NIGHTVISION is a short film set after dark that will explore the prominent buildings, monuments, and landmarks across Europe from a purely visual perspective. Through motion timelapse, the viewer will be taken on a journey country to country, witnessing structures in a way they have never seen before. 

Le Flâneur

Three years ago, while experimenting with image sequencing, I began to develop the technique I will be using to create NIGHTVISION. With my initial experiments using the technique I produced a short video called “Le Flâneur”, which explores some of the prominent landmarks of Paris.

When I shared the short film on the internet, I was surprised to see the video gain momentum and quickly go viral. It was featured on National Geographic’s travel blog, The Huffington Post, The Atlantic, Travel and Leisure, Fubiz, Gizmodo and hundreds of other sites and blogs. To this day, it is still receiving thousands of views! It was incredible to see something I had invested so much time and work into get this measure of recognition.

I would like now to take what I did a few years ago and bring it to the next level. 'Le Flâneur' was an experiment, and was the first time I had ever done anything like it. Since then, I have developed the technique extensively. My current project, NIGHTVISION, should prove to be much more impressive. Using all that I have learned, along with better equipment and software, I will be producing a video that is more precise and breathtaking. With greater thought put into the post-production, a more enticing rhythm and flow will result. Best of all, the video will encompass the entirety of Europe and not just one city - the viewer will journey around the continent in a matter of minutes.

Why at night?

I have made the decision to shoot the entire project after dark as the sequences at night posses aesthetic qualities that present the architecture from a more surreal and unfamiliar perspective. In addition, greater contrast exists between the sky and the structure, allowing the viewer to focus on the brilliance of the architecture more so than the passage of time. The absence of people around the structures late in the night provide the surreal atmosphere that allows the viewer to feel as though they have these well-known landmarks all to themselves.

Team

Luke Shepard - Director

Henry Farrow Miller - Assistant Director

Timeline

If this project is successfully funded, shooting will begin October 1st and end December 18th. The film is expected to be completed February 2013.

Where you come in

Due to the ambitious nature of this project, the budget is greater than it has been for any of my previous works. Over the past year, I have had opportunities to create my image sequences professionally.  This has allowed me to save up a modest amount of money ($5000) to invest into NIGHTVISION, but it is not nearly enough. The minimum amount necessary to make this project possible is $17,000 in addition to my investment. These funds will help to pay for accommodations, additional equipment, two EuroRail passes, and compensation for the musician composing the music. The EuroRail pass is the most cost effective and flexible way for us to travel to the cities we need to shoot.

I would like to remind prospective donors that $17,000 is the minimum to make this project a possibility. The EuroRail pass covers much of Europe, but misses some key major cities. The pass allows us access to cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, and Stockholm, but it keeps us from capturing major European cities like London, Dublin, Istanbul, and Moscow. If we are able to raise beyond our goal, we will incorporate more of the continent. In my opinion, these cities would be crucial to include to consider my project a true representation of Europe. Beyond these added shooting locations, additional funds could allow us to have a proper premiere for NIGHTVISION. My backup plan is to have the event take place in one of the spaces at my university, where I would be showing the film on a classroom projector. However, with some extra funding I could reserve a proper theatre to show my film on a high resolution cinematic projector. I plan on producing a version with 4k resolution, four times greater than regular 1080p HD. Reserving one of these theatres is my preferred way to do this format justice.

Please help make this project come to life. Every dollar counts. This project is innovative, modern, and unique. When the video premieres, you will feel good about your investment knowing you were a part of something great.

For project updates, like the NIGHTVISION facebook page and follow me on twitter @lukejshep

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at nightvision.europe@gmail.com

Thank you,

Luke Shepard