Andrew Wonder's Underground Filmmaking

After receiving Andrew Wonder's email {see below}, we just had to check out his independent filmmaking adventures taking place in the New York City underground. Below you can view his 3 Minute Video "Undercity" which features a short montage during his first night of shooting in NYC's subway tunnels with his accomplice Steve from www.Undercity.org.

"I shot this on a Canon 5d mkii with Canon 24 f/1.4 (version 1) and with the Zacuto Rapid Fire. The Zacuto was really great at being there when I needed it but also staying out of the way," ~ Andrew.

The Steve Weiss Review:
What I love about what Andrew is doing is that he creates urgency and suspense with his handheld work. Many people think my Gorilla kits are like Steadicams, they are not. A Steadicam has one feel, handheld has another, and a dolly yet another. You need to use the one that gives you the effect you are trying to achieve and I think handheld is the exact right feel for Andrew's spy mission in his video NYC Underground. Great job Andrew, interesting idea and fun to watch. I especially like your choice of camera, the 5DMK2 is the perfect choice for this video not only because of it's size and weight, but it light sensitivity. ~ Steve Weiss, Director, Zacuto

See Below for additional information on Andrew Wonder and make sure to check out this underground filmmaker.

{Underground Photo "Sewer, NYC, USA " by Steve Duncan on www.urbanautica.com}

Andrew Wonder's Bio:

Andrew began his career as a camera operator and field producer for MTV at the age of 17. Less than three years later he was accepted into the International Cinematographers Guild while attending NYU. Currently, he works in New York as a director and cinematographer. Cinematography credits include Michael Almereyda’s (Hamlet, William Eggleston in the Real World) feature film, New Orleans Mon Amour (SXSW 2008), music videos for the Strokes and Cartel, as well as commercials for IFC, Sony and the USTA.

Director credits include the short films Peace of Mind (IFC 2007) and Sugar Park Tavern (PBS 2009) which was filmed with his custom built WonderVision® eyeglass cameras. Andrew is also the assistant to writer/director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Affliction) and freelances as a producer/director for One Louder Productions and Alloy Media’s Teen.com.

Website: www.andrewwonder.com
Vimeo: vimeo.com/andrewwonder

EMAIL to Steve at Zacuto from Andrew Wonder:

Dear Steve,
Thank you very much for creating the rapid fire for the 5D. What I loved about the 5D was that I could finally hold a camera like a slr and take video. With the rapid fire I feel like I'm back to making movies with my bolex or arri-s like an old Maysles Brother's documentary. I've been shooting a lot in the NYC subway tunnels since purchasing the rapid fire and I can't tell you how many times it's allowed me to get the shot I need and, more importantly, stay out of the way when I need to run or climb. It's the perfect "not too much" acessory on for the camera. Thanks again for creating the tools that allow me to make movies the ways I've always dreamed of. I can't wait to see what you come up with next. ~ Andrew Wonder.