreover, Adam's expertise in storytelling allowed him to guide our talented cast and crew to deliver exceptional performances. His insightful direction brought out the nuances of the characters, making them relatable and deeply engaging.

During long shoots in diverse locations, Adam's unwavering dedication and calm demeanor kept the team motivated and focused. His problem-solving skills were tested numerous times, and he always found creative solutions to overcome challenges.

In conclusion, the ingenuity of our set design and the skillful direction by Adam Adorno were pivotal in bringing "Polaris" to life. The film's visual and emotional impact was a testament to the dedication and creativity of the entire team, and we couldn't be prouder of the result. "Polaris" is a true reflection of the magic that happens when visionary direction meets meticulous set design.

The Power of Community Spirit

At Dark Sky Productions, we've long recognized the significance of community spirit. Our accomplishments are not solely our own; they are a testament to our community's talent and unwavering support. With this spirit, I reach out to each of you, my LinkedIn connections, to join me in celebrating this remarkable achievement.

Sharing the Joy

Your support and encouragement mean the world to us, and I invite you to share in our joy by helping us spread the word, amplify the excitement, and spark conversations about "Polaris." Your shares, comments, and engaging social media interactions are appreciated and the heart and soul of our celebration.

Join the Celebration

Let's shine a spotlight on "Polaris" and revel in the glow of our collective achievement. I would like you to stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to rock the awards night. I'm excited to share this journey with you all and make sure the world knows that "Polaris" has arrived and is here to shine!

AUDITION PACKETS ARE LIVE!

2024 AUDITION PACKETS for battery & front ensemble are available. You can purchase one for $10 just to check it out and work on your chops or register to audition ($75), which includes the packet. Auditions are Sat, Sept 23rd & Sun, Oct 1st at Corona HS. Plan on attending the 23rd as Oct 1st is for Callbacks. If you can’t attend on the 23rd, send an email to darkskypercussion.info@gmail.com explaining the need to miss on the 23rd.

Come Prepared! Be sure to know the packet when you come to auditions. To help yourself earn a member contract:

1) Come prepared

2) Be willing to accept feedback

3) Demonstrate a willingness to apply staff feedback

Participating in a season of World Class indoor percussion costs money. Be sure you are preparing yourself to make payments from October - March (and save a few $ for Dayton in April!) If needed, line up supportive donors, now!

See you soon and Good Luck!

Check Out Our New Staff!

We’re excited to announce the addition of three new Visual staff members! Zach Carrasco joins our design team creating with Dark Sky founder and front ensemble composer, Seth Woodard and battery arranger, Darren Van Derpoel. In addition to the battery score, Darren will be adding drill design to his 2024 job description, working with Zach to craft a state of the art visual program.

Joining the Visual instructional team for the first time will be Kevin Tieck and Michael Adrias. Kevin will take on Visual Caption head responsibilities while giving our members top tier visual instruction. Kevin and Michael will be working along side third year staff member, Lizz Alonzo. We’re excited to have this talented team working on behalf of our 2024 members!

SCPA PRELIMS

We’ll be at the Felix Event Center in Azusa, CA this Saturday, April 8th performing “Ad Astra”. Performance time is 7:01pm and in The Lot at 5:41pm.

AD ASTRA

Our 2023 show is called “Ad Astra - we see ourselves in the stars.” The show is designed and written by Seth Woodard, Darren Van Derpoel and Scott Tanaka. The show is a tone poem to star trails created by photographers when they capture the beauty of the stars with the passage of time from the same point on the earth with Debussy as a powerful muse.

Dark Sky will be performing Ad Astra at the SCPA Monrovia HS show on March 5th, as well as the WGI Power Regional in Long Beach on March 25-26th, the SCPA Championships on April 8th and 15th and then we’re off to Dayton, Ohio for the WGI World Championships: April 20-22.

We hope you’ll see us live but you can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook where our media team will be posting lots of content over the next 2 months - and don’t foget to stop by our merch booth and come see us in the LOT!

OPEN VISUAL AUDITIONS

Open call for visual auditions continues this Sunday, October 2nd at Diamond Bar HS. Check-In is at 9am and the audition will conclude by 1:30pm . Registrations is online only and costs $75.

Attention String Players!

The 2023 Dark Sky show is designed to include a string quartet this season. Interested string players between the ages of 18-22 should email: darkskypercussion.info@gmail.com

AUDITION DATES & LOCATION ARE SET

Dark Sky 2023 auditions will be at Diamond Bar High School on September 18th and the 25th from 9am - 6pm. Registration and audition packet links will be coming soon via Facebook, Instagram and here on our website. Registration will be ONLINE ONLY. Registration guarantees participation in both audition days. Call Backs will be October 2nd and are by invitation only.

Synth Position Still Open

Our 2022 auditions are primarily complete, but there is an open synthesizer position in our front ensemble. Anyone interested in joining us, contact: darkskypercussion.info@gmail.com

Auditions Continue

Auditions for the front and visual ensembles continue Sunday, October 10th @ Duarte HS: 1565 Central Ave. Register 9:00am. Visual Audition: 10am-1pm. Front Ensemble: 10am-6pm