Shooting My First Fashion Show: HELP!

[JackStrutz]

Ok, so like the title states, I'm going to be shooting my first fashion show very soon and I have no idea what I have just gotten myself into. I will be shooting in relatively low light conditions and I have two PocketWizard receivers and then a trigger, a PhotoFlex 300 monolight, 3 softboxes (but most likely only going to use one), 4 light stands, 2 brollys (at least one of these or one of the softboxes need to be dedicated to behind the scenes shots that I am going to have one of my trainees do with my Cactus Triggers to get him going with off camera flashes) and then three or four speedlites (Again, at least one will be dedicated to behind the scenes). I shot the dress rehearsal today just to try and get some idea of what I'm going to be doing and realized that it wasn't helping at all... So anyways, how do you guys recommend setting up the lighting and such so that I have maximum coverage of the runway? And do you have any specific pointers that I should think about while shooting? Please let me know! I'm desperate hahah.

Also, I noticed that the PhotoFlex has painfully slow recycle times. Somewhere around 2.5 to 3 seconds and in a fast paced situation like that where it has to be Bang Bang Bang shooting, I felt a little bit laggy and behind. Is there anyway to make it so that I can have a more consistent flash output at high speeds?

[JackStrutz]

I forgot to specify some things, this is my high school's fashion show so it is set in the gym, which is the reason why I am using flashes because the stage is, well let's just say not too pretty. And the gym's ceilings are too high to bounce flash off of.

Also, I am the only photographer shooting the walking so moving space shouldn't be a problem.

My gear is the Rebel T1i and then the 24-70 2.8L.

[jhuckelberry]

yeah the photoflex won't work too well unless you can be sure of nailing the one shot as they reach the end of the runway. The few that I've shot (requiring flash as well) most of the models were gone again in a split second.

I've had good results using my 580exii angled slightly towards them using a stofen. The last place had high ceilings, but were white so I got a little use out of it. The first was high black ceilings so angling it helped without being direct on.

[JackStrutz]

What do you think about rockin a brolly and doubling up speedlites on it? I think that that is what I am going to do for the show tonight