Creative Collaboration Lessons From A NY City Ballet Pas De Deux

I discovered the work of filmmaker Galen Summer earlier this week and amongst his works I found this gem: a Pas De Deux as seen from the dancer’s perspective, filmed on stage at the New York City Ballet. 

A Pas De Deux as seen from the dancer's perspective. Filmed on stage at the New York City Ballet. Director + Editor: Galen Summer Producer: Kristin Sloan Director of Photography: Hillary Spera Sound Mixer: Guillermo Pena Tapia www.unionhz.tv www.galensummer.com

Director + Editor: Galen Summer
Producer: Kristin Sloan
Director of Photography: Hillary Spera
Sound Mixer: Guillermo Pena Tapia

Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.

Is Instagram the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Photography?

I’ve never been one to feel compelled to take photographs. I am amazed at how many people experience life by looking at things through their phones. Even though I completely understand the lure of ‘the second screen’ my aversion probably comes from spending so many years trying to convince people to experience the arts and find myself now at concerts or plays with people trying to take pictures instead of being engaged. People work very hard at capturing the moment rather than having the moment. 

Having said that, eventually I too was seduced by Instagram. It started when I saw what some of my friends and colleagues were doing with it, some of them artists and some not, but all every now and then capturing really engaging photographs. So I joined the service simply to see what my friends were doing. But since it was there I found myself also taking photographs. Thinking about it now I realize that in my case it is not about taking good or funny pictures, but for me it is instead a really quick way to document something that has given me pause during my day to day. Things that made me stop during my perpetual daily rush now get photographed instead of documented in a notebook, which is easier and faster. 

Instagram had interesting origins, and was sold for a ton of money to Facebook, but is it the best thing to happen to photography? The wonderful folks at PBS Idea Channel make the case in their latest episode. What do you think?

With its ability to make boring cellphone photos look "vintage" and "artsy", Instagram has exploded worldwide. Derided by its detractors as a tool for making bad photos worse, we take an alternate view and argue that Instagram is the greatest thing to ever happen to photography.

With its ability to make boring cellphone photos look “vintage” and “artsy”, Instagram has exploded worldwide. Derided by its detractors as a tool for making bad photos worse, we take an alternate view and argue that Instagram is the greatest thing to ever happen to photography. Its simple filters and social networking features are training cellphone photographers everywhere to think creatively about their photos. Plus, the app is turning its worldwide user base into an army of photojournalists capturing striking images of the people and events around them. As the old photography adage goes, “The best camera is the one you have with you.”

Hosted by Mike Rugnetta
Made by Kornhaber Brown 

Previously on the Idea Channel:

Is “Texts From Hillary” Art?
Authenticity In Pop Music: Computer Generated Miku Hatsune vs. Marketing Generated Lana Del Rey
Super Mario Brothers Is The World’s Greatest Piece Of Surrealist Art

Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.

Do you worship the tools of your trade as much as ballerinas worship their pointe shoes?

If you’ve been reading the blog you know by now that I love dance, the artform and the people that make it happen. A few years ago I was working at Ballet Hispanico and overheard a conversation amongst dancers that concluded with the following quote: “whether or not we get love, fame or money, one shall always worship the shoes.”

What are the tools of your trade that no one understands, that no one knows about? And, are you worshiping them with attention and care?

The story of ballet shoes, from the factory to the stage. Filmed on location at Freed of London & the New York City Ballet. Client: New York City Ballet Director + Editor: Galen Summer Producer: Kristin Sloan Director of Photography: Hillary Spera Sound Mixer: Guillermo Pena Tapia www.unionhz.tv www.galensummer.com www.nycballet.com

Pointe Shoes
The story of ballet shoes, from the factory to the stage.
Filmed on location at Freed of London & the New York City Ballet. 

Director + Editor: Galen Summer
Producer: Kristin Sloan
Director of Photography: Hillary Spera
Sound Mixer: Guillermo Pena Tapia

Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.

Joss Whedon On Worthy Work

All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not intend. Art isn’t your pet — it’s your kid. It grows up and talks back to you.

( via IAMAJossWhedon on Reddit 

Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.

The Roller Coaster Up and Downs of Selling an Orchestra

Idea and concept by Creative Director Axel Eckstein, EURO RSCG, Zurich. This mission was directed and animated with Softimage XSI and NUKE by Virtual Republic. As President of Virtual Republic I want to thank Axel Eckstein, EURO RSCG and ZKO for this awesome mission and great and creative cooperation.

I saw and tweeted this spot for the Zurich Chamber Orchestra a few years ago. I found it clever and really engaging. All these years later I discover the making-of video by Virtual Republic, the animation and visual effects company that produced the ad. What stands out the most from the making-of video is the fact that Virtual Republic ended up developing software in order to create the roller coaster track animation. As someone who is currently working on ways to help a local chamber orchestra market itself I can’t help but wonder, how much was the budget for this thing? 

Uploaded by virtualrepublic on 2009-05-14.

Created by Virtual Republic
Animation Direction: President M. Klein
Producer: Gerhard Vetter
Technical Direction: Martin Chatterjee
Modeling: Martin Sobott
Animation: Marco Kowalik, Christian Marschalt
Compositing: Steffen Dünner
Data Handling: Morris Willner

 

(via artsjournal.com)

Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.