Austin City Limits

Wednesday September 28th, 2011

Two years ago, Jonathan Jackson tweeted to one of the producers of Austin City Limits about creating a time-lapse video for the program. Turns out, tweeting sometimes actually works, and Jonathan was asked to shoot a time-lapse of a Pearl Jam taping. The video was a hit, and Jonathan was hired to continue working with ACL creating various behind-the-scenes videos.

Jonathan’s ACL Pearl Jam Time Lapse:

Since then, Jonathan has created a slew of videos for the TV program/festival, continuing to build his video portfolio as well as his relationship with the ACL team. While working on the upcoming season, Jonathan came up with the idea of creating a new intro video, a time-lapse of material from around the city centered around the new ACL venue. Jonathan decided to take the charge and start the project himself,

I went to the top of the Austonian (another client of mine) and shot that keystone piece of the intro, looking down at the city. While up there I invited the executive producer of ACL to join me. He came to see the view and the active city during SXSW. While up there he asked, “Why are you shooting this Jonathan?” I told him because I wanted to make the new ACL intro. He just chuckled.

However, after Jonathan had sent the producer the Austonian time-lapse piece along with a few other rough drafts, he was completely on board. The two met with the rest of the producers and began the process of seeking out music, shoot locations, and ideas for the intro. Jonathan continued shooting pieces throughout the summer, and eventually, it all came together.

Due to the fact that video was Jonathan’s idea, and that he had taken the initiative to start it on his own accord, he was given almost complete creative freedom. It was, according to Jonathan, “a dream job.” This did not mean the assignment was without it’s little difficulties though,

One of my objectives was to show off the new venue. They have been at the same studio for 36 years and the change to a new, larger venue was a big deal. My challenge was that while ACL has a TV show taping, I am busy filming behind-the-scenes. I had to shoot the intro material while other (non-ACL TV) acts we’re performing. During the summer the days are long and the sunset did not come until after 9, while many of the shows started at 7 or 8. This made it difficult to shoot scenes where people were entering the venue for a show at night time. The day time shots did not communicate the message I was going for.

These minor challenges aside, Jonathan was quite successful in his endeavor. The piece is a fun look at the new venue and highlights the feel of Austin City Limits. He even threw in a tribute to an old 70s ACL into with a fake Austin City Limit’s sign. The client was more than happy with the results and the intro will be used for the TV show for this season and next.

You can watch the new Austin City Limit’s intro here (also, be sure to check it out during the ACL season premier on October 1st):

So, it turns out that a little tweeting and a lot of initiative can get you pretty far.

- Maria Luci

10,000 Photos Of Pearl Jam

Wednesday November 18th, 2009

Austin City Limits (ACL), PBS’ signature tv show showcasing live rock performances, recently tapped photographer Jonathan Jackson to shoot a time-lapse video of Pearl Jam’s show. The band’s performance commemorates the 35th anniversary of  ACL, which also boasts itself as the longest running music series in American television history.

The show airs live on November 21st, and Pearl Jam recently posted Jonathan’s time-lapse video to their website. It’s generated 12,000 views of Jonathan’s video in only a few days:

To create the time lapse, Jackson shot one photograph every 6 seconds. This took place over an hour and a half, covering the setup of the show and the performance.

Jonathan considers Austin City Limits to be “one of Austin’s greatest assets,” and feels that helping “celebrate ACL’s 35th year is a thrill beyond words.”

35 years ago, the show focused on performances by the best Texas bands, and they’ve since gone on to feature the likes of Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Arcade Fire, R.E.M, and too many others to mention here. Their site lists almost everyone who’s performed on the show, and includes long excerpts of performances by many of the artists, worth a view if you like the band.

Newshour with Jim Lehrer also used some of Jackson’s footage in a story about ACL’s anniversary. Which was great for Jonathan to hear, because it’s the only news show that he watches.

In addition to his music work, Jonathan shoots architectural interior and exterior photography, including a recent project covering every architecturally-significant structure featured in the 2009 AIA Austin’s home tour.

On a side note: I just found out that his daughter’s first birthday is Dec. 5th, only four days before my son’s! And if you weren’t aware, Jonathan Jackson is an Austin-based photographer with Wonderful Machine.

-Neil Binkley