URBAN :: THINKING

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Urban Thinking members take part in the interactive edit of the film TechnoMECCA

In preparation for the upcoming celebration of the 25th anniversary (2010) of Techno music's inception in Detroit, we are asking members of the Urban Thinking network to view exclusive sneak peeks of the film Techno Mecca. This film will become part of a online project that we will developed as a educational platform to teach students about musical history. The online project will use a map to aid students in the exploration the locations that are behind the origins of musical and artistic styles. Please take a look at our rough cut trailers and rate them as compared to the original trailer that was edited at the start of production in 2002.

Your ratings and comments will give us valuable feedback on what you like and which trailer is most compelling and effective at getting the film's message across. It will also give users a look at the process filmmakers use to develop a project. As the final edit proceeds we will post clips for you to view and and give us your opinions on so return to the site often to see how the film is developing. We are currently developing other interactive aspects of this project and Urban Thinking will be the communication hub for the development of this interactive film project (until TechnoMecca.com is launched) so stay tuned.

TechnoMecca::Early Trailer (2002)

TechnoMecca::Rough Cut Trailer (version 3)

TechnoMecca::Rough Cut Trailer (version 2)

TechnoMecca::Rough Cut Trailer (version 1)

The multimedia curriculum for this project was created by David Grandison Jr. as his thesis project as a part of the Instructional Technology and Media Masters Degree Program at Columbia University. (New York, New York) David was awarded a Technology Fellowship for his innovative work in the program. He and his production company, Urban Universe (Urban Thinking) believe that a collective goal is being pursued by documenting the history of this unique city as a nexus of not only the Motown sound but of Techno, a innovative form of electronic dance music.

Get Involved::
We hope to work with non-profit institutions, academic institutions, production companies other filmmakers and the music industry (record labels, producers, and artist) to create a historical documentation that is, educational, accurate and that insures the longevity of the art form. To this end, we are seeking partnerships and collaborations with individuals and institutions that may be able to help us in our quest to develop new ways to educate students using music, video, and web-centric tools. We hope to work with the industry make it possible for the film’s website to become an online archive and Multimedia Study Environment containing written abstracts, videos, musical samples and original mixes for students to use to study the intersections of art, culture and technology.

Produced and Directed by David Grandison Jr.
Portfolio and Reels - http://Grandison.info

Tags: Arts, Electronic dance music, Motown, Music industry, detroit, detroit techno, electronic music, techno, trailers, video

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Comment by Digitaldreus on March 16, 2009 at 11:00pm: I to believe with the graphical content layout and designed maybe there's a richer story to tell in the trailer but over all good job it looks like you're reaching into the past with some of that B-roll and I like that.

Let's work on incorporating some old flyers and more of the 80's fashion and album covers. I look forward to seeing it mature into the baby that has now grown up a bit.

Comment by Urban Universe Productions on February 13, 2009 at 6:18am: I like your suggestion that bringing the in DEMF later is better. Very insightful- I agree the cut should be much faster. I really appreciate the feedback of a master editor such as yourself who has work for BET, NBC and many of the networks. Of course, thanks for you help on the project thus far. I'm going to supply you with footage for a re-edit of some of the same footage so that we can see your ideas in action.

Comment by Scott on February 12, 2009 at 2:19am: Dave,

I checked it out. Not bad, but It could use some work. I like the open, but I don't think I would start with the bites about the festival in the beginning. It makes the doc seem like it's about the DEMF not the beginnings of techno. The magnitude and scale of the festival provides and idea as to how big techno has become. Those bites should go towards the middle/end-esque. The jeff mills/stacy pullen bites speak to techno's beginnings... that's good. You should definitely get Juan Atkins (Big Fun, Good Life, Clear) in the trailer as well to go along with Fowlke, May, etc. (founders). Do you have any interviews in-studio, guys making music? Overall, I'd like to see it cut a little faster, especially towards the end, after the TP bite. The Carl Craig bite is where it should be, but he refers the Detroit Electronic Music Festival as "it". Can't assume everyone knows about the DEMF. Try and get him referring to the DEMF by name or put a full screen graphic over the beginning of his bite saying "Detroit Electronic Music Festival".

Holla' at me.

Peace!