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The Story Beyond the Still - Behind The Scenes from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.
I’m very, very, VERY excited about this!
I’ve been working with Canon & Vimeo for close to six months on getting this going and they’ve responded with a pretty resounding show of support!
I shot an ad for Canon a little over six months ago and got to talking with some of the creatives on the team at Grey Advertising. I told them that 2009 had been a pretty amazing year for me following the release of Reverie - and that I wanted to find a way to share some of that excitement and energy with others. We came to the conclusion that launching a nationwide film contest would do the trick.
As we all know - there are a LOT of film contests out there - but I believe this one is DIFFERENT.
There is A LOT OF POTENTIAL here for something very special to come out at the end… each video chapter will start with and end with a still image… you need to interpret the previous photographer/filmmaker’s still to start the (your) subsequent chapter (those are pretty much the ONLY rules/guidelines (outside of the obvious))… should make for a pretty unique series of chapters in the end!
So watch the video above and find out more! I’m on vacation with family and I’ll get rolling with regular updates and much much more information early next week! For now - start charging those batteries… it’s your turn!
Judges for the contest include:
Philip Bloom - Director/DP
Russell Carpenter - DP - “Titanic”
Rodney Charters - Director/DP - “24”
Nick Childs - Director/Producer /VP Grey Advertising
Shane Hurlbut - DP - “Terminator Salvation”
Stu Maschwitz - Senior Visual FX Supervisor - “The Spirit”
Rick McCallum - Producer - “Star Wars”
Blake Whitman - Director/Editor - Mr. Vimeo himself.
I’ll be a judge as well of course.
61 Comments so far
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Exciting! Can’t wait to see your first chapter on the 7th.
Comment by Bob B 12.29.09 @ 11:17 pmSocial comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by vincentlaforet: Canon/Vimeo film contest is AAALLLLIIIVVVVE - in ur hands now! Took me 6 mnths 2 get the green light for u all: http://tinyurl.com/ygbwwex...
Trackback by uberVU - social comments 12.29.09 @ 11:18 pmWill the competition be for US folks only, or worldwide?
Sweet idea anyway!!
Nick
Thanks a lot Vincent for these efforts. Very inspiring.
We really hope Canon Managers take all of this very seriously and see the big benefits of improving these great cameras which has HUGE potential inside, not fully exploited yet.
Here is a list of what THOUSANDS of amateurs, professionals and even studios are requesting since many months:
Canon Firmware Updates - Fixes & Improvements List
The 5D Mark II has HUGE potential inside indeed.
Thanks Canon, and thanks to everyone supporting all this process.
5D Mark II TEAM Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Also, take a look at what so many customers have lately and politely done:
- I CALLED CANON asking FEATURES & IMPROVEMENTS!
Check people’s comments there, and the answers given by Canon, you might be VERY surprised!!
Canon USA (and also in other countries) has a GREAT customer service, and we all can call to register Features Request.
Everyone can join this Community campaign to let Canon know what we need and HOW MUCH we want to take advantage of the HUGE potential of the 5D Mark II.
This polite campaign already did help A LOT (remember “Manual Control” firmware release and the upcoming “Standard 24/25/30p” for Video mode), and WILL also benefit for further firmware updates.
Please read that post for further information. Thanks for your participation. Everyone will get benefits from Community actions.
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Pingback by Vincent Laforet presenta un nuevo concurso de cortometrajes - Backfocus 12.30.09 @ 2:49 amIts a shame you could only get clearance for the US. Still, good work on getting that far! I look forward to see what you guys come up with.
Comment by martyn 12.30.09 @ 6:12 amAwesome idea, Vincent. I’m looking to get a 7D before Jan 15, so I’ll see if I’m confident enough to contribute. Regardless, I’m really looking forward to seeing the results anyway 
Hi mr Laforet!
that whole concept of this project sounds really interesting!and ill defenetly summit my short.
may be its a little out of topic,but if you cound answer to a question related to the equipment used:
in 0:24 i see the camera with the follow focus attach to the top. How? what sistems are they?
And what about the rails that you used? I saw one witht he tripod head, and another one thathold the camera very low mode and upside down. What is exactly that?
Thankyou very much!
Alain Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
@jmr, looks like a slider with a manfrotto magic arm.
Ron Dawson Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 11:42 am
@jmr, this video was not shot by Vincent, but by Blake Whitman of Vimeo. You should ask the question on the Vimeo page of the video.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
@jmr, The follow focus system is a new product that will soon be released by RedRock Micro - EXTREMELY useful! The slider is made by Glidtetrack.com and yes Alain - I hooked a Bogen/Manfrotto Magic arm to it.
Shouldnt we say HDSLR and not HD DSLR? DSLR have always taken HD images, the H in HDSLR stands for HYBRID: stills + video.
I think it is a better name and future proof for when these camera will shoot in 2k or 4k.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
@Alain, I agree! Who knows anymore… I was one of the first to call these HDDSLR cameras - but people pushed back and said I should use the term HD DSLR… no one is ever happy…
planetMitch Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@Vincent Laforet, and @Alain - I too agree… over on planet5D.com, we’ve been using the term Hybrid DSLR (tho I tend not to abbreviate it yet to HDSLR because of the continued confusion)… let’s just decide to make that a standard from here on out?
And heck, if Vincent says it, we’ll all follow right? LOL
Hello. Looking forward to the contest. Really stoked!
How long is the movie supposed to be? About?
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@Johan Gunnarsson, All of the rules/ information etc. will be announced on January 7th.
Johan Gunnarsson Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@Vincent Laforet,
So I just picked up the 5D mark ii because of this competition. And now I have read that its for US citizens only? I live in Sweden..
So I really hope you will start an international edition of the competition as well. Keep it up. Johan
[...] Watch the Story Behind The Still video below to find out more and jump over to Vincent’s blog for even more details. [...]
Pingback by Story Behind the Still Contest announced by Vincent Laforet | Photography Minute, Learn about Photography in Minutes a Day 12.30.09 @ 9:33 amVincent, this is tremendously exciting and just the sort of thing that frankly Hollywood has needed for years now. Movies have gotten further and further away from the story and innovative ways of seeing and more towards bigger budgets and effects. I am hopeful that efforts such as this will inspire a new generation of filmmakers to craft immersive stories that will take us all on new journeys.
Thank you.
Comment by BWJones 12.30.09 @ 11:06 am[...] I am a judge on two very different ones. The “Can-Do” film festival and the new “The Story Behind the Still” that Vincent LaForet has been putting together with Canon and Vimeo for the past 6 months. More [...]
Pingback by “The Story Behind the Still”. Superb new Canon and Vimeo film competition just announced | Philip Bloom 12.30.09 @ 11:27 amIt’s a shame that it’s not international . You can’t do a European one as a seperate project and run them as a sort of Euro vs. USA? Those lawyers are a bunch of spoilsports. Will be watching this with great excitement .
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
@KJ, I’m open to doing an international one next! There is simplyt too much incredible talent overseas!
This is kind of like an online filmmakers version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway.” You know, that improv comedy game show hosted by Drew Carey where at the end, the comics take turns acting out scenes by improvising off the frozen position of the comic before them. Very cool.
Comment by Ron Dawson 12.30.09 @ 12:41 pmAlso, what a great way to create a crowd-sourced movie. This is going to grow arms and legs.
Comment by KJ 12.30.09 @ 12:48 pmI’m interested in playing along. Looking forward to the first chapter and however this is all going to work.
Comment by Phil Holland 12.30.09 @ 1:01 pmVery cool concept. I’m excited to see what people are going to come up with.
Thanks for sharing this video, gives me a cool idea of what productions with video dslrs look like.
Comment by Mark Klassen 12.30.09 @ 2:07 pmVincent - this is a great idea and it is fantastic that Canon and Vimeo is supporting the contest. That said it is very sad that Canon legals stop this from being a worldwide event. Personally, my only hope in contributing to the contest is then to have my friends in LA get involved next summer and for me to be a silent partner during my summer holiday. My wish would be for Canon and Vimeo to make an international follow-up.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
@Kim Baumann Larsen, Let me say this - and speak out of turn - i.e. I don’t have the authority to speak on anyone’s behalf other than myself (you see- lawyers ruin all of our lives in some way or another 
Anyway- we are quite sensitive to the fact that there are tremendously talented filmmakers outside of the US. I myself am a naturalized American and hold dual-citizenship with France (don’t hold that against me So I personally want to open this up somehow. We’re looking to find a way to make it happen for everyone in SOME way - but there are some real legal issues at play here. SO I MAKE NO GUARANTEES - but if we can - we’ll do something to include everyone. Fair enough?
I’m pretty lost here. Does this mean that we have 8 months to make 1 video that is a continuation of yours or we will make a series of videos over the next 8 months?
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
@Matt Lange, You will have SEVEN chances to win - as there will be SEVEN future chapters one after the other - each ending on a still - that will be interpreted by the next person and so on… contest rules and details will announced on Jan 7 - v
Really great! I’m looking forward to it. You seem to be transforming from a photographer to a cinematographer.
I even have a lighting question:
On minute 01:41 you can see a light reflected by a mirror.
Did you do this just because it was so high that it was not possible to get the light fixture up there?
Is there any other special reason for this?
Comment by Stefan 12.30.09 @ 5:47 pmHi Vincent,
This is a really fantastic idea. I know the rules will be announced January 7th but I had a question regarding the concept. Each participant will have to interpret a still image, and the contestants will be from all over the US. Your chapter will be shot in L.A. I presume. How will someone who lives in a city that looks very different than L.A. be able to accurately interpret your image? This would also apply to all subsequent chapters. If I’m missing something here I apologize. I’m just a little confused about the concept.
Comment by claude etienne 12.30.09 @ 10:17 pmMr. Laforet. one silly question… I have been following yuor work with a lot of detail… are you know currently living in LA? Not NYC anymore? (sorry for being out of the topic… its just i see mane of your latest work based in LA).
Thank you for your replays and I like feeling that this new group of DSLR filmmakers will someday from now, will be remember in many ways for changing the understanding of HD shooting
Thanks!
[...] Comments Nick Keating on Decade Collection on SportsShooterJMR on Canon & Vimeo Film Contestclaude etienne on Canon & Vimeo Film Contest5D Mark II TEAM on Canon & Vimeo Film [...]
Pingback by Two Predictions for 2010 « Vincent Laforet’s Blog 12.31.09 @ 12:01 am[...] Check out more information, including a quick intro video here: http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2009/12/29/canon-vimeo-film-contest/ [...]
Pingback by 2009/12/31 Canon & Vimeo Film Contest announced | The Digital Photo Experience 12.31.09 @ 4:32 amYES,this is exiting,exactly the right way to go,what a fantastic idea,that Teddys in for a lot of trouble.
Comment by Allister Whyte 12.31.09 @ 4:09 pm[...] on over to Vincent LaForet or Philip Bloom’s site to hear about the latest DSLR HD [...]
Pingback by DC Metro Final Cut Pros» “The Story Beyond the Still” and “Can Do Festival” 01.01.10 @ 10:43 pmVincent - I do understand the legal issues of a competition and prizes; I would be very happy to take part in such a contest without there being a monetary or product prize to win!
Comment by Kim Baumann Larsen 01.02.10 @ 7:19 amWhat a junk, US only - more happy now I did not buy a Canon camera and went for Pentax instead.
Comment by Stefan 01.02.10 @ 4:24 pmPlease open this contest for international applicants! I got so excited! But then realized that i am excluded living here in Australia! The internet is for linking the world not segregating it!
Comment by Brendan Isaac 01.03.10 @ 12:13 am[...] Laforet, who on December 29 announced a film contest sponsored by Canon and Vimeo, offered two predictions for 2010: that it would be the “Year of [...]
Pingback by Our (highly subjective and by no means complete) look back at 2009 « Stockland Martel 01.04.10 @ 10:30 am[...] On a totally separate note: I am extremely excited to help launch the Canon & Vimeo film contest in less than 48 hours from now. The simple intent of this contest was pretty simple: to find a [...]
Pingback by Contest & Helping others « Vincent Laforet’s Blog 01.06.10 @ 3:17 amHi Vincent, Great idea for a contest! How are you liking the 7D for both filmmaking and stills? I currently only have a rebel but would love to try out DSLR video in the future.
Comment by Joe 01.06.10 @ 6:37 pmI am stoked about the contest. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone’s great work. I have been following this craziness for a while now and am so freakin excited about where this industry is going.
Comment by EKF 01.07.10 @ 11:19 pmThis looks like a blast to be a part of. Really looking forward to the future of indie film making like this
Comment by joe plenys 01.08.10 @ 2:43 am[...] Watch the Behind the Scenes HERE [...]
Pingback by The Story Beyond The Still: The Cabbie by Vincent Laforet | Icon_ology 01.21.10 @ 9:59 amThis is really exciting - might miss out on the first one but can’t wait to to participate in one of these!
Comment by Tim 02.04.10 @ 8:49 pmhello,
how do i join the contest and what are guidelines..?
don’t seem to see/find this info..
thanks much,
Moolar
Real pity about being only open to US citizens…… Funny though one of my mates has just become DOP of a chapter 2 entrant…… he lives in San Diego….. he’s a citizen!
He’s just got ‘Aliens ‘ like me working for him….. u know cheap labour n stuff….
[...] Friend and colleague Vincent Laforet has announced a fascinating and ground breaking film contest on his blog. [...]
Pingback by Canon & Vimeo Film Contest « Photo This & That 04.29.10 @ 7:22 amLaforet, who on December 29 announced a film contest sponsored by Canon and Vimeo, offered two predictions for 2010: that it would be the “Year of
Comment by yunus 05.11.10 @ 6:32 amhello,
how do i join the contest and what are guidelines..?
don’t seem to see/find this info..
thanks much,
Moolar
Kısa Blog
[...] As I mentioned in a previous post- I went to meet Grey a little less than a year ago and told them I wanted to find a way to harness the excitement behind this new HDDSLR craze, and the success that I had benefited from “Reverie” and “Nocturne” and to find a way to share it with others out there. I told them that going out an producing yet another film for myself wasn’t going to cut it as I wanted to find a way to SHARE my experience of the past two years with other filmmakers out there. I threw a few ideas at them that I had a the time - and the creative team at Grey and I worked together on morphing those ideas into something that we could get Canon excited in - and ultimately we created the Beyond The Still contest together… [...]
Pingback by “Beyond The Still” contest wins Silver Lion at Cannes! « Vincent Laforet’s Blog 06.22.10 @ 1:44 am[...] As I mentioned in a previous post- I went to meet Grey a little less than a year ago and told them I wanted to find a way to harness the excitement behind this new HDDSLR craze. I had experienced success from “Reverie” and “Nocturne” and wanted to find a way to share it with others out there. I told them that going out and producing yet another film for myself wasn’t going to cut it, as I wanted to find a way to SHARE my experience of the past two years with other filmmakers out there. I threw a few ideas at them that I had at the time – and the creative team at Grey and I worked together on morphing those ideas into something that we could get Canon excited with – and ultimately we created the Beyond The Still contest together… [...]
Pingback by “Beyond The Still” contest wins Silver Lion at Cannes! | HDSLR Shooter 06.22.10 @ 9:33 pmLeave a comment
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 4:22 am
@Nick Foxall, I REALLY wish it were worldwide… you can thank U.S. lawyers for that one… unfortunately Canon USA cannot have this open internationally for x, y, and some other legal reasons… very silly.
Reply
fred Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
@Vincent Laforet,
Is there a way contourning this USA only ? Have to be american resident only ? It sad to see there are so much difficulties exporting technology to Third world countries. Everything is much more expensive when even avaible. I would love to get more of those contest open worldwide. Internet for that breaks so much rules !
Whatever, Its realy a fantastic Idea. Good luck to you all volks. I wish I could participate….
Happy 2010 from far away brasil !
Fred
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