In Grade 10 I met a new girl a year older than I who had friends that didn't go to school anymore but spent their time making money so they could dance all weekend and her crowd whisked me out of the Grunge Era into the deep fascinating world of underground house music. After enough warehouse venues with stereo systems of the exactly right amount of needed bass, it had to be underground as it was just a more raw sound; almost tribal and it had to make you want to move.
After getting an ear for that I was pleasantly surprised when I first heard the "Hideaway" dance track play, to be so drawn to it and it took me away. As it was playing it had something that made you want to dance until the lights came up at 4am and it always hits the same way, very special. The way Kiesza uses her voice as an instrument is distinct to my ears and almost haunting. Interesting that the one artist that struck me in her genre has now done several videos at our facilities with her award winning director Blayre Ellestad. We're always so honored to have fantastic artists on set and when they are Canadian that's just another cherry on top! I was also touched by her story of the current video shot with us ("Dearly Beloved") where she plays and uses her recently passed away best friend's white electric guitar that was given to her. The song is unique and makes you want to dance after perhaps you have soaked up enough of watching her every move as it's really hard to keep your eyes off her, she's stunning and has such grace and style. Also another neat fact is that Kiesza is now launching a four-piece capsule collection with Mac Cosmetics and we recently had the company's co- founder Frank Toskan by too for an interview! We couldn't be more pleased with our visitors! There are a few treats in this posting, a few behind the scenes photos from her videos "What is Love" and "Sound of a Woman" and lastly I wanted to share some links to some fascinating info shared by the Director as to some amazing digital details that went into "Dearly Beloved". Enjoy! Iam Dreamfire
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A live show by Centrifuge last night in Toronto. Funk. Definitely check out 5 mins into this as well...guitar and bass solo that left the crowd freaking- self taught bassist, completely sickMore on Centrifuge
She is Bowie's biggest fan and she drew this pencil crayon portrait of #DavidBowie in 1984 and she sends him her love forever. See her work on deviantART
17 Nov 2014
6 Nov 14
We recently had one of the two original founders of MAC cosmetics, started right here in Toronto, Frank Toskan, come on set to Pie in the Sky studio to be interviewed. I have always been a fan of their great quality cosmetics and obviously they are a world famous name especially in the film and glamour industry, where makeup, use of, is an essential ingredient to any great shot. Up to this point, my personal experience with this company was obviously their beauty products but definitely great customer service throughout their outlets has always struck me as singular, as well. I think a few other noteworthy points they possess as they move forward into the future under the guidance of current group president John Demsey are worth repeating so I chose to highlight MAC this week, not only to thank Frank, one if it's originators, for coming to the studio but to help further support and share some great info about not only the business itself but it's social conscience. For a little backstory, along with new colours and shades they cooked up in their kitchen in the early 80s to supply the industry demand, by the time they'd officially launched in 1984, service was one of the key elements that boosted them into the spotlight as they were staffed with professional makeup artists, which was an innovation at the time. Through great word of mouth and a major break with an early released intense matte red lipstick photographed on Madonna who later donned her own MAC t-shirt, they took off and have continued to expand ever since. Over the years, MAC itself has tried to support and promote the idea of cruelty free products and as a leading brand the world over they still do try to champion this stance. They will only test on animals if it's required by law, per their own published policies. This is a step in the right direction. One of the most impressive aspects of MAC is their contribution to addressing the AIDS epidemic which escalated in 1994. In response, they launched the MAC AIDS Fund, whereby 100% proceeds from any Viva Glam product (lipsticks, lip glosses and holiday sets) went towards aids research. The latest figure we just got on set was that to date they have raised 300 million which has gone directly to said cause. What I think is commendable above the already obvious, is the high profile celebrity endorsement to promote this funding campaign to popularize it even further. Superstars from Elton John and Lady Gaga to Rihanna have gotten on board. The campaigns are flashy and sexy as to be expected and all for a greater cause as well. I included a shot below of a Rihanna ad endorsement of Viva Glam that sure packs a punch and exemplifies an artist expressing their personality in the name of something they believe in through aesthetics. All told, I think that MAC, a huge franchise started out of the kitchen of a salon, has, despite becoming the giant of today, given a personal touch of humility to the glamour industry and we were privileged to have such an influential individual drop by at Pie in the Sky. Thank you Frank for all you've done so far and here's to your continued success! I have my own art website as you could probably tell but I also work at Pie in the Sky Film Studio and I write articles for their website and I post them here on my personal blog as well, in case anyone is interested. The feature film I'm going to cover was appropriately premiered just in time for Halloween. I have to admit when I heard we had a horror being filmed at Pie in the Sky Studio 2, I was intriqued. I'm a fan of everything Halloween so naturally I was thrilled. As the studio itself is our second largest at 2000 Square feet I was curious as to the shots and settings that could be created in such a space for a movie. It turns out that almost the whole of the new film Hellmouth ended up coming out of our studio space! When you see the cinematography it's a testament to what amazing work can be produced in a smaller controlled environment by a highly creative and talented crew! Foresight Features (Monster Brawl, Exit Humanity) brought this production to life. Written by Tony Burgess (PontyPool) and directed by John Geddes (Exit Humanity) it is described as a 1950's throwback. Director Geddes wanted to create a story-driven film combining fantasy and horror inspired by the era of Hitchcock and even Ed Wood. This movie is an ode to classic horror starring Stephen McHattie (The Watchman, PontyPool) as Charlie Baker, a dying grave keeper who's forced to take one final job. This a a VFX spectacle, which we love especially being a green screen studio! (VFX is a film process visual effect where imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shot) What a perfect mix, as Hellmouth chronicles Charlie Baker's descent down a dark path of demonic worlds, gothic settings and medieval realms of ages past. The film recently had it's world premiere at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto! We are proud to have been a part of such an original creation and want to congratulate the cast and crew for their excellent tribute to the classic horror genre, for the making of Hellmouth. Written by IamDreamfire 28 Oct 2014 Hellmouth Trailer Link Here Follow my tweets for Pie in the Sky Studio @PieStudios |
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