iphone 3G…..Call Failed!

Hey 3G iPhone users, getting tired of dropping important phone calls? Its long over due and it seems that the natives are becoming restless. Apple has been hit with a law suit over the flaky qualities of the iphone 3G and it hopes to go class action soon. “Jessica Alena Smith filed the complaint yesterday against the iPhone maker, alleging that the new iPhone’s 3G performance and reliability has been subpar, despite the claims made by Apple’s aggressive marketing campaign.” – Jacqui Cheng

I have been fed up with the performance as well and for the past month have recorded each phone call dropped and its time by snapping a screen shot of the image. Some times I witnessed 9 dropped calls in a row within 3 minutes or less. This is getting ridiculous so its time to fight back against AT&T and Apples monopolistic approach to controlling the mobile phone industry.

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Digital Bloomers

So check it, I am embarking on a creative journey for this coming year, I am to direct and create a documentary film for my senior thesis project. To give you a good idea of what the film is about the logline goes a little somthing like this, Technology has changed the way filmmakers create, Digitized unveils several filmmakers emotional attachments to the use of film as a medium through their dedication to the process and need for a tangible community amongst the rising tide of the digital generation. The name of the film for now is Digitized and I am very excited to be getting it on its feet. For the last 3 months I have been in development stages and pre-production making sure my business and marketing plan is solid and securing subject from the likes of Craig Baldwin over at Other Cinema, Rock Ross of The New Nothing Cinema and The Goat Family, Documentary Filmmaker Katherine Bruens who made The Corner Store and John Carlson from Monaco Digital Film Labs. I am happy to announce that I will have a fantastic crew with tons of creative minds behind the vision inside my head. This will be the postmark of my education and a film that hopefully will define me as a documentary filmmaker in contemporary cinema, so why not talk about how our generation is influencing filmmaking and learn about a craft in the process. For the past 3 weeks I have been shooting super 8-mm as tests for portions of my film, I am very excited about learning how to shoot film since I have made more films than I have fingers yet none of them have been made with celluloid. Stay tuned for the website and blog when it births around July 12th, tentitively when production begins, we will have coverage of our production process along the way with new photos, videos and artwork to generate a hype and to document our experiences making Digitized.

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iphone photography

Before ( taken with classic pan )

After ( post work with Tilt Shift Generator )

With the plethora of downloadable photography applications for the iphone, how does one choose an application that gives excellent results by not spending more than you need. I have recently tried and succeeded using a specialized workflow with two very handy and creative photo applications, Classic Pan and Tilt Shift Generator, the combination of these two in a workflow can impress more than just your best friend thats fried out on the couch, I’m talking professional level photographers.

Before ( taken with classic pan )

After ( Post work in Tilt Shift Generator )

Yes, it is just a low resolution photo that is taken on a mobile device, but its not like Holga camera’s are any different, they are both low grade resolutions yet being able to be pulled out at a moments notice to capture an interesting scene. First I start off by shooting a panoramic image in the Classic Pan application, you are able to control the look and feel of your photos with a variety of scene files ( film settings ) to achieve the look you want, I have been using Vivid Color setting with vignette on.

Before ( taken with classic pan )

After ( post work with Tilt Shift Generator )

After I take that photo I open up Tilt Shift Generator to do post work within the iphone itself, its a funny idea but its effective. Tilt shift allows you to change the depth of field and perspective with a blurring option where if you take a scenic photo from far you are able to make the subjects in frame look like they were toys or a miniature set .

Before ( taken with classic pan )

After ( post work with Tilt Shift Generator )

Its remarkable what the combination of the two programs can do in a matter of minutes and the advantage of having a portable way to take any of the photos you can on impulse makes it very effective. Recently I have been trying to take as many photos of my day as possible, especially when I have the chance to shoot with the tilt shift look and feel.

Before ( taken with classic pan )

After ( post work with Tilt Shift Generator )

I have been successful with the photos that are displayed and look forward towards capturing the next shot every day, its like a game and creates an organic yet very innovative new workflow within technology that many people can not stand. Watch out photographers, the iphone isnt just a talking device.

Baby in the sky with Bonzom

Originally posted by Bran Dougherty-Johnson over at Motionographer, Jack-Antoine Charlot of Bonzom has made another remarkably beautiful 2d animation for yet another client. This time its Global Fund and the project is a P.S.A that raises awareness of HIV infection with mothers and children. Being that I am also working on a related topic with Marc Smolowitz and The HIV Story Project this short animation really caught my attention. The intricate patterning and psychedelic tones set this P.S.A to be very imaginative, creative and effective. This usually is not the case with public service announcements as we all may agree. Hats off to Passion Paris for exposing this unique sequence of images and supporting a wonderful cause, way to give back with our community while creating something innovative at the same time!

Credits:
Client: Global Fund
Title: Baby In The Sky
Agency: Global Fund
Production Company: Passion Paris Production
Directors: Jack Antoine Charlot@Bonzom
Executive Producer: Marc Bodin-Joyeux & Claire Potel
Animation Production: JSCB (Je Suis Bien Content)
Production manager: Marc Jousset, Perrine Capron
Script Scenario & Idée Originale: Olivier BARDY & Jack Antoine Charlot
Storyboard: Kalkaire
Art Developement: Kalkaire
Animation: Guillaume Delaunay, Dimitri Lecoussis, Damien Barrau, Davy Durand
Compositing: François Leroy, Jimmy Audoin
Sound Design studio: Dîner au Motel
Sound Designer: Michael Fakesch & Stéphane Papin
Voice Over: Carla Bruni Sarkozy
Music: Amy Winehouse / Universal “Black is back”

I Cant Stop!

I know this site isnt about skateboarding but all of you are going to have to deal with my choice this week. Ty Evans is one of the best skateboard cinematographers on this continent and with working closley amongst Spike Jonze and influences stemming from Stacy Peralta one has to think how some of that creativity couldnt help but rub off on him. Ty sets the stage for generations to come and has stepped out bold with this stunning visual splendor of a Nestle commercial. Bob Burnquist drops in to a bowl of balloons and manages to get up on numerous chunky moves. So, if you dont like skateboarding please forgive me but this ad is one of the most creative shorts that I have seen in a while. Heat it up Ty!

Spaz if you want to

On Saturday May 8th was a night of free music and drinks, thanks to social networking media!

Through Twitter, I found out about a FREE N.E.R.D. & ASHER ROTH show happening, the night of the at an undisclosed location.  My friends and I anxiously waited around for Tweets.  We finally got instructed to send an e-mail requesting information for the show, from then we would get an e-mail informing us of the venue that the show would take place.  Already we were drawn into this event, we felt like secret agents waiting for our super secret confidential instructions from the man.  Finally we recieved the location,  no it wasn’t Slim’s or Bottom of the Hill, in fact it wasn’t even a traditional Music Venue.

It was…

The European Collision Center off of 12th and Howard in San Francisco, CA

The event was promoted by Kin, a new phone made by Verizon dedicated to Social Networking!   Right when I got into the line to get in, I was immediately exposed to this new phone.  There were promoters moving through the line showing off this new innovative phone, and even taking pictures of everybody in line.   If you were there, all the pictures are posted on Kin’s Facebook.

There was hardly any downtime for people to even get a chance to get bored.  There was always a DJ playing if there wasn’t a performer on stage.  The first performer was Asher Roth.  Soon after was N.E.R.D.

Even after all the performers were done, the DJ continued to play, and everybody just danced the night away!  All in all it was an amazing night, I mean FREE DRINKS, FREE MUSIC, FREE SHOW, FREE SWAG, what else can you ask for?

Kin is definitely doing it right.   Make sure you add them on facebook or twitter,  there’ constantly having free secret shows!

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/KIN

Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/KIN

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/KIN

Official Site
http://www.KIN.com

Nico of The Mountain

Two years ago I packed up my bags threw everything I owned in to a u-haul including my girlfriend and set sail for the lovely city of San Francisco to embark on a creative journey that opened my eyes to new ideas and people. The Art Institute of California – San Francisco was my destination. when I arrived after hours of a frustrated highway 5 driving and saying goodbye to the safe waters of southern California I met a stranger by the name of Nico T. van den berg; dutch translation – Nico of The Mountain. We both noticed each other quickly as we were the only two wearing stripped pirate shirts and skate shoes, this was my people and I knew that this would be the beginning of a solid friendship. I asked him what he liked to do and he said “ to film skateboarding” and I agreed that I liked to film skateboarding. He told me that he dreamed of being a skate cinematographer and that it was his goal upon graduating our film program. Being that my job was to film skateboarders, should I say adult babies, for more than 10 years of my life, I told him that it didn’t make sense to waste 80k on an education to make a 30 year old men jump down a bunch of stairs and that he was better off without it. His face lowered and he instantly shrugged his shoulders and mumbled a disappointed reaction, I had crushed the dreams of an eager soul. As ironic as this may sound, Iʼm glad that I told him to kick that dream and when I say this its only because he has developed himself in to one of the best young
cinematographers that I have ever had the pleasure of working with and being around. Recently he has been working with the canon 7D and perfecting his technique by doing various test shoots that could make Philip Bloom check the front of his pants twice. Nico has been pushing the limits of digital filmmaking, he is experimenting with new ideas and perfecting his method that many fall victim to madness. He truly is part
of the digital revolution and soon the world will be victim to pants wetting due to his work. So may it be heard and be heard loud, Nico T. van den Berg is a great guy, awesome friend and an excellent cinematographer.

These are recent test shoot videos Nico has posted on vimeo, all using the Canon 7D and select photo files to add to the feel of his visual experience. Stay updated on his productions with my blog the digital wave.