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Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

The “AT” Video Sketch

12 February 2010 by Brian

“Practice makes perfect” are words often uttered in locker rooms and on the sidelines of losing teams. However in our case, we’re uttering them in front of a computer screen and not because we’re losers. It’s just a really applicable phrase.

In any creative endeavor, especially creative ones that put food on the table and pay the bills, practice is essential, necessary, and always worth the time invested. I don’t think I’ll ever feel the sense of having “arrived” creatively. In many ways I hope I never do. There will always be something else to learn and conquer, always.

This is a Test

The below video named “AT” is a small side project aimed at practicing some 3D and post-production techniques. I took a list(current at the time) of our Twitter followers and used their usernames as textures and particles. I found Dave Trautz through The Wire and he graciously agreed to compose a score I could work with. Dave has a ton of talent and I hope to work more with him in the future.

Moving Forward

Stay tuned,  more side projects in the works.

Brian Culbertson Pulls Back the Creative Curtain

3 February 2010 by Bret

One of my favorite musicians and Jazz artists is Brian Culbertson. Culbertson is primarily a piano player but also plays the trombone and bass. His latest album, Live From The Inside, has been a constant in my playlist since I bought it. The album was recorded live at the Capitol Records building in Hollywood with a host of amazing musicians.

I love music where I can listen over and over again and hear something new almost each time. Live From The Inside is that kind of album. It has has staying power and the melodies are super infectious. I often find myself humming them throughout my day.

A must have companion to the album is the Live From The Inside DVD. As a musician, I love it when I can go beyond just listening to the music. The Live DVD lets the viewer play the metaphorical fly on the wall inside the studio. It’s truly musical voyeurism at its best. I actually wanted to see the DVD so badly that I purchased the album twice, once on Amazon Downloads then again just for the DVD.

If you’ve never listened to Culbertson’s music, take a listen to Live From The Inside. If you’re a fan of great music, even if you’re not into Jazz, you won’t be disappointed. He is a musicians artist, and Live From The Inside lets you peak inside the process of rehearsal and recording unlike I’ve never seen before.

From Window to Sliding Door

Culbertson’s latest endeavor takes the window that he opened with Live From The Inside and makes it a sliding door right into his studio. He has started a YouTube channel where he is posting almost daily video blogs of his whole process from writing through recording his new album which is due out later this year. In the first couple videos Brian takes the viewer on a tour of his studio. He talks about his gear and instruments, a total musicians dream. He follows the tour up with a visual walk through of his songwriting process. So far I haven’t missed a video and I look forward to watching as the album comes together over the next several months.

Being that Honu Studios is a creative agency, we naturally love creative things. Since I spend most of my day working online, I love it when I find a creative use of a web app or service. The way that Brian Culbertson is using YouTube to bring his fans into his process and pull back the curtain on his music is just awesome. It will be really cool to listen to the final product and be able to remember the video where that song was just a melody line and in its infancy. The videos also make for a good entertaining break from daily work.

One final note, as a coffee lover I have to point out that there is one thing missing from Brian’s studio, a Keurig brewer. There is no better coffee maker than a Keurig.

The Nike store – Tokyo – by Masamichi Katayama

11 January 2010 by Brian

Recently coolhunting.com interviewed Masamichi Katayama, the interior designer of the Nike flagship store in the Harajuku district of Tokyo. Masamichi reflects on the design and you get to see an overview of the store.

Nike store textures

The lighting, color and textures draw me in like a moth to light.