Filmic's First Narrative

The Filmic team’s semester includes a number of awesome opportunities, but one of the most exciting is – surprisingly – offered as a class. That’s right, we’re pumped up about school. But this isn’t your mundane, anonymous lecture with GSIs and math homework due every week… This is Filmmaking II, where the goal is to finish a 10-15 minute narrative film. Needless to say, we’re thinking big.

Most Importantly, this project has to be, fittingly, filmic. In the most literal sense, this course offers us an opportunity that is quickly dying off - the chance to shoot on super 16 color negative. We plan on taking full advantage of this rare opportunity and special aesthetic. So, yes, Filmic will temporarily put away the SLRs for something truly cinematic.

Our biggest focus as always, will be story. Not only do we want to tell a story appropriate to film, but also one we all are passionate about. If not everyone is on board, then we're not running at our full potential. Fortunately, our current treatment has captured everyone's attention: it allows for big production design, but more importantly, presents themes and characters with which we all can identify. The best hint that I can give everyone is that our big story idea involves buttons (a world full of buttons), and I'll just let your minds run with that for now. However, as we move more into the semester, we'll be blogging all about our first narrative experience as we move from pre-production to post. So... Be on the lookout for updates, photos, and maybe even some behind the scenes videos (honestly, we really will never put down our SLRs), because we want you all to be just as excited as we are as we continue to move forward on this project.

- CJED

Production Design Rules the World

When a college house just isn't "college" enough, we're faced with the dilemma of what the heck to fill the shot with. Fortunately, the gnome sustained only minor injuries (thanks Skyler), the AK was never fired, and the residents of Pleasant St. were able to navigate their way home safely that evening...


rdh

Post NO.3

2012. Boom. Some seriously exciting projects are in store for the new year. But we're also excited to deliver some pieces we've been working on through the end of 2011. So, here's a quick recap - a slice of the recent chaos...



EatBlue.com

Sparked from the fame surrounding past hilarious viral video work from UM's own Skyler Fulton and Devin Rossinsky, the opportunity for Filmic to collaborate with 3P on a series of online commercials for EatBlue.com arose. I had discussed the possibilities of working with Skyler for some time now, but we were all thrilled that this project was able to become a reality.



Without giving too much away about the two spots we produced, lets just say they're both pretty absurd, and most definitely different style pieces than we've shot in the past. Starring Skyler and Devin as those "EatBlue Guys", these original comedy sketches aim to build EatBlue.com's brand visibility, evoke laughter, and maybe - just maybe - make you think "What the hell is going through these dude's heads?" Also, there may or may not be a very, very cute puppy involved with one of the spots.

The shoot was really awesome at reversing our sleeping schedules, as we shot into the early morning hours the Friday before the holiday break. In case anyone was wondering, Benny's Family Dining off South State St. on Industrial opens at 5AM. And they have some of the best greasy omeletts in Ann Arbor. Highly recommended for a hungry crew after a late-night wrap, or just because you can.

Post Production for both spots is well underway. Look for them to be released online mid-January, and show your friends. And then order some food online without getting off the couch. Or your computer.



The Michigan Marketing Enterprise

Fresh off the excitement from the EatBlue shoot, we had to refocus and wrap pre-production prep on a film for the University of Michigan's Marketing Enterprise. The three creative branches of the University's marketing department are in the process of overhauling their identity. Soon to be named Michigan Creative, Michigan Media, and Michigan Photography, a unified picture of these 3 divisions was commissioned by the University's Director of Marketing, Matt Schlentz, in the form of a short film. We had 3 days of production to construct an up-beat, hight energy piece that positively represented the personalities, process, and work of these creatives.


Hanging out with this creative community for the week was a blast. By the time we had wrapped, Josh, Joe, Steve, and myself felt like we were part of the crew. Chris McElroy of Michigan Media was huge in making our blank-canvas studio space vision a reality, and we were thrilled to see some of these wacky personalities shine through, just as we had envisioned. We learned a thing or two about lighting subjects for a solid backdrop, probably over-used our Cinevate Atlas 30 slider once again, and learned that some of the perks of working in an organized office space are unlimited free coffee and home-cooked community lunches.

However, what sums it up best might have to be what Kelly Fuligni, the Creative Director for Michigan Creative stated in one of her interviews: "It's a point of pride. I think the University of Michigan's reputation precedes itself, and being associated with an institution that embodies such brand attributes as the University is an honor."

rdh