Aquinas Student Spotlight Video - Lauren Smith

I'm very excited about the video series that we've been shooting, producing and directing for Aquinas College this fall. We've finished 3 videos already. Here is the first one.

Aquinas College sophomore Lauren Smith is a very busy Pre-Med student and an exceptional track athlete. Find out why she feels Aquinas College is the perfect fit for her.

new camera testing

The Canon 5D Mark 2 has a sweet HD video capture mode. I was lucky enough to borrow a body today. I couldn't resist putting on my tilt/shift lens and see what happened.

Thanks to AJ Paschka at GRAM for letting me grab footage in the museum...apologies to Ryan Adams for the unlicensed use of his song.

a calm before the storm

In Grand Rapids we're currently in the deep grips of a brutal winter but I've been keeping plenty busy with both still photography and film projects.

I'll always be a photographer, but over the last 3 years I've had the opportunity to expand my creative horizons into the medium of film as a director/producer/cinematographer. Watch for big news on Feb. 5 of a very public premiere of one of these short film projects...it's one that will have a high profile around town. It also will have a nice impact on our community.

I know 2009 already holds more major film projects for me...one begins shooting in early spring...the most ambitious one to date!

film set shots

Shooting on the film set today in downtown GR...I'm working with Creo Productions to produce a short film for a very cool commercial project.

Filming is now wrapped and we'll be in post-production for a couple of weeks. I can't wait for this film to be released.

film shoot - still image

Part of the photo shoot to be integrated into the film I'm working on...to be released in 2 weeks or so.

film shoot-two

Ashley plays our lead...and she's doing a great job.

We have one more day of shooting to go...

film shoot

I'm working on a very cool short film project that I can't really talk about yet...but it will be made public in mid-December. I'm directing and producing the film along with Creo Productions for a very progressive thinking client.

These photos aren't exactly film stills but they'll find a way into the film one way or another...it's fun being cryptic.

"Karma Generator" - Short Film Documentary - Trailer Released

What the heck is a Karma Generator you ask?

It's a killer short film documentary that my brother Brad and I made. Last November we shot Brian Vander Ark recording his new album in the mountains of North Carolina with legendary producer Bill Szymczyk.

Here's a three minute trailer for the short film that we've titled "Karma Generator". The final film takes you behind the scenes as Brian Vander Ark poors his soul into a new record. It's an amazing document of a great singer/songwriter working.


karma generator trailer from Brad Kelly on Vimeo.
We'll officially screen the entire film before Brian Vander Ark's concert at Aquinas College Performing Art Theater on Saturday, March 22....BE THERE!