Tag: filmmaking

How to shoot hidden camera Superbowl spots with Director Michael Addis.

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Comedy director Michael Addis is my hidden camera guru. He’s the go-to guy for successfully mining humor from an unsuspecting public.  I chatted with Michael the night before his shoot for a Superbowl spot. The thrill of the unknown, shooting without a net in New York City, is what he lives for.

In this episode, we learn the terms used in hidden-camera production, how to run a clandestine shoot, and where to hide the cameras. Just how useful are GoPro’s and gimmicky eyeglass spy cameras? How does he cast the actors in on the gag?

Of course, we share stories about respecting the process. This is really valuable insight from one of my best friends.

Here’s how they invited people to the Super Bowl.

Watch this Addis-helmed hidden-camera spot for Toshiba.


 

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Shooting On Fake Airplanes With Ghosts And Ted Haler.

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Chatting with Ted Haler of Aero Mock-Ups reveals many insights about respect. During prep, Ted offered nothing but solutions, so I knew he’d be a great guest.  We talked on the day before my Ogilvy shoot about world peace, movies versus commercials, and the ghost of Stan Laurel.

Ted is a wise soul who reminds me humility is a huge part of respecting the process. I guessed he’d been an actor. You’ll recognize him as the grizzly “Tow Truck Driver” from “Strange Days”.

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Cinematographer Jordan Levy Beseeches Young Filmmakers to Respect The Process.

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My friend Jordan Levy is a great cinematographer, always in demand.  He’s been busy shooting comedy spots, high fashion, luxury cars and Comedy Central’s The Jeselnik Offensive.  He claims comedy is harder to shoot than fashion. Who knew?

Find out who’s a bigger diva: Oprah or Snoop Dog?  This episode settles into a very technical talk: Angénieux zoom lenses, Kubrick primes and custom-made Russian lenses. We talk RED Camera vs. Arri Alexa vs. 5D. Jordan has mastered them all, so hear his opinion.  With 35mm film going bye-bye, how does that effect the cinematographer’s control of the look?  Jordan tells how he maintains influence.

We end the chat with Jordan stressing the importance of respecting both the process & everyone’s role on set.  Especially you young filmmakers! Listen up, whippersnappers.

Watch this trippy music video Jordan shot for Snoop Lion and Miley Cirus. How much of this is in-camera? Did Miley behave? Can we call him Snoop Dog again please? Answers revealed in the podcast.

Click here for more of Jordan’s work.  Please rate us on the iTunes.  I’ve also started a Facebook page, so comment.

Ad Agency Insights from Copywriter Toby Nunez.

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Toby Nunez shares his journey from starving artist (while working on the Ford assembly line making windshield wiper motors) to his first agency gig as an art director.  Today Toby is a highly prolific copywriter at Doner in Detroit.  He still cranks out some pretty twisted artwork on his personal site. Toby tells me that “respect the process” is his mantra. You’ll also hear about the time I met Eddie Van Halen in an elevator.

Here is the Krylon spot we shot last year.

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Editor Bill Marmor Puts the Puzzle Together Perfectly.

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Working with a great editor, like Bill Marmor, ensures your footage will be fully realized into a great spot. Bill explains his process for editing commercials.  We discuss how he finds those magic moments and why he did not like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, which I loved. We also chat about objectivity in the cutting room, and the pros and cons of editing in the nude.

Click on Bill’s name above to see his fine work. His spot for Secret Deodorant with all the top supermodels is most arousing, because it is well edited. (It’s the ninth on the reel, so watch them all.)

Here’s the trailer for the documentary “Sign Painters” that Bill cut. Quite a different task than editing commercials. Hear why.

SIGN PAINTERS (OFFICIAL TRAILER) from samuel j macon on Vimeo.

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Top 5 Steps to Make Your Dream Project a Reality.

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This episode will surely invigorate your creative juices! My 5 easy steps get your passion project off the couch and onto the screen. Enough already! I was lucky to have a mentor in Al Burton, a crazy, genius producer that taught me his “10 Steps to Success” in show business.  Sadly, I can only remembered three, and so I made up two more of my own. Enjoy and let me know if this helps.

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This is a project comedian Eric Foley and I did for fun. 9 spots by lunch, then we called it a day. 4 spots will play continuously after the ad.

“Harold’s Bad Day” – a short film we made for Slamdance, written by RJ Buckley. Great fun, great cast. Exactly 11 minutes.

Harold’s Bad Day from RJ Buckley on Vimeo.