Ocarina is the “first true musical instrument created for the iPhone. Ocarina is sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, making it even more versatile than the original [instrument]. Unlike other musical applications, there are no pre-compiled riffs so musicians will find unlimited opportunities for self-expression. Advanced options allow you to choose between diatonic, minor and harmonic scales.” You blow into the iPhone microphone and use your fingers to play the “keys” on the screen.
Ocarina is also a social application. “Tap on the globe icon and you will see and hear other Ocarina players throughout the world. The globe view will highlight the source of the music. Rate your favorite performances so that others may benefit from your judgment. Name your Ocarina if you want listeners around the world to identify your performances.” Download the app at the iTunes store for $.99. According to the company, the app is optimized for 3G phones. For first generation phones, they recommend upgrading to the 2.2 firmware when it becomes available.
I’m amazed by the video above and others on their site. This app is one of the first to really take advantage of all the unique features of the iPhone. Downloading and installing the app now!
If you’re an independent or non-profit filmmaker, film student or someone “in need of free music for your independent, non-profit film, video or short,” Moby has been thinking about you. The always innovative and individualistic musician launched mobygratis.com, a site that has seventy tracks of his music (some of it previously unreleased) that you can use in your next project. I know I’m going to! If you want to use it for a commercial film you can apply for a license and the money will be donated to the humane society. Watch the video of Moby describing his project below.
Over at the new Nalu Collective surf video and photography site, Max Kiesler has posted the trailer to Pipeline Posse, Project 1, “an insider’s look at the world’s most deadly surf break. The Posse is a group of individuals dedicated to surfing Pipe.” We were lucky enough to travel to the North Shore, O’ahu this summer to the seven mile stretch that’s home to some of the world’s most infamous winter surf breaks. Surfing is about a love of the ocean, respect for nature, camaraderie and adventure, but at its core, it’s about knowing yourself. As Flynn Novak says about making the drop into Pipeline, “When you commit to it you have to be determined you’re going to conquer it and sometimes you’re not going to, but without that determination you’re never going to conquer it.” Get inspired and buy the DVD at the Pipeline Posse site.
In 2004, independent filmmaker Morgan Spurlock made the documentary Super Size Me, the story of his 30 day diet on McDonald’s fast food and evidence of the crushing physical and psychological effects of a high fat, junk food diet. Coming out in the spring of 2008 is a new documentary by Patagonia Films, called ”Raw for 30 Days.” The film answers the reverse question of Super Size Me: what happens when people consume only healthy, natural, raw vegan foods? The film documents “the journey of five Americans suffering from Adult Onset Type II Diabetes, who undergo a radical 30-day diet and lifestyle change in the hope of reversing or reducing their insulin dependence. The film will show the eating habits that led to the development of this disease and will posit an alternative approach to living and eating, one in which foods can heal and hold the potential to reverse Diabetes.” See the trailer below…
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