Tag: camera

Ohana :: The Bear and the Hare

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The John Lewis Christmas Ad is one of the most anticipated of ads in the UK every holiday season.  It’s kind of like the much awaited window displays in the larger department stores down Regent Street.  The best part is that you can now watch these ads anywhere in the world.

John Lewis

Admittedly, John Lewis is encouraging the public to buy the greatest gifts of the season but their message is always a good one- do something special for those you love this Christmas.  We could probably take a lesson from that other times of the year too.  I think my favorite part of this video is that it doesn’t seem to matter what species the characters are- they all come together to celebrate.  And of course don’t forget that they do what they can to include those who wouldn’t usually be able to be there.

I couldn’t help but post this as well- the making of The Bear and the Hare.  I am always in awe of animation production, but this takes it a whole new level.

Blink

So there you are, two videos in one post and hopefully they made you smile even during this stressful time of year.

Ohana :: Inheritance

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Process Creative

What do we inherit from generation to generation?  Of course there are the material items that we pass on, but what values and lessons do we pass on?

I love this film because it’s not just about the items that we pass on to one another, but how we pass on morals and advice to one anther through many modes of communication.  I also love it because it is beautifully filmed and I think the music brings it to another level of nostalgia.

What are we passing on to the next generation?

Ohana :: Grandparents

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Andy Ellis

Spring time with Obaachan seems oddly familiar to me.  Probably because it reminds me of spending time with my grandparents in their final days.  Its been several years since most of them passed away and I miss them every day.

As a teenager it was hard to make the time to go and spend time with grandparents but I’m glad that I made the time to see them and still try to spend as much time as possible with my one surviving grandma, but its not easy.  Life takes over- work and other activities etc. and I have to make a conscious effort to at least call several times a months. Grandparents are those precious people that hold the key to the family past- they are the ones that remember some of those moments that make your family what it is today.

I love this film because of the memories that it evokes and for the cinematography.  It may be slow, but I think it helps capture Obaachan, as well as what her life has become.  A slower version of days of old and enjoyment of the little moments.  I love the cherry blossoms and it makes me look forward to spring even more than I already am.

Classroom :: The Three P’s

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Leo Zuckerman

I had a hard time deciding what class I would have learned some of this information from while I was still in school and decided after much debate that it fit the three Ps perfectly: Phys Ed, Philosophy and Psychology.

Saying that one video includes Phys Ed, Philosophy and Psychology probably sounds like a bit much, but if you have ever dedicated yourself to a sport, you’ll know that being and athlete is about the mental power used just as much as the physical exertion.  This is the very reason that I like this video.  It encapsulates all of the different qualities that an athlete needs to have beyond a strong body.

From a technical point of view, I love the editing in this film.  I think that for something that could become a generic ski video, and you have to admit that there are a lot out there, this one is very well put together.  It goes deeper than a series of stunts caught on camera and delves into what it really takes to become a pro skier.

And last of all, and I am very excited about this, it is almost ski season…  I’m hoping for a great snowpack.

Originality :: Masking Tape

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GNARLY BAY

Haven’t we all found ourselves playing with fruit stickers at some point in our lives?  You know how when you pull that sticker off your piece of fruit, you have no where to put it and find yourself rolling and unrolling it unconsciously?  Ok, so perhaps you haven’t but I sure have.  Having played with stickers, it has never occurred to me to make art using this same method.  If only we all had something so simple yet calming to help us unwind.

Not only do I find this concept intriguing and therefore making the film engaging, I love the cinematography and love the flow.  Some of these profile videos seem a little stagnant because it stays within the studio.  This video seems to get away from that and flows beautifully.

To see more of the artist’s work, click here.

Originality :: Editing genius

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I know that I have posted a video by this guy before, but I love his editing.  I can’t imagine how much footage he collects during his vacations to make his films.  Personally, when I’m on vacation, I try not to think about cameras or anything to do with work.  Obviously this guy has a gift in both capturing amazing footage and being very productive while vacationing.

So here you are, parts I and II of Italy.  Enjoy!

Matty Brown

Originality :: Chalk Drawings

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SnowGlobe Studios

When I think of chalkboards, I think of screeching noises and sneezing.  Just thinking about the screeching noise makes my teeth hurt, but seeing these drawings dulls the feeling.  I love the contrast of light and dark in this film and the editing beautifully done.

I like to think of this chalkboard art kind of like camera work.  We don’t realize how physical art can be, especially in the creation stage.  Here, Peter Han uses his whole body to create his artwork- cameramen do the same.  They have to use their whole body to get some of the shots that they get.

When I was in film school last year, we had an instructor who had us move around and do a combination of yoga, breathing exercises and martial arts.  On camera, every movement counts including every breath and heartbeat.  By having us practice these movements, we became more aware of our bodies and how our movements translated to the big screen.  This is exactly what Peter is trying to teach to his students.

Sometimes by using your whole body, you can make something even more impact on your audience.

Harvest :: Bread Flour

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I know, bread again.  A few months ago I talked about the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco in a film about the bakery itself.  This time however, the film I want to share is not about the bakery and the break making process itself, but about the importance of the flour source.

David Sampliner

There is something to be said about getting your food from a local and fairly natural source.  So much of what we eat is trucked across the country or processed beyond recognition.  This film makes the bread look good and sustainable at the same time.  Yes, I am one of those people that likes to live as sustainably as possible and part of that, to me, is eating as wholesomely and as locally as possible.  I’m not a big fan of processed and chemical laden foods.  This film makes me hungry just looking at it.

I wouldn’t say that this film has anything outstanding about the technicalities of its creation. But, I will say that I appreciate the message that it sends and proves that there are places that preserve the food culture of the area of origin and are making an effort to bring people natural and local food.

Landscape :: Silver Cloud

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Frans De Backer

One of the things that I love about underwater landscapes is that creatures can live in any space- on the ocean floor, in the ‘air’, on the rocks, at the water’s surface… there is no limit to where they can appear.  We can’t do that on land.  We are restricted to the surface and only so many feet above the ground.  When underwater, there are no limits.