7 years ago

‘Awaken’ takes time-lapse filmmaking to new heights

We've never seen imagery like this before.

AWAKEN is a feature documentary from filmmaker Tom Lowe that explores humanity’s relationship with technology and the natural world. Shot over a 5-year period in more than 30 countries, the film pioneers new timelapse, time-dilation, underwater, and aerial cinematography techniques to give audiences new eyes with which to see our world. AWAKEN is a celebration of the spirit of life, an exploration of the Earth, and an ode to the Cosmos.

Terrence Malick is an executive producer on the film alongside Godfrey Reggio.

It’s also a showpiece for new time-lapse cinematography innovations by Lowe, including gimbal technology that allowed him to shoot astrophotography scenes from a moving helicopter. The trailer alone shows off some astounding imagery, including a starry scene from the Sierra Nevada at dusk and a camera zooming above Dubai’s skyline.

Lowe is well known for his 2012 short film Timescapes, which also broke new ground for time-lapse filmmaking.

He’s also done cinematography work for the renowned director Terrence Malick, who also serves as a producer for Awaken. To help create the imagery for the film, Lowe’s company Dreamcore worked together with Dubai Film to produce new types of camera equipment, and he also collaborated with Shotover to help build the F1 camera gimbal. Awaken doesn’t have a release date yet, but Lowe plans to master the film with Dolby Vision HDR, as well as a Dolby Atmos sound mix. If anything, it’s sure to be a trippy experience in one of Dolby’s cinemas.  (Source: engadget.com)

“With this film we’ve created an immersive and unforgettable experience where the audience can explore the world in a whole new way,” says Omar Alsalman, General Manager of Dubai Film. “As the region’s film hub, Dubai is the ideal place to produce a groundbreaking film like Awaken. It is the kind of city where you see a glimpse of the future – it’s fast-paced, dynamic and embraces technology. Dubai Film embodies this spirit and uses technology to push the frontiers of filmmaking.”

“Stunning. Minds will be blown. I saw stuff that’s never been done before.” – Vincent Laforet

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The entire film will be released in 2018. You can visit our website and sign up for updates when release dates are announced: AWAKEN

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth’s climate.

With aerial footage from fifty-four countries, ‘Home’ is a depiction of how Earth’s problems are all interlinked. Directed: Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Watch full film below:

Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders. Directed by Ron Fricke.