Eric Swiz

Filmmaker and amateur wildlife photographer living in Brooklyn -  www.instagram.com/eswiz

[eswiz]

This with my eternal thanks to collaborators and cinematographers Raymond Chu, Sam Heesen, Oliver Lanzenberg, Bayan Mogharabi, David Raboy, Thomas Stigler, and Ben Vogel..

Featuring: JAY Z, Kanye West, Pharrell, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Questlove, Yukimi Nagano, Janelle Monae, Macklemore, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, Freddie Gibbs, Nigel Sylvester, Paula Patton, GTA, Goofy of the WAFFLE Crew, The Coathangers, JEFF The Brotherhood, Lazy Mane and Kosherbeets, and Furby (RIP).

See ya in 2016, friends.

[eswiz]

Still-frame from my first 16mm subway short

p. Nathan Stern, 2008.

[eswiz]

It is with great terror and exhilaration that I can formally announce that Scenes From The Underground, my debut feature-length film as a director, will begin production in just over a month's time. If you've spoken to me at all in my 8 years in New York, odds are I've already blabbed to you about this project. For those who I've not yet annoyed, Scenes From The Underground is a narrative anthology of character-driven vignettes taking place entirely within the many trains, stations, and platforms of the sprawling New York subway system—exploring themes of isolation and missed connection within modern day urban life. Undoubtedly, this film would’ve remained little more than a daydream without the tireless effort of an incredible team of friends and collaborators, whom I must applaud: The combined authorial talents of Donald K. Chang, Christopher Myers, Alex Riad, and Allison Zajac-Batell have resulted in a screenplay which has far exceeded my already-monumental expectations, and whose whip-smart dialogue and lovingly crafted characters I cannot wait to see play out on the big screen... the crucial advice and razor-sharp observations of Andrew Justin Smith who has assisted us in the gargantuan task of casting over 30 speaking roles… the wise and informative guidance of my producer Jean-Raphael Ambron who has taken me under his wing and saved me literal hours of work and metric tons of heartbreak… the endless enthusiasm and creative input of Nathan Shapiro who has been above and beyond my closest ally in dragging this film out of the darkness into the light of reality over the past two years—consequently subjecting him to my bullshit for just as long… all my friends who have spurred me on in this endeavor, and all those I have neglected in my single-minded focus… and last but not least, my loving family who has supported me in all that I do, and whose belief and acceptance in my not being a dentist has propelled me from where I started, making LEGO movies in the basement with Boots the cat, all the way to where I am today. This film is very near and dear to my heart, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to put these stories out into the world. We will not be bugging you with a crowdfunding campaign just yet, but I would appreciate and encourage all of you to follow the film on our corresponding Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, and spread the word! Be sure to also check out our brand-spanking new website, www.SFTUfilm.com for all the latest updates and information. We can’t wait to share this film with you! - E

[eswiz]

Jay Z Shares "Glory" Video

Holy wow, I got a story to tell. 3 years ago my company Scheme Engine embarked on what was to be our first direct collaboration with Mr. Shawn Carter in the two weeks leading up to his twin Carnegie Hall debut performances: a medley of Jay's greatest hits backed by a full orchestra. It's through the esteemed efforts and exceptional eyes and ears of Ben Vogel, Dustin Nakao Haider, David Raboy, Eric Yue, Andrew Yip, and Sam Heesen over 11 days of filming, not to mention the impeccable and tireless editing of one Matt Mitchener, that gave birth to this music video for "Glory," Mr. Z's ode to his newborn daughter. As a bunch of kids fresh out of college I can honestly say it was the thrill of a lifetime for us to present the video to the man himself, and it's even more thrilling to discover this morning it's finally been released to the public. This video is a true representation of the possibilities of genuine collaboration, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of it #whatmorecanIsay?

[eswiz]

check out my footage of Kanye from MIA PHL 2014 in this Roc city classic promo

[thetalks]

I never questioned if it was an art or not. I just questioned its importance to me.

Bruce Weber (via thetalks)

[eswiz]

My latest edit.

Directed by Bill Horace.

[licknuhohoho-deactivated2015121]

Don’t get it twisted….I see a post w the first picture being reblogged a lot w like 20k notes or some shit like that

[eswiz]

GTA - The Crowd

[eswiz]

GTA “THE CROWD” MUSC VIDEO

Starring NELLIE BLUE

Directed by ERIC SWIZ

Director of Photography OLIVER LANZENBERG

Produced by DEVIN CHANDA, SARAH JUN, ALEX KAPLAN, ERIC SWIZ, & CHARLES TODD

Production Design by JIYEON SONG

Casting by MARIA LIU

Costume Design by NINA CHITADZE

Projection Design by SHAWN DUAN

1st Assistant Camera ROSIE DUKE

2nd Assistant Camera FRANKLIN BURGER

1st Assistant Director ANDONI ELIAS NAVA

2nd Assistant Director GABRIEL-CARLI JONES

Assistant Production Design by ADDY CAHILL, CHARIS CHU, CHONGEE PAK, JUNA SKENDERI, TERESE PAGH

Set Decorator HYUN JI RIE

HMU by ADDY CAHILL

Assistant HMU by EMILY POOL & DASHA PRYAMITSNYA 

Gaffer SAM HEESEN

Key Grip BEN CAREY

Grips JAMES ROTHMAN, SAM SHERRIFF, THOMAS STIGLER, MARK MAZZEO, ROSS WOOD

Behind the Scenes Photography/Videography by RAYMOND CHU & STEPHEN SULLIVAN

Color by JOSH KANE, ALEX NOVELL, THOMAS STIGLER, & ERIC SWIZ

Motion Graphics by SEAN FERGUSON

Special Thanks to THE SWIECINSKI FAMILY, AMY DERMIN MIDUSKI & PONY TYME, MARTIN BOUCHARD & MONTHLY REWIND, RICHARD HERZOG, JACKIE C. LIN + 6IX STUDIOS

Wardrobe provided by NASTY GAL

[eswiz]

[eswiz]

Millions March NYC 

December 13, 2014

[eswiz]

The young woman on the bottom told me her name was Destiny.

Dec. 3, 2014, New York

[eswiz]

If you’re not angry you’re either a stone, or you’re too sick to be angry. You should be angry. ...but you must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer, it eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger, yes! You write it, you paint it, you dance it, you march it, you vote it, you talk it. Never stop talking it.

Maya Angelou to Dave Chappelle

[sheholdsyoucaptivated]

Abuse of Power Comes as No Surprise | Jenny Holzer

[fuckgasm-blog]

I hope that, at the end of this year, you realize how the hard times made you. I hope for you that you allowed those times to make you better. I would bet that you’re better.

Hayley Williams (via abstractnumbers)

[eswiz]

Korean War Memorial.

Washington, DC