T-MICHAEL

Sunday, 9 October 2011

MIse-en-scène

After 2 short films with Finn Erik and Nils, the time was ripe to take the next step.

Finn Erik and Nils embarked on a journey; to create their first feature film.

In northern part of Norway, on the edge of the arctic circle, is where their first feature film Dunderland was to be set. You will find the plot of the film here.

I was approached about coming onboard as a Production designer.I accepted. Needless to say I was oblivious to the work load that came with the territory.

The look of the film, the mood, the costumes, the set, was my responsibility.

8 weeks in subzero temperatures ( from -18 to -34 degrees celsius at the worst), a hotel room, and potatoes with every meal didn't make the task any easier.

However the superb crew did!

A fine selection of dedicated, hardworking people with the drive and a humble ambition of creating something relevant and unique. And an appetite for partying when we finally got some time off set!

The result is for you to judge when the film premières at cinemas all over Norway on the 6th of January.

While we wait for that day, here are a few pics to get you warmed up.

The following events takes place between the 2^nd of February and the 13^th of March. The summer shoots between the 25^th July to the 1^st of August.

The first public screening of the teaser will be at the Ramaskrik Film Festival on the 27th of October.

i phone snaps by yours truly. Other pictures by Fredrik Holmin

Saturday, 9 July 2011

T-MICHAEL vs Jonas vs NotBent

Say hello to Jonas.

Jonas is dancer. However he is more than that. His style and demeanor is unique. A well known face in Oslo.

Jonas is currently taking a BA in classical ballet at The Oslo National Academy of the Arts. In a year he will be out in the big world trying to make a living out of his pliés, tendus and arabesques. For his dance, Jonas takes inspiration from a lot of things, especially other art forms and fashion. "A good combination of these things can make great results", as he puts it. Jonas moonlights as choreographer for runway shows and works occasionally in front of the camera. He also writes the blog www.itj-boy.blogspot.com.

Getting to the point, I've always wanted to shoot Jonas in my clothing. I put the question to him. He was up for it.

I spoke to Bent Renè Synnevåg and presto, time scheduled for a shoot.

Elin, my assistent delivered the collection to the Bent's studio and assisted on the set.

My only instructions to Jonas was to style them as he pleased.

This is what they brought back.
Well dapper I say!

The perfect blend of Jonas's presence and Bent's eye for visual aesthetics.
Apropos visual aesthetics, Bent has been doing some stunning photo work for friend and architect Todd Saunders.

Ps. Look out for Jonas in my next short film at a later date. Much later.

Thursday, 31 March 2011

Not quite riff raff...

I did promise to get back in top gear and write about my undertakings for the last 8 months. So, first up.

A vibrant west coast city of Norway, 18 designers, one week, and numerous well chosen locations.

That's the recipe for Bergen design week's concept named Raff Design.

Raff Design took place between the 30th of August and the 4th of September.

Raff Design 2010's line up included, yours truly, Norwegian Rain, Siv Støldal, Hansen Garments, Kristian Aadnevik, Lars Tornøe, SVA Magazine, Grandpeople, Scandinavian Surface and various other creatives based in or from the vibrant city of Bergen.

The idea was to use existing spaces to showcase the works of the various designers. Clothing boutiques, bookshops, empty spaces at the world heritage buildings at Bryggen, a local bank, etc.

In this way, designers were presented to the public at large in a democratic sort of way. Instead of the closed sets usually reserved for the style and design conscious crowd, the week long design week was open to all and sundry.

In my shop space I presented Lars Tornøe's 'Copenhagen' chair.

For my presentation, I chose a sewage cleansing station with huge turbines right in the centre of bergen. This was to juxtapose my designs and present my work in a totally different ambience than than I would normally do.

It raised eyebrows and made pedestrians and cars driving by slow down or stop to take a closer look at the exhibition.

For Norwegian Rain, Alexander and I introduced some ruggedness into Lot333's beautiful shop.

Raff design 2011 is in the pipeline.

All pictures snapped by my iphone.