EPISODE 1

TitleEPISODE 1
BrandUM STUDIOS, BMW
Product / ServiceKYOTOGRAPHY
CategoryA01. Direction
EntrantCUTTERS Tokyo, JAPAN
Idea Creation CUTTERS Tokyo, JAPAN
Media Placement UM Tokyo, JAPAN
Production CUTTERS Tokyo, JAPAN

Credits

Name Company Position
Ryan McGuire Cutters Studios Managing Director / Lead Creator
Ziga Zupancic Freelance Director Of Photography

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

In Episode 1 we interview 2019 Kyotographie featured artist, the famed photographer Albert Watson on his career, life in New York, photography and the importance of lighting. The film takes place in New York, setting up Albert’s journey to Japan for Kyotographie.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

Kyotographie is very unique among photography festivals. It is a great honor to be chosen as the featured artist at Kyotographie. The festival itself is designed as a discovery of great photography, but also as an exploration into the rich history and culture of Kyoto. The organizers design the festival each year much like a treasure hunt, with exhibits scattered around the city in both traditional and modern venues. The festival offers a thoroughly enchanting experience, which has led to it’s increasing popularity among both domestic and international guests since it’s start in 2012.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction. Do not name the director.

To do credit to the subject matter, the director’s vision was to create a documentary that doesn’t play like a documentary, but more an immersive piece of art. The interview was shot in a “black box” with a single light source, much like how Albert likes to shoot his subjects. This, coupled with striking abstract imagery of the city, and a visceral soundscape, the aim was for the viewer to not only watch and listen, but to feel and experience the film. Knowing time would be tight on the ground, the director and editorial staff developed a video storyboard in preparation for the shoot to align with greater team and provide a road map for the production. This helped eliminate costly variables and keep everyone laser-focused on the objective.

Links

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