Visual effects make Metropolis' Sherlock Holmes-inspired streaming comedy possible

Audiences tuning in to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's virtual production of "Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" might be curious about how the Arlington Heights theater managed - mid-pandemic - to film a play with multiple actors while adhering to safety guidelines.

All it took, says Metropolis executive/artistic director Joe Keefe, was a bit of video wizardry.

"What we're seeing on the video is dazzling," said Keefe of Metropolis' revival of the comedic homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective and his partner-in-crime-solving, in which five actors play dozens of characters.

"Ken Ludwig is a genius," he said of the show, which has a "cinematic quality" well-suited to a virtual platform.

While it sometimes appears otherwise, there were never more than two actors on stage at the same time, he said. For scenes with multiple characters, including fight sequences, the actors' performances were filmed separately and combined during postproduction.

"It's film magic," he said.

The magic came courtesy of Imagineering Studios, an Arlington Heights production, marketing and advertising company whose employees Keefe described as "shockingly talented." "Baskerville" marks the family-owned company's first production for the stage.

"This was something we were looking forward to being a part of," said Tim Kou, director of visual productions. "We're thrilled to be working with Metropolis."

The collaboration posed challenges, Kou said. Limits on the number of actors for example, meant shooting certain scenes as many as five times. It required planning, marking positions and ensuring actors stayed within certain parameters, he said.

Following distancing guidelines (except for actors who quarantined together) was essential, Keefe said.

"We wouldn't have done the production if we couldn't ensure people were separated by time and space," he said.

Rehearsals took place on Zoom. Before and during filming Metropolis provided COVID-19 testing and daily temperature checks for actors and crew who self-quarantined and wore masks inside the theater, Keefe said.

"We met and exceeded every state and county guideline," he said.

Working on "Baskerville" meant "collaborating very closely with the actors and the director (to bring) something together that made sense story-wise and made sense in terms of execution," Kou said.

Fight scenes were filmed with only one person on stage at a time using a visual effect called chroma keying, which requires a green screen, Kou explained. Camera operators worked closely with fight choreographers R & D Choreography to make sure every hit was precisely timed.

"I had a metronome on set and I was counting off where (the actors) would have to make their movements so we could match things up later on," Kou said.

"It took a couple of hours to film a scene that lasted three minutes," said first-time Metropolis director Xavier Custodio of the filming, which took place from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. over four days.

Custodio says patience and flexibility made "Baskerville" a reality.

"This project was challenging," he said. "There were times I didn't know the answer, which was weird. As a director you're very clear about your vision."

Custodio says Metropolis gave him "space to learn and grow."

"A lot of theater companies are scared to let that happen," he said.

"Baskerville" marks Metropolis' first foray into streaming since the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered entertainment venues. Except for the installation of its glittering new marquee last June, the theater has been dark since then. It survived, said Keefe, thanks to its capital reserves and its school, which has continued to operate remotely during the shutdown.

The high-energy, suspense comedy had been scheduled for a midwinter run before the pandemic hit, said Keefe, who figured laughs were what Metropolis audiences most needed.

Comedy can be a welcome diversion during difficult days, he said.

"Humor is a necessary component of a healthy civilization ... If you can tap into it during the most trying of times, it gives you hope," he said. "It's a safety valve ... an expression of joy. If there's one thing we need in our lives today, it's joy."

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"Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery"

When: Feb. 1-14 through the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

Where: Streams on demand at metropolisarts.com

Tickets: $20 for a single viewer; $50 per household