Happy New Year!

Image from ffffound.com

Nerdy Shark Found!!!

photograph by Bruce Yates, winner of the Oceans division of the international Nature's Best Photography 2008 Windland Smith Rice Awards.

Isn't this shark remarkably similar to the one from Strange Wilderness?

i don't know who made this, but i love it

from ffffound.com

Cute

Tobias Faldt

Thobias Faldt makes beautiful, strange, sad photographs. He is also swedish, but we won't hold that against him, for now.

Shary Boyle

2004. Haunt. Porcelain, china paint, gilt. 24cm tall. Collection of The Paisley Museum, Scotland.

Shary Boyle makes lovely, creepy, upsetting porcelain sculptures, as well as drawings, paintings and projections.

Out now from TG

by KW from Highlights Mag, "Shadow Boxer"

Out now from Kristiina, Lacy, Cynthia and styled by Yahaira in Highlights Magazine #32. Man, have we been waiting for this issue to come out forever! The model is the gorgeous Olesya @ Supreme. Issue 32 also features stories with our wonderful model friends Erin M, Amy Finlayson @ Next, Silje @ Code, Michaela K @ Next, Victoria @ Trump and also showcases another story that Lacy created gorgeous hair for. Erin's boyfriend Alden also represents in this issue, assisting for a shoot by Ejaz Khan. It's a pretty party extravaganza of our friends in the industry. Yay!

Amazing Food Dumping Holiday Video

Boxer Christmas Card 08' from Boxer Design on Vimeo.

Could be a bit shorter, but it's so great!

Animal Friday

Rabbit. Felted wool, 7"H x 6"W x 8"D, 2004.

This piece is by far one of the most palatable by Stephanie Metz, who does absolutely stunning work with felt. Loving her "overbred animals" series, but felt that perhaps posting one of those images the day after a major heartwarming holiday would be a bit much, even for Book Report readers. But check them out! Below is a lovely piece from her "Teddy Bear History" series.

Ursulus parvulus 10-08. Felted wool, glass jar, 7" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D, 2008.



Accident 3: Shark: Yarn, wire; crochet; length 63 in.; 2003

Also loving these works by Patricia Waller. What a kooky bird! These are fabulous. Check out her site for lots, lots more.


Doll: Yarn, cotton wool, wood; crochet; 55 x 51 x 37 in.; 2005

Domestic Help: Yarn , cotton wool, wire; crochet, height 16 in.; 2006

Where my crazy comes from

This is my parents' Christmas tree. Yes, it is covered in barbie dolls. My old barbie dolls. In hand made couture ensembles. Only the ones that I did not decapitate, though, although I think my mom did put a bunch of heads and hands back on with the help of a hot glue gun. So for those of you that have been asking lately where a lot of TG's ideas come from: the genesis starts here. 

Is this the "worst photograph ever made"?

by Annie Leibovitz for the 2009 Lavazza espresso calendar

According to Mike Johnson's site, The Online Photographer, the above is the worst photograph ever made. Now, I'm not a fan of Annie's work (it's not very smart and she doesn't even set it up herself), but naming something the "worst" photograph is 100% subjective and honestly, a little bit silly. This is a terrible photograph, for sure -- what with the blatant product placement and the out of control photoshop and the fur and the BABIES! but... eh. It's not shocking. I feel like I could find this image on the website of any number of craigslist posting "fashion" photographers with annoying-music playing websites. What it says about Annie that she now joins their ranks is nothing good, but that's her business.

Ilona is the most gorgeous

An outtake from our last shoot of the year with our favorite girl, Ilona @ Major. Of course we chose her to round out the year, and had a ton of fun with her, fake blood, chalk outlines and cigarettes (and no, she doesn't smoke my dears!).

Going for a long time without working feels like

Well not really, we just loved how ridiculous this gif is. And since it's the holiday, Book Report has gone rogue and become a bit off topic and out of control, and that's ok.

PS we do also really miss working though.

That's why magicians never get a 2nd date.

There are no words. Just, wow. Gob, anyone?

Um. Happy Holidays?

We will leave you with this. Enjoy!

Out now from TG

Out now by members of TG, "Acting Out," in this month's Brilliant Magazine. Photographed by Kristiina, styled by Jana Gale, hair by Lacy, makeup by Cynthia. Model is Hawa @ Trump.

Happy Holidays from TG

Directed by Kristiina Wilson, Styled by Angella N., Makeup by Cynthia Rose, Hair by Lacy Redway, Model is the gorgeous Erin M. Happy Holidays to all!

To sum up

image by David Shrigley. Yay.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of shoots, travel, bookings, sickies, coughing, couches, cats, more shoots and no sleep till brooklyn (ps, we never go to brooklyn). Today Cyndi and I realized that we need a break, hardcore - and I know we can speak for Angella and probably Lacy as well on this one. It's good the holidays are coming up -- we will get a few days off, at least! We love what we do so much that we sometimes run ourselves ragged trying to do as many jobs and crazy ideas that we can. I for one will enjoy a few days off in my jammers, eating some more Tofurkey and watching more bad tv with Harri and the cats.

Roundup: Cyndi, Lacy and I shot a mocku-candy beauty story, coming to you soon in Cream Mag, with the fabulous Kate Rooper @ IMG. We shot Amy @ NEXT for Codigo, pictured below, and Timoxa @ Supreme in some crazy saran wrap wigs on blood-spatter embroidered chairs for l’EDITO. Leoni @ IMG got shot in the studio for Noi.se, and yesterday we had the pleasure of working with Cintia Dicker @ Marilyn on a multi faceted project that had a ton of cooks in the kitchen, but should have some amazing results. Today TG shot a holiday fashion film with Erin, and Friday some of us are working on a new editorial in NJ with Anna styling (provided I can get our minivan out of the townpound by then!). Sunday brings a Mirage mag pool shoot and the close of 08 fashion shoots for TG, unless something else sneaks up on us before then. And all the above doesn't include everyone's individual projects and jobs. Phew.

With all this going on, Book Report may fall mostly off our radar until the holidays actually get here. Let's all make sure to take care of ourselves and rest up for a great new season in 09!

Zach Galifianakis is a genius, Part III

Zach Galifianakis' Third Absolut Vodka ad featuring Tim & Eric


Fast forward to the last minute if you must; while this is definitely not the best of the trio of ads for Absolute, it still wins my heart with the use of the word "floozy," and copious amounts of flour dumping. I am inspired. Really.

Meet men with stuffed animals, today!

80% of men have been shy at one time or another. Well, I'm 100% 50-50! This dating instructional film from the 80s is insane.

Yep.

from ffffound.com, via this place

Fashion Indie Slideshow

Today I noticed that Fashion Indie had made a slideshow of my work, complete with embed-able code. How handy and convenient! Thanks, Fashion Indie! Since I'm bedridden with a nasty cold (acquired while working out on communal machines at the MGM Grand gym last week in CT), this could not have come at a better time. Just copy, paste, and post -- voila! A ready made TG blog post requiring minimal brain power.

Reed + Rader = Yay

I was looking around at Reed+Rader's website the other day and happened upon this story that I hadn't seen before. It is super awesome! I love that it's a beach story done in a new, kooky way. I love the thing in the first photo above that looks like the ghost trapper from GhostBusters. The model is gorgeous. The shots are gorgeous. A+ all around. Plus, R+R are nice people who also are cat crazy like certain members of TG (ahem). 

A deer made out of light

from Tochka.jp

AMAZING.

working all week while sick and on no sleep =

from ToothpasteForDinner.

Yeah, seriously. Where is it? Ugh.

Erin (D)Rules!

Today Souraya, Erin and I played around in the studio and just made some fun work. Here's a lovely unretouched shot of Erin drooling all over her boyfriend's tshirt. I heart it. As Cyndi said, I do love my drool.

Economy Got You Down? Hey, Cheer Up!

Animal Kkaleidoscope Film

video directed by körner union. ducks! mice! chickens! geese! fancy birds! cute!

Amy is It

Last Thursday TG, minus Angella who was off playing in Cali, and plus Anna Katsanis, shot Amy Finlayson @ NEXT for Codigo. Amy is always super fun to work with and is a doll, both in manner and in face. Yay Amy. In this shot Amy is sporting some Vivienne Westwood and Y's.

Best. Fashion. Film. EVER.

For swedish (eek!) brand Nakkna. Amazing concept, shooting, editing, sound, picture, models, WOW. Best thing EVER. A++++++ with a check+ on top.

Out now from TG

Another image from our Lioness story gets a cover -- this time for 1210 magazine, the new magazine from Thomas and Andrea of ZOOT.

And just in case you're keeping up, the lovely Martina Correa has moved from Supreme to NY Models. Book her there, she's fabulous!

By Sofia Coppola for Miss Dior Cherie

Super cute!

Happy Friday!

from ffffound.com

Super Inspiring

The work of Chiharu Shiota is scary and gorgeous. And so, so inspiring.

TG's new cocktail napkins

Amazing cocktail napkins by Bread and Butter.

Unkle Karl Makes a Fashion Film

A "silent" film tribute to Coco Chanel that will debut in Paris this week alongside Chanel's Paris-Moscow pre-fall 2009 collection. Why isn't Unkle Karl IN it? It would be much more interesting that way. Coco Chanel is played by model Edita Vikeviciute.

Out now from TG

"Midnight Fix," the stills that accompany the short fashion film we shot for Let Them Eat Cake. The stills are appearing now in LA Direct Magazine. Pick one up at a newsstand near you to check out skull vodka, saddles, photocakes, lobster bibs and assorted other craziness featuring one of our faves, Victoria @ NY Models. Or just go to my website to check it out.

Yes. Yes.

from ffffound.com

Thought for the day

from Will Bryant

Best fashion film ever!

For the Victoria Beckham Collection - this film has the cutest music, a funny idea, beautifully executed -- wow! Love it!!!

Super grody, super cool

"Still Life (2001)" by Sam Taylor-Wood

The best thing ever

OK, this is seriously the bestest, funniest, greatest thing ever. A "documentary" by William Wegman about Man Ray and Man Ray -- the artist and Wegman's dog. It is 100% genius, from the random high school yearbook photos to the teddybear dying. Here is some artist statement blah blah about it:

"In William Wegman's "Man Ray, Man Ray," the biographies of Wegman's dog and of the artist Man Ray merge. Host Russell Connor provides straightforward documentary-style narration of important details of both lives -- life in Paris, the Armory Show, artistic influences, and obedience school. Samples of photographic works by Man Ray and Wegman's video work (featuring his dog Man Ray) are included. Key figures in the artist's life are represented by images from a high school yearbook and other "found" photographs."

Leoni

Last week TG, minus Cyndi and plus Viktorija, shot Leoni @ IMG for Noi.se. She was lovely to work with and quite happy that we didn't shoot outside as originally planned -- one of the coldest days on record so far. Those eyes!

My new favorite photo ever.

from The Washington Post -- no photographer credit given. Bad paper, bad! Amazing photo though, wow. 

What does it mean?

Bell Soto

SPLIT by bell soto from Bell Soto on Vimeo.

Mr. Soto has a lot of fashion films, but in my opinion this is his best so far. The sound is good, and while the idea flounders and drags just a touch, the visuals are STUNNING.

This stuff is needed too: bonus cute skull post!

Wow. Color me in love! Looking around online today for holiday gifts I came upon this AMAZING set of skull items by DL & Co @ Unica Home. The series is called “memento mori,” which is a latin phrase that when translated, states “remember that you are mortal”. 

The memento mori series by douglas little, founder of D.L. & Co., includes:

- skull place card holders (or use them as business card holders in your office or studio!)
- skull swizzle sticks
- little silver skull
- skull little porcelain plates
- wax skull candle

MUST HAVE!!!!!!!

Required Immediately

This Rabbit Lamp by Front for Moooi @ Unica Home is totally 100% needed asap. I can not get over exactly how much this lamp is loved and required. Let's just say it had really better be under the holiday tree along with a certain something from Alexis Bittar or this bunny is going to hop off and get it herself! ;)

PS Bunnies are cute!

Noah Beil

Oakland, California (20080511, 09:32:37, 37.806410N 122.323800W)

There is something really funny, beautiful, ugly and sad about Noah Beil's photographs. I like them a lot. Visit his website to check out lots more.

cute buggie fellow

Love this cute fellow by L-aura.com. Reminds me a bit of Harri's new work, but a illustration. Duh. Check out the site for more!

Let's all promise this.

from Ubu.com

Timoxa Rulz.

On Tuesday TG shot Timoxa @ Supreme, and she is hands down one of the best models we have ever worked with. She required basically no direction after we described the shoot to her, had great ideas, flawless skin and a fabulous attitude. Here's a grid of outtakes from one of the scenes for your viewing enjoyment. Timoxa = book it!

David Lynch is a funny monkey.

Visit David Lynch's website for ringtones, coffee needs and, yes, daily weather reports for nowhere in particular by David himself. What a cracker jack! I love David Lynch. He is truly a unique individual with his own bizarre ideas.

We see you!

from ffffound.com

Lovely Film: Watch it Now!

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.

Beautifully filmed, the light is gorgeous, love the idea. And it was shot right down the street from our old house, at the church wall on Mott & Prince.

Happy Tofurkey Day

from ffffound.com

Have a Happy Tofurkey Holiday, if you celebrate it. Or a Thanksgiving, or National Smallpox Distribution Day, or whatever you may choose to call it. Enjoy your day(s) off and be thankful. Harri and I will be in our jammers all day, watching movies with our 4 resident cats and our one foster, eating Tofurkey (the cats share), holiday shopping online, reading the paper and staying out of the studio for this one day of the year. 

Even with this tanking economy, we should all be thankful that we get to make the work that we make. The past few days of shooting have been super amazing, and I for one am mega thankful for the ladies of TG, the great people we get to meet and work with and the opportunity to do our jobs in general. 

So happy Thanksgiving, and Rest Easy! 

More modely blogginess

photo by Kristiina, styling by Yahaira, makeup by Cynthia, hair by Elizabeth Morache

The gorgeous and talented Amy Finlayson @ NEXT, pictured above in our first shoot for Stimuli Magazine (their 2nd issue), has a blog. Go check it out for the dish on her current stint in Paris, fashion shooting, and the adventures of Vernon the hand face. We miss you Amy!

Chanel Money. Seriously.

For the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld designed a special 5 Euro coin. The coin features both a portrait of Coco Chanel and trademark graphics of the brand. The 5 Euro coin was chosen, as it is a good match with the Chanel No. 5 fragrance.

The coin comes in a gold version, limited to 99 pieces, with each piece going for 5900 Euros. The silver coin goes for 45 Euro and comes in a run of 11900. The coins will be released on December 1st.

Unkle Karl, up to his wacky antics as usual, making money has more than one meaning this time!

What this weekend felt like.

from ffffound.com