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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

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Credits

Production/Creative

Director
In/Out
Director
Thom Humphreys
Director
Jean-Philippe Blunt
Producer
Oliver Samuel
Production Company
JJ Stereo
Executive Producer
Natalie Arnett

Camera

Director of Photography
Rina Yang
Focus Puller
Karl Hui

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
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

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