The trailer for probably the best bike film to date is finally here. My friend out in Whistler saw this as a pre-release screening and told me it looks and is, amazing. Based on the trailer the cinematography looks mind blowing, and some of the shots just make me want to go out and ride. I can’t wait to get my grubby mitts on this… is it worth getting a blu-ray player???
Welcome to the new benchmark of bike movies… (or movies about a bike)
Life cycles has got to be the most anticipated MTB film ever. So far its taken over two years in production, this then could also be one of the best MTB films in recent years. Ever since “The Collective” hit in 2004, there has started to be a shift in the way MTB films are made. Concentrating more on the cinematography and editing of the riding as opposed to the ‘MTV Style’ mad clips over a metal soundtrack, this genre has seen a shift into more ’Sports Documentary’, especially with the last Collective film, Seasons. From the passing of The Collective came Anthill Films, with their “Follow Me“, and soon “Life Cycles” will be released. What makes Life Cycles so special? Well firstly the two co-creators are MTB photographer Dereck Frankowski, and outdoor film maker and rider Ryan Gibb have set out with a vision to make a different kind of MTB film to all the others, and to produce something much more visually stunning in an effort to make the sport much more appealing to a wider, non-biking audience. This coulped with some of the best riders today, filmed on RED cameras, with a much more photographic feel and style, all makes for a pretty special film. From some of the behind the scenes photos, it looks like It will be worth the wait.
With the growth of shooting HD video on DSLRs, there are now a whole world of very slick videos being made all over the place ranging in subject and quality from cats to cars. The current camera of choice is the Canon 5d mkII, who’s rise as an affordable and serious alternative to film HD with started with Vincent Laforets ‘Reverie’ back in 2008, and who’s mainstream credits also include the ‘House‘ Season Finale.
With the now apparent ease of filming in HD, its always refreshing to watch something that makes you think more about whats being shot, rather than what its being shot on. With this in mind, I found a video shot by two freedivers, Guillaume Néry and Julie Gautier called ‘Free Fall’. The fact its shot on 5dmkII really is irrelevant, as the cinematography, location, content editing, and music all come together and make for a rather spectacular video. Citing itself as fiction and artistic concept, its proof that its much more important to have an idea and vision than to have equipment. I like to look at it as an example of a crossover between photography and video, producing something with the artistic vision of a photograph, but with a moving subject. Other examples of this crossover that spring to mind is the Oracle scene in 300. I’m not really that up on free diving, so for more info click on the links above for all the how its done blurb (some in French).
In a bid to actually post up things, I’ve decided to start posting up inspiration and generaly cool photo/video stuff from around the net, probably do a little design tweek too, and clean things up a bit. Anyway…
First up is a very cool project for the ‘Let’s Colour Campaign’ by Euro RSCG London, shot by director Adam Berg over four weeks in Brazil, France, London and India. In the current tradition of ‘real’ adverts, I thought this was another Sony advert,as its shot in the same stop motion style with cool music, and very well directed. From the blub…
Let’s Colour is a worldwide initiative to transform grey spaces with colourful paint.
Grey is out. Gloom is gone. This is the beginning of a colour crusade that is spreading around the world. The more of us who join in, the bigger the splash will be. Come colour the world with us.