2015 has been a very exciting year for us at London Video Stories.From our new website launch to some amazing new collaborations, we have worked on a lot of exciting projects that we wanted to share with you.You can now check our new demo reel feat. Martin Sorrell, Tom Ford , Paul Smith and many more. As always, we're happy to hear your thoughts, so why not drop us a line?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X_0zXThpoI
Music, Camera, Action - when you're Liszt expected
There`s a hidden thought in every videographer`s mind: someday to make a music video. Well, not the usual Miley Cyrus on a ball/Lady Gaga all wrapped up kind of stuff, but a Mezzo style, multi-camera, classic video with a classical track.
My story with classical music goes back some years ago when, while directing a documentary, I`ve commissioned a composer to write a soundtrack for my film. After a few months, I was invited in a studio to listen to the composition. There are really no words to describe how I felt when listening to to the music that was written only my project! Ever since, I've always had my eye out for any classical music projects in which I could put all my DOP and editing skills in. As luck would have it, I met the uber-talented pianist Sergiu Tuhutiu in London a few moths ago and we decided to work together on two of his classical music videos.
So, there we were - 3 videographers in the room (myself, Raul Babos and Daniel Duna), 5 cameras ready to roll, one old and beautifully restored piano, a typically British saloon and a very talented pianist (Sergiu Tuhutziu) . We had about 8 hours to record 2 tracks and that seemed quite alright when you think we had 5 cameras; but to synchronize each one, to sync each performance, to change the lights for each camera and scene…now, that`s was real challenge.By the end of the day, the cameramen Raul Babos and Daniel Duna were not only humming the tunes just like in a karaoke night that went bad but they knew by heart each of Sergiu`s hand movements on the keyboard. I guess they also added Liszt on their iTunes list.Now, for you techies, I should add another part that might upset the piano lovers, namely camera+cameraman with slider on the piano! Luckily, I`m so compact that the piano hardly felt anything...After a few clicks and tweaks in in the editing room, here`s what we came up with.Do enjoy along with a glass of wine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SviWtp7wcTohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Ct3CnsHa0Mihai
Experimental Video London Tourneé Cadenza / DanceVideo
A few months ago I was invited by Carlos Dittborn, a talented Chilean director to get involved into an experimental video. And so I did as a Director of Cinematography. Until now, I only worked on factual videography (more than I did on experimental videos), weather it was documentary or short corporate videos, and this project was for me a fun challenge especially because I`m planning my first short fiction film. I had to think out of the box, more visually than before and to adapt to the new DSLR I`ve worked with.What we had to do may seem simple: to capture the essence of a one minute dance and then to slow-motion it to almost 5 minutes. So, we used many camera angles and a frame rate of 60fps. The result was stunning because it seamed like the dancer was stopped somewhere between movement and stillness.Not only was this a positive experience because of working with a talented dancer, director and choreographer, but also, it made me think about the power that video has today: to slow down reality and offer us a moment of peace. The video is in the festival circuit and will soon be available in UK.Meanwhile,you can enjoy the trailer below:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG9uNegsoGY]
Barbican Cinema
Last December, I was invited by Phillip Bergson, the renowned British film critic, to attend the opening event of 2 new Barbican Cinemas. They are the first addition to the venue since the Barbican opened in 1982 and are equipped with digital projection plus 35mm and 16mm. Film screening this month include Cloud Atlas, To the Wonder or Stoker.Enjoy a few photos I took and please visit Barbican`s website: http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/new-cinemas
