Actor, writer, director, photographer, painter, voice-over and patron of the arts, Dennis Hopper finally succumbed to prostate cancer this morning at the too young age of 74.
above: portrait of Dennis Hopper by Andy Warhol. This 1971 portrait of the famous actor Dennis Hopper was painted just a couple years after his appearance in the hit movie "Easy Rider" of 1969.
Best known for edgy film roles in such classics as Rebel Without A Cause, Easy Rider, Apocolypse Now, Blue Velvet, Hoosiers, The River's Edge and many more respected productions (check out his massive film credits at imdb). He was also a painter, a photographer, a voice-over and a friend to hundreds.
Below are a few photos from his illustrious career. I will be following up with a post on his art and photography, which will surprise you if you are not familiar with it.
Rebel Without a Cause (with then dear friend James Dean): Robert Altman photo of Dennis: 1978, photo by Bruce Broom: Apocalypse Now, 1979: Easy Rider, 1969: Self portrait: Blue Velvet: Water World: Dennis in front of Julian Schnabel's painting of the actor: No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos: Rest In Peace. Dennis.
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.
The incredibly talented animator Rodrigo Blaas, who worked on Disney's Up, Wall-E, Ratatouille, Cars and more has created this eerie and beautiful short film about a child drawn to a toystore of dolls for Alma Films.
You may never let your child into a toystore again.
Written and Directed by: Rodrigo Blaas Produced by: Cecile Hokes Music: Mastretta Art Director: Alfonso Blaas Lighting Supervisor: Jonatan Catalán Character Technical Supervisor: Jaime Maestro Character Design: Bolhem Bouchiba, Carlos Grangel, Sergio Pablos, Santi Agustà Animation: Daniel Peixe, ManueBover, Remi Hueso Sound Design: Tom Myers and David Hughes Post Production Coordinator: David Heras Special Thanks: Keytoon, Next Limit, UserT38
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
The Decade From Hell: Moving Cover The moving image of the TIME cover shot was shot by photographer Finlay MacKay (the photographer who shot the stunning 2008 Lavazza Calendar), using a Red One® digital camera.
Two videos of the moving cover for you:
Although press releases and news claim that the current issue of TIME magazine is the first moving cover shot with the RED ONE® digital camera, that's not really accurate. Esquire magazine did the same last April with a moving cover of Megan Fox shot by Greg Williams.
above: three stills from the moving Megan Fox Esquire cover
The RED ONE™ body – designed for flexibility and functionality. Weighing in at 10 lbs, this is a streamlined package specifically designed to maximize your shooting options. Matched with a 35mm PL lens mount, it allows you to take advantage of the world’s finest optics. Modular and upgradeable, the RED ONE™ camera is a future-proof acquisition system you can build upon. RED ONE™’s modular design means you can upgrade with us as we add new features and accessories, as well as benefitting from performance improvements with each new free firmware upgrade.
Advertising agency TBWA Chiat Day continues their inspiring work for the Olympics with a new campaign, promotion and website for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The GO WORLD ad campaign for VISA continues, but now with a cool icy blue winter look and a warm approach. The television, print work and accompanying website give us chills, while simultaneously raising our body temperatures.
The campaign breaks with a new TV commercial, still using the fabulous Morgan Freeman as the voice-over:
In addition, they are promoting using your VISA card for a chance to win a trip to the Winter Games:
The website, which just launched yesterday, intimately introduces us to five competing athletes; Linsdey Jacobellis, Julia Mancuso, Ryan St. Onge, Angela Ruggiero, and Alexi Salamone, whose inspirational stories are told through nicely produced beautiful training videos, photo stills and more.
above: the homepage of the newly launched website Here are the 5 athletes showcased on the site, photo stills and training videos.
Lindsey Jacobellis, Women's Snowboard Cross: Lindsey, 24, is one of the most successful women snowboarders in the world. At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, she took home a silver in the Women's Snowboard Cross.
Julia Mancuso, Women's Alpine Ski: At 25, Julia is the current women's Olympic giant slalom gold medal champion, and holds the record for the most consecutive podium finishes at U.S. championships.
Ryan St. Onge, Men's Freestyle Aerials: Ryan, 26, is the Olympic gold medal favorite in the sport of Men's Freestyle Aerials. With 7 career World Cup wins, he closed out the 2009 season ranking #2 in the world. Look out for his quintuple-twisting triple-back somersault (that's 3 flips with 5 twists) he plans to unleash in Vancouver.
Angela Ruggiero, Women's Ice Hockey: A three-time Olympic medalist, World Champion Angela is the leader of the U.S. Women's Hockey Team. She currently holds the record as "All-time Leader in Games Played for TEAM USA."
Alexi Salamone, Men's Paralympic Sled Hockey: At only 22, he is one of the best sled hockey players in the world. An integral player in the bronze medal-winning team in the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, he made the 2010 US Paralympic sled hockey team and is presently training in New York for a victory this year.
And, beginning November 4, you can customize a VISA gift card on the website to include a photo of one of the athletes:
The Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games take place on February 12th.
