With the debut of the fourth annual “Dreams” series of shorts slated for later this month, a couple of the directors involved this time around shared their take on shooting hi-def. For director Samuel Bayer of bicoastal RSA USA, the “Dreams” short was his first hands-on experience in HD lensing. For helmer Jesse Dylan of Los Angeles-based Form, “Dreams” was yet another encounter with the HD medium, as his portfolio already included longer form hi-def fare.
The “Dreams” program turns noted spot directors loose to reflect their creative vision in shorts shot with Sony 24p HD cameras. Each director makes his or her own short.
Bayer and Dylan were part of a panel discussion on HD in the advertising business. The session kicked off the HD Expo held last week at Los Angeles Center Studios. Dylan cited the advantage of being able to keep the HD camera rolling for an extended period, which “makes a difference” when you’re trying to capture the right performance with a feel of spontaneity, particularly when directing non-actors.
Bayer expounded on this particular benefit. “I’m a big fan of film,” he related. “What surprised me is I actually liked HD–It provides freedom for the actors when they don’t hear the camera rolling. You put a tape in an HD camera and you’re off.” Bayer noted that he directed an accomplished actress, Robin Wright Penn, and a child with Cerebral Palsy, for his “Dreams” short. Bayer related that he’d have 30 minutes of not much jelling with this pairing of actor and non-actor, but then capture “two minutes of magic–No way I would have gotten that with film. HD can be a great tool.”
At the same time, director/cinematographer Bayer related, “I’m not here to be an advocate. If the concept is right, HD is an amazing tool. But there are still things it can’t do.” He noted, for example, that for his Green Day music video, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” he was able to hand manipulate the film. “There’s nothing tactile–nothing to touch–with HD.
Bayer also cited slow motion as another deficiency. “I do a lot of slo-mo. You can’t do that with HD or if you can, I don’t like how it looks….But when the technology catches up in some of these areas, that’s when it [HD] will become dangerous….I would use HD again in a heartbeat. Before ‘Dreams,’ I never would have.”
Last year’s “Dreams” experience had the same effect on another session panelist, director/cinematographer Elma Garcia of bicoastal/international MJZ. Garcia directed an ’04 “Dreams” short, Real Magic, when the program theme was “Magic.” Garcia noted that she is intrigued by the creative prospects and look of HD when applied to night photography. She has tried to convince agencies on several occasions to consider HD night shoots for spots but hasn’t yet been able to persuade them.
Bayer and Dylan are part of a field of 10 directors for the ’05 “Dreams. ” The others are James Gartner of Santa Monica-based GARTNER; Alison Maclean of Park Pictures, New York; Doug Nichol of bicoastal/international Partizan; Hank Perlman of bicoastal/international Hungry Man; Jeffery Plansker of bicoastal Supply & Demand; Baker Smith of Santa Monica-based harvest; Charles Stone III of Brown Bag Films, New York; and the Stylewar collective, represented by bicoastal Smuggler. This year’s “Dreams” theme is “Flight.”
Ken Yagoda, the point person on “Dreams” from its inception, moderated the panel discussion. Yagoda recently exited his post as managing partner/director of broadcast production and creative resources at Young & Rubicam, New York (SHOOT e.dition, 1/21, p.1). Y&R and Sony Electronics’ Broadcast and Production Systems Division have teamed to present “Dreams” from year one. Even though Y&R recently lost the Sony account in the midst of the current “Dreams” series, the two parties are following through on the completion of this year’s slate of shorts (SHOOT e.dition, 2/18, p. 1).
The ’05 “Dreams” shorts will debut at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles on March 23, followed by an April 5 presentation at the Ziegfeld Theater, New York. Up until now, the norm was for the New York premiere to be first; but the availability of the venues resulted in this year’s initial screening being scheduled for the West Coast.
Among the other panelists participating in last week’s session were: director Rocky Morton of MJZ; Ed Ulbrich, senior VP, production/executive producer for commercials and music videos, Digital Domain, Venice, Calif.; DPs Claudio Miranda and Kris Kachikis; veteran agency head of production Damon Webster; and Bill Reilly, executive producer of Space Program, Universal City, Calif.
