Distant Moon

08/25/2020

These are some of the gorgeous works of art we sourced for Hillsdale's newest online course, Introduction to Western Philosophy. Finding paintings that directly correlate to source material is just one of the ways in which we seek to create an immersive online course experience. We want Hillsdale's viewers to be able to easily do a deep dive into source material and content without having to consciously do so.

Hillsdale's goal is to create a rich online course experience for their audience for free, and we're helping them make that happen. (If you have a particular goal that you're trying to achieve with your business, we'd love to make that happen for you, too.)

We’d be so honored if you'd check out this beautiful course we made with @hillsdalecollege when it launches. @ Hillsdale College

08/21/2020

We absolutely loved filming this online course with @christineolmstead while we were all quarantined and stuck in our homes.

@christineolmstead is truly an inspiration to us. Who said you need to be starving to be an artist?

Christine has been making a living as an artist for years. She uses social media to connect with clients and potential clients. She's an Instagram sensation, a Tik Tok queen, and she knows Pinterest really, really well. With over 1.5 million impressions on Pinterest each month, Christine is generating all kinds of sales and making connections with some of her dream clients.

If you're looking to start a business or a side hustle, this course is for you. We learned so very much filming with Christine, and we know you will, too. To sign up, go to christineolmsteadlearn.com @ Washington D.C.

08/12/2020

FBI. UNEXPECTED AGENTS - SCOT.

Meet Scot! He's a lead trainer for the FBI. You can check out his story in this piece we created recently with our friends at the FBI as a part of their unexpected agents campaign:

https://vimeo.com/446930534

Scot Huntsberry is the leading physical trainer at the FBI. He never imagined he'd be a special agent. This is his story. - - - - - - - - Client: Federal Bureau…

08/12/2020

Distant Moon, like life itself, has proven surprising, exciting, and hectic.

We've been blessed over the past few years with some incredible growth (size of our team, infrastructure we've built, incredible client relationships, and exciting projects that are dreams-come-true).

And with that growth has also come incredible busyness and I (Ian) often feel as though I'm perpetually behind in posting exciting updates/new projects etc (for those two or three people who actually care. 😂)

So in trying to catch up on those updates, here are a couple:

1. We brought on another Director on to our full-time team. Meet Chase Kinney. He's a former actor, turned director who brings a decade of experience in branded-documentary and commercial directing to our team. He also *might* be a minor animation/motion graphics wizard, but that's just hearsay.

2. We're working on a podcast - AND NO, it has nothing to do with filmmaking. It's about a thing called Synesthesia. We've been talking to the world's leading experts on this topic for about 5 months now and its turning into something rather cool. Stay tuned.

3. We're always looking for future collaborators. Distant Moon has several very exciting long-term projects in the works and we're looking for motion-graphics artists and editors (ideally with 5-6 years of professional experience) who are interested in joining a dynamic and quickly growing media company. Sometimes we move too quickly. Sometimes we break things and fix them. But we're always trying to push the boundaries creatively and narratively, and we try to focus on creating work that makes the world a better place. So reach out if that interests you.

04/08/2020

In a week of a lot of "new" things. Check out our new website! It's been a long time coming and we're still working out the kinks, but let us know what you think! https://distantmoonmedia.com/

04/07/2020

Distant Moon Animation

You don't need a big film shoot with crew, lights, cameras, and actors to communicate your brand's message. We have a completely remote workflow that can translate your brand's messaging into visually stimulating, emotionally compelling and entertaining video animated videos that reach your audience right now.

04/07/2020

Distant Moon Animation

Most people know Distant Moon as a live-action production company. You might not know that we also have a team of vfx and motion graphics artists, editors, and animators who can create entire worlds digitally. (Also, lots of sonic surprises throughout, so wear headphones to hear all the fun!)

https://vimeo.com/405010987

Distant Moon is a full-service production company that specializes in not only live action, but also animation, vfx, and motion graphics. Select clients in this…

03/16/2020

At Distant Moon, we've been attentively watching the spread of the coronavirus across the United States. To all our friends, family, and clients, please reach out if you need anything from us during this uniquely trying time. So far our team is healthy and we're having regular company meetings about best practices for remaining safe. We want to do whatever we can to help, so let us know if you need anything.

God Bless,
-Ian Reid

02/13/2020

@hillsdalecollege just launched the trailer for their most recent online course, US History. We loved putting this set together and filming this class. If you never paid attention in your American History classes, here’s your chance for a do over. Link in bio.

02/13/2020

Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten *very* lost on the subway in New York. Not that we’ve ever hopped on the train and ended up in Brooklyn by accident. @ New York

02/06/2020

Maggie Miles, Shiver. Fall 2019.

01/25/2020

Throwback to this shoot with our friends at Kingslynn. We worked with an incredibly talented dance team (@CultureShockDC) who helped bring this piece to life. Shot in a single 8-hour night shoot, the whole team really pulled together and made this something special. Check out the video on our vimeo!

01/23/2020

Throwback to when we shot a spot for a startup coffee company called Sunniva. Fast forward a couple years and their name has changed to Kitu Super Coffee, but their product is better than ever. Fun fact: We actually have our fridge stocked with @supercoffee because it’s such a great keto coffee option.

01/22/2020

The Falconer. Fall 2018.

01/16/2020

On our film journey, we meet so many people who are incredibly dedicated to their craft. They’ve committed. Put in the hours—not only from 9 am to 5 pm, but at every spare moment. Many have left other opportunities behind to pursue something wholeheartedly and without reservation. The result is a day-to-day life that is nothing short of inspiring. And we are so thankful for the opportunity to share their stories with you.

01/13/2020

Ian’s frowning here because he’s still not sure how he managed to become both the director and the talent at the same time. #BenAffleck @ New York, New York

01/06/2020

Super Coffee. Summer 2018.

12/10/2019

FROM THE SHIPYARDS

All Don knew was a life working in a shipyard. Clock in. Clock out. Budweiser, the Beatles, and girls. That was his life...

...Until 1973, when Don took a college class at a small state school to appease his mother and a professor asked Don a simple question. Check out our new film for our friends at Mercatus Center at George Mason University!

https://vimeo.com/378550786

All Don knew was a life working in a shipyard. Clock in. Clock out. Budweiser, the Beatles, and girls. That was his life... ...Until 1973, when Don took a college…

11/13/2019

MAGGIE MILES. SHIVER.

New Music Video premiered last week, check it out! https://vimeo.com/372684741

Official Music Video. Premiere on Billboard.com: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8543113/maggie-miles-shiver-video Directed by Ian Anthony Reid Production…

05/10/2019

Meet Alana! She's our new Production Manager! She comes from a background of recruitment and management for non-profits and is joining Distant Moon to help us take even better care of our clients and contractors!

Chances are, if you work with Distant Moon, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot from Alana, since she'll be one of the main points of contact making sure that Distant Moon's projects, deadlines, and logistics are going on without a hitch!

(Oh, she also snowboards, which Ian says is critical, since it now evens out the percentages of snowboarders and non-snowboarders on the team.)

05/02/2019

THE FALCONER - Trailer

When we found out that filming falcons in the United States is illegal, we knew we had to make this film.

In partnership with the Pacific Legal Foundation, we're thrilled to share this trailer to "The Falconer," in which we captured the story of Peter, his falcon Ares, and the struggle that falconers across the country have endured to carry on this timeless bond between man and animal.

Trailer for the short documentary. Director: Ian Anthony Reid Production Company: Distant Moon Client: Pacific Legal Foundation Trailer Details: Editor: Brandon…

02/08/2019

HUSTLE. CREATE. INSPIRE. .
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#filmmaking #cinematography #framez #commercial #video #film #story #lifestyle #filmmaker #moody #coffee #city #urbanlife #sports #cinematic #storytelling #artists #filmproduction #r3d #anamorphic #productioncompany #distantmoon

02/06/2019

Finding the right location to tell your story is everything. .
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#filmmaking #cinematography #framez #commercial #video #film #story #lifestyle #filmmaker #coffee #city #urbanlife #sports #cinematic #storytelling #artists #filmproduction #r3d #anamorphic #productioncompany #distantmoon

02/05/2019

This is a story about a family who feels trapped by the educational system in Connecticut. We wanted to convey a sense of claustrophobia within the frame through lighting, blocking and camera movement. For lighting, we intentionally underexposed many of the shots with small pockets of light that the characters are trapped within. We also composed many of the shots through doorways. By doing this we intentionally shrink the frame around our subjects and limit the space they operate within the shot. Finally, we restricted camera movement throughout the piece (with one exception) to tripod and dolly. Because the family feels immobile, we wanted the camera to feel restricted and unable to move as well. The one time we break that rule is when the family spends time together playing. In the same way that they encourage and give each other a sense of well being, we wanted that scene to be the only scene in which the camera moved freely.
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#filmmaking #framez #cinematography #documentary #video #film #story #filmmaker #cinematic #storytelling #filmproduction #productioncompany #distantmoon

02/04/2019

We love capturing real moments. .
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#framez #filmmaking #cinematography #documentary #video #film #story #arri #cinematic #filmproduction #productioncompany #distantmoon

01/30/2019

HARTFORD

Telling stories that help inspire change is one of our foundational purposes at Distant Moon.

So it was an honor and a privilege when Pacific Legal Foundation asked us to partner with them in telling the story of Jarod and his family.

Jarod was at the top of the list for the Hartford Magnet School Lottery three consecutive rounds. He was never selected. This is the story of Jarod and kids like…

01/19/2019

New office, who dis?

(Come hang with us in our new space!)

01/15/2019

AMERICAN CRAFT

Sometimes clients let you take their documentaries in crazy directions. This was one of those times. If you like beer or history, check this one out!

Huge thanks to The Federalist Society, Matt Wood, and Motivo Media, and countless others for this crazy, fun collaboration and for trusting us with some hair-brained ideas.

https://vimeo.com/311503758

A doc about beer. - - - Production Companies: Distant Moon, Motivo Media Client: Federalist Society Director: Matt Wood Director of Photography: Ian Anthony Reid Writers:…

12/18/2018

We're so excited to announce that Distant Moon is adding a new member to our team!

Meet Brandon DeTraglia. Brandon is a multi-talented filmmaker with specialties in cinematography and editing. Hailing from Cape Cod, MA, he's making the trek down to the mid-atlantic to join Distant Moon as a full-time editor in our DC offices.

But he won't just be editing. Keep a lookout on Distant Moon projects to see him working in various departments, bringing his talent and skills to make our shoots as amazing as they can possibly be.

12/04/2018

As you may have noticed, we're changing and growing a bit. We're in a new office space (pics coming REALLY soon), we're expanding our company size (announcement coming pretty soon), and we now have a new logo to represent the new Distant Moon. We have so much to share with you all in 2019, but for now, here's our new logo!

11/22/2018

Happy Thanksgiving! We’ve grown a lot this year and have a lot to be thankful for. One of the biggest things we’re constantly thankful for is all of you, our friends and family, clients and collaborators.

Hope all of you have a fantastic holiday this week with people you love!

10/16/2018

This week we'll be celebrating with director Patrick Mason at the Nightmares Film Festival 18 on Friday, Oct 19 for the release of our movie, Ayuda Film. Then stay tuned for the release of the short film online on Monday, Oct. 22.

Who's ready for Halloween? 🧟‍♂️

09/26/2018

Sunrise Prep in Turlock, CA. Shotlists/story beats being tweaked and finessed before we begin filming in a few hours!

09/21/2018

BUTLER: LOOKING DOWN - DM Music Spotlight

Regardless of the shape it takes, all of us have dealt with loss in some form or another. Our hope is that this video will encourage some of you out there.

This song, by Butler captures the pain and healing perfectly. From the artist: "In 2014, my father passed away from cancer, and four years later God has brought me to a place of peace with the loss. I’ve learned to face what happened and continually move forward. The feeling is bittersweet but hopeful. That's what 'Looking Down' is about."

Want more content like this? Distant Moon will be creating more indie-spotlight music videos for up-and-coming bands and musicians. Let us know who we should feature next!

09/18/2018

HILLSDALE COLLEGE. CONGRESS.

NEW WORK: Check out the trailer to our newest collaboration with Hillsdale College on the rebranding and launch of their new online courses. First course up: Congress.

Distant Moon did full production from early planning through delivery of the final masters. It was quite a ride and we're so glad that Hillsdale chose to partner with us!

https://vimeo.com/290564292

Trailer for an 11-part (6 hour) online course Distant Moon produced for Hillsdale College as a part of the rebrand and launch of Hillsdale's new Online Courses. Client:…