Video of pottery pro and owner of White Lotus Pottery in New Haven, CT Amanda Bartel. Amanda is an incredible artist that I was honored to spend a day with. We went with an approach that really highlighted the “why” into what she does. Her emotional connection with the clay, her mindset and the discipline it brings her. She is such a pro I feel it’s worth mentioning that nothing she did was more than one take.
Technique/ Cinematography:
Very simple setup for the day, Amanda and I wanted something gritty and we didn’t want it to feel or look like a giant production. I chose an A7SII, Canon 50mm 1.2 lens on a Ronin M for every shot except two moments with a slider on a Canon 24 1.4 and on sticks for the interview. All lit with the incredible Aputure 120Ds.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
My daughter is my world, anyone who knows me knows nothing comes even close to mattering as much as her. I am so proud of her character, her conduct, her empathy, her manners, her discipline and while her mother and I will gladly take some credit I would be remised in saying Calvin Hill didn’t have a large part in developing who she is. They shaped so much of my favorite person in the world so I am forever grateful and incredibly honored to give something back to Calvin Hill.
Namaste NYC is a wellness brand based in New York City.
We wanted a video that highlighted all of their services and the unique capacities they provide them in.
Technique/ Cinematography:
It’s great to have a style but cinematography many times is about adaptability. It was essential that this video was visually “on brand” with Namaste straight out of the camera. This wasn’t the time for moody lighting scenarios, each situation needed to feel bright and airy without being overexposed. The beautiful mid century home I shot in was an ideal situation aesthetically but like many homes from that era, I was fighting the contrast of light all day. Either it was just overhead lighting in a dark room or giant open windows with the morning sun blaring in. Every scene was lit with two Aputure 120Ds and an Aputure 300D. A Sony A7SII with a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens on a Ronin M was used for the moving shots along and an FS7 for the interview section.
It was also important to break production up into two sections. Ones with movement and ones stable as a reflection of the brand. So much of what Namaste NYC does is about slowing down, breathing, stillness so I wanted to camera to reflect those feelings.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
A visual narrative and fashion forward approach to a commercial for Pure Grey restaurant consultants in New York City. “Day in the life videos” are always fun and provide great insight into a company. We didn’t need a big story for this one we just followed the experts around for a day and documented their approach to menu development and cooking.
Technique/ Cinematography:
Shot in 4k60 on the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera which is truly my favorite camera to use. The place needed light badly, so at all times we had two Aputure 120Ds and an Aputure 300D on set. We weren’t trying to stylize with the light but we wanted an abundance of light to make the environment feel clean and open like a Michelin star kitchen. When working with food it’s so important to keep colors honest, it’s not the place for artistic liberties with color grading which is why we went with prisming and flares for affect opposed to post production styling.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
A true story of perseverance and progression.
One of the many perks of a job as a cinematographer is the places it takes you and the perspectives they give. In no other capacity would I have been introduced to Mark and I feel so grateful that I have. Mark has a condition known as retinitous pigmentosa which causes a slow loss of vision when inflicted. If unfamiliar think of it as your vision being like the out of focus area in a photograph. I would like as many people to watch this as possible so I don’t want to give too much away but this mini documentary for Goodwill tells about his life before and after his disability.
I would however like to take the opportunity to say how important it is as film makers that we connect with our subject. This is a man who is much older than me, lived a very different life and has a disability that I can’t even comprehend. Losing vision is truly my biggest fear but that wasn’t enough, it’s not human enough, it borders on sentiments of pity. Thats not connecting, it’s mourning and its not fair. Until I saw his daughter and I found some common ground I could connect to with this man. I have a daughter, I cherish the moments we are together and I often just stare at her. I stare at her eyelashes, her dimples, her gestures, the wave in her hair, her chin etc etc etc. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything and it would crush me to not see every part of her as she becomes a woman. There it was, something in his story I could feel, I wasn’t just trying to understand him I found something that I could feel in my minds eye and it helped me highlight him and his story.
Technique/ Cinematography:
I really wanted to highlight Mark’s impaired vision when it came to the work scene. I cut the house lights and used one powerful Aputure panel above him to replicate a skylight on a bright day. Using a Sony A7SII and a wide open Canon 50mm 1.2 lens enabled us to shoot in such a dark environment. A haze machine was used to stylize the room and add more of the steam affect for the dishwasher.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
Promotional piece for Rye Ballet Conservatory with commentary by owner and prodigal ballerina Ashlee Stewart (Knapp). Ashlee was actually my first bride when I started Will Talamelli Films in 2015 and when she started her own studio she contacted me for a company video.
I know what ballet means to Ashlee and how much of her life has been dedicated to the art so I really wanted to showcase that. I wanted the viewer and potential client to understand that with Rye Ballet Conservatory you aren’t just getting ballet lessons, you are getting a developmental experience from one of the greatest to ever do it. I wanted Ashlee to discuss what ballet can do for a young dancer, what it did for her and the emotional connection she has to the art which really highlights her dedication.
Technique/ Cinematography:
Shot in 4K60 on the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera using the incredible Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens on a Ronin M. There is movement in every scene and I intended it to be that way. I wanted slow steady movement that went with the dancers and replicated their gestures. Which was tricky because I’m not a dancer lol. Thankfully Ashlee was next to me like a producer would be, explaining and demonstrating the moves ahead of time to prepare me.
Stylistically I wanted it to look like her instagram photos, it had to be on brand with what she puts out. Very bright, full contrast, true tones. That meant soft light and a lot of it. Using 2 Aputure 300Ds and 2 Aputure 120Ds for lighting with China balls and soft boxes I was able to fill the studio with very complimenting, soft, even light.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
This was a video produced by 309 Productions in Boston that I was hired exclusively as the DP. It was essential to stay on brand with Follain while in production. I went to Follain’s social media for inspiration with the content. I’m happy to say it ended up being very much in line with the content they produce. Soft, even lighting to create very airy, relaxed environments.
Technique/ Cinematography
Shot in 4k60 on the BMPCC6K with the always incredible Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens. I usually opt for parabolic lights by Aputure but for this shoot I used Astra LitePanels which were perfect for the airy, even look we were going for. A Ronin M was used for most of the day to add some dynamic movement and worked especially well for the running shot. Fun story about that running scene - it was under 20° in Boston that day, with icy streets, snow on the ground and I had to run backwards downhill. Terrifying, but worth it for a successful shot.
This was a short film shot at my great friend Ryan Taylor’s coffee shop “The Coffee Pedaler” in New Haven CT with the intention of being displayed at a class about storytelling with video.
Technique/ Cinematography:
Because this was shot for a class based in storytelling I wanted to make a point that you can do a lot with just a little. One camera, one lens and two lights. I chose to use two Aputure 120Ds, one with a China lantern above our subject and one on the back wall with a blue gel. The coffee shop has a very warm, inviting look but I really wanted to emphasize the fact that it was not open and this isn’t a time for everyone to enjoy. By using the blue light I really changed the whole color palate of the environment and the china ball above Ryan made it feel like there was light coming from a street light in front of the building. The video itself was shot on a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera with a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens simply put on a tripod.
Where I had the most fun was the subtle gestures made to really highlight our subject Ryan, his personality and his relationship to the coffee shop. I put Chartreuse bottles in the reflection of Ryan’s espresso machine. It’s his favorite spirit and the machine is how he affords his “finer things” lifestyle. I kept the camera on one side of the counter to make it seem like we aren’t a part of his world, the camera has the exact relationship that a customer would. As well as the final scene where Ryan has his back to the camera and looks out the window from the table, a perspective he never gets to enjoy during the day further emphasizing the idea that it is closed for business and he is enjoying the “perk” of his own coffee shop.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
A few of the many videos I’ve done for Gorilla Grip who produce a huge product line high quality home products all with great anti slip technology.
All of these are done alone with my great friend and fantastic director Matt Branscombe of BSC Studio in New Haven CT.
For more information visit gorillagrip.com
Or check out their products on Amazon
Everyone knows a restaurant serves food, there isn’t a restaurant in the world that doesn't serve food. I wanted something more engaging, something more intimate that you can’t see from looking at the menu online. This promo for Millwright’s displays the motivation, attention to detail and commitment to excellence when concerning the food at Millwrights Restaurant.
Starring: Chef Tyler Anderson
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
Shot back in 2016 as a sequel to the first project we worked on together, Claire and I decided to make a video that explained the hashtag that gave her so much online notoriety and truly changed her life for the better.
The first video we did was completely visual and it made sense, we didn’t know each other. It was just an idea I had that someone I didn’t know from Instagram agreed to go along with. This was a year later and we had really built a friendship. I got to know more about Claire, who she is as a person and the reasons she started her own movement. I wanted to highlight that and let more people know the person behind the instagram page.
The founder of #TrillYoga describes her inspiration and process in this video shot through NYC and New Haven.
Technique/ Cinematography
There isn’t much to say about this process, it was a run and gun situation all over New York City but what is noteworthy is to get a tame version of Manhattan you have to start EARLY. And I mean REALLY EARLY. I picked Claire up at 4am to hit the streets so we could have areas to ourself!
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
A virtual tour of the Ethel Walker School for Young Women in Simsbury Connecticut. Utilizing all the elements that make the school unique, the grounds, the class size, the student body, the faculty, all narrated by their incredible head of school Meera Viswanathan. While this is a corporate video I wanted to do justice to this amazing facility. One of the most overused words in the English diction is "amazing." People use it to describe everything from a balloon ride at sunset to a pint of ice cream. With that said Ethel Walker School for young women is nothing short of amazing. When you step on campus you are greeted with the cognition that you are someplace exceptional. The campus is tucked away in a stunning part of Connecticut surround by evergreens and maple trees. The grounds are immaculate and the buildings exude personality. Utilizing aerial footage, stedicams and studio voice overs we achieved something that will represent the business for years to come.
This inspiring video comes from a series of success stories for Goodwill. Thomas shares his struggles and success from overcoming war in his home country and relocating to America with his family.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
The story of Meghan Gil, her determination and how Goodwill helped improve her quality of life.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
A corporate video created for Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), that showcases all the work they do for business owners and economic growth.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
What can we say? We love brides! When we got asked to film a promotional video for this bridal couture shop we were delighted with the opportunity.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
"Hooper" starring Dana Carmen.
When I got contacted about doing a hula hoop video, being the obscure guy I am, immediately agreed to the gig. I'm glad I did too because we hammered this out in one day and I had a blast!
Shot in glorious 4K resolution so bump up the quality!
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
I filmed this lifestyle retreat in Scottsdale Arizona at the beautiful Camelback Mountain Resort.
It was an amazing showcase of talent and I won’t lie, a whole lot of fun!
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
Trill yoga, it's where the manic of NYC and meditation meet.
Concept of this film was to put an Instagram account into motion.
Sticking with those rules, one camera, one lens.
This was a passion project for me back in 2014. As a cinematographer it’s important to stay motivated and progress. I felt myself falling into a rut of monotony professionally and wanted to do something completely against the grain to the type of work I doing. So I reached out to someone I found interesting on instagram and presented an idea for a collaboration. She loved it and after a coffee meeting we made it happen. This actually opened up a lot of doors for me, at the time it showed diversity in my portfolio, it was something new and people noticed. Personally it inspired me to strive for bigger goals, I wanted productions like this to be my job and did everything I could to make it happen.
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films
