Sunday, June 28, 2009

PAUL SMITH Sale Shop



I LOVE PAUL SMITH although I can't afford it (right now). Who doesn't want great Saville Row tailoring and classic styling that stands the test of time? (what am I talking about - I need another cup of joe) Please check out a the New York Times review about the Paul Smith Sale Shop in Williamsburg New York, written by a friend of mine, Mike Albo. Map and article click below.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

ANZ, the "best" safety video


Now here's a reason to pay attention to an inflight safety video. Attention (ahem!) grabbing and part of their new branding campaign, Air New Zealand truly have "Nothing To Hide". Check it out...



CLICK HERE for a HI-REZ VERSION

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Goodbye Michael



THE CURIOUS CASE OF FACEBOOK FINCHER


I want to see how they're gonna market this.
"Columbia Pictures is in advanced talks with David Fincher to direct "The Social Network," the Aaron Sorkin-scripted film for Columbia Pictures about the formation of Facebook."

PACIFIC TITLE & ART, casualty of...


A SAD DAY for the industry as a 90-year old Hollywood post house, PACIFIC TITLE & ART goes into receivership and liquidation. Who's gonna do all the work now? Read all about the politics and events that lead up to this goodbye...





















(Thanks MB for the contrib)

TWITTER OD


IT HAD TO HAPPEN! That's right Twitter, you need a faster and much bigger server. lol


(5.29p : We now know why. Rest in peace, Michael)

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE, watch for it





THE DIRTY TRAILER METER: Get ready for the real 'Miranda'! Directed and produced by R.J. Cutler, September tells the story of legendary Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and her larger-than-life team of editors creating the issue and ruling the world of fashion. With appearances by Andre Leon Talley, Patrick Demarchelier, I want a front row seat in the house of The Wintour of Discontent now!
The Dirty Trailer Meter is reading:

4.5
out of 5
(I WANT IT NOW!)

For the film's website and the hi-rez download, see below




















HI REZ VERSION

OSCAR expands to 10 noms


Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Sid Ganis at a press conference Wednesday morning, announced the decision to broaden the Best Picture Oscar race to 10 films. Yes you read that right. It seems this re-assessment comes after this year's ceremony which witnessed many changes in the show's format and production. Thanks to the much needed injection of 'new' blood of producers Bill Condon (Chicago, Dreamgirls) and Laurence Mark (Dreamgirls, Julie & Julia), the Oscarcast 'resulted in a positive reaction and improved ratings'. Apparently, this comes in the wake of popular films Dark Knight and Wall-E not making the final cut this year, after 'many media pundits, industry workers and film fans bemoaned the omissions', according to Variety.

Here are some more answers to questions raised because of this decision:
  • The foreign-language, feature documentary and animated film races will not be affected.
  • The nomination ballot will have space for 10 entries instead of five. That's the only change, and the awards schedule will remain the same, since PricewaterhouseCoopers won't need more time to count ballots.
  • Academy execs said they don't feel the move will add significantly to the running time of the show. (We'll see when they decide to showcase all 10 of the best picture noms)
  • Best director category and everything else still get 5 nomination slots only. (Now there will be 5 more 'director-less' best pic nominations)
Here's more info on this decision by the Academy (click below):



























Opinion: I don't know if this move is going to add any value to an already long Oscarcast, let alone its credibility. Still, I look forward to the witty and humorous banter of Bruce Villanch plus the dazzling production of Bill Condon and crew, next year.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

YOUR AMAZON AD


HEY INDUSTRY, I just got this in my mailbox this morning (and no I do not work for Amazon!)

Film your own short video advertising Amazon, and you'll get to compete for $20,000 in Amazon.com Gift Cards, the chance to have your work seen by millions of other Amazon customers, and a screening at the 15th Annual Gen Art Film Festival in New York City. A judging panel will select the Top 5 and the Jury Prize then Amazon customers will be asked to vote for the Audience Prize. Both winners get $10,000. Win both and you walk away with $20,000!


THE BRIEF:
"It's completely up to you. You could show us anything, from how fast you can place an order to how excited your dog gets when he sees the delivery guy. Just show us something that would catch your eye (and, better yet, rewind your DVR!) and make you want to shop with Amazon. See the official judging criteria for more information." It's a real quick turnaround. Looks like 17th of July is the deadline.

Click Here for more INFO. Good Luck!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=pe_59270_12379920_pe_g1/?node=1266693011

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

MARINA BAY SANDS


Marina Bay Sands, to be completed by the end of 2009, will feature three 50-story hotel towers with over 2,600 luxury rooms and suites, crowned by a two acre Sky Park bridging across the towers, offering 360-degree views of the city and the sea, outdoor amenities for the hotel such as jogging paths, swimming pools, spas, and gardens; an iconic Arts and Sciences Museum on the promontory; one-million square feet of integrated waterside promenade and shopping arcade; a state-of-the art convention center; two 2,000-seat theaters; the Marina Bay Sands Casino & Resort; and a 4,000 car garage.

Designed by Moshe Safdie and Associates, the cost for building this 'city in the sky', a cool US $3.6 billion. As of today it is said to be on schedule as you can see in these pictures shot recently (click below). Plus information about Gambling and Casinos in Singapore. Frankly I think it's a smart way of keeping the riff-raff out.
























Here are a couple more pictures


NEWS: Recently the BBC featured a story of some Chinese immigrant workers, who went on strike. Check out the video & story

CHRISTIAN REX VAN MINNEN




Read below for an insight into the original and alluring work of

Christian rex Van Minnen




















http://www.seevanminnen.com/
For his bio and more of his beautiful work.


This painting reminds of Fleetwood Mac's Tango in the Night album cover (both me likey!)

(Thank you EB)

Monday, June 22, 2009

KILAUEA gets gassy too!




I love the Big Island of Hawai'i. If I had the opportunity I would give up everything to pick up and move in a heartbeat. Yesterday. Being the youngest in the chain of this Pacific outpost, the Big Island has so much to offer including the longest eruption of a volcano. Meet Kilauea. Recently "lava is thought to be close to the surface of the summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, suggesting a modest eruption might occur. But geologists don't really know if it will erupt, or if lava might simply flow from the summit, or neither", according to Live Science (http://www.livescience.com)

Earlier this year, scientists snapped the first ever photo of trace lightning created from inside a plume of ash spewing from an actively erupting volcano.

Since opening in March 2008, the summit vent has sent out a thick plume of steam and ash into the skies. Geologists from the Hawai'i Volcano Observatory reported that there is a lava lake roiling below the Halemaumau crater floor. The sloshing 160-foot diameter lava lake is about 330 feet below the rim of the vent.


Geologists characterize the typical phase of lava ebb and flow in the vent as a rapid and loud rise of magma marked by intense spattering, followed by a slower period of magma draining out of the chamber. The reason for the filling and drainback? What HVO geologists call “episodic gas accumulation.” That's right, folks: “Volcanoes … They’re just like us.”

If you go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, know that the lake is not visible from the Thomas A. Jaggar museum overlook. But the overlook offers great views of the vent’s familiar steam and gas plume by day and incandescence by night.


For hi-rez version of this video, click here and another movie here


If you have an interest in Volcanism or Kilauea, check out the USGS site for updates and webcams from the caldera. Or better yet, go visit the Big Island of Hawai'i. Many would advise you to rent a car to drive around to discover the island but it's much better when you take a one-day tour with a 3rd generation driver/guide in a practically half empty bus. He'll call you his 'ohana' and tell you everything about every spot you visit, Kilauea included! Check your hotel concierge for information about the service. You'll get to savor Kona coffee up on the plantations above Keauhou Bay and get to see waterfalls in Hilo. It's cheap and worth every penny. Then when you're ready, rent a vehicle and drive out to the spots you really want to spend time at...like sharing a black sand beach with sea turtles. Beware! Venture too close and you might pay a fine of $10,000 or was it $1000? Aloha and Mahalo!

CLIK + DISCOVER : Honeyee



Say hello again to a website I posted on Facebook awhile back. I just love everything Japanese and I thought the web design of honeyee.com is pretty cool. A constanly changing background relates to different highlights of the day.



Hip fashion, shopping and lifestyle news make this site worth checking out.
http://www.honeyee.com/

SIGHTINGS : Dog, Cat + Rat

Friend of mine, EB spotted this trio hanging out in San Francisco's Union Square. Awesome. Read all about them and their owner here.
http://thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu/2008/05/the-story-behind-sb’s-dog-cat-and-rat-man-by-emilia-dellemonico

Saturday, June 20, 2009

WATCH + DISCOVER : e2, London: The Price of Traffic



I still think this series of documentaries from PBS, about the 'economies of the environmentally conscious', is pertinent now more than ever. Shot beautifully and well written, it definitely gets the message across, exquisitely. Featuring real-world issues, cities and people are faced with, and how rethinking the way we live as urbanites; reorganizing and redesigning to find simple yet sometimes obvious solutions.

Produced by kontentreal, and narrated by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, e2 discusses three avenues of industry and urbanity that have come to focus in the efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. "e2 Design" features the building sectors' concerted efforts, together with the aid of architects, to help reduce its more than 60% contribution to carbon emissions through manufacturing and production of building materials, thus promoting sustainability. "e2 Transport" and "e2 Energy" showcase various cities and their urban solutions; and new viable economies that have sprung up from renewable forms of energy, respectively.

Here is a link to several episodes available for FREE on the PBS Video site. This one in particular I feel the City of Los Angeles or any American city could learn and adapt from. (http://www.pbs.org/video/video/1145396186#)

"London: The Price of Traffic
London's congestion charge challenges the 20th-century notion that cities should be designed around cars and asks drivers to pay for access to public roads and parking spaces. Thanks to Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, this plan is the core of a sweeping push to transform London into a transit-efficient and pedestrian-friendly mega-city in time for the 2012 Olympic Games."

May I recommend "Bogotá: Building a Sustainable City" and "Paris: Velo Liberte". The e2 site features full episodes but teensy players or you can purchase each episode for $1.99 at the iTunes Store. Cheers!

e2
http://www.design-e2.com/

Friday, June 19, 2009

JSYK : 2009 Promax|BDA Promotion and Marketing Awards : The Winners!



The 2009 Promax|BDA Promotion and Marketing Awards were handed out last night at the Hilton in New York City. Congrats to all the Winners especially Judges' Choice, FX Networks and A&E Television. Here are the honor rolls for...


NORTH AMERICA

http://www.promaxbda.org/media/site/pdf/PromaxAwardsNorthAmericaFinalists09.pdf

WORLD GOLD
http://www.promaxbda.org/media/site/pdf/PromaxAwardsWGFinalists2009.pdf

Thursday, June 18, 2009

TV : Rex pilot exposed

IF YOU ARE WONDERING ABOUT SIMON REX AND 'THE CONTROVERSY', look no further. Lifetime's "Lovespring International" creator, Guy Shalem has finally laid rumors to rest and exposes Simon and his controversy, in a very funny TV pilot, REX. Paris Hilton, Lance Bass and actress Jaime Pressly share the screen with Simon as he tries to piece together his career, and hopefully revives it!
Ryan Brockington of The NY Post encourages us to "Give the full 23-minute pilot a watch after the jump, and then call Showtime and tell them to get on the ball!"
We agree because we think it's pretty funny. Ah what MTV VJs may become...


Here's the trailer and the log in info for the full pilot episode on vimeo (oh BTW the password is: masturbation). Nice!

GOOD SPOT : 2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards Open

FOR THOSE OF YOU, like me, who could not make it to this year's 2009 Promax|BDA Design Conference, being held at The Hilton, NYC (right now - final day today), here's a glimpse at the whimsical Awards open. Created by Design Space Los Angeles (attn: DSLA - no site?), it is about the cultivating and harvesting of good ideas, and how every stakeholder plays an important role in producing the final product. This 'cept can also be seen in the Conference open by CA Square, posted yesterday here on THE DIRTYBLOG.

Anyhoo, it's a great idea/concept however, the Live Action could have been more controlled and better directed to choreograph with the ok 3D modeling and compositing. Kinda reminds me of that music video with the flying musical notes. Still it's a good effort.

Hey don't forget to cry, yelp, scream and holler at the
2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards List of Winners,
which can be found in
yesterday's post or see below



Project : 2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards, open
Company : Design Space Los Angeles
For full HD version, click here or http://videos.promaxbda.org/video/bda_show_open.mov

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

JSYK : 2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards Winners announced!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners at the 2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards held last night at the Hilton in NYC. Big slaps especially for Scott Matz of Thornberg & Forester for the AICP open, Judges' Choice winners Showtime for Dexter campaign and Fox for the Fringe Print campaign.
To celebrate, here's the conference open, designed and created by CA Square. A spot deserving of an award itself, trying to showcase the sponsors' logos. Cheers!

Here's the list of winners for the North America

http://www.promaxbda.org/media/site/pdf/BDA_NorthAmerica09.pdf

and World Gold compeitition
http://www.promaxbda.org/media/site/pdf/BDA_WorldGold09.pdf



For the full HD version of this clip, click here.
http://videos.promaxbda.org/video/promaxopen_sg.mov

OPINION: There seemed to be fewer Golds handed out this year. Maybe because the bar has been raised or not enough individuals and companies submitted enough well-designed spots/creations for compeitition. Maybe because of the bad economy, the pricey submission fees were a bit off-putting. There were some rumblings even about the format in which these entries were being asked to be submitted in - tape! And how individual designers or freelancers were reluctant to participate unless they forked out more cash to get their spots transfered to tape. Who knows. We would hope the Promax BDA actively solicits feedback and uses these words of advice (not all) to better the organization and build more credibility, like they've done by raising the bar for the compeitition, this year.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

WTH : No (air)space left unturned


IT HAD TO HAPPEN. Just when you thought your vision (and your head) might be clear of advertisers bombarding you, while seated in your overpriced, cramped, no food only $5 snackbox, red-eye seat to JFK, think again! The Aeropanel has arrived, right in your face as you anxiously shove that carry-on into the already bursting overhead bin. Seen here being tested in low cost carrier Ryanair's cabin. I guess they decided not to charge for toilet use and some airlines have opted for a more subtle approach in their efforts to make ends meet! Call 1-888-Emergenciá Now.

SUPER BEST SPOT : Bang-Yao Liu patiently Posts-it

WOW! is all I can say. Original, funny and innovative. Mr. Bang-Yao Liu's senior project while he was at Savannah College of Art is impressive, so good a celebrity even endorsed him - a certain Mr. Demi Moore! Jeff Boortz and Jill Taffet of SCAD must be proud. Curious to see what Liu is up to next. Here's what he said about his "Deadline"...
(Thanks Hanns)

"Where my idea comes from is that every time when I am busy, I feel that I am not fighting with my works, I am fighting with those post-it notes and deadline. I manipulating the post-it notes to do pixel-like stop motion and there are some interactions between real actor and post-its."

Monday, June 15, 2009

FILTHY OBJECT : Have Cuff will travel


GOSH! I miss NY. The people, the pace, the winters & summers, the smell, the subway...here's a real FILTHY OBJECT that tells you where you are and where to go next, looks fashionable in a Linda Carter sorta way plus it's not a GPS, voice controlled app on your iPhone. No batteries included. For only $23, the NYC Subway map at a flick of your wrist. We likey! (Now how do I get to the Apple Store in Soho again?)

NYC METRO CUFF
designed by Design Hype is available for purchase from their site (http://www.designhypeinc.com/)

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