3 - Outdoor and Adventure Short Films

This session highlights outdoor and adventure short films. Of course, I always like to add variety. Scroll down to read info on all the films for the session and click on the link to view. Some notes are after the link and are best read after viewing that short film.

Mike's New Car - 4 minutes long – American
Let's begin with an animated feature. The Disney Pixar cartoons consistently impress me with their exceptional quality. This particular animated short is a spin-off from the beloved full-length Pixar film, "Monsters, Inc." In that movie, many of the monsters turned out to be endearing, a trait you'll find in the two main characters of this cartoon, Mike and Sully. Voicing these characters are none other than the talented Billy Crystal and John Goodman. If you're ever in the mood for a remarkable film that transcends the typical children's movie, I highly recommend checking out "Monsters, Inc."

Once again, Pixar's commitment to excellence shines through in their animation, character development, and storytelling. They consistently deliver top-notch quality in all aspects of their work.

https://youtu.be/zfC_GuHiP68?si=c5fJCwIdSQqE9uby

The Ridge - 7 Minutes - Scotland
Today's focus centers on outdoor and adventure short films, although I always like to sprinkle in some variety by showcasing different kinds of short films as well. Each year, the Banff Mountain Outdoor Film Festival acknowledges exceptional outdoor and adventure films, and the winning entries embark on a global tour. Our next feature is a 2014 award-winning film filmed on the breathtaking Isle of Skye in Scotland. This cinematic masterpiece incorporates stunning drone photography and a helmet camera to capture its awe-inspiring visuals. Throughout this series, you'll encounter several films that harness the power of drone photography, showcasing the unique perspectives and footage that only drones can deliver. The first time I watched this film, I found myself eagerly poring over the credits to uncover information about its mesmerizing soundtrack. Fortunately, I have a friend deeply immersed in traditional Scottish music, and she kindly shared her expertise to analyze the musical score. The film's music commences with a traditional Scottish melody sung in the Scottish Gaelic language. The composer, drawing from a classical music background, seamlessly integrates a classical orchestra and choir, resulting in a musical creation best described as "Scottish Fusion." As for the film's subject, I'll leave that as a delightful surprise. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be captivated. Music: "Blackbird" - Martyne Bennett

https://youtu.be/xQ_IQS3VKjA?si=Lo51hinSgVC_889Y

The Flow - 4 Minutes - Iceland
Most short films have a strategy for making something special in the short amount of time available. This film uses spectacular photography and great scenery.   It was filmed in Iceland and we see the glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and spectacular waterfalls. Again we see the use of drone photography. This film has won multiple awards from film festivals all over the world. The plot is about a young man who discovers that often in life, the journey is more important than the destination.

https://vimeo.com/292614608

Bird's Eye View - 4 Minutes
American Let's continue with our outdoor theme for a moment.As I've mentioned before, many films and TV shows these days incorporate drone photography. I've been flying drones for over a decade. When I bought my first drone in 2013, I was the only person in my circle who owned one. My primary motivation for flying drones is my fascination with seeing the world from perspectives that are rarely witnessed by anyone else. Remember, my background is in geography, so this hobby aligns perfectly with my interests. It's truly remarkable to experience the world as a bird does. A while back, a fellow resident in our community was giving a presentation about her experiences as a pilot. She requested that I put together a short video using some of my drone footage from over the years. We played this video on a loop while the audience was assembling for the presentation. My goal was to offer a bird's-eye view of the world. Additionally, I wanted to share unique angles of our retirement community that none of the residents had ever seen before.I can assure you that this film will not be winning any awards, but I thought you might find it enjoyable.

https://youtu.be/t7T1XhAk9bw?si=36wi2eAwJTgn1UBh

Intelligent Design - 5 Minutes American
Last week, I introduced everyone to the enlightening series of short documentaries known as TED Talks. Once again, I'd like to acquaint you with this remarkable collection of videos. TED Talks are brief lectures captured in front of a live audience. These engaging talks had their inception in 1990, under the motto "Ideas Worth Spreading." Their videos are freely accessible, and the "Ideas Worth Spreading" ethos imparts valuable insights into our world. Many of these lectures delve into the outcomes of research, shedding light on various realms of science, technology, and culture. Speakers are allotted a maximum of 18 minutes to present their ideas in the most innovative and captivating ways possible. Today, I'd like to showcase a relatively short TED Talk. The title, "Intelligent Design," may seem like a playful turn of phrase, but it perfectly encapsulates the essence of the talk.

https://www.ted.com/talks/david_gallo_underwate…

Bear Story – 10 Minutes – Chile
Not only did this film secure over 50 international film awards, but it also clinched an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2014. It's crucial to emphasize that this is a very serious film, despite the fact that a vast majority of animated films are comedies. The animation is exceptional, and the storyline is exceptionally unique.It tells the tale of a bear who constructs a machine capable of visualizing his life story. This film exudes creativity like nothing I've ever seen before. During the process of obtaining permission to showcase the film, I engaged in extensive correspondence with the film's producer, unearthing some fascinating details. In the mid-1970s, the producer's grandfather suffered capture and imprisonment during the oppressive rule of Chilean dictator Pinochet. This period left indelible memories of how his family, along with his grandfather, grappled with the uncertainty surrounding the fate of their other family members. This theme served as the guiding force behind the film, which adeptly addresses the grave issues of state terrorism and animal cruelty.

https://youtu.be/HG4He0HP1Tk?si=xCaJeokZ3iOw93Yt

J-Mac – 6 minutes – American
I'm an avid sports enthusiast, and one of my cherished sports quotes hails from President Harry Truman. It's been recounted that one of his aides observed a curious habit of the President's – when Truman perused the daily newspaper, he unfailingly turned to the sports pages before anything else. Intrigued, the assistant inquired about this habit. In response, President Truman offered a profound insight: " The sports pages are filled with man's achievements, while the front page is dominated by his failures."Now, turning our attention to our next film, it's unquestionably a testament to remarkable human achievements. This film, produced in 2006 by ESPN Films, was created with the noble purpose of raising awareness about autism.

https://youtu.be/RmaIsE2nLZk?si=NjgO8fuPDBkl1dF_

This film never fails to bring a hint of emotion to my eye. It originates from the year 2006, and my curiosity led me to follow up on Jason to discover what became of him. Each year, ESPN presents awards recognizing outstanding athletes and other notable sporting achievements. In 2006, Jason received the prestigious ESPN award for the best sports moment of the year. Remarkably, he outshone contenders such as Kobe Bryant's 81-point game and George Mason's remarkable run to the final four. Jason's journey also led him to encounters with luminaries like Oprah Winfrey and President Bush. For many years, he has been quietly and diligently working in the bakery department at Wegman's in his hometown near Rochester, New York.Notably, Jason passionately travels across the United States, dedicating his efforts to raising funds for autism research. Furthermore, since 2007, he has been actively contributing as an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Greece Athena High School, working alongside Coach Johnson, who commends his burgeoning knowledge of the game. This heartwarming story truly shines in every aspect.もっと詳しく