Mt Wolf 'Midnight Shallows' by In/Out
David Knight - 4th Nov 2013
Thom Humphreys and Jean-Philippe Blunt - now known collectively as In/Out - have directed their third video for Mt Wolf, and this one for Midnight Shallows is their most technically impressive yet, as it explores the true nature of motion through a series of overlaid shots, tracing the movement of birds, ribbons, and people.
Much older experiments are also referenced in the video – and although the influence of Eadweard Muybridge is usually mentioned in these cases, this was inspired by the work of Etienne-Jules Maray. And working with two dancers from the Royal Ballet, and birds, it's what In/Out describe as a "chronophotographic approach".
In/Out: "Modernity and the birth of the photograph catalysed a revolution in our perception of time and motion.
"Inspired by the work of Etienne-Jules Marey, yet moving with the times into the digital era, we continue this dialogue between motion and capture. By using the rigorous filmic process of 'step-and-repeat printing' as our foundation, we have digitally multiplied, delayed, freeze-framed and overlaid our shots. This layering up, in some cases, resulted in 50 video tracks.
"Compositing allowed for a more controlled and sculptural study of movement. Although a digital workflow the technique was incredibly tactile, much like the early days of celluloid. No images were computer-generated and certain sequences include up to 1,498 shots.
"The multiplicity of the visuals generated by this chronophotographic approach evoked certain parallels with wider natural phenomena. The archive sections were a way of exploring these aesthetic semblances."
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David Knight - 4th Nov 2013
Credits
Production/Creative
- Director
- In/Out
- Director
- Thom Humphreys
- Director
- Jean-Philippe Blunt
- Producer
- Oliver Samuel
- Production Company
- JJ Stereo
- Executive Producer
- Natalie Arnett
Lighting/Grip
- Gaffer
- Steve Garay
- Grip
- James Roberts
Art
- Production designer
- Sean Leishman
Grading
- Colourist
- Toby Tomkins
Agent
- Director's Representation
- Untitled
Misc
- Clapper Loader
- BH
- DIT
- Joe Lovelock
Other credits
Manager
Keith Wozencroft @Third Rock Music
Female Dancer
Lily Grundy @The Royal Ballet
Male Dancer
Conal Francis-Martin @The Royal Ballet
Antique Camera
Sebastian Sussmann @Double Negative Darkroom
Bird Handler
Nigel King
Post Production Consultancy
Paul Gardner @JJ Stereo
Online Conform
Sam White & Joe Lovelock @The Whealhouse
Pre-light Gaffer
Rob White
Bestboy
Elliot Beach
Sparks
Poom Saiyavath, Maikel Popic, Joel Judah Honeywell, Eduardo Dominicci
Runners
Ugne Ciesiunate, Declan Slattery, Saad Abbas, Hayley Dunn
David Knight - 4th Nov 2013