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Austin-based photographer Philip Edsel is a member of the Sony Alpha Collective, Sony’s influencer ambassador program. The Sony RX0, an ultra-compact camera, was recently released. Philip was selected as one of the filmmakers to demonstrate the versatility of the camera and to help showcase some of its amazing capabilities and features.
Developing the concept for the project was the first step. Philip had the idea to create a film called Parallax for a few months.
Parallax is defined as a displacement or difference in the appearance of an object viewed along two different lines of sight. In this context, it’s about the effect of that displacement between two characters, and the struggle to reconnect. It is both a reference to the physical perspectives with which we used the camera (bullet time, multiple angles, reflections) and the relationship between the two people.
Nothing became of it until he was asked to create a film with the Sony RX0. Sizing in at about 1.6″ high and 2.4″ wide with easy portability, the project became achievable, and it helped push Philip’s concept into something much stronger and more visually appealing. Philip quickly realized that the size of the camera opened the door to new shots that he previously did not think were possible, like squeezing into tight spaces and capturing certain angles with the athletes. The final step during the pre-production stage was scouting a location that fit Philip’s vision and his concept of angles and geometry. Being one of Philip’s favorite parts of the project, he was surprised to scout a location as easy as he did in Los Angeles. Once he saw the right spots, he could envision the shots and it made Philip feel like the shots were going to flow as he imagined.
One challenge Philip encountered was finding athletes that who were capable of executing his vision. Philip worked with Jacob Jonas The Company, a company that was able to supply Philip with two incredible athletes who fit the criteria for his vision.
There’s always a little bit of trust and risk involved when you are trying to explain your vision to the talent that can’t see the final product, but thankfully they did these productions frequently and trusted my vision.
The shoot took place over the course of two days, and in five locations around Los Angeles. LA is known for its unpredictable traffic patterns, but luckily Philip and his crew traveled lightly in minimal vehicles, making it easier to travel from location-to-location.
It was also super fun working with athletes that could do crazy things like flip off walls and do aerials in small spaces. It never ceased to amaze me when I’d tentatively throw out a crazy idea for a scene where they’d flip of this or that, and they’d respond super nonchalantly to it.
This project was Philip’s first major directorial debut. He loved working on this project and hopes to submit the piece to film festivals in the future. The video was recently released on Sony’s website and Instagram, and the feedback has been fantastic so far!
Additional Credit:
Director of Photography: Peter Longno
Producer: Moyo Oyelola
Choreography: Jacob Jonas
Talent: Nic Walton & Joy Isabella Brown of Jacob Jonas the Company
Update May 2018: Philip Edsel was awarded a PDN Annual Award for PARALLAX
See more of Philip at edselphoto.com!