Feature Friday #14 What started it all

When I was eight, I realized that there was one more thing I wanted to be. I want to be a film maker. Well, along with being a cardiologist, chemist, scientist to discover a herbal cure to everything, talk show host, runway model, and fashion designer. Yes, I wanted to be all that, but not all at one. It changed from time to time, depending on a lot of things. And in that list, what stuck was being a film maker. I still want to make videos till this day.

November being my birth month, I've decided to make this month's series of features to focus on music videos. It's been a dream of mine to make music videos. Well, it changed after a few years, with me wanting to make movies. But music videos inspired me to get into this industry, And it still inspires me to this day.

This was one of those MTVs I absolutely loved. And I knew when I saw this, that I want to make something like that when I grew up. Directed by Francis Lawrence (yes, the Constantine director) way back in 2001. I loved this video for its warm colors, despite the whole "jaded" thing. Mila Kunis also reminded me of a friend of mine, way back in 5th grade. I loved its message as well.

I grew up basically glued to MTV, watching well, MTVs, and shows like Making The Video. I love watching the behind the scenes footage of these music videos, which today, has evolved to the behind the scenes of making these insane CG-rich blockbuster movies. Here's another video that just has me all the time. I love this video.


What I love about this MTV, is its story, and its relation to the song. And I love how they made Bjork a robot. The effects were simple, but very effective. Directed by Chris Cunningham, this video, as most of you may know, has won numerous awards. So did the song. Which comes as no surprise. It was, and still is, stellar.

And to end this weeks MTV-filled feature, here's one that despite the risque poses and what-not, I find tasteful, artsy, fancy, and classy. This awesomeness was directed by Diane Martel. (The same director behind some Mariah Carey MTVs, and FOB's America's Suitehearts)

I'd love to make something like this any day.

Feature Friday: Cassandra Clare

If, like me, you happen to be a major fantasy novel fan, then you've probably heard of Cassandra Clare and her works. Recently wrapped was her Mortal Instruments series, which, word has it, will be turned into a movie!

Earlier this week, I've been thinking about who to feature this week. Well, this week being Halloween and all, I figured this would be the perfect time to feature her work! If you remember my last literature feature (that inspired a photoshoot), well, her books are on its way there. Casting's proving to be a bit of a challenge, but I'm finding ways to interpret the story into photos.

Long story short, I read all three books of The Mortal Instruments series, and wrote about it here. I love how she infused fantasy with (pseudo) reality, and created a different world that won't make any references, dead or alive, roll in their graves. It was a beautiful series. And for the love of vampires, lycans, and everything else fantasy, pick up her books and find out for yourself why Cassie Clare and her TMI books are on the spotlight this week. Also, she has another series in the works, The Infernal Devices. Go see her websites for more info on that, and the links below to know more about her awesomeness.

Cassandra Clare | The Mortal Instruments | Infernal Devices | Twitter

Feature Friday: Becky Van Ommen

One of my fave Pinoy photographers is Rebecca (or Becky) Van Ommen. What I love about her, and her works is that it fuses photography and digital art, yet straddles between the two that you can't always call it photography, or a photo manipulation. What you can always call it though, would be lovely, or stunning, as her work always is.

I've discovered her work via deviant art way back in 2004, I think, or 2005. Back then, all I had was this ancient and huge 2megapixel camera. I just had so much fun exploring her gallery, and seeing her recent uploads, because even today, it'll take some time for me to pull something like that off.

official site | deviantart | multiply | stock | model mayhem

Feature Friday: Design Collector

This week I feature another go-to site for design inspiration: designcollector.net. It features artists and artworks most definitely click worthy. Thing is, sometimes their articles are in Russian. And I don't do Russian. So sometimes I don't get a thing they're blogging. But I do enjoy the links and the eye candy.

Early this week, I got inspiration from designcollector, via their article on inspirational digital art portfolios. What I did with it, I will blog in time. For now, give them a click for some inspirational bliss.

designcollector.net | twitter | facebook

Feature Friday #10: Lara Jade

When I started getting into photography, I found inspiration (and a bit of envy) for Lara Jade. It doesn't happen everyday that you encounter a photographer who's gifted with skills, good looks, and styling prowess. It's like a complete package, and I wanted that LOTS. Thing is, we can't always get what we want. But we can make the most of what we've got!

It is in Lara Jade that I saw that you don't really need fancy lights when you want to shoot pictures. All you'd need to start is a good eye, good taste, and a whole lot of creativity. I've marveled at her photos which were shot next to a window, some were taken with a house plant as props. I believe that she has great skills maximizing natural light. Something I do hope to have myself.

Today, Lara shoots with more equipment we're familiar with. Seeing her work evolve keeps the inspiration alive. That like her, we have to grow and mature, skills and creativity wise. Now that I'm all hardcore into the craft, I find great joy to still be inspired by the same artist that fueled my passion when I began.

deviantart | flickr | official site | blog