New Cinematography Reel

I recently updated my cinematography reel.

Doritos “Crash the Superbowl” Contest

Not long after creating my first commercial as a submission for a contest held by Buitoni, I began working on another commercial for entry in a contest, this time for the well-known snack maker, Doritos.   Unfortunately, I learned about the contest only a week before its submission deadline but the project team and myself were able to brainstorm, shoot and edit the video in time.

 

Compared to the 60-second time-limit allowed for the Buitoni commercial, the 30-second time-limit for this commercial was challenging as it required the storytelling to be even more concise and quick.   Writing, shooting and editing the project has definitely made me more appreciative of the effort and creativity put into the top-quality commercials that I see on TV and the internet.  Advertisers only have so little time to capture your attention and convince you to buy their product.

CREDITS:
Joshua Eli (actor)
David Nelson (actor)
Kenji Saykosy (actor)
Andrew Cook (sound)
Sean Pollock (DP/Camera Operator/Editor)

2012 Buitoni Commercial Contest

One of my most recent works is a commercial that I shot and directed for a contest held by Buitoni, a company that specializes in various pasta products.   The intention of the commercial is to show that women love men that can cook (using Buitoni products).  Here’s my entry:

Because the main actor, Kenji, is a real-life practitioner and teacher of martial arts, I incorporated that element into the commercial.   As my first foray into creating a commercial from beginning to finish, I learned a great deal and even though I would definitely modify the message and delivery of the commercial if I had to do it again, I’m still pretty proud of the results.

The contest entries, after being reviewed by Buitoni, will be filtered down to fifteen, after which the winner will be decided by the public.   Please review the entries on Buitoni’s Facebook page and make your vote.  Voting lasts from November 6th until the 18th of this year.   My video is listed as “Sean P. (Durham, NC)”. Hopefully mine will be included in the top 15 and possibly win.   For those who vote for mine, I appreciate your support.

CREDITS:
Kenji Saykosy (actor)
Victoria Vesce (actress)
David Nelson (sound)
Sean Pollock (DP/Camera Operator/Editor/Narrator)

Outside of Darkness (Teaser Trailer With Movie Footage)

I’ve still been very busy with the movie “Outside of Darkness”.   The first part of the movie is finished, edited and being polished in post while the other parts are still being shot.   Because the first teaser trailer was shot very long ago, before the start of actual shooting, I created a trailer utilizing official footage.

Outside of Darkness: Teaser Trailer

Since fall of last year I have been extensively involved with a film project called “Outside of Darkness”.   It is a web series with elements of the supernatural.   The plot revolves around a Kael, a young man who is reeling over the unsolved death of his fiance, Merrena.   After experiencing several disturbing visions and voices, he is visited by a demon who gives him new information about her death.

Here is the teaser trailer which was recently released:

Most of the film has been shot around Raleigh.  The screenplay was adapted from a story written by Sharif Razzaq (the actor playing as Kael).  Working primarily as the director of photography but also, from time to time, the director, screenwriter, editor and casting producer, it is my most ambitious project to date.   Due to the dramatic nature of the movie, I have many opportunities to create very stylized shots so it is both exciting and challenging.   Episode one will be released soon as well as a website for it which I have been programming.   More to come.

Washington DC: Construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

This June I was given access to the construction site for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial and recorded footage of its development ahead of its opening this month. The 3-story statue of Martin Luther King Jr. was off-limits for recording but I was able to capture some of the engraved quotes and the massive entrance. I also interviewed two workers about what the monument means to them.

District of Columbia: National Pinball Museum

The game of pinball has a colorful and extensive history that might surprise most people.  For example, did you know that one of the game’s earliest ancestors was part of the French aristocracy?  The National Pinball Museum, located in northwest Washington DC, both entertains and educates the public by providing exhibits and playable pinball machines.  Curator and owner David Silverman talks about pinball’s history.

Bethesda: 2011 International Submarine Races

From June 27th-July 1st, the 2011 bi-annual International Submarine Race was held at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division) in Bethesda, Maryland.  Teams from around the world tested their human-powered submarines at the David Taylor Model Basin.

High Point: Blacksmith

Last Saturday I visited the High Point Museum and talked to a blacksmith giving demonstrations of his work.  I created a short video using a Canon 5D Mark II.  It was the first time I explored its recording capacities.  Shotgun and wireless mics were employed for recording the audio.

INTERNSHIP: Rehearsal of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

While interning at the Post & Courier last November, I shot video of Charleston Stage doing rehearsals of a musical version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.  I teamed up with staff writer Bill Thompson and we shared the role of recording.  Syncing the shots with the audio of the song at the end was the most challenging part of the editing.