Filmmaking duo Terri Timely and Park Pictures just released an enigmatic short, Input/Output, that captures mundane activities yielding surprising–and visually delightful–results. Consisting of Corey Creasey and Ian Kibbey, Terri Timely strove to capture the awe, frustration and wonder that result from watching simple actions or “inputs,” such as hammering a nail into the floor, produce startling and wacky “outputs” like a classic Chinese takeout box swelling to human-sized heights each time the hammer hits the nail. In other vignettes, a girl switches on a light switch labeled “input” and the switch illuminates a dog with a veterinary cone reflecting the word “output” onto a wall. A man trying to squeeze toothpaste onto his brush is mesmerized when the tube shoots out first red smoke, then in a later scene flames, which engulf the bathroom towels.
The short is full of visual effects which are highly stylized yet realistic renditions of visual experiences such as a soccer ball being blown up, its seams separating to reveal the ball is in fact a sphere of marbles, which then fall apart and roll across the floor.
Previous work from the filmmaking duo, who met at the University of California at Berkley, include a Cannes Grand Prix-winning spot for Geico, “Unskippable,” as well as videos for major indie artists including St. Vincent, Modest Mouse and Joanna Newsom.
Credits
Production Park Pictures Terri Timely, director; Jona Tochet, production designer; Aaron Pearce, in-camera special effects; Garrett Lowe, art director; Jacquelyn Scott, Ethan Caflish, art dept. Ayesha Janmohamed, art coordinator; Donavan Sell, DP; Joe Mendoza, gaffer; J. Carlos Lopez, key grip; Dean Snodgrass, additional photography; Rory Brennan, 2nd AC and DIT; Rick Perrada, Andy Haney, Kiva Knight, Tutu Lee, Chris Fountain, Jared Tabayoyon, Jason Shepherd, Jonathan James, grip electrics; David Lambert, line producer; Krista Ruet, production manager; Lucia Pier, production coordinator; Josh Reed, Seth Cooper, PAs; Michael Macdonald, assistant director. Sound Design Rich Bologna, sound designer. Music Fall On Your Sword Wardrobe Annie Simerman Casting Gregg Cohen, casting director. Performers Cassidy Blair, Garrett Lowe, Kasia Krasnopoloska, Kristine Gerolaga, Blaze Stronghold, Glen Caspillo, Mari Kearney, Joseph Davidson, Ivan Span.
When dozens of Klick Health team members said they wouldn’t be able to hug loved ones over the festive season, the agency turned to AI and other magic to orchestrate a series of sentimental, surprise reunions captured in its “Holiday Hugs” video. The heartwarming four-minute video, benefitting the D.C.-based Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC), parallels recent findings from a Maru/Blue Public Opinion survey commissioned by Klick.
The poll found 74 percent of Americans and Canadians won’t be able to hug at least one person they wish they could over the holidays. And like those in the video, survey participants cited geographical distance and loved ones having passed away as the leading factors preventing their hugs.
“I just wish I could really squeeze her right now,” says teary-eyed New York Klickster Kari Bocassi watching her AI-generated hug with her sister Marlene, moments before she bursts onto the set for a long in-person embrace. The siblings have spent the past 14 years caring for their mother since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but haven’t been together for the holidays since Marlene moved to Virginia. Similarly, Toronto’s Fred Duarte gets the bear hug of his life when his brother Rico, who lives in Brazil, walks into Klick’s production studio for their first holiday reunion in seven years.
Directed by James Cooper via Cooper Films, “Holiday Hugs” also taps into the fact that hugs don’t just make people feel better emotionally, they also have numerous health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, hugs can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
“There’s nothing quite like the warmth and reassurance of a heartfelt hug,” said Klick’s chief creative officer Rich Levy. “With ‘Holiday... Read More
