JDM525

Dubstep Santa 3 - Dirty Grotto

2011-12-05T02:33:00.017Z

My latest and most ambitious video with the brilliant David Bass (daveyboyz). Released on 1st December 2011.

The idea behind the video is to have our evil black Santa look as badass as possible. Unlike the previous Santas, this one epitomises the darkest and most filthy bass drop that dubstep has ever heard.

My 'Occupy' cameo

As you may have heard in the media, Santa has been pretty damn evil. Us elves work our butts off just so Santa can get all the praise and glory; and what to we get? NOTHING!

So I think its about bloody time that someone stood up for all those hard working elves out there.
This ones for you my brothers and sisters!

See more behind the scenes photos and clips at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdm525/sets/72157627972241715/

Comments on YouTube have been simply amazing. The feedback couldn't be more encouraging. On behalf of Davey and myself, thankyou.

Matouk Mohammed Matouk and David Walliams 'Omar' could be related?

2011-08-31T08:09:00.005+01:00

Matouk Mohammed Matouk, the Gaddafi accomplice, was named in the media lately and I just couldn't help noticing the resemblance to the David Walliams character; Omar Baba from BBC's Come Fly With Me tv series.

Why do I care about stories?

2011-08-11T06:25:00.004+01:00

Being in university has got me asking myself alot of philosophical questions about my career choice in life. I want to be a storyteller through film... but why?
Do I want to go into filmmaking because of the exciting/challenging lifestyle? or do I want to become a filmmaker because I care about stories!?
Well its got to be both; I love working with people, and I love films with characters that I care about.

I guess the real question is, am I prepared for this?
I know how to use a camera and edit stuff together, but can I tell you a good story?
Only time will tell.

Tom screaming in the kitchen

2011-04-25T02:15:00.002+01:00

MVI_6974 a video by Thomas Flynn on Flickr.

Observe closely as the hungry gazelle rumages the kitchen in search of food only to scream randomly.

80's video game nostalgia

2011-04-22T00:21:00.002+01:00

This takes me back to those summer days of the NES and Sega Megadrive. Memories of bliss :)

Close Encounters in Sirhowy Valley

2011-03-11T14:29:00.008Z

_MG_9109, originally uploaded by JDM525.

Went on a film and photo treck with Tom coz I needed to film some footage for a film trailer:

Retrocentric - Paul Mansfield

2011-03-05T20:16:00.002Z

Critical thought is kinda like connotations. Its the determining of a meaning or significance behind something expressed or observed.
I find myself becoming more critical about my films comparing its content to works of others and scrutinising the narrative value based on characters, language, visuals and sound. etc.

Sometimes I keep myself awake at night thinking over who I am as a filmmaker and re-evaluating what I've done and what I can do better.
This is critical thought.

Trying to find perfecton is an almost indefinate persuit of god.
I just finished a lecture with someone called Florence Ayisi, some of the questions she put to us really made me think.
Why do I pursue documentary, and what does it mean to me.

The honest truth is, I'm completely lost.
I know I want a career in filmmaking, but I'm actually not sure why.
I like visual storytelling, but I don't want to be a cameraman/cinematographer.
I love music, but I don't wanna make music videos for the rest of my life.

The lecture today was on Documentary Ideas and Theory; representation, ideology, society, gender.
I was intrigued by what Florence had to say but everyone in the class just looked lost and bored.
She kept looking at me coz she knew I was listening, but this woman has made some big achievements in her career and she's only in her 30's.

Superconscious motivation

2011-02-20T02:50:00.001Z

Find out how Christopher Nolan got to where he is today.
But I already have a vague idea, I want to pursue that for myself right now.
I liked the short films I seen on iPlayer, now I want to do that.
I'm in university, that will come with time.
Time is not enough, I want it now!
So what is the next step for me?
You have alot of free time before your next semester begins, enjoy it and get out of the house... do those creative photos you have been thinking of and get a bike so you can get more of that excercise you have been thinking of. Halfords would be a good place to start, or maybe a cheaper place like a market.

That sounds good :)

Spoke on the phone with Tom about making a really creative experimental music video that explores a story concept through visuals.
I mentioned watching Ten Pounds and especially the part where he runs into Joes room as the visuals black out, only glimpses can be seen each tim Joes name is called, it creates that semi-conscious effect of awareness.

One minute in Newport - Vertov

2011-02-08T20:08:00.004Z

Download HD as 720p or 1080p

A one minute piece I did with Matt Lee for university.

Also check out Shiela the Pigeon Lady who we also met during this shoot in Newport.

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn'

2010-12-15T12:04:00.001Z

Poetic and simply beautiful.

Abercynon Mountain

2010-10-27T11:56:00.003+01:00

Loving this photo lately.

FIrst day at University

2010-10-11T14:25:00.004+01:00

Sat through a long and formal welcome introduction in this massive sports hall. Loads of people there; I drove up to the Uni with my friend from college, Chloe, and its a good job we arrived early to get the last few seats coz when the Dean of the school started his speech, even more people started turning up with no place to sit... Oh well.

Then I joined my subject group for a quick Q&A with one of the student mentors because the programme leader was "busy".

As I waited for Chloe out at the building entrance, I just rang my mates and my mum telling them about what a gorgeous University Newport is. It was great to be surrounded by other people like me.
The weather couldn't have been better, bright blue skies, warm sunshine with a slight autumn breeze.

Turned out to be a short and sweet first day, i'm hungry for more.
I go back tomorrow for my first proper lecture from Mr Chris Morris (Head of Newport Film School).

I'll try take some sneaky pictures for this blog.

Josephine - O'casan

2010-10-06T13:21:00.011+01:00

Starring Jo Crawshaw

On Saturday 2nd of October 2010, O'casan finally released their second single and its gorgeous video that I produced with them:

(View on Vimeo) - (View on Facebook)

The band are made up of these three Musketeers:

Rich Webb

Nick Burns

Luke McDonnell

The production for Josephine was one of the most ambitious music videos I have done. I had a blast working with these guys and I hope they make it big.

Production Stills:

View more

All links to O'casan:
www.myspace.com/ocasan
www.facebook.com/pages/ocasan
www.ocasan.bigcartel.com
www.twitter.com/ocasantweet
www.youtube.com/ocasanuk

Never judge a movie by its trailer.

2010-09-10T00:06:00.006+01:00

I never read the book, I just judge the film...
...often by its trailer.

Messin about at work

2010-09-09T23:01:00.003+01:00

My mate Dave (left) and Tom (middle).
God knows who that stranger is to the right ;p

Pylon Sunset and Canon 550D

2010-09-01T19:58:00.007+01:00

Okay, I know I blogged about a Pylon photo not long ago, but the other day I went back to the same place and this time captured an even better version of the same Pylon with my new Canon 550D camera.

I absolutely love the video feature since it comes in very handy when I need a video camera. Of course what I come to realise is that despite its gorgeous Full-HD resolution, it will not replace my original Sony FX1 camcorder and Letus Extreme lens adapter.

There are many pro's that makes the video an awesome feature, but it will always remain to be a stills/photo camera... with a video feature.

University - I'm going to Newport !

2010-08-23T02:07:00.002+01:00

So I've finally made it into University and I am quite chuffed with myself. I celebrated that day by treating myself to a nice cuppa tea.

My grades are as follows:
Photography - 'B'
Film Studies - 'C'
Drama and Theatre - 'E'
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced - 'Pass' (A grade equivalent)

I would have preferred a B grade for Film because that's the course I am meant to be pursuing, although my Photography tells me otherwise.
Drama on the other hand is an embarrassment, but that means nothing to me.

The course I have chosen is 'Documentary Film and Television' and I am damn excited to get started.

Things are looking good... and I've met someone too ;)

Xiangqi - 象棋

2010-08-07T21:16:00.002+01:00

Xiangqi is a Chinese version of chess. When you loose your hair and grow a pointy beard then its time you started learning to play.

Pylon Sky

2010-08-05T22:57:00.002+01:00

The latest addition to my portfolio; this is turning into a rather expensive hobby. I'm constantly wanting a better camera and more lenses: wide and telephoto and macro.

I think i'm going nuts with my photography now, tonight I ordered poster sized prints of 4 of my pictures:

This might be a long shot but i'm gonna see if I can sell these photos at some of my local art exhibitions.
Wish me luck.

Burr-fly

2010-07-28T07:04:00.007+01:00

Eat your heart out; this is one stunning pic (in my humble opinion).
If you look at the full res pic you can see all the detail in its tiny lil face.

I used an old Canon FD 75-200 macro lens with an adaptor for my 1000D camera. I'm starting to love this lens.

My Top 16 (Photos that best describe me)

2010-07-24T03:14:00.002+01:00

Today I assembled a selection of my photos that I want to get professionally printed to display on my bedroom wall. Whilst selecting the photos from my Flickr archive, I thought about what they mean to me and why.

Click on the picture to see the album...

Moonlight Passat

2009-11-30T23:34:00.005Z

Moonlight Passat , originally uploaded by JDM525.

Just had to show this to you guys, a special shot I took tonight.
Upon close inspection I also discovered a shooting star at the top.
Amazing

DSLR Light Effects with Jolly Good Fun

2009-11-25T23:45:00.007Z

View Album here

Stayed awake till the early hours of the morning last night drawing pretty pictures with my camera. Jolly Good Fun.

Download Jolly Good Fun soundtrack.

Met Eddie Halliwell

2009-11-23T02:37:00.004Z

DSC05684, originally uploaded by JDM525.

Back at the end of April ('09) I met up with Eddie while doing promotional film work for Escape Swansea.

Jolly nice guy, I had him interviewed by my partner Jess and it was a a great night.

Stunning Rachael

2009-11-21T12:19:00.015Z

One of the most captivating photos I have taken in a long time. In college I surprised myself by how utterly perfect this picture came out; maybe its just me but I can't take my eyes off her.

Its like the monalisa, her eyes just grab you by the throat!

For about two months now I have been a proud owner of the Canon EOS 1000D, an entry level DSLR and its great. Lovely quality photographs and a nice big memory card to snap up multishots at a time.

For those of you who know me for the film and video work I do, I have put things on hold while i'm in college. You'll see regular photos that I publish on my flickr but once i'm in Uni next year, I reckon there will be loads of videos to come.

Let me take the opportunity to show some experimental work I done with one of my most recent videos. You may remember it from YouTube; what I done is tweaked the colour curves to bend the contrast, added a film grain and vignette effect. Looks lush in HD:

Download MP4: 480p - 720HD - 1080HD