My Voice and Hands in our New Weight Watchers Video Online

via weightwatchers.com

I sound remarkably cheerful in this video that Zack and I shot a month ago. I like how it came out too but wanted to say that I am NOT 46 or 150 lbs just so you know as that was what the script dictated I say. We shot it with our Canon EOS T2i on green screen and we will be posting two more videos in the coming weeks. Weight Watchers has been a client of ours since 2008 when we did these other two videos. They are a great company to work for and are starting to realize the power of video.....

Zachary directed the video titled "What Happens at a Meeting" while he was at NBC Universal Digital. It's a really nice ad for what happens at a meeting and I love the framing, dolly and job shots.

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CNN Time Lapse of snowfall in NJ

Loved this video by Mike Black who studied his accumulation in the backyard of his New Jersey Home.  It speaks for itself......Wow, what a storm.

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NY Times Video: Miracle on 22nd Street

Loved this poignant video.  So precious that these two guys are taking on the issue of holiday wish fulfillment themselves and were able to involve so many other generous individuals out there.  Don't want to spoil this wonderful story so just check it out. It's really about the inspiration and power of giving.  Shot on a block in our neighborhood too!  Merry Christmas everyone!

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Vimeo: Exile - Population Control (Remixed by Samiyam, Dibiase, Free the Robots)

<p>Exile - Population Control (Remixed by Samiyam, Dibiase, Free the Robots) from gregthedude on Vimeo.</p>

Thought this was pretty to look at.  Liked the colors, the edit and the music, but especially the treatment of the whole piece.  Pretty neat and worth a look.

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I Just Had Sex (feat. Akon)

via youtube.com

Even though it's gotten around in less than a week, here is my take: I love this because it makes me laugh. Enjoy it. So fun to see all the NYC locations like midtown and the building near the Delacorte Fountain in Central Park.

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ACoLab: Next inspiration - Number 11

via acolab.blogspot.com

My friend Egosensation has been working on a cool collaborative arts project run by her friend Anika Toro that I wanted to share. The newest theme is based on this excellent video by Ego. I also liked her submission for Theme 3: The Pattern is perfect for ___________ where Ego did a fab video about compulsive/obsessive behavior that you can experience below.

Anika is a talented photographer and I really like her site. Don't know if I will be able to submit in time as it's just 2 days away, but I am definitely inspired!

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Eastern Congo Initiative, Ben Affleck and Dan Fahey

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My childhood friend, Dan Fahey is currently working on his dissertation about armed communities in conflict and is a Ph.D candidate at the University of California, Berkeley.  He is traveling back to Africa to work as a consultant in January 2011 for the Eastern Congo Initiative and I wanted to give a shout out to him and his work.  From his email today he says, "I'll be heading a team of researchers to identify local NGOs in eastern Congo, and prioritize them for funding. I will be there (in Goma) for about six months, but possibly longer."

What's effective about the video clip above is how clearly Ben states the problem and subsequent issues.  I have been following the conflict for years, not only because of Dan, but also because of the work my brother Tim Nourse does involved with Microfinance.  I am certain that this NGO will reap the benefits of having someone like Dan on their staff.  Below is a link to some more clips, an article on the conflict's UN recommendations and an interview with Ben Affleck about this interesting organization.

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Classroom innovation | guardian.co.uk

via guardian.co.uk

Coldfair Green Community Primary School: Sharing learning to build ICT confidence for pupils – and parents |

This was cool. It shows how classrooms in the UK are using video and digital technology. I like that the kids are using the equipment and that they are talking to teachers, their parents and each other and showing off their use of digital technology. I really like seeing stuff like this. Even though it's a little hard to hear at times, I was interested in seeing these 8-9 year olds creative process. I looked for some videos like this here in the States, but didn't come up with anything except this animation video from the Children's Museum of the Arts.

http://blog.cmany.org/intro-to-animation-2

Maybe there are some videos like this on some individual public school's websites.....

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John Lurie and John Perry on the Drawing Show: New Yorker Magazine online

This was such a fascinating litle video that must be read in combination with the article by Tad Friend that appeared in the New Yorker back in August 2010.  The article describes in detail the deterioration of their friendship and was wild in it's focus on these two artists who just somehow decided that they couldn't be friends anymore.  I also liked the photos here that show Lurie then and now. 

I showed Stranger Than Paradise, the film by Jim Jarmusch that profiled Lurie and the excellent Richard Edson in the classic indie feature to my CUNY Hostos film class recently and I believe that they were impressed. This clip below inspired me to get the newly mastered Criterion Collection copy.

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chrisnatti's Channel on YouTube

via youtube.com

I love this new video by Chris Carlone, one of my old friends from a past life....

He's got a new camera and I can tell he is liking it. Love the humor, the feel and the ability to watch this talented dancer. She is fabulous and the piece works so well with the music that I am inspired by all the great expressions she has and especially her dance down the hallway in her drunken state. So funny and sweet. Makes me wonder if this will make my watching Natalie Portman in the Black Swan, seem ridiculous and insignificant........Love her look at 2:55 and this section at the end the best. Nice shots and editing Chris.

Go Chris! Great work. Keep making your wonderful films.

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THE JESUS SONG FROM NUN OF THAT

via youtube.com

Had to show this around.
My highschool friend, Sarah Vallerie Littlefield was in this film and I am VERY anxious to see the entire story. She plays one of the nuns and you can experience her in this trailer. Looks like a lot of fun.

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Rapping in the West Bank and Palestine: guardian.co.uk

via guardian.co.uk

This was so cool. Liked seeing the footage of the musicians and the locations, especially in the clubs. So interesting that the youth of the region has discovered this outlet. There were a few shots of urban refugee camps in Lebanon that I liked a lot because it showed the cheap building construction in the background (:30) with electrical cables and balconies in the distance. It also talks about the different styles of rap around the area, like in Syria it's a little less subversive.

Of course, this would be difficult for English speakers to learn about anywhere without it being translated, but this little view into their world is fascinating. I am interested about a new documentary mentioned in the piece, "Life from the BBC (Bourj-el Barajineh Camp)"directed by Jackson Allers so I will have to see whether I can find it online.

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Charles Bronson Kills Hipsters

via youtube.com

Of course most of you who read New York Magazine would have seen this by now, but it is great.

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Michael Specter on tuberculosis in India: Audio Slide Show : The New Yorker

via newyorker.com

Thought this was a nice companion to the article I read. This was amazing as it talks about misdiagnosis and the problem that has been created by expensive tests. The photos, especially of people lying in hospital beds are frightening and frustrating to see in our 2010 world. You can see the problems here by looking at the photos and listening to this compelling commentary by Specter.

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