The Short Works Of… Neill Blomkamp
The Short Works Of… is a semi-regular feature on Film Junk where we spotlight commercials, music videos and other short form work from a well-known director.
With the recent release of the first trailer for District 9, arguments over the talent and skill of director Neill Blomkamp have resurfaced across the blogosphere. Blomkamp is perhaps best known for the movie he never directed: Halo. Peter Jackson chose him to direct a blockbuster movie based on the popular video game franchise despite the fact that he had never directed a feature film. However, it is his short form work that landed him the job, so I figured it would be a good time to look back at his impressive resume and show why this guy is the real deal.
Citroen Commercial: “Alive with Technology”
You can’t start a discussion about Neill Blomkamp’s work without talking about this amazing car commercial, which won a VES award for Outstanding VFX in a commercial. If this commercial didn’t exist, Michael Bay’s Transformers never would have happened… plain and simple.
Alive in Joburg (Short Film)
This is the short film upon which District 9 is based. Aliens crash land in Africa, only to end up being taken advantage of and basically enslaved by the human race. The documentary feel and subtle CG helps evoke the brilliant allusion to Apartheid.
Halo 3: Landfall (Short Film)
After the Halo movie fell apart, Blomkamp was hired to direct a few web shorts to promote the release of the Halo 3 video game. This is perhaps the closest thing we have to imagining what his Halo movie would have looked like… and it’s pretty damn impressive.
Nike Commercial: “Crab”
This commercial is another example of Blomkamp’s skill integrating photorealistic digital effects into a live action environment.
Adidas Viral Ad: “Adicolor: Yellow”
Another breathtaking short about an intelligent robot living in human society, this was created as part of a series of viral ads for Adidas themed around different colours.
Tetra Vaal (Short Film)
Perhaps Blomkamp should have been given the reins to the Robocop reboot as well?
Nike Commercial: “Evolution”
A morphing shoe.
Tempbot (Short Film)
Another short about robots in the workforce, this one guest starring Lynda Carter aka Wonder Woman!
Crossing The Line (Short Film)
This is footage from a short war film that Peter Jackson shot with the Red camera to see how it would hold up in a professional environment. Blomkamp is only credited as an “additional director” on the project, but I thought some people might be interested to check it out nonetheless.
LiveonRelease – “Let’s Go” Music Video
Okay… so not everything he has done is groundbreaking. Hey, you gotta pay the bills somehow, right?