I started my London time lapse project in spring 2010, and uploaded the final movie to YouTube in March 2011. Since then it has had over 30.000 views on YouTube which is fairly impressive since all my other videos float between 500 to 1000. Why did it take so long to produce? Mainly down to two factors. Working shift work and the British weather. It was also a massive learning curve, I had played around with video before, but I came from a still photography background so teaching myself Final Cut was like back in the day when I taught myself Photoshop.
I filmed it for a number of reasons, to teach myself another photo technique, collaborate with a friend, learn Final Cut Pro and for me, the most important reason, it was to engage the creative side of my brain.
And now, after shooting over 10000 images and nearly getting arrested (twice), I ended up with a piece of work which I feel like I can be proud off.
Off the back of my video, something happened that really hadn’t happened before to any of my other videos. The internet started to take notice. I would receive dozens of emails a week asking if they could use the footage for different projects. Normally, these companies, students and even Canadian Christan rock bands didn’t want to pay me for the footage, so I declined 99% of these requests. But one day I had an email from Vertigo Films in London asking if they could use clips for an upcoming film called ‘Pusher’. A remake of the 1996 cult danish film by the same name. Of course I said yes. And now MY WORK IS IN A REAL FILM, A FILM THAT IS GETTING RELEASED AT THE CINEMA. They credited me in the film and used the shot of the city taken from Primrose Hill. This is all very exciting for me.
So there you go, that’s how my name ended up in a film. My advice is get out there and create something good, something worthy, and stick it on the internet, because you never know who might be watching.
It’s already out on iTunes to rent in the US and will be released in the UK at the Cinema on the 12th Oct – 2012
Pusher 2012
Here’s the shot they used. From the top of Primrose Hill.
My name on the end credits.
I said that another reason I created the time lapse was so I could collaborate with friends. Luckily I know some very talented people and getting to work with Jonathan from The Natura Cinematica was an exciting prospect. We used one of his tracks to set the mood and pace for the film and though only a demo at the time, Fastlane LDN works so well with the visuals. Fastlane LDN has since been remade and remastered and now can be found on the Album, The Man Who Knew Too Much.
You can find out more about Natura Cinematica and buy the album on their site.
naturacinematica.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/naturacinematica
reverbnation.com/naturacinematica
twitter.com/naturacinematic
soundcloud.com/naturacinematica
Nice one Sammy! My masterwork is in cinemas any day now too… Frankenweenie!!
Look at all the lovely things, and know that I painted roughly 20% of them all!
Hope you’re well xx
Thank you Elaine,
Looking forward to Frankenweenie, I think it’s out over here on the 17th. :)
That was fantastic! The music was perfect as well!
I hope this is the start of more great ventures in cinematography!
OK, so just where does your fascination with death stem from?! ”Well, I think it’s just a universal fear. I think it’s just a fear of what lies beyond death. A lot of people think that death really is your final destination and a lot of people – like myself – think there’s something more afterwards. But, it’s kind of a fear of the unknown. I’ve always said I’m not afraid of dying … I just don’t want to die painfully,” he laughs long and loud.