Fredstuff.com » Video

Kodak 1922 Kodachrome Film Test

Fred — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:08:42 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

I found this stunning clip yesterday while browsing some site completely at random. This is one of the earliest tests Kodak did with its (back then) brand new Kodachrome color motion picture film. This was done in 1922, 13 years before the first full length color feature film (Becky Sharp, 1935). The flicker seen in the video occurs due to the fact that the camera is cranked by hand — or hand wound — another possibility is that the film varies in density due to old age. How the hell do I know all this? Well, I read it here.

All this technical stuff aside, the images are simply awesome. The first time I saw the video I was kind of mesmerized to the point of not being able to move. The way the models/actresses carry themselves in this simple camera test is so otherworldly and interesting. The poses and expressions… ah, heck — it’s like being there, in another time. Beautiful stuff!

Music: Robyn – Hang With Me

Fred — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:59:18 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Robyn’s next album, Body Talk Pt. 2 will be out on the 6:th of September. The track “Hang With Me” was also included on Body Talk Pt. 1, but in a more acoustic version. This is the “full” version of the track. Video directed by Max Vitali who also did her video to “dancing On My Own”.

I fund another version of the track recorded live at “the Rimmel Room”, whatever that is. Still, it’s a fantastic rendition of Hang With Me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now if only I can get the damn melody and words from Robyn’s “You Can’t Handle Me” out of my head when listening to this track.

Fun fact: At the very start of the (first) video there’s a brief shot of the legendary synthesizer Sidstation made by Swedish geek-gods Elektron. If you manage to find one that’s for sale, prepare to pay a lot of money for it. Check it out here.

Links:
Robyn | Official | MySpace

Remix Magic #3 Robyn – Dancing On My Own

Fred — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:50:51 +0000

Time to start blogging again. No updates for a while — didn’t feel like it. But, I just got news that Robyn posted her new video for “Dancing On My Own” on Vimeo.com three hours ago. I felt I have to post it here and help spread it. It’s also a great opportunity to post one of the amazing remixes that’s been posted on the web, more on that after the video itself.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I like the video and I really like the track, too bad it’s the only track I like on her new album (Body Talk Pt. 1). Just as with Marina and the Diamonds “Hollywood” video Robyns “Dancing On My Own” is slightly different from the single version. There’s a new blippy synth line in the video version and I don’t like it when artist change stuff around — why change something that’s already working? The remixer is another story, he or she is supposed to change stuff around and make the track into something of their own. New York producer Chew Fu made the best remix so far, the track is not that different from the original single version, maybe that’s why I like it. Am I contradicting myself? I hope not. Ah, hell — just listen to the remix and you might understand where I’m coming from; Robyn – Dancing On My Own (Chew Fu Extended Mix).

Click here to view the embedded video.

There are several remixes of the track out there, Google “Robyn – Dancing On My Own (Buzz Junkies Club)”, “Robyn – Dancing On My Own (Rex The Dog Club)” to find a download link.

From Robyns Vimeo.com page: The single is available to download from June 14th (June 1st in the US), with Body Talk Pt. 1, which also includes Fembot and None Of Dem (with Röyksopp), in stores on June 14th on CD and Download, Pre-orders are already available here.

That’s it for now, have a nice weekend!

Links:
Robyn | Official | MySpace
Chew Fu | MySpace | Interview MTV UK

Remix Magic #2 Dragonette – Pick Up the Phone

Fred — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:09:56 +0000

OK, time for post #2 in this series. Yet another act from Canada — imagine that. This time it’s Dragonette hailing from Toronto and the track is “Pick Up the Phone”.

First up, the original version. Don’t get me wrong — the track is really good on its own and the idea behind the “Remix Magic” posts are not to somehow show how much better a remixed track is compared to the original. It’s just to show what other people can do with a track and that the result can in fact be nothing short of amazing. Original:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Moving on to the remix done by Michael Di Francesco of Van She. A download of the remix is available in the link section (a few rows down, just underneath this text, get it?). Great stuff!

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Van She version is spot on. Staying true to the original but at the same time improving it — at least in my highly trained ears. Anyway, the original version is still a good track.

Links:
Track: Pick Up The Phone (Michael Di Francesco of Van She Remix)
Dragonette – Official | Last.fm | MySpace
Van She – Official

Marina And The Diamonds In Stockholm

Fred — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:01:58 +0000

Yup. I got an invite to a Marina and the Diamonds showcase from Warner Music Scandinavia. The exclusive gig was yesterday night at a location called Södra Bar in the South side of Stockholm. The place was totally packed and Marina was surprised that many people showed up. She’s traveling around Europe and the States to promote The Family Jewels album together with two guys, one on keyboard and one on (electric) bass. They performed, I don’t remember — five or six tracks including Numb, Hollywood and Obsessions. I knew it was going to be good, and it was. When she left the stage I said “thank you” and she said “thank you” back. Luckily no one else heard since I told her when she passed by, haha.

OK, it’s time to include the mighty WordPress Audio Player in this blog, first track out is Marinas “Hollywood” recorded live on my iPhone last night.

Seems to work just fine, doesn’t it? I love WordPress.

Next up is a video I shot with my trusty Panasonic HD cam. The track is “Numb”.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jerry, a guy I almost know (Hi Jerry!) shot the track “Obsessions” with his camera.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I took some photos but the lack of a flash on the iPhone made them really weak (I’m sad to say). But, I’m providing audio AND video – not bad, huh?

What about the album then, what do I think about it? Well, I’m not that into it actually. I think the album version of “Hollywood” is, how should I put it — wrong? The video version is better, I think it’s the extra verse in the beginning that ruins it. The tracks on the album are all good, no doubt about that but I don’t understand why she didn’t include the track “Starlight” from her rather large catalog of great songs. I love that track. I still listen to her older, previous stuff, maybe I’m used to her songs being a bit less polished than those on the album, I think she’s better when it’s more raw and not overly produced.

A woman from the record company said Marina will be coming back to Sweden in August playing the Way Out West festival in Gothenburg. Looking forward to it, I’ve never been to WoW — I might go there.

How To Report The News – BBC Four

Fred — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:59:43 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Marina And The Diamonds With Gonzales

Fred — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:32:02 +0000

Marina is at it again with yet another good version of the track ‘Hollywood’. This is brand new — only 482 views on YouTube.

Click here to view the embedded video.

From YouTube-info:

Gonzales dreamt up and conducted a full orchestral reworking of Hollywood, inspired by the songs lyrics. Marina & Gonzales came together to record one performance for an Eastern European TV show…this footage has only now been uncovered…

I guess “only now been uncovered” means “shot, edited and uploaded the other day”. I found this video yesterday on some UK newspaper site and I was happy to see she made it available on her YouTube account. Hollywood is released on 1st February 2010 via 679/Atlantic, and taken from Marina’s debut album ‘The Family Jewels’, out on 22nd February 2010. I think I’ve said it before — I can’t wait!

Links:
Gonzales – Wikipedia
Marina and the Diamonds – Blog
Marina and the Diamonds – MySpace

Cloverfield Monster In Stockholm?

Fred — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:43:51 +0000

Now this is strange. I came home late after a night of DJing downtown. Just as I was finally heading for bed all hell broke lose outside…

Was the monster from the movie Cloverfield on the prowl in my usually (almost) dead quiet neighborhood? I have never — and I mean NEVER heard noises like these before. I grabbed my video camera and went out on the balcony. I just want to make it absolutely clear, I did NOT fake the sounds in the video. Turn up the volume to get the full effect.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have no idea what could have made those noises, I know it’s not a monster but the fact that I don’t know the origin of them bothers me.

Waving Goodbye to 2009

Fred — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:13:18 +0000

A creative way of saying goodbye, see you later and get lost to the year 2009. Brought to you by Whirled Interactive.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video is made entirely in Google Wave, “an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration”. I have yet to understand what it’s good for, how I might use it or appreciate it in any form what-so-ever. My friends who raved about finally getting an invite have not said a word about it after their first few sessions. Who knows? I might be missing out on the greatest thing ever, but I doubt it. To summarize this post: Great vid!

Are You Black? Stay Away From HP Computers.

Fred — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:17:56 +0000

There is one obvious problem with the HP web cam. But wait, there’s more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, HP are apparently aware of this:

We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting. [via Gizmodo]

The info on the videos YouTube-page states that it’s been ‘Uploaded using HP MEDIASMART’. I noticed that the video is mirrored and the audio is out of sync in the beginning, a lot of HP users are complaining that the video from the web cam is ‘in reverse’ – crappy stuff indeed. So, if you’re looking for a racist web cam with less than perfect audio AND video — go get yourself a HP laptop!