Category: Video / Film Blog

COLLATERAL

Twenty years ago, one of director Michael Mann’s finest crime drama films was released. Written by Stuart Beattie, Collateral was nominated for two Academy awards. It tells the story of a hit man (Tom Cruise) and a taxi driver (Jamie Foxx) driving around L.A. contemplating life while Cruise does his business while trying to avoid the cops (Mark Ruffalo). If you liked Heat you will like this one too.

2-6-23

SAMPLE REEL – HOT ROD FILMS from hotrodfilms.com on Vimeo.

CAR VIDEOS + WRITING + STILLS

Since 1992, I’ve pursued an organic approach to seeing the world, working full-time as a visual artist.

I took my style of still photography and writing, then added motion and audio to produce emotional cinematic narratives. To this day, I continue to create consistent on-target branding for discerning collectors, on-line car sales, race teams, car manufacturers, and automotive suppliers worldwide.

Check out my new reel above!

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IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A B.S. ARTIST

Today, everyone seems to be looking for an easy answer. Nobody wants to do the work. So they rely on the loudest person in the room. Problem is, that person is usually so self absorbed that they no longer know when they are lying. What they do know is that it’s easier to plead ignorance or ask for forgiveness when found out.

Back in 1989, there were a trio of women who realized what was what, and they were very talented.

The Roches are three sisters whose voices blend together amazingly well. They are Maggie (baritone), Terre (soprano), and Suzzy Roche (alto). Their albums are full of sly tunes and received some airplay in the ’80s. Here’s a song of theirs I’ve always liked.

WE SKIPPED THE LIGHT FANDANGO

Probably my favorite single ever, released in 1967 and made arguably even better by Annie Lennox on a wonderful sounding LP in ’95. The original recording was used in many films, including the 1989 New York Stories with Nick Nolte. Amazing that it was written 55 years ago by Procol Harum. Sadly, Gary Brooker, who led the band throughout their history, and who co-wrote and sang this classic, passed away on February 19, 2022. He was 76.

A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.

WILDFIRE

One night, Michael Murphy, a singer from Texas, dreamt a song complete with lyrics. He composed it with Larry Candler in a few hours that morning. Murphy believes the song came to him from a story his grandfather told him when he was a little boy. Released in February 1975, “Wildfire” became Murphey’s highest-charting pop hit in the United States. It hit #3 on Billboard that week and is considered a classic today.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Drone image of North Cascades landscape at sunrise, Washington by Randy Wells

LOOK UP, THE SKY IS OPEN.

Drone photography and videography can be magical.

However, it is not for the faint of heart. The deeper you go into this discipline-laden aerial specialty, the more you risk being confronted with the limits of what is possible. Those limits are not very forgiving.

Still, for me, the effort is worth the risk for the imagery that can only be acquired aloft. It’s an inspiring and addictive vocation. Fly safely.

For more, see Randy’s Landscape Instagram page: @landscapes.randywells