This series showcases those who have expanded their artistic palate, moving from still to motion, or motion to still.
New York is city in motion. With eight million residents and thousands of tourists walking about, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace and see everyone else as a blur. Inspired by street photography, filmmaker Paul Trillo took to the streets of New York City to present its inhabitants at the dizzying pace the city is known for.
To achieve the unusual spinning effect, Trillo used 50 Lumia 120 smartphones. Each phone was placed inside of a custom made arch. The entire rig is controlled by a Microsoft Surface with an app Trillo designed specifically for the project. Each phone’s camera is triggered simultaneously as the arch rolls down the street. The filming generated 30,000 photographs that were then sequenced into sets of 50, slowed down and stabilized. While the visuals are mesmerizing, it’s the audio component that ties the piece together. Snippets of conversations from the people Trillo filmed give us a deeper glimpse into each person’s life. The harsh sounds of the street like the dinging of a taxi’s open door alert, sirens, construction equipment, and boom boxes, are set against a calm piano accompaniment that, when combined with the motion of the footage, seems to match the cyclical style. Living Moments won Best Mobile Film at One Screen Festival. For a behind the scenes look at the making of the film, click here.
View more of Trillo’s work on his website.
Do you make moving images or know of someone who does? Let us know at info@donttakepictures.com.