Video | T2 + Back Alley Blog

Latest Tweet

August 9th, 2010
by T2 + Back Alley Team
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0 Comments
Retweet

Globally Distributed Web Series? Hype Around Samsung Galaxy S Web Series

Fact Checkers Unit

A new web series, FCU: Fact Checkers Unit is generating buzz.  Samsung’s new Android phone the Galaxy S will be promoted via the new web series, hyped by NBC Universal as “the world’s first globally distributed web series.”

Hype aside, FCU is breaking new ground. FCU: Fact Checkers Unit is being distributed on multiple platforms in many countries.  Here in the US,  it will appear on NBC.com, Hulu, and Syfy.com along with the video-on-demand service. Mobile phone carriers like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will deliver the show to smart phones and FCU will be available for download on your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, and iTunes.

FCU: Fact Checkers Unit will appear in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Japan via Syfy Channel and Sci-Fi Channel in Australia.

Based on the short film of the same name that appeared at Sundance in 2008, FCU: Fact Checkers Unit will be available in an unprecedented number of platforms and regions.  According to social media blog Mashable, the series follows two celebrity fact checkers:

The series will follow two zealous fact checkers for the magazine Dictum; in each episode they will attempt to verify a fact about some celebrity the magazine is covering. For example, they must determine in the first episode whether or not 90210’s Luke Perry really believes his house is haunted by ghosts.

Each of the eight episodes in the series’ current order will feature some celebrity. The celebs named so far include the aforementioned Luke Perry, Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek, legendary rock guitarist Dave Navarro, model Karolina Kurkova , Scrubs‘ Donald Faison, NCIS‘ Pauley Perrette, Friday Night Lights‘ Zach Gilford, and Napoleon Dynamite himself, Jon Heder.

The show features the Samsung Galaxy S featured prominently in every episode. For example, it’s used to record a bedroom overnight in the first episode to document potential paranormal activity.  If this venture is a success, look for more “globally distributed web shows” coming soon. Here’s a trailer for the series:

March 25th, 2010
by Carson Catlin
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
8 Comments
Retweet

Our Stuff: ’09 Motion Design Reel

It’s that time of year again. Time to take the best of motion design work that we’ve done during the course of the past year and smash it all together and create a demo reel.

All of us at T2 are very proud of the work on this reel and, hopefully, it will inspire you as it does us. Next up, stay tuned for the Visual Effects reel.

2010 MOTION DESIGN REEL from T2 + Back Alley Films on Vimeo.

This reel was a combination of great stuff that we were fortunate enough to work on during the course of the last year. It included work for Integrated Marketing Summit, Kansas City Area Development Council; VML/Wunderman for Microsoft; Giant Bob; Bernstein Rein for Time Warner; VML for Copia; KCADC for Animal Health Corridor; Reflector Agency for MGM; Trozzolo Advertising for “Don’t Be Jim” PSA; KCADC for “This American Dream”; Mueller Bressler Brown for Children’s Hospitals of Illinois; Skar Advertising for TDAmeritrade; Back Alley Films; Mueller Bressler Brown for Illinois Neurological Institute; Kansas City Art Institute; Mueller Bressler Brown for OSF St. Francis, Athletix Nation, Jump Co Advertising for Talledegah Richmond International Raceway, Kansas Speedway and Miami Homestead Racing; Relativity Media for Rogue Pictures. We appreciate the opportunity to involved with all of these incredible projects and it is our honor to share them with you.

Music credit: Prodigy – The Way it is

March 20th, 2010
by Carson Catlin
, , , , , , , , ,
3 Comments
Retweet

me make summer


I wish it was that easy.
But unfortunately we will have to wait a few more months.
I used to look forward to spring, but this winter has been so crappy that now, I just want summer.

Anyhoo, that was the idea behind this post’s background.
I wanted to create something with a warm feel to it.
As always, your comments are appreciated.

Download
1680X1050
1280X1024
1024X768
iPhone

-CCC

March 8th, 2010
by Garrett Fuselier
, , , , , , ,
79 Comments
Retweet

Video! A Successful Marriage of Content and Context!

Neurosonics Audiomedical Laboratories, was a film originally released in August, directed by Chris Cairns in collaboration with a group of DJs. The film was fantastic, because it utilized post production to composite human heads atop instruments (turntables, drums) mimicking the sounds produced by them.

What’s also amazing is that they decided to reproduce this effect-but live! Teaming up with Beardyman and holographic projectionists Musion, they were able to sync live video with each sound. I love this piece because it treats video as separate objects, specific for the context. Although cross platform content is great, there is still a lot of design and craft decisions that have to be considered when changing the vehicle in which you are presenting the material. I’ve heard people say crazy things like, “Oh, let’s just take a commercial and reuse it for our in store video displays!” I understand that we’re at point where we often have to cut as many corners as possible these days to satisfy a budget. But, there also comes a moment when designing an experience where video content loses its effect/messaging when trying to repurpose.

Successful executions exist when you cannot possibly imagine a piece without the video content. Perhaps this can be shown through unconventional displays, where the content has been specifically designed for the context. My colleague and fearless leader, Teri Rogers, proposed a thought in a recent post that “content is king” for 2010. And, in my opinion, if content is king, then context is queen!

That’s why I really enjoy this piece as well, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka for Maison Hermès, because it utilizes video as an integral part of the presentation. The video content adds another layer of character to the sound and would have a difficult time standing alone. Fantastic!

February 9th, 2010
by Tyler Smith
, , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments
Retweet

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.