Always looking to push creative boundaries, my main man Milk (Christhat is) directs a truly unique and groundbreaking music video for Arcade Fire’s single “We Used to Wait” from their latest album The Suburbs, and turns it into the interactive interpretation titled “The Wilderness Downtown”. Part Google web browser Chrome Experiment part personalized nostalgia trip, the immersive, multi-window, next level clip literally takes you home before the music even starts as you’re prompted to “enter the address of the home were you grew up” (which eventually appears on screen at the appropriate part of the track with the help of Google Maps technology).
Driven by the haunting melodies of Arcade Fire, you follow the galloping footsteps of a hooded runner who’s seemingly travelling through your old neighborhood as he passes familiar spots popping up in small windows on your screen. Sweeping street level and aerial views of your old home conjure childhood memories as Milk perfectly choreographs the sentimental imagery which culminates in an outgrowth of birds, trees and wilderness.
Top it all off with another window for writing “a postcard of advice to the younger you that lived there then” and you have yourself a personalized and poignant journey (and maybe even a tear or two) that you’ve yet to experience in a music video.
“Choreographed windows, interactive flocking, custom rendered maps, real-time compositing, procedural drawing, 3D canvas rendering… this Chrome Experiment has them all. “The Wilderness Downtown” is an interactive interpretation of Arcade Fire’s song “We Used To Wait” and was built entirely with the latest open web technologies, including HTML5 video, audio, and canvas.”
“This Thursday join us in kicking off Summer with the Flux Screening Series at the Hammer Museum.
This special evening features guest filmmakers Chris Milk, Alexandre de Bonrepos and Chris Marrs Piliero who will be on hand to present their exciting new work followed by short presentations.
The program will also feature a mini-retrospective of work by celebrated Swedish filmmaker Jonas Odell, including his award-winning videos for Goldfrapp and Franz Ferdinand and the Los Angeles premiere of Tussilago, which won “Best Animated Short Film” at this year’s San Francisco Film Festival. Plus a few more surprises.
Come celebrate an evening of innovative films followed by a party in the courtyard.”
Flux Screening Series at the Hammer
Thursday, June 10th
7PM - Box Office opens and Pre-screening Reception with Special Guest DJ Kyle Ng. Hammer Cafe and Bar will be open.
8PM - Screening and Filmmaker Presentations
9:30PM-11PM - After-party. Hammer Cafe and Bar will be open. Hammer Museum
Billy Wilder Theater
10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024
I know I said I wasn’t going to do any sort of year end lists the other day, but there’s just something about lists that I just can’t resist. And when I can cherry pick from all the “best of” lists that suckers esteemed writers have diligently compiled on the interwebs, well it pretty much makes this list the list to look at. I mean, where else can you peruse a list that includes street art, Quentin Tarantino, NSFW music and viral videos, Manny Pacquiao, conservative conspiracies, repurposing tricks, National Geographic photos and iPhone apps all from one webpage?
So without further ado, and in no particular order other than alphabetical, I present to you my humble list of the best “best of” lists for the year 2009.
Click headers or corresponding images to see complete lists.
Old chum of chumpchampion Chris Milk gives us an exclusive q&a for his latest film, Last Day Dream. Created for ONEDREAMRUSH, a film festival for 42-second short films based on dreams, the short was also shot and musically composed by Chris and features the sound design of another one of our college pals, the extraordinary Eddie Kim. Held in Beijing, China, the film festival gathered some of the world’s most creative filmmakers and had them compose short films on “the dreams that continue to haunt, delight, and inspire them.” So far the results have been dreamy.
(to see the film in Chris’ recommended Quicktime format click here)
From Mr. Milk:
-What was the project for? It was commissioned for a film festival in Beijing called the 42 second dream film festival (www.42×42.com). They asked 42 artists around the world to each make a 42 second film based on the theme “dreams”. There was barely any budget, I did it because I liked the idea, and because of the other directors participating. David Lynch, Mike Figgis, Leos Carax, Larry Clark, Abel Ferrara, Floria Sigismondi, Jonas Mekas, Harmony Korine, Kennith Anger, a bunch more.
-What is the concept of the film? A man watches his life pass before him in 42 seconds.
-What inspired the music? The high piano note is the musical equivalent of an EKG monitor. The dark low chord is supposed to represent his breath. There is actually a breath sound buried deep in the black parts but I need to raise it again with mixmaster Eddie Kim. The final sustained high note at the end that goes to black represents the EKG flatline. Eddie and I thought about mixing in a real EKG sound but it seemed to heavy handed at the time when we tried it. Now I kinda wonder if I should have since most people are not getting the music as sound design thing.
-How and why is Pauly Shore in your film? The shots go by quick, but the wardrobe and props are all time period specific. The man is born in the 70’s. Grows up in the 80’s. Goes to college and gets punched out in the early 90’s. Who would be more likely to punch you in the face around 93′ other than Pauly Shore?
-Anything else you’d like to share? Lenny Mesina needs a girlfriend. Please send photo and your favorite gelato flavor tochump1@chumpchampion
And that’s when Chris decided to share a little too much information, thanks a bunch buddy.
Written and Directed by Chris Milk
Produced by Samantha Storr
Associate Producer Brad O’Connor
Music Chris Milk
Photography Chris Milk
Editor Livio Sanchez
Production Designer Matthew Holt
Wardrobe Stylist Lydia Paddon
Makeup & Wardrobe Molly Paddon
Production Assistance Jason Baum
Production Assistance Clint Caluory
Telecine Dave Hussey
Sound Design Eddie Kim
Shot entirely on Lensbaby Lenses and Canon 5D Mark II SLR Camera
N.A.S.A. music blasts off in Japan, Milk photos in San Diego, 1000 Days in LA, The Red Balloon gets scored live silently, and the cemetery screenings end the weekend on a high note:
Old chumpchampion chum and award winning music video director (Gnarls Barkley, U2, Kanye West), Chris Milk opens his first photo show at the W Hotel in San Diego this Saturday. Featured will be the computer enhanced cover photos of Kanye Chris recently shot for Complex magazine.
Chris MilkW Hotel
Opening reception: Saturday May 23, 7:00-10:00pm
W San Diego, Living Room, Veranda and Beach
421 West B Street, San Diego , CA 92101
Scion Installation L.A. opens the group show featuring eight emerging artists with 1000 Days in celebration of the the upcoming 1000th feature for DailyServing.com.
1000 DaysScion Installation L.A.
Opening reception: Saturday May 23, 7-10pm
3521 Helms Avenue (at National) Culver City, CA. 90232
Show runs from May 23 through June 13, 2009
The Cinefamily at the (not-so) Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax hosts a screening of the children’s classic The Red Balloon with an accompanying live score by AsDSSka (Aska Matsumiya and David Scott Stone) and Lucky Dragons shown with a bonus live sing-along with the L.A. Ladies’ Choir.
The Red Balloon with live score by AsDSSka, Lucky Dragons, and the Ladies Choir Silent Movie Theatre
Saturday May 23, 2009 at 7:30pm
611 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Cost: $10
*Bonus bonus: There will also be a record release party and screening of AsDSSka’s music video for “Hold On” directed by Spike Jonze and Crystal Moselle at Family!
AsDSSka record release party and screening Family Bookstore
Sunday May 24, 2009 7:00pm
436 N.Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
To Catch a ThiefHollywood Forever Cemetery
Saturday May 23th
gates open at 7pm, movie starts at 8:30pm
6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038
$10 donation tickets available at gate
$5 parking available inside
Dazed and Confused Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Sunday May 24th
gates open at 7pm, movie starts at 8:30pm
6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038
$10 donation tickets available at gate
$5 parking available inside
Always inspiring to see old chum Chris Milk and creative collaborator Kanye West pushing the boundaries as they get geeky with a computer enhanced photoshoot for the “ultimate” cover of Complex due out April 7th. (didjaknow: Milk is equally accomplished as a photographer as he is a filmmaker)
Directed by Chris Milk and starring The Lonely Island and SNL’s Jorma Taccone, this (literally) heartbreaking clip just about sums up all past and future breakups. Not that I would know what it’s like to be heartbroken or anything like that.
P.S.-Does anyone know if the pain will ever go away? Just asking for, um, a friend…
It’s been awesome to see all the different ways people have contributed their support of Barack Obama during this election cycle. Through art, music, film, food, humor, and of course dolls, Barack Obama creations have been everywhere. Chris Milk, whose latest Gnarls Barkley video I recently wrote about, has his own take to offer as well. While travelling with Obama on the campaign trail to shoot second unit at the DNC in Denver, Milk took this photo of the most hopeful man in America spreading his message amidst the blue skies of Montana.
With my editing roots stemming from the world of music videos, it’s always great to see clips that push the boundaries of conventional music video making. Radiohead’s latest, “House of Cards”, instantly comes to mind. I hate to admit it, but these types of videos are few and far between these days. Anomalies even. But every now and then one pops up that instantly grabs your attention and reminds you that there’s still much more to explore within the medium. And when your friend is responsible for such an offering it makes it even better. Have a heart and peep Chris Milk’s latest video for Gnarls Barkley’s“Save My Soul” which also reminds you what it’s like to be in a failing relationship. Bastard.
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