Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Frisco in the 1900s





This film was "lost" for many years. It was the first 35mm film ever that has come to light. It was taken by camera mounted on the front of a cable car as it`s traveling down the street. You feel as if your really there, standing at the front looking down the street, amazing piece of historic film. The number of automobiles is staggering for 1906. Absolutely amazing!
The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero wharf is still there. ... How many "street cleaning" people were employed to pick upafter the horses? Talk about going green!

Great historical film!

This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from
recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!).. It was filmed only four days before the Great California Earthquake of April 18th 1906
and shipped by train to NY for processing. Amazing, but true!

No wonder there had to be laws created to regulate driving habits. This is insane. Good thing they couldn't go very fast.

This is a fascinating movie. A camera on the front of a street car 104 years ago. I watched it a couple of times. Look at the hats the ladies were wearing and the long dresses. Some of the cars had the steering wheels on the right side, I wonder when they standardized on the left? Sure was still a lot of horse drawn vehicles in use. Mass transit looked like the way to get around. Looks like everybody had the right of way.

Perhaps the oldest "home movie" that you will ever see!
Quoted from Video: April 1906 .

Breathtaking Norway

Actually, I can't take the credit for finding these stunners, but so can my cousin, who is studying Architecture & Design at Pratt. This summer he'll be going to Denmark, so I guess he's been doing some research before he heads to the Scandinavian countries.

Let’s jump back into the time capsule with these beautiful vintage Photochrom travel views of Norway, circa 1890-1900, a collection that’s part of the Library of Congress Photography Archive. The images give you a sneak peek into Norway’s breathtaking landscape, as well as a glimpse of the country’s fashionable culture and eclectic architecture. Have a look. You won’t be disappointed!












You can see the rest of the photos here. Also, I encourage you to check out the rest of the site, it's got lots of cool stuff going on.

Welcome to Pyongyang


An small glimpse into one of the most secretive countries in the entire world, North Korea. Photographed by Charlie Crane.

How do you photograph one of the most secretive countries in the world? 
For Charlie Crane the answer was simple, photograph what they want you to see. If there is no possibility of getting underneath the surface then the answer was to photograph the surface itself. This series is taken from a larger body of work in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. 
Although not commonly thought of as a holiday destination all these photographs have been taken at tourist sites throughout the city.
It took over a year for Charlie to get permission to go in with his camera: he was not allowed to take his mobile phone past customs and was met by two guides who were to accompany him at all times throughout his trip. At first they appeared robotic in conversation as if reading from a script, telling of their countrys great achievements. After a few days and many polaroids the guides became more relaxed and personable.
Working with such tight restrictions in a country once described as a Stalinist Disneyland was a real challenge but the result is the strongest body of work that Charlie has produced to date.  
Charlie's first book Welcome to Pyongyang was produced in conjunction with Nicholas Bonner of Koryo Tours and was published in the spring of 2007 by Chris Boot.


















you can see the rest of the photos here.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

i'm still here

This was voted one of the best movie posters of 2010:

Best: I’m Still Here


The directorial debut of Oscar-nominated actor Casey Affleck, I’M STILL HERE is a striking portrayal of a tumultuous year in the life of internationally acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix. With remarkable access, I’M STILL HERE follows the Oscar-nominee as he announces his retirement from a successful film career in the fall of 2008 and sets off to reinvent himself as a hip hop musician. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.

You've got to admit, the poster is prety sweet. Good job on the marketing, and acting, but according to movie reviews, not so good of a job on movie-making.