Carl Zeiss "Zoetrope Optika"

Carl Zeiss: Zeiss Optics

Behind the Scenes (link)

We had early access to the new and innovative Zeiss Otus lens and wanted to work with it on a short concept film. This is the first short film shot on the new lens (it was shot shortly before the lens was released).

The ideas in this film are based on my experience at Zeiss Cine Lens Day, where invited cinematographers from around the world toured the Zeiss lens manufacturing facility in Jena, Germany. In addition to manufacturing a wide range of lenses (a process that is both highly mechanized and also involves a significant hands-on human touch), Zeiss makes planetarium projectors and watching the stars in the Zeiss Power Dome had an impact on this short piece as well.

When I approached artist David Lovejoy about building a scene with his elaborate fantasy lens machines and planetary sculptures for a Zeiss-inspired project, he was excited and explained the coincidence that it was the Zeiss planetarium projector at Griffith Observatory that inspired him in the first place to create these pieces of sculpture.


Video by August Bradley
Artistic Inventions: David Lovejoy
Music: Big Swede
Actress: Melinda Cohen
Cinematography: August Bradley & Joe Tamel
Designer: Louis Verdad
Stylist: Patty Cruz
Hair Stylist: Anna Estella Patterson
Makeup Artist: Mynxii White