Hopefully, you’re familiar with ChaseJarvis FRAMES, our concept of showing not just the hero shots, but EVERY image from a shoot sewn together into a short movie. If you found any merit in that, then you can think of this new concept as its kissing cousin. We’re planning to do this behind-the-scenes video with as many shoots as we can…and we’re calling it ChaseJarvis RAW. Sure I’m posting this as part of my continuing mission to show what goes on inside “The Black Box” of commercial photography, uncovering what’s behind images you see for everything from Apple to Zillow, Microsoft, Nike, and everything in between. No doubt that’s a lofty motive — but to confess, this is pure fun for us too. We’ve been shooting b-roll footage for a long while now, but this is our first attempt at packaging it in some reasonable, albeit unpolished, “raw” form for your digestion.
This particular piece — ChaseJarvis RAW: Ninjas — is from a shoot borne not out of a fancy client, but concocted simply from the creative juices flowing from our studio. I’m the furthest thing from a fantasy or D & D geek, but I have yet to be hired for a project that would let us pull a crew together, dress a few jocks up like crazy Ninjas, and have ‘em jump/dive/roll/fly around an old warehouse for a day. So what you’re seeing is simply the result of a few creative brainstorms, some research, casting, and scouting with the conceptual goal of creating a couple portfolio pieces.
Please pass this along to anyone you know who might find this entertaining. Follow up, make comments, ask questions, and let me know if this is fun or interesting at all. I read every comment and question posted here. Often the best stuff on this blog comes out of the conversations you start, so please do chime in.
Music courtesy of Head Like A Kite.
RSS readers can see the video clip here.
WHAT A MAGNIFICENT PRESENTATION OF OUR NATIONAL SYMBOL. KUDUS TO YOU!!!
Great video Chase! I bet the stills were hot.
The crazy knife is actually called a “kris knife”. Your Ninjas are alright, but traditionally (and I know it means nothing to you, you just wanted a “look” Ninja’s used a straight sword called a Ninja-to or Shinobi katana, I also felt you should have added some shuriken (Ninja throwing stars) even if it were in post production as they look cool flying across a scene, they almost make the air sparkle in a still.
Love your work, sorry if I seem nit picky, but I studied Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu with Stephen Hayes for 2 years. I have done a Ninja shoot or two ha! They are a lot of fun and can be loaded with a ton of energy with the right people.
If you should ever do another shoot of this style let me know I can lend you some proper Ninja equipment, the curved swords you had were traiditional chinese Kung Fu swords, and I saw one Tai Chi sword in there as well. Most people get Chinese and Japanese confused, Ninjas= Japanese Karate= Japanese Kung Fu= Chinese. Sorry for the culture lesson, but this being the internet your not going to be the only one who reads this, might as well set as many straight as I can lol!
Keep up the great work, I loved your Kung Fu video, I saw something similar to it on SYFY, yours was much better. Are you going to do any more snow ski shoots soon? I love those shots.
Have a great week! God bless.
Stumbled across your blog — awesome video!
I don’t suppose there’s anyway I could get some low-res copies of the pics from the shoot to show off, is there? Either way it’s awesome to see this up. Love your work, Chase! Sorry if the praise isn’t very concise; the keen, skilled photographic eye isn’t my expertise – it’s clearly yours!