Democratized Culture and You.
Posted on November 22nd, 2010
Each week that I post these articles I’m careful to include embedded links to the different subjects I talk about, so that while you read the blog posts you can click on the links (highlighted in blue) to learn more about the individual people or companies mentioned. While I have metrics that show how many people open my emails and how long they stay open, I have no idea how many of you actually click on the links.
To get the most out of this post, though, you really need to open the links, at least the first one that says, “click HERE.” Perhaps it’ll seem like a bother and take a little longer than usual but I promise the interactive exercise will be worth the effort.
Fellow art director Steve Saley turned me onto a terrific three-minute film called The Porcelain Unicorn. The film is the brainchild of American director and producer, Keegan Wilcox, the winner of the Tell It Your Way short film contest sponsored by Philips. To watch this wonderful film, click HERE. I’ll see you again in a few minutes. No, don’t worry about me, I’ll wait.
Welcome back. Was the film as good as I promised it would be? Besides being moved by the touching script and great storytelling, did you notice how beautiful the high-definition footage was? While Wilcox is clearly very talented, this filmmaker also had the benefit of great actors, lighting technicians, musicians, editors and prohibitively expensive professional equipment, right?
Not exactly.
The entire film was shot on the new Canon 35mm SLR with HD video, a $1,600 camera that looks exactly like the camera you carry on vacation! You can learn more about the camera by clicking HERE. You can even buy one at Amazon by clicking HERE.
This line of new Canons has been revolutionizing the filmmaking business. A slightly more expensive model, the 5D Mark II, was used to shoot the entire House season finale (and yes, you can read more about that HERE). As they say in the article, “May 17 (the date the finale airs), [is] the date when the grumpy doctor you wish you were and the snazzy camera you wish you owned will join forces on American network television.”
To quote late-night television, “But wait, there’s more…” This same Canon 5D was used to film behind the scenes at this year’s Emmy intro with Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Betty White, Jon Hamm and Kate Gosselin (to watch the sneak peak, click HERE). Not only that, but the segment was edited on a MacBook Pro with Final Cut Pro, the same type of laptop that this blog post was written on.
Moore’s law, first published in Electronics Magazine on April 19, 1965, states that technology (specifically semi-conductors installed on silicone chips) will double in power and halve in price every two years. Think about what this means for the future of creativity. Equipment expense, once a barrier for all but the most well heeled creative types, will no longer be a consideration. Soon, the next Bergmans and wannabe Hitchcocks will be able to create their visions with equipment that they might already have at home. And because Internet sites such as YouTube and Vimeo eliminate distribution expense, the process of creating and sharing high-quality content will become entirely democratic and open to all.
That means that the future started yesterday and the brave new world is already here. Creative expression is available to everyone at a very low cost and that everyone includes you. The time has come for you to write your great American novel, shoot your movie, produce your album or express yourself anyway you like. When you do, send me a link and I’ll post it right here for everyone to enjoy.
15 thoughts on “Democratized Culture and You.”
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By Bruce Turkel
Wow. Fine little film. And camera. And post. I keep really liking where parts of our world our headed. Rapidfire democratization of creative technology is one of them. The development of those amazing mini cupcakes you see around is another. Thx BT for another thought provoker.
The video was incredible. All these links are tough on us {squirrel} easily distracted folks. I was torn between coming back to your blog or looking at more videos….Happy Thanksgiving.
The opening night film at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF)was Nice Guy Johnny by Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, Brother McMullen She’s the One, etc.)He shot the entire film for $20,000. The film looked amazing. A new age in filmaking has dawned.
Hey Bruce.
Mark Ohlsen here. In case you don’t remember My wife Lynn Foosaner & I were down to see Carl and we ended up going out to diner a little over a year ago. Another hint would be I play with Howard Levy in Chevere. Enough of that…. I’m simply replying to let you know I love your post so keep them coming. I hope all is good with you and your family and have a GREAT holiday season.
Mark & Lynn
Well besides the fact that it made me cry, it was an amazing video. And no question, the technical quality added to the overall experience.
As for the techie part, that camera looks NOTHING like the one I take on vacation. Mine is in a little yellow and black plastic case with KODAK written all over.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. It really is the best holiday!
Great video that really does highlight the speed with which technology is moving. I would never have guessed that it was shot with such an incredibly easy to use camera. We have started doing much the same at National Speakers Association with $1800 we bought three lights and an HD camera. With the help of imovie we can shoot, edit, and post a clip that looks like the big studios have created it in the matter of an hour. Here is an example…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSGQrWLpPuQ. Bruce, thanks for continuing to keep us all on the forefront of developing a strong brand for ourselves.
Great post…it reminded me of a poster my father had hanging on his office wall (my pop was an actor)…
It’s not men who limit women, it’s not straights who limit gays, it’s not whites who limit blacks. What limits people is lack of character. What limits people is that they don’t have the fucking nerve or imagination to star in their own movie, let alone direct it.
Tom Robbins…Still Life with a Woodpecker 1980
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Tom_Robbins
Use the Cannon to star in your own movie…
Great stuff once again. Loved the film and the post. We have been shooting with the Cannon for some time and the results are simply stunning for the price.
As a NYU Film grad, who went there to access the best in equipment and experience, it makes me wonder how this will affect the industry.
May you and your family a great Thanksgiving!
I recently saw a piece on CBS News about this camera which is also being used to shoot almost all TV news (on CBS, at least).
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the excellent Blog! There is no doubt the Porcelain Unicorn looks beautiful.
In the future it’s all about a good script though, don’t cha think?
I was relieved to see there is still the necessity for an Original Music Composer in the credits!
Keep those blogs coming… I enjoy them!
Bruce
You are constanly provoking evolutions to one’s perspectivee. I am moving forward with several ideas u have shared…keep em’ coming!
Hutch
Nice film, The Porcelain Unicorn. Thanks for sharing. Have
A happy Thanksgiving weekend…….the link on the CANON SLR camera is interesting……..Banu
loved the porcelin unicorn! thanks for sharing bruce.
Bruce – It took me a while to get to this blog – but as busy as I was, I wanted to read it. So now, Sunday night, I know why.
Two weeks ago, I decided that instead of publishing another anthology, I am going to produce a personal development film, featuring messages from speakers and experts.
Reading your blog assured me I’m on the right path. Everything is digital and video now. And it’s transitioning VERY fast.
I am speaking at AMA in Jan. with a new keynote: “Byte Size Business: Short & Sweet”. It’s built on my “B Face 2 Face 4 Success” keynote, but includes using technology to build business relationships. One of the areas I’m addressing is using Video Blogs to build a community with your clients and becoming their most valuable resource.
Great job on this one. May I quote you when I present? Thanks! Robin
Simple cinematography/complex writing, love the idea. I hope for more films that exude wit, smarts, a sense of history and dismemberment of social rules. Somebody please write the screenplay and send it to Bruce.