Genius and Evolution – Marco Brambilla

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Adam

Every now and then you forget the genius behind the genius.

As I flipped through all the Art Basel parties and exhibits I wouldn’t be seeing this weekend, I came across a party on Friday night hosted by Marina Abramovic at the Standard Hotel Miami. Here is where Marco Brambilla will be premiering his large-scale 3-D video collage called “Evolution.”

Now if you’ve seen Kanye West’s “Power” video, than you’ve see some of Marco’s greatest work. Kanye tapped Marco to direct “Power” after seeing his permanent exhibit at the New York Standard’s Boom Boom Room. Brambilla says of Kanye, “Very interesting. He draws from art, fashion and usually pushes people to create something that is richer than it would have been without him. The video really came from the song. I thought it would be really great to do a portrait of him using that technique and putting him in a crazy neo classical setting.”

Brambilla comes from a rich past of film directing (“Demolition Man” & “Excess Baggage”- Alicia Silverstone classic) and many other notable and experimental video and photography projects.

He is currently working on “Evolution,” his first video collage in 3-D. He will be illustrating the history of humankind as a “vast side-scrolling video mural depicting the spectacle of human conflict across time through the lens of cinema.” Using samples from his extensive film archives, Brambilla first composes the entire canvas as a photo collage, works with a special effects company to place film loops on top and then projects it on a 3D landscape.

If you’re in Miami GO SEE HIM!!

http://marcobrambilla.com/

-Ashlye Vaughan

Robert Wong and Google’s Talent Incubator

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Adam

Google’s Creative Lab

Not only is Google known for “organizing the world,” its extravagant, sprawling offices, and limitless line of services aim to make our world (both on-line and real life) a little easier and less cluttered. Google is also home to the experimental and free spirited “Creative Lab,” born 3 years ago. Not be confused with an ad agency, the Creative Lab’s sole aim is to build Google’s brand across a variety of platforms, and even create new ones.

Within the Creative Lab is THE 5 PROGRAM which takes young, creative and tech talented disciples and takes them under their wing for 1 year of training before sending them off into the world armed and powerful. Robert Wong, Executive Creative Director of the Creative Lab describes the motivation behind the program, “The thinking was that, hey we have great talent that can come in and play with all the tools here and then agencies will get people that feel confident about all the tools at their disposal. And of course it works for us because that way they know our tools and we can participate in the whole ecosystem.”

For more check out the profile of the 5 Program and an interview with Robert Wong:

http://creativity-online.com/news/the-google-creative-lab/146084

http://ihaveanidea.org/creatives/2010/04/14/robert-wong/

-Ashlye Vaughan

Social Network: The Impact

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Adam

Everyone’s talking about it. It was positioned by a producer of the film as this generation’s Wall Street. Sure enough, people are calling Zuckerberg’s character as the Bud Fox of today. The Social Network delivered.

This film is so poignant. It taps directly into the zeitgeist while at the same time tells a terrifically crafted story – revealing the layers of Facebook’s monumental impact while entertaining us at the same time and making one think.

First, let’s acknowledge the story and the way they chose to frame it. Many story elements seemed played-up or dramatized as well as Zuckerberg’s character always playing the bad ass genius card. While it didn’t go down this way, the story tellers were savvy enough to know that the vehicle needed this framing in order to tell what is otherwise, a really dry business 101 story with the roaring 2000s theme.

Outside of the film’s questionable accuracy – it’s amazing art direction. The lighting, pacing, scene set-ups, sequences, music and performances were all on point. Should we expect less from David Fincher, the man who was making all those awesome music vids in the 90s with Madonna and directed films such as Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac, Curious Case of Benjamin Button and is attached to direct the U.S. adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? The man is not to be doubted! Bravo Mr. Fincher & Co. for an excellent project! The people have spoken.

Lastly, let’s talk about the film’s relevance on a cultural, technological/digital and business level.

Culturally, I’ll never forget living the experience of joining Facebook in college and watching it blow up in front of my eyes – during that period it was crazy – everyone in college was all about it and we couldn’t even tell each other why we were all so into it. Five some odd years later and it’s still relevant to our lives on an even bigger scale.

Tech/digitally, and it’s shown in different facets of film but not stressed – how Zuckerberg and friends stumbled upon a way to not just create a new social site but to literally – re-wire and re-network the inner workings of the internet and our lives simultaneously. It is now why Facebook and Google are the ones to watch in the internet evolution race for #1. Also, read how Facebook can become bigger in Five Years than Google is Today.

On a business level – this is just a classic business 101 story. Very much in vein of other innovator American stories ala Steve Jobs with Apple and Bill Gates with Microsoft. (Netflix Pirates of Silicon Valley if you have never seen.) Awesome innovative achievement is always super-cool but usually never without a few people getting hurt and/or felt done-wronged along the way. American business – it’s never pretty but someone has to do it.

If you are on the interwebs and want to be on top of what is culturally relevant then do yourself a favor. Go. See. This. Film.

-Mitchel Kapler

TRAILER

Storytelling Innovation

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Adam

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Ron Howard and Brian Glazer are shepherding a new unprecedented storytelling project. The uber producers will use Universal Pictures infrastructure to tell Stephen’s King’s trilogy, The Dark Tower as a combination of films, television and even comic books.

By alternating the story between film and television – the storytellers can use different methods to engage the audience. Imagine using the television series to work in the incredible character development and the film to create incredible visuals. They can change pace without being disjointed. The key is that the material can support such an audacious move. These incredible hefty literary properties will be the backbone of more innovative forms because of their depth and richness.

Of course, there are hurdles – the deal took months to complete and the actors are gonna be locked up for extended amounts of time but similar to Lord of the Rings – the overlaying production cycles will keep costs down and bring huge opportunity for financial success.

Adam Neuhaus

Magic Bus

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Adam

Magic Bus
The Chinese company, Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment is proposing the creation of a giant, road-straddling bus to help ease the traffic due to their booming population and economy.

This super bus will straddle the road above the cars, and carry between 1200 to 1400 riders. It is powered by solar energy and electricity, so will offer at least 30% energy savings. Passengers can enter and exit the bus through terminals that span the road allowing for traffic to continue while it is stopped.

The “3D Fast Bus,” it’s current name promises a reduction in traffic jams and will only cost about 10% of what it would cost to build a subway. There is already a pilot for the project being planned in Beijing’s Mentougou District.

Now that is the future of transportation I’d like to see. Get one out to Los Angeles pronto!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/china-to-build-ginormous-buses-that-cars-can-drive-under-video/

Ashlye Vaughan

The Secret to Life

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Adam

The new generation wants creative independence and infidelity, we are no longer encouraged to pursue just one medium or job. Instead do what you can/want and define yourself accordingly.

It seems like a few ‘good’ celebrities are breaking away from a life guarded by publicists, and are trying to define or re-define themselves. Courtney Love and James Franco, are 2 of them, determined to run their own image, and it’s damn right inspiring.

Courtney (with an anonymous team of 3) has started a daily, fashion blog of herself, and refers to it as a “social experiment.” Courtney has always been upfront with her past struggles with drugs and sanity, but claims to have always loved fashion. “I just didn’t always get it right.” And after seeing hundreds of images of herself, Courtney decided to begin her own fashion revolution. “One can’t wear a tutu and a Birkin.”

http://www.wwd.com/eyescoop/courtney-love-on-birkins-and-sex-3189035?full=true

James Franco, ultimate mover and shaker, actor, model, writer and full-time student calls parts of his life “performace art,” and the rest… well…. Just life. After dropping out of school and becoming a successful Hollywood actor, Franco went back to school, first at UCLA, graduating with an English degree. Now James is enrolled in 4 different schools full time (1 in north Carolina), has a reoccurring roll on General Hospital, multiple movies coming out, a campaign for Gucci, and much more to come. In response to his critics, “If the work is good,” Franco says, “what does it matter? I’m doing it because I love it. Why not do as many things I love as I can? As long as the work is good.”

http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/67284/

“Believe what you want. But here’s a clue. The secret to life: Anyone can die at any time.”- Franco, General Hospital

Ashlye Vaughan

The New Tribe on the Block

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Adam

Picture: David Choe, RVCA ANP artist

Artists, models, athletes, and musicians have more outlets, networks and opportunities today than ever before to express themselves. Of course, we have the internet to thank, but we also have brands and companies like RVCA that bring art and lifestyle together for the greater good.

In 2001, out of his closet and from humble beginnings, the company’s founder, PM Tenore started RVCA (Pronounced “Ruca”), an action sports apparel company, first and foremost. PM also created a program to support artists and give them a platform he thought was missing, “I wanted to do something other people in the industry weren’t, and that is provide a space for artists, musicians, surfers, skaters, curators, models. That’s when I started conceptualizing the artists network program (ANP).”

If PM likes someone’s work, he shares contacts with them and invites them to do limited-edition designs in which a portion of the proceeds will go to the charity of their choice. The members of this ANP tribe have free reign of RVCA’s sprawling headquarters that feature, a recording studio, rooms filled with sewing machines and fabric swatches, and working spaces for any late night workers.

“It’s a balance of industry and art,” says PM, who claims creativity and commerce shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. For RVCA, it is about today, tomorrow and life as the big picture. It is about inspiring our generation, providing something of substance and culture and above all doing it with integrity and as a united family, a close-knit community.”

www.rvca.com

-Ashlye Vaughan

Five Reasons Why 48 Hour Magazine F#*$ing Rocks

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Adam

Five reasons why 48 Hour Magazine f#*$ing rocks

1. It’s about time some savvy journalist step it up and take the journalism game to the next level by doing a “a raucous experiment in using new tools to erase media’s old limits.” The past few years I often find myself flipping through magazines saying to myself “old news, old news, old news.” Then thinking, “geez, print media is in trouble.” Maybe this is the model of the future?

2. It’s crowd-sourcing, wisdom of crowds, or whatever you want to call it at it’s best! In 10 days before the kick off, over 6,000 people signed up to take part in the 48 Hour Magazine experiment and they received 1,502 submissions for articles. That’s awesome.

3. The team is a bunch of free-wheeling-forward-thinking-street-savvy-hippies from San Francisco. San Fran cats might tilt “towards the left” but you can never deny that they are revolutionaries up there in northern California, always willing and able to define the new rules of the new school.

4. They leveraged social media platforms such as Twitter, Ustream, and their blog to invite people to participate in the action with them! Smart, smart, and smart. Forget the velvet rope that old media loves to put up – 48 hours magazine wants to and struck an immediate bond with their new fan base.

5. Their first issue is all about something WE ALL can legitimately relate to at the moment. “Hustle. Whether you’re employed, not employed, a student, parent, child, or even a lazy bum. Living in America requires you to have some form of hustle to get what you need. A decent education, decent medical coverage, a modest income, long walks on the beach – whatever it is – it all requires hustle. Not only did 48 Hours come up with a brilliant idea and a savvy execution – they created a relatable product. Bravo ladies and gents – bravo!

http://magcloud.com/browse/Issue/81528

@mitchkapler

Uniqlo’s World

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Adam

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT -

So many interesting details in this article. From management style to franchising philosophy to brand loyalty – Uniqlo offers such a solid product in so many varieties at such a discount price that everyone can find something they like. By using data to drive/inspire their sales force and insisting on their strict engagement practices – folding, phrases, the payment process – Uniqlo has designed the experience as much as they have designed the clothing. Walking into this store – you feel the attention to detail and the effectiveness of the white backdrop and floor to ceiling shelves that gives the impression of insane multitude of varieties. Uniqlo has gone beyond its competitors in designing the experience of shopping and serving customers. I also find it fascinating that their sales staff has such intriguing/diverse looks but that their techniques and training is exacting. Great article.

Headsets & Highballs

Tag Archives: Innovation