Portfolio Previews (2009)

While the first half of 2009 proved to be a slow one for my personal productions, there was a lot going on behind the scenes to improve what I'd already created. Editing Luke, for instance, underwent a lot of revision. The majority of Videography posts have been updated or established to include the story, photos or posters, the movie, previews, and back links to relating posts to provide succinct and official entries for some of my larger projects. While it's meant fewer new videos, overall it improves the efficiency and purpose of this online journal.

This brings me to the portfolio and blog previews that I created earlier this year to highlight my work.

My portfolio preview was created as an intro to my production DVD to show to potential employers and festivals. The video highlights some of my festival credits and notable projects from recent years. It's undergone several modifications to include more audio highlights and to display a larger range of edits. There's really not much else to say about it as the preview essentially does all the bragging itself.

Portfolio Preview Luke Fandrich (January 2009)
 
It is worth noting that my approach is undeniably individual though. While some filmmakers may have grand projects to tout, I instead have a range of personal accolades that reflect my individual drive and creative branding. I've expressed my viewpoint by approaching animation, avant-garde, travelogs, music videos, and narrative in a way that reflects my personal growth as a movie maker. I think by making myself the focus, I'm standing on my achievements instead of putting them above me. 

My blog preview (mixed with two different audio tracks) was an edit created to highlight 2 years of Editing Luke. They're a mix of promotion and pride for all that's been accomplished so far thanks to all the viewers and readers who have helped shape this experience for me. In a professional sense, I think these edits have also featured my blog as an up and coming space to check out. While reflecting on the amount of work that's already been made, I think my blog previews are most successful at suggesting that my personal motivation and creative passion are only becoming more refined and focused.

It's obvious that these previews and personal reels are going to evolve and grow as this experience changes. In just a single year there's always so many new points of interest. As proof you can view the first preview I ever made, I'm Luke I'm Fandrix from 2008. There's still a lot to work towards, and with any luck it's only up from here. 

2 Years of Editing Luke - MIX A (May 2009)
2 Years of Editing Luke - MIX B (May 2009) Edits and footage by Luke Fandrich.

Jake and Amir

If you don't recognize their names you might recognize a few of their videos. Jake and Amir, by Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld from College Humor, have one of the funniest web series on the net. Whether it's their witty banter, clever stunts, one-liners, or the relaxed but sharp shooting and editing style of the series - I'm hooked. 

Reminiscent of a Jim and Dwight's relationship in The Office, Jake and Amir are hilarious. With each episode about antics going on at work (in the College Humor office where they work across from one another) or some other random hiccup in their friendship, the timing and writing is brilliant. I could go on and on about my favorite Jake and Amir episodes, but check them out for yourself on College Humor or on JakeandAmir.com.

What an awesome job - to actually get paid for making content, right? Check out a few of their episodes below to get started. And a word of warning, with their lengthy archive of hilarious clips you might want to make sure you've got some time to spare.

• Jake and Amir: Coupon
• Jake and Amir: Silent Treatment
• Jake and Amir: Dating Coach
• Jake and Amir: Snack Attack

Two Weeks

As an idea that seemed wishful at best in early 2009, it's exciting to think that in just 2 weeks my friend Dave and I will be starting on a road trip to Indio, California. It's a trip that will take us almost entirely across the Western USA from north to south, obviously with us starting out in Canada and ending just a few hundred miles from Mexico. I can't wait.

Much like my Rushmore trip in 2007, our journey to Indio is being fueled mostly by a desire to explore, relax, and change up the scenery. Dave's folks have a place down there, which was the reasoning in the beginning to even consider the trip. With a bit of time in Salt Lake City, a night of celebrating planned in Vegas, a visit to the ocean, and a few days of drinking in the desert, I'd say that all the ingredients are certainly there for a memorable adventure.

As I remarked to Dave, I'll be shooting pieces of this trip as I do with almost all my trips with intention of putting a small project together. It has a lot of potential to be one of the most meaningful things I produce this year because of the personal narrative involved. This video is likely to be a mix of travelog and self-referential documentary as Dave and I have had somewhat of a touch and go friendship since first year of university.

In high school I sat next to a guy who knew Dave named Todd. He explained that Dave was going to the U of R too, and sure enough on my first day there I met him. Since that first day Dave and I have always been loosely in touch, connected by the same people, and have had our occasional lengthy discussion about things - this trip is by far the most time I'll have ever spent with him one on one though, and with both of us having such a broad view of things I know there's going to be no shortage of things to talk about.

After years of events, parties and hang ups, this road trip kind of seems like an opportunity to clear the air about a lot of things. Not just between Dave and I specifically, but about university life in general. As spontaneous as a lot of the road trip will be, I think it's also a great opportunity to put some of that post-university 'what now?' we're both experiencing to rest - or at least an opportunity to recharge or find some new motivation.

It's tough to say that this road trip is going to be as meaningful as my artistic mind is trying to make it, but let me just say, both Dave and I seem perceptive enough to grasp at any enlightenment the desert decides to throw at us. At the very least, it's a chance to get away from the ordinary.

As a side note, I just happened to be listening to Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear and thought the first few lyrics were fitting: "Save up all the days, a routine malaise, just like yesterday, I told you I would stay". Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Still friends after all these years - here's to a memorable road trip Dave!