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1 / 28
[ 05:27 ]
Vita Brevis Films Demo Reel
At the root of it all, we are storytellers. We have traveled the world in search of obscure and unique stories, shedding light upon people, places and narratives that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The gift and challenge of creating these stories and images is not something we take lightly. We are grateful to do commercial work for clients and products that we ourselves believe in. There are always new ways to apply our methods to what we are passionate about, and whether the recipe is for an advertising production or documentary filmmaking, our unique approach delivers what each and every client is after; content that is truly jaw dropping.

We push our own boundaries day by day, shoot by shoot, and taking risks to deliver an aesthetic that shows our ambition for perfection in each of our films. Our product is the result of team effort, and is persistently rooted in the world of our subjects and the way that we bring their stories across. We strive for that elusive place where what is real becomes magical through exposition. Our Demo reel is a testament to our undying love for the art of making films and telling stories. We hope you enjoy.

Director: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton, Josh Fletcher, Michael Hall
Music: Anthony Gonzalez & Joseph Trapanese / Santigold

Film Segments in the Demo Reel:
PROFESSIONal 2011 (vimeo.com/16435404)
The Prohibition Tour 2012 (vimeo.com/41444519)
We Are 138 2012 (vimeo.com/26788975)
Making RAEN 2014 (vimeo.com/90708024)
Chennai to Pondicherry 2013 (vimeo.com/57192213)
PROFESSIONal: Erik Arakawa 2012 (vimeo.com/32592977)
Shunji Yokokawa: Salt Flats World Record 2013 (vimeo.com/75623972)

[ 05:27 ]
2 / 28
[ 11:05 ]
The Last Peaceful Place on Earth
The Last Peaceful Place on Earth follows the people that meet every year on the Bonneville Salt Flats for "Speed Week". They gather for one reason: to go fast.

Directed by:
Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography by:
Lance Clayton
Josh Fletcher

Edited by:
Catura Jenson
Color by:
Jake Penrose

Production Assistance:
Nelson Bruggeman
Ethan Ostling
Mitchell Croghan

All music courtesy of MUSICBED.
www.musicbed.com

[ 11:05 ]
3 / 28
[ 08:00 ]
PROFESSIONal
Grand Jury Prize for best documentary short at the 2012 Slamdance Film Festival. Metal-fabricator Neil Youngberg never planned on taking over his grandfather's business and is now faced with passing on his legacy.

In this short-form profile, Skylar Nielsen from Vita Brevis Films interviews Neil Youngberg for the beginning exploration of our "Professional" series. Shot on location in Neil's metal fabrication shop, the 3rd generation craftsman gives a sincere overview of his life's work, dispensing hard-worn wisdom while illuminating the sobering realities of the role private business plays in an ever changing economic landscape. A deeply personal project for all involved, this on-going series seeks to shed-light on forgotten trades and practices in an evolving America.

Music:
Caspian: For protection
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: Destined for great things
Bon Iver: Beach Baby

Direction: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton
Title design: Michael Hall

VitaBrevisFilms.com

[ 08:00 ]
4 / 28
[ 11:38 ]
Mars One Way
Documents the thoughts and theories of five hopeful Mars One astronauts as they contemplate the reality of leaving planet Earth forever, for a new home on Mars.

There were 200,000 people who applied to participate in a project called Mars One. It’s a private enterprise to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars and film a reality show along the way. The idea is to go in crews of four starting in 2024. The thing is, right now the technology can only get them there. "Mars One Way" documents the thoughts and theories of Five hopeful Mars One astronauts as they contemplate the reality of leaving planet Earth forever, for a new home on Mars.

Cast in order of appearance: Cody Reeder, Casey Hunter, Will Robbins, Katelyn “Kitty” Kane, Ken Sullivan, Becky Sullivan, Calvin Juárez

Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Interview: Doug Fabrizio
Produced: Elaine Clark, Doug Fabrizio, Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Josh Fletcher
Editing: Catura Jenson
Sound: R. MacDonald

A Vita Brevis Films Production in association with Video West.
http://videowest.kuer.org

Follow us on Instagram! @vitabrevisfilms

Learn more about Mars One: www.mars-one.com

Music:
God is an Astronaut: All is Violent All is Bright
This will Destroy You: They Move On Tracks of Never-Ending Light
God is an Astronaut: Frozen Twilight

[ 11:38 ]
5 / 28
[ 01:19 ]
Nissan NISMO Project 370Z
The NISMO project 370Z was born when VitaBrevisFilms decided to take their custom Nismo and see how quickly they could destroy it in the streets of downtown SLC.

A few crashes, sets of tires, and a near head on collision with the Phantom Flex attached, Project 370Z is simply raw car devastation at its finest. Sorry to whoever ended up buying this car after we shot this...

[ 01:19 ]
6 / 28
[ 08:48 ]
Making RAEN - Carlo and Dante Mondavi
Two brothers from winemaking lineage venture out on their own to break from the estate vineyard model and to show that young winemakers can still have a harvest. RAEN is the first creation from Carlo & Dante Mondavi.

The Mondavi legacy has spread outward from Napa Valley for more than a century. Carlo and Dante strive to explore and to find their own path in the creation of their own wine while testing the rules and boundaries of their childhood. These contrasting worlds and trials lead to their first 2013 RAEN creation. The brothers are showing that a world class Pinot Noir can be made by young winemakers from the unusual climate of the Sonoma Coast.

To learn more about the wine:
www.RaenWine.com

To learn more about "Making RAEN" visit:
http://vitabrevisfilms.com/short-documentary-films/making-raen-by-carlo-dante-mondavi-napa-valley-ca/

The Trailer for "Making RAEN"
https://vimeo.com/90708024

Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton & Josh Fletcher
Music: Midas Whale, Apparat
Produced by: Vita Brevis Films

[ 08:48 ]
7 / 28
[ 07:23 ]
We are 138
"You just need your surroundings and you can evolve"- Mark Ong aka SBTG, takes viewers through his creative process and roots growing up in the perceived restrictions of Singapore. Finding inspiration in the simplest of forms, SBTG creates the "138" shoe collaboration with FICE Boutique in Salt Lake City, Utah and explains how the Misfits inspiration guided the collaboration.

On the surface the film purposes to expose the cerebral world of SBTG and an emerging sub-culture in Singapore, but the film becomes deeply personal as SBTG reveals how his experiences have affected his work and current mindset.

The collaboration shoes are available at ficegallery.com

Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Executive Producer: Corey Bullough
Produced by: FICE & Vita Brevis Films
Title design: Mike Hall

Music: Clint Mansell, Fever Ray, The Misfits, This will destroy you, John Murphy

ficegallery.com
VitaBrevisFilms.com/blog
royalefam.com

[ 07:23 ]
8 / 28
[ 10:34 ]
PROFESSIONal: Eric Arakawa Surfboard Shaper
Independent surfboard designer Eric Arakawa reflects on finding the path and passion that unintentionally led him to become a world renowned surfboard craftsman.

In this short form profile, Skylar Nielsen interviews Eric Arakawa for the third exploration of our PROFESSIONal series. Shot on location on the North Shore of Oahu, Eric gives a candid account of the people who both inspired and guided him. From the novice fabrication of his first board, to shaping the late Andy Irons last custom job, Eric shares his hope to pass his knowledge on to his young employees and those around him.

An exciting project for the entire VBF crew to have the opportunity to capture the essence of Eric's inspiration.

Aloha and Mahalo

Production Company: Vita Brevis Films
Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton & Mike Hall
Title Design: Mike Hall

Music:
Junip - Official
XX - Intro
TWDY - The Mighty Rio Grande
M83 - Wait
Lower Dens - I Get Nervous
Feist - The Bad In Each Other

EricArakawa.com
VitaBrevisFilms.com

[ 10:34 ]
9 / 28
[ 05:05 ]
The Ridebook: The Prohibition Tour
Check out the whole Prohibition Tour story at: ridebook.harley-davidson.com/#!/prohibitionTour

Production: Carlo Mondavi & Vita Brevis Films
Direction: Skylar Nielsen
2nd Unit Camera: Mike Hall
Music: Butch Walker and the Black Widows

[ 05:05 ]
10 / 28
[ 03:39 ]
Chennai to Pondicherry: A Motorcycle Tour of Southern India
During a once in a lifetime trip to Southern India, we had the chance to capture some sights and sounds while we made our way from Chennai to Pondicherry on motorbikes. The trip was overwhelming and a truly eye opening experience.

We at VBF knew that it would be very difficult to re-create on film the actual experience of being in India on the streets with thousands of cars, tuk-tuk's, cows, goats, and dogs. The visuals, sounds, and smells all created a sensory overload situation that can only be experienced by being there, but hopefully this film gives you a sense of what it was like to be immersed in the surroundings and experience the amazing places along the coast of Southern India.

Vita Brevis Films
Directed: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton
Music: Apparat
Words: Excerpts from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
By Robert M. Pirsig
Voice Over: Derek Partridge

[ 03:39 ]
11 / 28
[ 04:14 ]
Shunji Yokokawa: Salt Flats World Record
During Speed Week of 2013, Shunji Yokokawa and his two man crew from Japan, traveled to the Bonneville Salt Flats to break a world land speed record. The trip was Shunji's first ever to the Salt Flats where racing and attempting to break the world record became more challenging than the crew had envisioned.

Starring: Shunji Yokokawa
Produced by: Vita Brevis Films
Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Josh Fletcher
Coordinator: Bill Weppner
1st AC: Cafe De' Blaise
2nd AC: Marcus MacDonald
Title Design: Michael Hall
Music: Danger Mouse - Theme of Rome / Ennio Morricone - Faccia a Faccia

[ 04:14 ]
12 / 28
[ 07:27 ]
Keith Gabel
The story of Keith Gabel is a hard one to stomach, from childhood homelessness to life changing injuries Gabel has faced everything life can throw at him. His childhood was reborn when he moved back to Utah with his father and was introduced to winter sports. Keith and his father reflect on his past of loosing his left leg and how the life altering moment led him to winning X-Games gold and competing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics where he won a bronze medal.

The following short documentary was filmed in Utah and Colorado for ESPN. Learn more at our production blog:
http://vitabrevisfilms.com/short-documentary-films/keith-gabel-espn-story/

Produced for: ESPN
Production Company: Vita Brevis Films
Director: Skylar Nielsen
Producer: Brian Arnold
Cinematography: Skylar Nielsen & Lance Clayton
Editor: Catura Jenson
Colorist: Jake Penrose

[ 07:27 ]
13 / 28
[ 07:08 ]
FALLEN TREE
World renowned biologist Nalini Nadkarni pioneered the use of mountain climbing equipment to assist her climbs of Costa Rican rain forest canopies in the early 1980’s. Years of research, countless ascends (on four different continents) came to an abrupt halt during a normal afternoon 50 feet above ground in the Olympic National Park.

Nalini eloquently describes her near death fall and offers some insight into a life altering, meaningful disturbance.

Production Blog: http://vitabrevisfilms.com/short-documentary-films/nalini-nadkarni/

Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Interview: Doug Fabrizio
Produced: Elaine Clark, Doug Fabrizio, Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Skylar Nielsen, Lance W Clayton
Editing: Jordan Utley
Grading: Jake Penrose
Sound: Marco Batzel
A Vita Brevis Films Production in association with Video West.
videowest.kuer.org

[ 07:08 ]
14 / 28
[ 03:20 ]
Spiral Jetty
Robert Smithson began the Spiral Jetty in 1970, and would die just three years after its completion. His death would roughly coincide with a period of submersion, during which the jetty was covered by the water level of the great salt lake for decades at a time.

Forty-three years later the Spiral Jetty is exposed and visited daily – appreciated not just as a local monument but as earthwork for a new generation to contemplate. Learn more: http://www.robertsmithson.com/

Production Blog: http://vitabrevisfilms.com/behind-the-scenes/spiral-jetty/

Produced by www.VitaBrevisfilms.com & http://videowest.kuer.org

Director: Skylar Nielsen
Himself: Julian Sands
Producer: Elaine Clark
Cinematography: Joshua Fletcher & Lance Clayton
Original Music: http://giantframe.com // Jesse Quebbeman-Turley & Luke Williams
Colorist: Jake Penrose
Production Assistant: Stephen Lupsha
Production Company: Vita Brevis Films

[ 03:20 ]
15 / 28
[ 04:35 ]
Beehive Distilling - Jack Rabbit Gin
Beehive Distillery has launched their first refreshingly-smooth spirit labeled Jack Rabbit Gin. Already it’s seen success as Salt Lake restaurants and bars have raised their glasses to this new botanical-rich blend.

The three long-time compadres behind beehive, aka the respectable booze-hounds, developed their appreciation for fine spirits in their world travels as they indulged in their foodie tendencies. It was a conversation at home, gathered round (take a guess)… some favorited spirits, where praising the success of local distilling brands and the rise of the good-standing cocktail culture in SLC, that the idea broke lips “We should make booze”.

Produced by: Vita Brevis Films

[ 04:35 ]
16 / 28
[ 01:46 ]
Behind the Scenes: Sage Kotsenburg's Holy Crail
Song birds signal that the season at Park City Resort is coming to an end. They closed the lifts. They sent the lifties home. However, the park crew knew it wasn’t over. Salvaging the snow from the melting kickers they built one last titan in Kings Crown Terrain Park.

There’s a quote for things like this – “If you build it, they will come”. This 85 foot kicker (over a quarter pipe gap) did just that. The pros that showed up were Sochi’s gold medalist Sage Kotsenburgs along with Bode Merrill, Zak Hale, Aaron Biittner, Brandon Cocard, Nik Baden, and Griffen Siebert. Transworld gave us a call to capture these talented kids throwing their aerial acrobatics. Warming up the R3D Epics we kept one grounded to gather gorilla-style footage and sent camera 2 to the sky. We captured one-of-a-kind footage of them flying through the air, twisting, tweaking, and twerking like they meant it. From sun-up to sun-down we gathered all the good angles, hung out with the team, and got a quality sunburn. All the thanks to TRANSWORLD, “I RIDE PARK CITY”, and MONSTER ENERGY for extending the invite.

[ 01:46 ]
17 / 28
[ 01:47 ]
Making RAEN - Carlo & Dante Mondavi Official Trailer
Two brothers from winemaking lineage venture out on their own to break from the estate vineyard model and to show that young winemakers can still have a harvest. RAEN is the first creation from Carlo & Dante Mondavi.

The Mondavi legacy has spread outward from Napa Valley for more than a century. Carlo and Dante strive to explore and to find their own path in the creation of their own wine while testing the rules and boundaries of their childhood. These contrasting worlds and trials lead to their first 2013 RAEN creation. The brothers are showing that a world class Pinot Noir can be made by young winemakers from the unusual climate of the Sonoma Coast. “Making Raen” by Carlo and Dante Mondavi will be released June 2014 as a short film, accompanied by the pre-order for the first bottles of the 2013 vintage RAEN, Pinot Noirs.

[ 01:47 ]
18 / 28
[ 2:00 ]
SKECHERS Aerial Footage
Aerial footage for Skechers
[ 2:00 ]
19 / 28
[ 03:24 ]
Midas Whale -Howling at the Moon- (Live)
Midas Whale performs their debut track of "Howling at the Moon" live at the Randall Lake's Guthrie Artist Coop in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is one of many songs that will be featured on Midas Whale's debut album this fall. If you like what you hear, follow the links below to Kickstarter.com and be a part of their journey!

VitaBrevisFilms
Directed: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Lance Clayton & Josh Fletcher

Special Thanks:
Dylan Schorer - Pedal Steel
Randall Lake @randalllakeart

VBF:
www.vitabrevisfilms.com
@vitabrevisfilms

Check out the behind the scenes making of "Howling at the Moon" video here:
https://vimeo.com/68579377

Midas Whale
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/949450857/midas-whale-album
https://www.facebook.com/MidasWhale
@midaswhale

[ 03:24 ]
20 / 28
[ 03:07 ]
VBF QuickCuts: Reef Mcintosh
In this second installment of the VitaBrevisFilms QuickCuts series, Pro Surfer Reef Mcintosh fills us in on becoming a pro surfer, surfing pipeline, and his thoughts on aerial surfing. This is not a surf film, it's a film about surfing.

Direction: Skylar Nielsen
Cinematography: Mike Hall
Title Design: Mike Hall

Check out more at VitaBrevisFilms.com/blog
Music: Tv on the Radio / DLZ & Phantogram / When i'm small

Thanks to Reef Mcintosh & Eric Arakawa

[ 03:07 ]
21 / 28
[ 02:01 ]
Chevy 2014 Launch Reel
Shot During the summer of 2012 at an undisclosed location, VitaBrevisFilms and Chevy created rolling stock for the launch of the 2014 Chevy Silverado truck line.

Produced by: VitaBrevisFilms
Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Music: Dan Auerbach / Street Walkin' / Nonesuch
Rolling Footage : Ultimate Arm
Shot on Red Epic
Vita Brevis Films

[ 02:01 ]
22 / 28
[ 03:00 ]
Mörkna Fall/Winter 2011
Mörkna Fall/Winter 2011 video look book

Produced by: VitaBrevisFilms
Directed by: Skylar Nielsen
Title Design: Mike Hall
Production Design: Dave Fryer

Mörkna.com
VitaBrevisFilms.com

[ 03:00 ]
23 / 28
[ 02:43 ]
VBF Quick-cuts: DP Custom Fab
VBF Quick-cuts: DP Custom Fab
[ 02:43 ]
24 / 28
[ 01:11 ]
We are 138 Trailer
Introducing SBTG aka Mark Ong and the Royalefam. This is the teaser to proceed the short doc about the universally famous designer SBTG based in the most Tron-like city ever, Singapore. It will introduce the shoe collaboration between the Royalefam and FICE, known as the "138". The exploration will take you through the roots of SBTG's process and the cerebral existence of being a self taught artist, finding inspiration in the simplest of forms.

Production: FICE GALLERY, Corey Bullough, Vita Brevis Films
Directed: Skylar Nielsen
Title Design: Mike Hall
www.ficegallery.com
www.vitabrevisfilms.com/blog
www.royalefam.com

[ 01:11 ]
25 / 28
[ 1:14 ]
BMW M6
This spot was shot over three nights when the fog was just right. Shot in Red 4k.

Direction: Skylar NIelsen
Produced by: VitaBrevisFilms

[ 1:14 ]
26 / 28
[ 00:15 ]
Aerials for Hallenstien Brothers
Vita Brevis Films aerial footage for Hallenstien Brothers commercial.
[ 00:15 ]
27 / 28
[ 1:10 ]
Harley-Davidson #HD110 "Burnout" Viral
Shot in Milwaukee at the Harley-Davidson headquarters to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle company. Follow the H-D 110th Anniversary conversation using #HD110.

Follow the H-D 110th Anniversary conversation using #HD110.

[ 1:10 ]
28 / 28
[ 1:36 ]
1970 Dodge SuperBee / Bonneville Salt Flats
VitaBrevisFilms.com Director: Skylar Nielsen

VitaBrevisFilms.com
Director: Skylar Nielsen

[ 1:36 ]