As a teaser, here’s a behind-the-scenes clip of me doubling as a stunt moonwalker.  It didn’t exactly go as planned. I blame it on the fact that I had to wear the actor’s shoes, which were huge on me!

Moonwalking Stunt Double from Runner Runner on Vimeo.

Job Security from Runner Runner on Vimeo.

Awesome news! Our short film, “Job Security” was recently selected as the Chapter 2 winner of Canon/Vimeo’s “Story Beyond the Still” contest.  If that last sentence means nothing to you, check out the contest page.  Making this film was a phenomenal experience.  It reminded me why I got into filmmaking in the first place.  It’s all about the story!

Joe Meade and Me

Watch/Vote here:

http://www.vimeo.com/groups/beyondthestill

“Van” for Chicago Lake Liquors through Brew from Runner Runner on Vimeo.

“Office” for Chicago Lake Liquors from Runner Runner on Vimeo.

Director Josh Thacker and editor Brian Slater of production company, Runner Runner, recently completed a package of cutting edge comedy spots for Minneapolis-based agency, Brew and client Chicago Lake Liquors. Brew’s creative director, Bruce Bildsten and team wrote the spots playing on the theme of “Suburban vs. Urban” for one of Minneapolis’ most frequented liquor stores.
Thacker took to the challenge of shooting all three spots in one day, with Slater at the editing helm soon after. They ended up with three ridiculously funny spots, going to show that with good creative and a collaborative production team, quality doesn’t need a huge budget.

Check out their article in SourceEcreative’s newsletter

Edward Fortyhands – The Official Version from Runner Runner on Vimeo.

Thanks to Becky Olstad I recently got the chance to work with the new Canon 5D Mark II still camera, which also happens to shoot 1080p video!  Instead of just testing out the camera with no concept in mind, we setout to make a short film in one night.  I’m pretty pleased with the results.

I was really impressed with this camera’s performance.  It creates amazing images in low light conditions.  There were, however, two major downsides that I found regarding the camera’s controls.  First, the audio input jack is a mini-plug only.  We ran sound to an HVX200 instead.  The other bummer is that there’s currently no way to manually set your exposure in video mode, which makes for having to “trick” the camera to expose the way you want it to.  If this oversight is fixed in the next version of the camera, then I’m sold.  I’m wondering when Nikon is going to release a comparable camera…

Thanks to all those who worked on this film:

A Runner Runner/Modern Music Production

Cast (In Order of Appearance)
The Victim:  Nels Lennes
The Instigator:  Aaron Richey
The Girl:  Becky Olstad

Written by:
Nels Lennes
Becky Olstad
Aaron Richey
Ryan Taylor
Josh Thacker

Director:  Josh Thacker; Runner Runner
Director of Photography:  Ryan Taylor & Becky Olstad
Gaffer:  Aaron Richey

Editor:  Josh Thacker
Music Performed by:  Josh Thacker
Music Composition:  Josh Thacker & Daron Walker;
Sound Design & Mix:  Bryan Hanna

Flame Artist/Colorist:  Matt Collings

This spot was just entered in the Grain Belt Beer 2008 “Make Your Own Commercial Contest.”  Give it 10 stars at the grain belt site below if you dig it.

Vote here:

http://grainbelt.com/contest_commercial_rate.php?id=6

Credits:

Beer Drinker: Dave Tufford
Innocent Bystander: Tommy Ryman

Concept: Paula Biondich, John Lukas
Producer: Amy Brewster
Director: Josh Thacker
Director of Photography: Ryan Taylor, Josh Thacker
Wardrobe: Deborah Fiscus
Production Assistants: Dave LeCompte, Chris Savage
Drivers: Dustin Black

Editor: Josh Thacker
VFX: Tony Mills & Matt Collings
Colorist: Oscar Oboza
Composer: John Lukas
Mix/Sound Design: John Lukas