I cant really find a word to describe the excitement after receiving an email this morning from Nicole Kai, part of the team at Vice Magazine and Kobbarberg Cider. I dont think i’ve been this excited since the time I found out I was getting a Playsation one for Christmas those many years ago. The email stated that my short film ‘balloon girl’ has been chosen as on of the ten finalist’s in the film section of their Kobbarberg Klash competition. It continued to say “Well done on impressing our judges, you are now one step closer to winning £1,000, exposure in Vice magazine and a sweet internship opportunity at VBS.TV. What’s more, all the finalists get to participate in Kopparberg Klash events.”
“On Wednesday July 7th we will be holding our first Kopparberg Klash party at The Old Blue Last, to celebrate you and the other 9 Film finalists. Your films will be screened on both floors of the venue and everyone will be able to raise a toast with some complimentary Kopparberg cider.”
“Entry is first come first served, but all the finalists will be on a special guest list with a +1 to ensure they get in.”
Hoorah!
Let me just explain about the origin of the film in short – I run a small personal website and blog, ManyChefsBroth.co.uk, alongside everything else I do here as production manager at eBusiness Media. The aim of ManyChefsBroth.co.uk is to create a space for like minded artists interested in New Media. An output for artists producing creative work outside of their everyday jobs. As well as running the site I’ve been producing documentaries and short films for around 3 years.
Back in may my Girlfriend Amy Ginty and I took the Camera kit out to shoot a new short film for the website, I decided we would shoot ad lib, on the fly with a very simple concept and only one prop – a blue balloon tied to a ribbon.
I wanted to create a stark contrast between the bright, free, blue balloon and its surroundings, being a dark grimey alleyway. I wanted the balloon to be constrained and lead by Amy using the blue ribbon.
The idea would be that this Lonely girl would come across said blue balloon in the grimey alley and it would be her jovial companion.
With this simple idea we set about shooting, first of all with my Digital SLR (Nikon D50, full kit spec below). I utilized the idea of using my Digital SLR to capture frames just like a camcorder would, but at a much lower frame rate, something I had been experimenting with for the last 2 months. This would have two effects, first of all and most noticeable being the stutter and uncomfortable feeling of low frame rates. Second of all the fantastic sharpness, quality and shallow depth of field from the SLR’s large sensor size and long lens.
I also used my Video Camera and Depth of Field Adapter to shoot parts of the film. Using the single light of the alley and controlling shutter speed and aperture I created a powerful, contrasting image while giving perfect focus on Amy and the Balloon.
Combining the two different types of footage presented two different feelings to the audience, I’ll let you watch the video for yourself to decide how you feel when watching the differently samples footage. Leave your feelings about the video in the comments section below.
I originally entered the film competition after stumbling across the advertisement for the Kobbarberg Klash Film competition while reading an article on Vice Magazine’s website.
In all honesty my initial idea was purely to get more exposure for ManyChefsBroth and to encourage more visitors to view the site as my video would be hosted on Kobbarberg’s website. I had forgotten all about the competition until the email this morning, RESULT!
Next step is to drum up some online support, through facebook, twitter and both this blog and blog.manychefsbroth.co.uk.
“The finalists’ videos will also be posted on the Facebook event wall on July 2nd, where you will be urged to have your friends vote for your entry by clicking “Like” underneath, in order to help us decide a winner which will be announced at the final Kopparberg Klash event on September 1st, 2010.”
So, I urge you to pop on over to the facebook page on July the 2nd and click ‘Like’ on my video! It’s entitled ‘Balloon Girl’. Thanks!
Heres the Facebook page
Kit Spec:
Nikon D50 D SLR
Sigma 70-300mm Lens
Pansonic HDC SD100
JAG35PRO DOF adapter
SIGMA 50mm lens
Sony Vegas Editing suit
http://www.viceland.com/wp/2010/06/suffer-for-your-art-this-weekend/
http://www.blog.manychefsbroth.co.uk
http://www.findkopparberg.com/
http://www.vbs.tv/
Heres the Video selected by the Judges
Summer Stop Motion #2 – Balloon Girl from James Williams on Vimeo.
) but listen carefully and you’ll be able to hear a huge amount of the intended sound of that item/object in that scene.