ReJoplin.org Documentary

A few months ago, we got a call from Jeff Hake of JNT Company, inviting us to produce a short documentary for the front page of a website they were creating for Joplin, Missouri.  As we got to know JNT, it became clear that this wasn't going to be just any website, but an incredible resource for the city, an internet story archive where people can upload videos, photos, and audio, or just type in their stories about Joplin. We were grateful to work so closely with JNT Company and thrilled that they shared our work ethic and culture of compassion.

When we started pre-production of the documentary, a few of my father's words came to mind that instantly shaped the project: "The church is not the building, it's the people."  We knew the story wasn't the storm on May 22, 2011, but the character of Joplin's citizens and the volunteers who came to their aid.

While the full site is under development you can visit their splash page at www.Rejoplin.org.

Thank you to the people who took the time to talk with us:

Gary Bandy, KSN Chief Meteorologist

Tim Bartow, Author of "The Joplin Tornado House of Hope"

Jim and Liz Easton, Co-owners, Cupcakes by Liz

Todd Greene, Co-founder, Joplin Expats

Mandy Hood, Joplin Citizen

Jody Ketron, Joplin Citizen

Chuck Kralik, Tornado Relief Coordinator, St. Peter's United Methodist Church

Wayne Logsdon, Owner, Tint N More

Mark Morris, IT Director, City of Joplin

Rob O'Brian, President, Joplin Chamber of Commerce

Pamela Jean Praytor, Mother of Hero Christopher Don Lucas

Mitch Randles, Fire Chief, City of Joplin

J.J. Rodriguez, Area General Manager, Pizza Hut

Thai Fry

Thai Fry from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

Leena and I recently traveled to Thailand to visit our friend Kate Kelly and to shot a short documentary. For our friends who requested photos, we decided to forgo the tweed jacket and slide projector routine in favor a short video. Here are the sights and sounds of Chiang Mai, Lopburi, Bankok and Phuket as we experienced them.

Scarlett Garnet Tease

Scarlett Garnet Tease from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

an ambitious pixels short www.ambitiouspixels.com

This is a short tease for our documentary on Scarlett Garnet, a brand of stunning jewelry lines crafted by Co-Owner-Designers Garnet Griebel and Katie Miller. What we love about Scarlett Garnet is that they personally design and produce the jewelry right here in Missouri, in both Kansas City and St. Louis. www.scarlettgarnet.com

Credits

Subject: Katie Miller of Scarlett Garnet
Subject: Garnet Griebel of Scarlett Garnet
Jewelry: Scarlett Garnet
Interviewer: Leena Fry of Ambitious Pixels
Music: The Delighted (Garnet's Band)
Cinematographer: Josh Fry of Ambitious Pixels
Editor: Josh Fry of Ambitious Pixels
Video Design and Production: Josh Fry of Ambitious Pixels

HALO Foundation's Mission Redefined

HALO Foundation's Mission Redefined from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

After our trip to visit the orphans HALO supports in Kenya and Uganda, Africa, it was clear we needed to produce a video to celebrate the HALO Foundation's broadening mission: improving the lives of children in need.

Along with providing orphan's basic needs around the world, HALO now provides vocational training when the orphans become adults. This allows the orphans to support themselves and improve their communities. HALO has also added 2 domestic centers in the U.S. providing at risk or under served children opportunities to express themselves artistically and learn life skills.

www.haloworldwide.org

Music:
“Theme of the Rabbit" Akiiki Romeo_Kelly Latimore
Courtesy of Ensigo

This video marks our first collaboration with the artists of the Ensigo recording label. Aaron Appleton, the creative director of Ensigo, personally records the performances of traditional artists in Kampala, Uganda, where the artists retain domestic rights. Internationally any proceeds from the recordings return to Uganda in the from of micro grants to fund music and art based projects.

If you love Ensigo music as much as we do visit Ensigo.com and support local Ugandan artists by downloading an album from the Ensigo store.

Also thank you to Kelsey Amara for painting and letting me use her art supplies. Also thank you to Leena Phadke for help with painting.

Josh Fry

HALO Art Auction Tease

HALO Art Auction Tease from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

A tease for the HALO Art Auction May 6th, 2011 at 7pm.
Featuring footage of orphans making the art that will be sold at the auction. Produced by Ambitious Pixels. Shot and edited by Josh Fry.

Human Bicycle

During my trip to Africa spontaneous things would happen and I would only sort of be ready for. This is one I had to share and will serve as the first video of our HALO Helper campaign. A few of the kids from the Bukesa orphanage in Uganda decided to show us a trick they had worked up.

These kids are funny, brilliant, and ridiculously creative. See how you can help them achieve their potential at www.haloworldwide.org.   

Bits and Pieces

Bits and Pieces from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

Here are a few clips of post work from 2010. More to come soon. Thank you to all of my clients for making it such an amazing year.

Dance for Change

Dance for Change from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

We love producing videos for great causes and this 30 second piece is no exception. The HALO Foundation has created a fundraiser that gives kids the oportunity to help other kids around the world by dancing. To learn more about Dance for Change visit www.haloworldwide.org.

Creative Direction: Ambitious Pixels
Editing / Animation: Josh Fry
Voice Over: David Washington
Graphic Design: Jennifer Grammer

Videography: Dani Walker
Script: Nicole Gerken, Heather McKinney, Josh Fry
Dancing: Orphans sponsored by the HALO Foundation
Music: Orphans sponsored by the HALO Foundation



Kirru's Journey

Kirru's Journey from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

A short animation of an orphan's journey from losing his family to finding his way to a new family of fellow orphans. 

We decided to build the project by scanning orphan's artwork that the HALO Foundation has collected from around the world and compositing it into environment for an animated character. To compliment the hand drawn feel of the art work we used stop motion and cell animation. This gave the piece a handmade look that we are really happy with.

Client: HALO Foundation haloworldwide.org
Original art work by: HALO Sponsored Orphans
Creative / Production: Ambitious Pixels ambitiouspixels.com
Art Direction / Compositing / Stop Motion Animation: Josh Fry
Character Illustration and Animation: Laurent Ergas
Music: Anitek and Apple

Pitch Artopia 2010

Pitch Artopia 2010 from Ambitious Pixels on Vimeo.

Pitch.com commissioned us to produce the Artopia video this year. We had a great time and met some amazing artists.