Skylar Nielsen (born 1975), is an American photographer, cinematographer and director. He heads Salt Lake City-based Vita Brevis Films, a company that creates short documentary films on a wide variety of subjects.[1]
Skylar Nielsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975 (age 48–49) Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Director, cinematographer |
| Known for | Vita Brevis Films |
Nielsen was born in Zion, Utah, in 1975.[2] He grew up on his family's farm, and after "an epiphany in the sheep corral" decided to move away from the farm and into the city to pursue photography and film making in 1993.[3]
In 2004, Nielsen established Skylar Nielsen Studio, then in 2008 established Vita Brevis Films.[2]
Selected film projects
edit- Quick Cuts: Reef Mcintosh
- The Prohibition Tour
- Professional: Eric Arakawa
- We are 138
- Professional
- BMW M6
- Riot Racing
- Super Bee
- Fiz Golf
- 3D Enchanted Forest
- 3 Form Woven Wall
- Gray Davenport
Larger projects
edit- NEA PSAs
In 2009, the National Endowment for the Arts commissioned Nielsen for two commercials to air during Oscar week. The first commercial featured Chris Botti, a renowned jazz trumpeter. The second commercial, called "I'm Proud", featured actors and actresses delivering lines directly to the audience without a fourth wall present. Celebrities included David Hyde Pierce, Kerry Washington, Zooey Deschanel and Alyssa Milano, among many others.[4]
- PROFESSIONal
In 2011, Nielsen partnered with VideoWest to create PROFESSIONal, the first in a series of films that focus on "forgotten trades and practices in an evolving America."[5] The short documentary focused on Neil Youngberg, a third generation metal worker and fabricator from Utah.[6]
The video, a Vimeo Staff Pick, had Nielsen directing, cinematography by Ian Rigby and Lance Clayton and sound by Michael Hall.[7]
PROFESSIONal was reviewed as "a gorgeous short film" and "beautifully crafted".[8] The film won the 2011 Slamdance Film Festival's best short-form documentary award and was also featured at LA Short Fest.[9][10]
- Mars One Way
In February 2014, Nielsen directed a documentary video called Mars One Way, a film that followed five Mars One hopefuls with their thoughts, contemplations and theories on leaving Earth forever to go colonize Mars. The video was produced by Nielsen, along with Elaine Clark and Doug Fabrizio.[11]
Mars One Way was a Vimeo Staff Pick and featured on their site, being listed as appropriate for all audiences. Music included on the film was from artists God is an Astronaut with two songs and This Will Destroy You with one.[12] Yahoo featured the video on their site as well.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Vita Brevis Films". Vita Brevis Films. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Skylar Nielsen". The Creative Finder. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "SALT LAKE CITY: SKYLAR NIELSEN". Production Paradise. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "NEA "I'm Proud" Celebrity PSA by VitaBrevisFilms". Vimeo. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "PROFESSIONal". Video West. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "Metal-Fabricator Neil Youngberg by Vita Brevis Films". The 189. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "PROFESSIONal: Neil Youngberg". Ada Fruit. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "Skylar Nielsen [ Photographer, Film/Video ]". Alt Pick. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "PROGRAM 25 TUESDAY - JULY 26 - 1:00 PM". LA Short Fest. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "VideoWest: A Collaborative Video Series Curated by Doug Fabrizio and KUER". Radio West. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Mars One Way". Vita Brevis Films. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Meet the Volunteers Willing to Go to Mars and Never Come Back". Yahoo. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Mars One Way – Permanent human settlement on Mars". Documentary.net. Retrieved 11 April 2014.