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Showing posts with label film festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film festival. Show all posts

5 Different Films, Same Dialogue. And Philips TV Invites You To Make The Sixth.




The last time Philips Electronics used a short film directed by Adam Berg to promote their Cinematic TV, they took home the Grand Prix at Cannes.

This time, their newest marketing push consists of a project in which five different directors created five different films, each in their own genre, that use the same piece of dialogue- a scant six lines.




And, in an effort to get aspiring directors involved, an ensuing competition invites you to make the sixth.



Philips has just launched this global competition, giving aspiring filmmakers the chance to have an original work judged by one of the world’s greatest film directors – Sir Ridley Scott, director of Hollywood blockbusters including Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982) and Gladiator (2000).

The competition, called "Tell It Your Way‟, will also give one lucky winner the chance to gain a week’s work experience at Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) offices in Los Angeles, New York, London or Hong Kong.

The contest involves creating an original sixth short film to accompany Philips’ ground-breaking Parallel Lines series of short films, directed by RSA talents, Greg Fay, Johnny Hardstaff, Carl Erik Rinsch, Jake Scott and Hi-Sim.

The Five Films

Darkroom – Johnny Hardstaff


Set in a retro future Shanghai, Darkroom opens on a covert surveillance operative as he searches for his criminal quarry. Scanning a polluted city skyline, we see through his technology as he zooms ever deeper into a distant apartment and through the imaginative use of reflections and technology begins to unravel a sinister secret.

Through this voyeuristic journey we are led to a climax with dramatic consequences. Johnny Hardstaff expertly generates intrigue through his development of mood and tension. Namely with the use of the operative’s own hushed voice to provoke a sense of seediness and setting of the tone. As the audience is led deeper we find a fiendish pleasure in this voyeuristic approach. Darkroom proves a clever and absorbing short that packs a very original sting in its tail.


The Hunt - Jake Scott


The Hunt follows two men on a trail to find the ultimate prey. In the eerie woodland something lurks; a mystical creature. Soon we will find that the hunters may well become the hunted.

Jake Scott takes us on a slow pursuit, carefully building the tension through a seemingly desolate and hostile environment. Senses are heightened as Jake brings to life every inch of the hunt, every sound carefully designed to put the audience on edge: the crows in the background, the trickle of a stream, the earth moving under each step. As The Hunt nears its horrifying climax we hold our breath as the huntsman sets his sights. However his companion shows a fear and nervousness in his expression. Something is not right. Perhaps the intended prey is not to be provoked.


The Gift – Carl Eric Rinsch


In this sci-fi thriller, Podarok introduces us to a dystopian future. It’s a winter’s day in Moscow, but the familiar landscape is not all it seems. The traditional backdrop is balanced by the technological hints to the future on show. An experienced KGB Agent is on his way to deliver a special gift. Expressionless and giving the aura of emptiness the lone man makes his way across the city. As the secret of the gift is unveiled to the receiver, the desire for the object becomes evident. The agent must have it. Even at the cost of a man’s life. A high octane chase through Moscow ensues as the dead man’s robotic butler tries to rescue the precious gift. It must not be left in the wrong hands.

Carl Erik Rinsch cleverly uses the pacing of this short to evoke and speak out to our emotions. We feel the bleakness of this post apocalyptic future, the gloomy life of an empty man, the desperation of the chased and climatically, hope.

El Secreto de Mateo – Greg Fay


In this heart-warming tale set on an estate of tower blocks in South America, a boy shows a young girl to a room with a secret. The girl is introduced to a donkey which the boy tells her is a unicorn. Delight and fulfilment fills the young girl as she is left to feel the magic of this moment in a life that has offered her so little. This joy is short lived as we are shown the difficulties of growing up as bullies taunt the pair. The boy stands up for his younger friend. Afterwards though, it all seems too much as the brave boy is left to cry quietly in the corner. Unawares to her friend’s pain the girl returns her attention to the beauty of the animal.

Greg Fay delicately shows us the hardship of growing up and the joy that can be brought on by a child’s imagination. Lighting is used to great effect. The hue and glow of a beaming sun fills scenes with a warmth, comfort and tender security away from the harsh realities of the world. El Secreto de Mateo leaves us emotionally speechless with the feeling of both happiness and sorrow.

Jun & the Hidden Skies – Hi-Sim


Through animation Hi-Sim transports us into the playful imagination of siblings Jun and Aco. We are instantly rushed from the children’s attic into space as a cardboard box transforms into a spaceship. This fantasy adventure excites as our heroes find themselves in the midst of a space battle resulting in the capture of Aco. Jun is left to fall from the skies before being saved by a fire breathing dragon. Jun and his new friend blow away the enemy as the plight to save the captive Aco gathers pace.

Hi-Sim manages to bring out a childlike excitement and curiosity from the moment we enter the attic. This beautifully crafted animation bursts with fantastic colours of an imagined world. Visual details have been carefully considered and realism breaks through from the quality of the effects. This is a polished short that is sure to please the whole family.

Visit their youtube channel to learn more about the competition here.

You can view the amazing Grand Prix winning film Carousel - and the making of it- for Philips TV, here.

Motion 504 Creates A Truly Beautiful Sponsor Reel for AICP show


Minneapolis broadcast design & animation studio motion504 recently completed the reception sponsor reel for the Minneapolis screening of the AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the American Commercial.



It's one of those incredible pieces of communication where everything falls into place. The concept, the direction, the set design, the lighting, the sound design, music, post-production. Even still frames, as you'll see in my screen grabs, are like little perfectly composed pieces of art. In short, many people in my industry, myself included, will look at and wish they had done it.

The inventive title sequence created by motion504 introduces each reception sponsor through a cinematic narrative that imagines the craft of “moving type” via mechanical gadgets that look as if they were built a century ago.



Led by Creative Directors Scott Wenner and Amy Schmitt, motion504 helmed the entire project, start to finish: concepting and storyboarding; direction of the live-action shoot; 2D & 3D animation; lighting and compositing.
 
 

Set in a world with a turn-of-the-last-century aesthetic, the visually striking sequence opens at the storefront of the fictional Verne Bros. Kinetic Type Company.

 

Inside, the elderly protagonist earnestly works away during the wee small hours at his closed shop. His undertakings are a mystery until, suddenly, peculiar kinetic gadgets appear and unexplainably come to life. His compelling conjurations abound in the dusty workshop, as each unique gadget unravels with science-defying wonder, creatively introducing the AICP reception sponsors, one by one.

 

After brainstorming numerous ideas, motion504 eventually arrived at one that would speak to its intended audience and showcase what motion504 actually offers to the industry as company: motion design, animation and visual effects. The end product strikes at the core of motion504’s creative forte, while illustrating how design and animation can communicate in the realm of broadcast and commercial advertising -- through image-driven narrative.

 

Rather than building 3D models that transformed and unfolded, motion504 instead opted to create simple machines that look hand-made, yet function just beyond the realm of possibility, while retaining their outward purpose as kinetic type. The gadgets, along with production set and props, were designed with Victorian influences to evoke the work of an artisan.

 

The studio arranged for a one-day live action shoot using the RED Camera. “Having a snorkel lens was crucial to get the close-ups that we needed to create the right feeling,” said motion504 Executive Producer Eric Mueller. “Our studio worked closely with the production team to ensure the gadgets would look like they belonged in the space. The end result is a visual tour-de-force. ”

 

BWN principal Carl White, who had the unique challenge of making the devices feel real, but still evoking a feeling of magic, handled sound design. “BWN did a fantastic job of figuring out how these gadgets would really sound if they existed,” said Mueller. “They are true sound artists.”

 

Wenner modeled the 16 3D gadgets in Cinema 4D, motion504’s primary 3D package for graphics. Each unique gadget features Victorian-influenced detail, flourishes and decoration, which Wenner hand-painted in ZBrush. Amy Schmitt, who worked closely alongside Scott from the project’s outset, including the live action shoot, handled a majority of the intensive tracking lighting and rendering required by the project.

 

According to Wenner, the biggest challenge motion504 faced had to do with the AICP’s only caveat: sponsor names may change at any time during production.

 

This meant the 3D models must be built flexible, interchangeable or even newly created at moment’s notice, with a fast turnaround.

 

“The project certainly required us to be nimble, but the creative liberties we were given far outweigh the technical parameters,” concludes Wenner. “Creating the AICP Show reception sponsor reel is something we were very excited to do. With everyone involved we answered the call and created a piece of which we are incredibly proud.”



 

Credits: Concept, Design & VFX: motion504 Creative Director/3D Compositor: Scott Wenner 3D/Compositor: Amy Schmitt Executive Producer: Eric Mueller Director: Scott Wenner DP: Bo Hakala Art Director: Sarah Jean Kruchowski Producer: Todd Cobery Editor: Joe Martin Sound Design: BWN Sound Designer: Carl White Client: AICP Minnesota (Kirk Hokanson, Executive Director)  

all information, images and video are courtesy of motion504

 

 motion504

2007 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS!



So, after a long and competitive festival,
The Sundance Film Festival of 07
breaks records with sales to the motion picture industry.

Why?

Because there were so many excellent entries.

And, because I have this long complicated theory as to how the internet and streaming video sites like You Tube, Revver, Greenimation etc. have created a climate that's receptive to indie films as having commercial potential. But more on that some other time.

I was up late last night watching the Dailies on the Sundance Channel as they ended the 10 day event and had the good fortune to get glimpses of many, if not all of the following award winning entries.

It's really a banner year.

So, give it up for the following 2007 Sundance Award Winners:



Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET)
Jason Kohn, director

Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
PADRE NUESTRO
Christopher Zalla, writer/director

Audience Award: Documentary
HEAR AND NOW
Irene Taylor Brodsky, writer/director

Audience Award: Dramatic
GRACE IS GONE
James C. Strouse, writer/director

Directing Award: Documentary
Sean Fine & Andrea Nix Fine
WAR/DANCE

Directing Award: Dramatic
Jeffrey Blitz
ROCKET SCIENCE

World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary
ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS
Eva Mulvad & Anja Al Erhayem, directors

World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic
SWEET MUD
Dror Shaul, writer/director

World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON
David Sington, director

World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic
ONCE
John Carney, writer/director

Excellence In Cinematography Award:
Documentary
Heloisa Passos
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET)

Excellence In Cinematography Award:
Dramatic
Benoit Debie
JOSHUA

Documentary Editing Award
Hibah Sherif Frisina, Charlton McMillian
& Michael Schweitzer
NANKING

Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
James C. Strouse, writer/director
GRACE IS GONE

Special Jury Prize Documentary
NO END IN SIGHT
Charles Ferguson, director



Special Jury Prize for Acting
(Split)
Jess Weixler
TEETH
Tamara Podemski
FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND

Special Jury Prize For Singularity Of Vision
Chris Smith, director
THE POOL

Special Jury Prize World Cinema:
Documentary
HOT HOUSE
Shimon Dotan, director

Special Jury Prize World Cinema:
Dramatic
THE LEGACY
Gela Babluani & Temur Babluani

Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking
EVERYTHING WILL BE OK
Don Hertzfeldt, director

Jury Prize in International
Short Filmmaking
THE TUBE WITH A HAT
Radu Jude, director

Honorable Mention In Short Filmmaking
DEATH TO THE TINMAN
Ray Tintori, director
THE FIGHTING CHOLITAS

Mariam Jobrani, director
MEN UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER
Marjan Alizadeh, director
MOTODROM
Joerg Wagner, director
SPITFIRE 944
William Lorton, director
T.O.M.
Tom Brown & Daniel Gray, directors

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