I have to lay some ground rules on this post: I am a visual media creator and tech geek. Talking about this stuff gets me cranked up, but it can make other people’s eyes glaze over. So, if you have a passion for image creation and technology, read on; otherwise, you may find that your Facebook status needs updating or there is a book you need to catch up on.

As a photographer and filmmaker I have always been after the “look” in my imagery.  I know a visual image will not stand up without a good story behind it, but I have always tried to create beautiful imagery to go along with the story. When I talk of the “look” in digital motion images, what I mean is that the image looks like traditional motion film. There are many things that give images a film-like quality, but one of the major ones is a shallow depth of field. Shooting with video cameras has a drawback that there is a large depth of field. Almost everything is in focus. Without going into too much of a technical explanation, it has to do with the small sensor size of most digital video cameras. To get this shallow depth of field on one of these video cameras, we would go to great lengths and attach what is called a depth of field or “DOF” adapter. It is basically a device that allows us to use traditional 35mm lenses by attaching these lenses to a box with a spinning ground glass in it onto which the lens focuses its image.  The video camera would then focus onto the ground glass. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? Well, try lugging one of these set- ups half way around the world, all just to get the “look”. Trust me, it is not an easy thing to carry around.

Well, now to the exciting stuff…

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Everything is packed (well, almost). All the equipment and bug spray has been purchased. Long labored over plans are in place. At 11:32 am, central time, Wednesday morning the long planned and discussed trip to Ethiopia begins!!

After 3 layovers and over 20 hours of travel and more than a couple thoughts of ‘are we there yet?’ the Rule29, MacDonald Photography and LIA crew will arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and set up camp to begin the process of capturing the stories and lives of the people that LIA serves everyday.

The project we are working on is LIA’s very first documentary. With the help of our partners and some good friends, we will be spending the next 10 days watching, listening and searching for what it is that makes these people and the LIA organization so unique. All of this in efforts to create a film that will educate about the work LIA is doing for communities in Northeast Africa.

Part of the time we will be following an LIA trainer, Dereje, who leaves his family every week to work with orphans and vulnerable children in the city. We are hoping to learn what life is like for these kids who have to survive on the streets. And also what life can become when LIA is able to help.

Make sure to keep posted as there is so much more to come!

It’s always exciting to find out new things about friends. Whether it’s a new story or a hidden talents, it is fun to see people you’ve known for a long time in a new light. This was our experience last week when our good pal, J.J. Peterson from Life in Abundance flew in from Cali to discuss our upcoming trip to Africa for the LIA documentary. Amongst the planning and prep work we discovered that somewhere along the line in his fabulous life, J.J. danced in a Missy Elliot video with Missy Elliot. “Oh ya, me too. What?!” was pretty much our response. Little did we know we had quite the star in our midst! So for your Monday enjoyment, feel free to take a break and enjoy as our pal gets schooled by Miss Elliot herself! (He’s the guy in the DDR scene.) Watch at your own risk

Let us know of any other hidden celebrities out there.

In preparation for the next Rule29 video sweetness we have been enjoying various stop animation samples, and inspiration. Collaborating with MacDonald Productions, our next reel is all stop animation which we will post in the coming weeks. In the meantime enjoy the video above or these sweet samples below:

Heart Made of Sound

MyKonos

If you have any others – please link us up!