Amazing Video: Snow Globe LA

Winter is hopefully gone, but here is a beautiful video to remind us of the Holiday Season. Take a look at Los Angeles as seen as a snow globe from the creative folks at All Cut Up Films. It’s pretty amazing, plus I love the tune “Samskeyti” by Sigur Ros.

“Snow Globe Los Angeles” was created using over 4000 still images shot on a custom built camera rig. The effect was achieved using a Canon 5D MII, a homemade tilt-shift style lens, a light bulb filled with water, and paper cut outs to create shaped bokeh.

Snow Globe Los Angeles from All Cut Up Films on Vimeo.

An Unfortunate Film By Kurtis Hough

Yikes! This is very a very sad yet funny (sort of) film by Kurtis Hough. “how to lose $2400 in 24 seconds” Sorry Kurtis!

regrettably filmed by Kurtis Hough

KH Studios, 2011

www.khstudios.com

Twitter: twitter.com/kurtishough

happy 40th anniversary Northwest Film Center

10 Excellent Video Game Fan Films

Who doesn’t love video games, okay mom’s, but beyond that? One thing is for certain, the makers of the following ten fan films and fake trailers sure do! These were definitely created by fans and for fans. I am very impressed by their work, creativity and dedication to detail. With powerful inexpensive technology in the hands of fans, Hollywood should be nervous, for these filmmakers make films that equal or best anything the big studios can make.

A quick note, if you are interested in the theory of video games and the cultural impact of them, check out these two great sites:

• Machinima
• Escapist Magazine

Half Life: Origins Live Action Short from InfectiousDesigner
The music is very riveting.

Beyond Black Mesa from InfectiousDesigner
A little schmaltzy, but still pretty sweet.

The Legend of Zelda Fake Trailer
If only it was real…from IGN.com

Pokémon Apokélypse: Live Action Trailer HD
The acting could be better but I like the gritty take on the world’s most annoying game.

Tetris, the movie.
I never realized it was so deadly!

Jim Henson’s Resident Evil 5
Muppets and zombies, two great tastes that go great together!

“Mario” – SXSW 2011 Film Bumper
Mario Bros. as you’ve never seen it, an indie film! Best line: “Mario you’re a plumber, not some hero.”

Portal: No Escape (Live Action Short Film by Dan Trachtenberg)
This is very poignant and well done.

Modern Warfare 3: Find Makarov – Operation Kingfish Short Film
Almost too realistic.

Half Life in 60 Seconds
Okay not as serious as the others, but if you’d played the game it’s pretty funny.

2001: A Design Something Every Day Odyssey

I am a big fan of filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999), so you can imagine my excitement when I saw this post of great promotional pictures from 2001: A Space Odyssey on the blog Stanley Kubrick – Deserving of Worship. A nice sentiment for one of the greatest film makers we’ve ever seen.

Kubrick was great filmmaker and a real artist. His films have been completely digested by the culture and have become a sort of visual short hand.. the monolith, Dr. Strangelove, Alex & his droogs… These archetypal images have burned them selves in or collective consciousness like ghosted images on an old CRT monitor. The great Margaret Cho is aware of Kubrick’s iconic power (see here). His lasting influence  is the true mark of a genius and consummate craftsman.

In that  vein I designed this desktop wall paper for my computer as apart of my Design Something Every Day Project.

Design Something Every Day 26 of 365

Here’s a few great Kubrick links and resources:

Stanley Kubrick: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series)
Ed. By Gene D. Phillips

This book includes the amazing interview with Eric Nordern originally published in Playboy (September 1968). It has one of my all time favorite quotes, something of a mantra for me:

The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death — however mutable man may be able to make them — our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” – Stanley Kubrick

Some good Kubrick resources:

• The Kubrick Site – an Amazing collection for all things Kubrick
• The Official Warner Brothers Site for his films.
• Kubricks IMDB Site

Finally the trailer to 2001: A Space Odyssey, what inspired this post to begin with.