Tyler Smith | T2 + Back Alley Blog

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February 9th, 2010
by Tyler Smith
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Introducing: Joshua Reis

Proudly Announcing Joshua Reis

Last year I was eager to find an up and coming Director of Photography that had an interest in directing. I asked a former colleague in Los Angeles if she had come across anyone – and she suggest that I take a look at Joshua Reis’s work. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to direct, but she said he had a fantastic DP reel, and was full of energy and passion on set. Perfect. When I first reached out to Josh, he said that my call came a couple of years before he had expected it to. But, it was a resounding “YES” when it came to his desire to combine his passion behind the camera with his goal to direct.

"directors chair"This past week we booked another job for Josh, and he will have his first opportunity to team with the creatives at VML – We couldn’t be more excited. Josh has now shot in Kansas City on multiple occasions and has come to understand what drives our passion for production…Great creatives, great crew and BBQ.

It’s been such a pleasure working with Josh as he continues to seize every opportunity that comes his way. I think a director should always take advantage of any opportunity where they can hone their skills, and grow in their ability to make the most of any concept. Obviously creating spec work allows any up and coming director that opportunity – So I asked Josh to elaborate on spec work. “My specs give me an opportunity to try something new and experiment.  They allow me to be simultaneously in the director and DP seat.  Thus, I think a lot of my best stuff is my spec and low budget work, which I can maximize the resources at hand and focus purely on the story or concept”.

Where I have seen the most growth in his transition into directing, has been Josh’s ability to translate his knowledge as a DP, and apply that knowledge directly to the outcome of the concept. Josh is able to elevate compositions by expanding upon the various tools of his trade. He encourages creatives to explore these tools and push their concepts further. Josh says, “Its probably the most exciting time in cinematic history to be a director/DP.  Never before has there been so many photographic tools to choose from.  This includes 35, Super 16, compact HD, 2/3, and 35mm sensor digital cameras.  The latest film-stocks continue to push the envelope.  New cameras such as the Canon 5D, Red, and Sony F-35 seem to hit the market annually if not monthly.  One of the best aspects of being a director/DP is to be able to be at the forefront of the technology and test the waters as they say.  I enjoy experimenting with the latest tools/technology and use that in conjunction with my post production skill-sets.  I have lensed a music video in 3D.  Filmed a handful of videos and projects at 1000 fps.  Last week, I shot my first motion control project.  Being at the forefront of technology is one of the best aspects of being a DP/director.  However, I am an owner of an Arri SR3, Super 16 camera package, so I am still a big fan of film.  Nothing is as raw and gritty as shooting with a hand crank converted Arri 2c.  I enjoy having a diversified vocabulary in both film and digital toolsets.  Its hard to imagine what will be new in the next two years…

Indeed it is – And working with Josh, it’s even harder to imagine how much he’ll continue to grow as a director/DP over that time.

February 8th, 2010
by Tyler Smith
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Dawn of a New Decade. Defined by the Underdog

From my first job in production to today

video reelMy first job in production was to watch director reels so that I could familiarize myself with the work, and the talent behind the work.  I had a grading system that filled notebooks full of my green critique – Back then, we had the giant ¾ inch tapes that needed an entire room of their own just to be housed. The room had a metal chair, no windows and sat directly across the hall from one of the most notorious office smokers in our building. As dreary as that Barney Miller-backdrop-of-an office was, it also came to represent the room where I would find my escape from the day to day. A new world opened up to me behind those closed doors, one that gave me a glimpse into the creative talent that I knew I wanted to work with one day.

The grading system was based on points, 10 being the highest. I hadn’t been exposed to advertising long enough to know how important any kind of relevant brand message was in commercials, so my grades went something like this – If there was anyone in a bikini, it got a 10. If there was a Harley spot on the reel, that director got a 10. Anything with Bo Jackson got a 10. But then my grading evolved as I watched reel after reel…I came to appreciate good composition. I started to recognize good acting. I began to see simple concepts make a very lasting impression. My notebooks grew in size, as I wrote about everything I saw and the emotions each spot would evoke. Some directors faded while others started to rise. What became obvious were the directors that stayed relevant with new work. Sure, it was easy for some who had a super bowl spot on their reel to stay relevant and get new bud light work each month. But, what caught my attention were the directors that flew under the proverbial ad-rat radar. These directors stayed busy by passionately driving the work on seemingly unknown and irrelevant brands – and in doing so, they became relevant in my eyes. I associated with their desire to make the most out of every opportunity you’re given. Spoon wrote one of my favorite lyrics – “You got no fear of the underdog, and that’s why you will not survive”.

At Back Alley, we’re building a team of artists –  those artists are a combination of visionaries with disciplines in directing, photography, writing,  music, art, and just about any imaginable creative outlet that defines and shapes their ambitions. Our job is to guard that ambition and throw our net as wide as we can in 2010, providing them with every opportunity to channel those disciplines into creating relevant work that will build brands, grow relationships with customers and create friendships with like-minded creatives & clients.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be blogging with our artists to capture what’s on their mind and relevant to them. I hope it will be information that becomes relevant to you. It’s the dawn of a new decade – one that will be defined by the underdog, and who chooses to seize the opportunities that others fear are no longer there.