Laughing Squid

After the success of his first Death Valley time-lapse video, filmmaker Gavin Heffernan of Sunchaser Pictures returned to the desert to capture more beautiful night sky time-lapses in “Death Valley Dreamlapse 2.” For more on how he made the video, see this making-of video.

via My Modern Metropolis

8-bit Cinema is a new series from CineFix where popular films are given a retro 8-bit video game redesign and retold in 60 animated seconds. For the pilot episode, the 2008 Marvel Studios film, Iron Man, has been given an 8-bit Cinema treatment by Californian filmmakers Norwood Cheek and David Dutton.

video via CineFix

“Reach for the Dead”, the first single by the Scottish electronic duo Boards of Canada from their highly anticipated new album Tomorrow’s Harvest, which comes out June 10 (June 11 in North America) and is now available for pre-order. The video was directed by Neil Krug.

“Will Strike Fear 4 Beer!”

Californian concept artist Dan LuVisi has released a new twisted pop culture illustration portraying Mike Wazowski, an animated character from Monsters, Inc., as a blind and utterly devastated vagabond hiding out on Earth. Previously we wrote about Dan and his ongoing series of pop culture illustrations, which includes Bert and Ernie as dirty thugs and realistic human version of Buzz Lightyear.

Here is the first half of Dan’s dark story for Mike Wazowski:

After Boo was saved, Sully and Mike realized they no longer required scares for cash, thus forcing Mike into a new line of business; comedy.

As Mike continued his stand-up routine with the children in hopes for laughs, Sully partied and wasted money that he didn’t have. The problem is: the world didn’t care, it was Sully, a hero and role model. And everyone loves Sully. Everyone but the one living in his shadow.

Mike was tired of it. Tired of lowering himself to telling jokes, only to hurt himself in the process over, and over again. Mike decided to have a talk with Sully about it, but was continuously avoided. Angered, Mike followed Sully one day, only to realize he was headed for the home of Mike’s girlfriend, Celia.

Mike rushed home, shocked to find the two talking. His anger got the best of him and he attacked Sully. Out of defense, Sully struck Mike, catching his one-eye. Out of confusion and anger, Mike launched his nimble body into Sully, peircing him with his horns, killing him.

As Sully laid dead on the floor, Celia screamed, blaming Mike for the death of him… (read more)

image via DanLuVisiArt

DevoBots is a DEVO-authorized iOS app that is a both a synthesizer and robot design app. The synthesizer function features 1980s-era sound loops taken from DEVO’s archives. The robot maker lets users create their own DEVO-inspired robot avatars. Created by Whitewall Studios, app is now available on iTunes. We previously posted about DevoBots back in 2012.

submitted via Laughing Squid Tips

Photographer Rodrigo Dada takes portraits of his male subjects half-submerged in water for the ongoing photo series “Limbo.” According to Dada, the photos are a play on the saying “sink or swim.”

via Republic X, My Modern Metropolis

Statue of Liberty

While visiting New York City for Internet Week New York and the Webby Awards ceremony, I took an amazing helicopter tour of Manhattan and surrounding areas through Helicopter Flight Services. The tour takes off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, is about 15 minutes long, and is worth every penny.

Here’s some photos and videos I shot during the tour (was a very hot and hazy day):

Downtown Manhattan Heliport

My friend Terry putting on safety gear pre-flight.

Approaching the helicopter

Statue of Liberty

One World Trade Center (far left)

Chelsea Piers

My first ride in a helicopter!
photo by Terry Ewing

Landing

videos and photos by Rusty Blazenhoff, unless otherwise noted