“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.”

“Art? You just do it.”

Fucking yes!

“I asked a six year old what my movie should be about, and this is what he told me.”

An intercontinental 9×5: Stockholm/Perth/Perth/Stockholm/Stockholm/Perth/Perth/Stockholm/Stockholm

I was growing tired of the extreme convenience that digital photography had to offer.

You kind of forget how much technology you’re holding in your hands when you can just twist a few knobs on a camera and slam your finger down on the shutter release, and then magically, your captured-moment-of-time appears instantly before you… I don’t know about you, but that’s just a little too convenient.

Ironically, I took the above photo with my iPhone…

Anyway!

I like using these old cameras to remind myself of what it was like taking photos back in the day. And by back in the day I mean the 70s and 80s when this little camera was around.

Plus! Now I’ll look totally cool walking around with an old camera. People will be all like, ‘Hey! That dude’s totally cool! He’s got an old camera! Heck yeah, he’s awesome, he must be a hipster! Woo yeah! Hipsters! WOOOOO!’

…and so on.

**This post contains a few spoilers.**

Journey is quite a game. It’s definitely one of those things that everyone should experience; kind of like Star Wars or pizza.

By the way, if you haven’t played Journey yet and have a PS3 you should probably just go and play it right now. On the other hand if you don’t have a PS3 and live in the Perth area, contact me and I’ll bring my PS3 over.

Each time you finish the journey and start another, your robe has more gold patterning added to it. The second time I played the game I had acquired a decent amount of patterning and thought I was pretty special, but then I came across someone wearing an all-white robe.

At first I thought it was an NPC but quickly realised that from the way they were ‘chirping’ and flying that it was definitely another player.

We met each other with a flurry of chirps and proceeded to try to fly as high as we could, straight up into the sky, using the ‘advanced flying technique.’ It’s basically where you time your chirp to go off near the other player while they’re in the air, which subsequently replenishes their flying power and then they do the same for you. And in this way you can keep each other flying for quite some time without touching the ground.

After getting pretty high we decided to embark on our journey together. As we’d both played the game before we knew how to navigate each area and were able to get things done pretty efficiently.

We came across some more sprawling desert and began flying over the dunes together, keeping each other afloat until we found a really steep bank. We landed at the top in preparation to ski down the other side. But right then I needed to pause the game for a few minutes as someone had to record their favourite TV show! I was stressing out because I was going to lose my companion if they walked into the next area without me. And if that happened I would never see them again!

Finally the TV show was being recorded and I changed the channel back to Journey. I saw that the white-robed player was still there! They were just running little circles around me in the sand at the top of the dune.

After a quick chirp together we skied down the dune and continued on flying through the desert.

As we progressed through our journey my companion would sometimes disappear. And I would have to locate them by the faint white glow on the edge of the screen. And when I found them they would always be waiting at the entrances to hidden areas. They would show me everything there was to know about these hidden places including all the little easter eggs. (Obviously I’m not going to give away too much here as that’s for you and your companion to find out.)

Towards the later stages of the journey, as we were nearing the mountain top, I lost my companion again, but for quite a while this time. I had no idea where they’d gone. There was no white glow at the edge of my screen…

Maybe they’d flown ahead up the mountain and finished the game without me!

I just drifted for a while wondering what to do. I decided to back track a bit; maybe they were waiting for me by another hidden passage and I just hadn’t seen them yet. I drifted down the mountain a little and then I saw them.

I chirped at them and they chirped back and started flying up the mountain again. I followed.

But then they stopped again and flew off the path. They chirped at me so I chirped back, and they just started flying around in the air nowhere in particular…

Then I got it. They just wanted to fly with me for one last time before we travelled up to the top of the mountain and finished our journey.

We flew around for a good five minutes just like birds flying together with no real purpose or direction.

And then after awhile, we migrated to the top of the mountain and landed in the soft snow.

I began walking through the mountain-top crevasse, but stopped when I realised my companion had stopped again. They started walking around in the snow.

It looked like they were just walking aimlessly around so I just stood and waited for them.

But then slowly I saw they were making deliberate changes in direction, and I could see the rounded top of something being formed. And before they had finished the shape I could clearly see that it was a heart. A snow heart! I was blown away, and a rush of emotion came up. No, I didn’t cry.

I retraced the shape of the heart for them and when I finished we just stood there for a while and chirped to each other.

Then we started down the crevasse together, side-by-side.

And then slowly, as we travelled further through the narrowing crevasse, our bodies drifted together and formed one in the white nothingness…

* * *

After the credits there’s a screen that displays the names of all the companions you travelled with on your journey. After my first journey this screen was filled with about eight names. But this time there was only one…

Makoto, thank you for this wonderful journey. It was truly awesome and I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.

Both videos are made entirely from footage of people dropping their cameras. ‘oops’ made the official selection for Sundance last year (2011), and Motorola commissioned Chris to make ‘Life Proof’ after seeing it.

The editing and sound transitions are seamless in both videos, and the dream-like, time warp feeling is something I’m wanting to explore in my own work. My [S&S] Japan ’09/’10 video is probably the closest I’ve come to emulating this feeling, but it’s got nothing on these:

oops from Chris Beckman on Vimeo.

Life Proof from Chris Beckman on Vimeo.

Out of the two ‘Life Proof’ is definitely my favourite.

“This is a montage of straight-down shots used in various films.

This type of shot is commonly referred to as a “God’s Eye View” angle. The camera lens is perpendicular to the subject without any POV reference, which gives the viewer an omniscient viewpoint of the character and the surrounding space.

The video is cut to the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Down Boy” from the “Is Is” album.”

[via Brian Carroll on Vimeo]

I’ve gone on a few rides recently using my 13year old Diamondback Viper but it’s just too short and cramped for long rides.

So after a bit of searching online I picked up an old road bike from gumtree. It cost me $70 for the bike which included: no wheels, a rusty chain and spiderwebs – a pretty good deal if you ask me!

The main reason I bought the bike was the simplicity of the frame, I just love how these old bikes look. I also wanted to learn how to put together my own bike instead of just buying one pre-made.

The lady I bought it from said the bike had belonged to a guy who used to race a lot back in the 70s and 80s. And after a bit of research I found out that the componentry on the bike is actually pretty decent quality. So I ended up with a pretty good deal in the end.

The frame itself is still a mystery. I’ve asked around online but no one can identify what make it is. They all say it looks great but can’t give me any info on where it was built or when…

At this point I’m planning to make it a single-speed (originally a 5speed). I prefer the simplicity of one gear as it frees you from thinking about changing gears and allows you to just enjoy the ride – totally awesome!

I’ve already started taking the bike apart and cleaned it up a bit. Now I just need some more tools, some wheels, some new brakes and cables, a new chain and some bar tape. Woo!

Most of the shots are from an old Cybershot (point-and-shoot), with a few shots coming from an iPhone 3GS.

I was inspired by the start of Andrea Allen’s Summer & FallZeits all in one, which mixes the sounds of one event with images of another to create a very surreal atmosphere.

Rifkin talks about the current state of climate change and offers insights on how a distributed energy system will reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

Went on a little photography trip to Kings Park this afternoon. It was pretty great. We were a group of three and just strolled about casually, shooting whatever caught our eyes.

We were hoping to catch the late-afternoon sun as it washed across the bushland, but the clouds were having none of that.

When we first arrived the sky was nearly completely overcast, and as the afternoon progressed the clouds only grew denser and more formidable. Thunder and lighting joined the party but we stood our ground and waited until we’d taken our last few shots. And then it was time to run for the cars.

At the 99% Conference, veteran storyteller Jay O’Callahan illustrates how stories tap into our imagination, engage those around us, and inspire amazing achievements. Stories, he argues, are what make us alive.

[via The 99%]

This past semester we were asked to make a 10-15minute documentary. It was weighted at 50% of the unit’s total marks, so if you failed the project you pretty much failed the unit unless you somehow managed to get 100% in all the other assignments.

Anyway, I was in a pretty decent group, everyone seemed switched on and had a good idea of what their role required. However, it was the director who always just seemed too busy to ever focus on the project.

I was in a difficult situation: I wanted to make a great film, but it seemed it wasn’t going to happen because the director couldn’t put in the hours to provide the crew with a clear vision of the story.

Initially I was really annoyed, and I struggled with the situation for at least a few weeks. I thought about asking the tutor if I could change groups, or if the director could be replaced with someone who had more time to spare. But after I’d struggled through a few weeks of production I realised why I was so annoyed. I had high expectations for the project, possibly even too high. And by acknowledging my expectations I was able to let go and accept the situation for what it was. By letting go I don’t mean I gave up, I kind of just looked at where my expectations were in relation to what was actually happening, and if the two didn’t match up I would just forget about what I thought should happen and move forward with what was actually occurring – it felt good.

I also realised during this process that there wasn’t a right or a wrong way of going about the project. All that was important was that I learned from what wasn’t working and that I kept moving forward.

I think the lack of story direction definitely shows in the finished film, however I learned so much about myself and about working with other people, that it really doesn’t matter.

If the project had gone smoothly, without adversity, I doubt I would have learned as much as I did.

A nice interview with Aronofsky about his time in college before he became a filmmaker; his early years, and some sound advice for aspiring filmmakers.

via NoFilmSchool

Assuming you travel by train, the first thing you realise when you step onto the sidewalk is just how big the place is (especially if you’re from Perth). Looking down the vast avenues and streets the city seems to stretch on forever.

It feels like you could easily spend your entire life exploring the city and never come close to experiencing all it has to offer. It honestly feels more like a small country.

Awesomely, I got to eat at Patsy’s for the first time. It was all I hoped it would be…and probably a bit more! The pizza I ordered had a very delicate mix of flavours and was most excellent when chewed with the mouth.

Even though I don’t know much about the history of New York City, I do know it’s got some old buildings that are mighty fine to look at. As a tourist, walking along the streets I would often be looking up. I’m certainly glad I was looking up when I came across this building:

I don’t know about you but I’ve always wanted a pair of ‘Style Undies.’ Also, who wouldn’t want their child’s underwear to be ‘distinctive.’ Seriously, what does that even mean? Anyway I’ll continue, now that I’ve put on my ‘Play Togs.’

The hustle and bustle of the city can get a little overwhelming sometimes and Central Park is certainly one of the places where you can just chill out.

When you’re in the Park it doesn’t feel like you’re in the city at all. The park is so big that when you’re near its center you can barely hear the noise of the city – quite a nice feature!

It was quite different visiting the Park in wintertime. I’m used to seeing people playing baseball and having picnics. This time there were people trying to ice skate…without ice skates!

I was actually pretty impressed at how long they stayed on their feet.

I always feel bad when I leave the city. Not truly bad, just a little disappointed. I start thinking about all the things I haven’t been able to experience. I guess the only way to stop that would be to move there… Although that wouldn’t be so good either. I’d slowly get used to the surroundings and stop thinking it was special…hmmm. Perhaps just an extended stay would be a better option.

We drove up to Owl’s Head in Maine to say goodbye to 2010 and welcome 2011. It takes around five hours to drive up there, and even though I wasn’t driving I still felt exhausted by the time we arrived. But then I saw the location of the house. Located right on the waterfront which looks out onto a beautiful bay. The sun was also setting at that point and lighting up the sky behind Treasure Island.

The next day was spent exploring Treasure Island and the Owl’s Head lighthouse, where there was another spectacular sunset to be enjoyed.

On New Year’s Eve we decided it was best to visit another lighthouse. You never can see too many lighthouses!

After the sun went down we headed over to my aunty’s friend’s house where we met Victoria and Jerry. Jerry and I had lots to talk about, as he’s a compositor and also a documentarian involved in the social filmmaking scene. I spent hours talking to him about filmmaking. We talked about gear, interview techniques and just getting out there and doing it. It’s not about the gear you have or the skills you have. It’s about  jumping in and starting to make films. Good ones and bad ones; every film is a learning experience which will greatly improve your skills for the next!

With Viki and Jerry invited for the New Year’s Eve meal, we headed back to the house to prepare. Although, when we got back I rugged up and headed outside with my camera and tripod intending to execute a timelapse. Needless to say, I wasn’t much help in the kitchen that night!  It was pretty cold outside, maybe -4c. I walked out in the snow towards the beach. As I approached I could hear the ocean waves gently washing over the rocks at the bottom of the embankment.

Here’s what it sounded like:

I setup my camera on some rocks on top of the embankment. It was dark but I had my trusty LED headlight which allowed me to see what I was doing and freed up my hands so I could operate the camera. Then I started worrying that my lens was going to fog up from a sudden change in temperature, so I decided to take a bunch of still shots instead of a timelapse.

There was a small house off in the distance and I could see it would make an interesting photo… If I could only capture it! It was so dark that the camera couldn’t see anything and I couldn’t even look through the viewfinder as I could hardly see myself! So I had to compose the shots blindly, take an exposure, review the results and then move the camera a little bit while guessing what the next shot would look like.

Far away I could hear there was a small airport in the distance, and while I was struggling to compose my shot a plane started coming in to land. I quickly whirled my camera around on the tripod and took a 20 second exposure…

After the first shot the plane turned to face directly at me. Almost like it had spotted me and now it was coming to take me out!

Fortunately, the plane continued to turn and headed towards the airport. With the plane gone I turned my attention back to the original shot with the house, and this time I was successful.

The next day we drove back down to Connecticut. It was a few days after when we took a trip into New York City… More about that in the next post.

On this trip we stopped in LA twice, once on the way to New York and again on the way back. Both times we stayed with Bettina, a family friend who’s been friends with my mum since they were in high school together.

Bettina picked us up from LAX and chauffeured us off to her house which has a great view of the San Gabriel Mountains and this weird white sign that says, ‘HOLLYWOOD’… I have no idea what that’s about.

To an outsider there’s definitely a vibe about LA that’s all about the movies. Everyone you meet is either in Hollywood or knows someone who works in the industry. For example, Bettina is the head of a professional screenwriting course and previously ran the story department at HBO. Her partner Marc is also in the industry and also worked at HBO for a number of years. He’s now an extra who gets contracted to dress up as all kinds of awesome characters.

Anyway, Bettina has two dobermans (the non-lethal kind) which are very cute. I went along for the morning walks a few times.

The walking trail winds all around the top of a large hill. As you walk along the trail you can look down into the valley and watch all the cars hurrying along the Golden State Freeway.

I wish I had more time (and more cameras) so I could go timelapse crazy. I did manage to shoot two, however they ended up being more educational than amazingly spectacular. I find there’s a huge element of trial and error when it comes to timelapse photography. You never really know what you’re going to get until it’s over, and by then there’s no chance for a reshoot. The only thing left to do is learn from the mistakes and small victories and bring them forward into the next timelapse.

Here’s one I shot from the balcony of Bettina’s house using just my Gorillapod. I won’t say too much about it other than I wish I’d thought more about the shot interval.

Here’s another which I shot on the way back from New York. I shot this with a Takumar 200mm f/3.5 (beautiful lens). I spent more time in post with this one as I felt it was worth the extra effort.

Next stop: Ridgefield, CT

So it’s with this post, that I declare: I, Ben Hammersley, will be compiling a series of posts summing up my trip to the United States and the places I visited.

I spent most of my time on the East Coast, primarily staying in the Ridgefield, CT area which is where my dear grandparents live and where I got to experience two blizzards, which was most excellent. I went up to Maine just before the new year, and was blown away by how beautiful it was (photos to come soon).

Just a few thoughts on travelling:
I believe travelling to distant places is one of the most important things a person can do. Something happens when you travel; it seems you grow and adapt to the new environments and experiences you find yourself in. It’s almost like you’re trying on someone else’s hats (ways of being), just to see how they feel, and then suddenly you find one which fits you so comfortably that it feels like it was yours all along.

Based on the feeling I have when I return from a trip, I’d say that it was intended for people to put themselves in situations they don’t immediately feel comfortable with. As it seems these situations, when met with an adventurous spirit, stimulate significant personal growth and provide some surprising insights into who you are, or who you may become.

Now, I don’t know a lot about directing, but I do know this:

A director is, first and foremost, a leader, and you can’t be a leader without people. To get a group of people to follow you, you need to be good at communicating (listening and talking) with each member of the team.

There should never be anyone on the team who the director feels he can’t communicate with. If this is the case then there’s a problem. You need to break down any obstacles that are in the way and find out what’s preventing this person from working effectively. It might just be a case of miscommunication or conflicting interests – but you won’t know until you take the time to listen to the person’s concerns.

Every team member has something to offer and should be engaged to their fullest potential. This will maximise personal development and create an environment where strong collaboration can thrive. This is much easier said than done.

So, my point is: To be a good director you have to be great at collaborating with many different people and be able to listen to each one of them. Just because a person’s called The Director doesn’t mean they can act like they know everything about the film, waving away another person’s idea like an annoying fly. A director who operates like that won’t last long.

Are Directors All The Same?

It seems apparent to me that directors come in various shapes and sizes. There are hundreds of thousands of directors around the world and each hold the right set of skills which allow them to communicate and successfully lead a team to completing a film.

I realised recently that not all directors direct in the same way, and I think it’s important to remember this (well, for me anyway). I know when I read up on directors who have ‘made it’ I can’t help thinking that I should be more like them, and then, if I was more like them maybe I’d make it, too. Obviously, this is not the case, but I have to remind myself of that sometimes.

You can only ever be yourself, and if you try to be someone other then yourself you’re not being true to your unique perspective of the world along with all the things which constitute who you are; and if you’re not being true to who you are then you won’t be making a film which you believe in; and if you’re not making a film which you believe in the team will see that and start to lose faith…and then everything starts to fall apart.

So I guess the moral of this post is: Listen, and be yourself.

UNDERCITY from Andrew Wonder on Vimeo.

For updates and more adventures follow me on twitter twitter.com/​andrewwonder and check out my website andrewwonder.com

This is a film I made after some adventures underground with Steve Duncan (undercity.org) last summer. We also have a teaser video which you can watch on my vimeo page (vimeo.com/​5752275).

For more information about the video and our other adventures please contact Andrew Wonder (Director/Cinematographer) at andrewwonder@mac.com.

Steve and I just completed another underground expedition with Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge (en.wikipedia.org/​wiki/​Erling_Kagge). It was featured in a three page article on the front page of the NY Times metro section and was written by Alan Feuer (nytimes.com/​2011/​01/​02/​nyregion/​02underground.html). We were also covered by NPR’s Jacki Lyden whose report will be aired on 1/2/11 and posted on NPR’s site (npr.org/​2011/​01/​02/​132482428/​into-the-tunnels-exploring-the-underside-of-nyc).

Shot on a canon 5d mkii with canon 24 f/1.4 (version 1) with the zacuto rapid fire, Zoom H4N and a sennheiser g2 wireless lav. The zacuto was really great at being there when I needed it but also staying out of the way.

I’m not sure of the direction of the blog just yet, but, just like life, it’s going to be a journey. The site will evolve and expand along the way. So welcome and I hope you can get something out of it.