Stunning Live Action Photo Homage to GHOST IN THE SHELL
Ghost in the Shell is such an awesome, classic anime. I don't know anyone who has seen that film and hasn't loved it. Earlier this year it was announced that Rupert Sanders would be directing a live action version of the movie, but it's hard to imagine that a big budget Hollywood movie will get it right. The manga was created by Shirow Masamune, and the anime adaptation of it was directed by Mamoru Oshii.
We can only hope that it turns out as good as what Ash Thorp is doing with his live-action Ghost in the Shell photography project, called Project 2501. Thorp brought together a talented team of artists and put together an homage to the animated movie’s opening title sequence.
Here is a set of photos from the project and an intriguing behind the scenes video of how they are putting it together. It's really quite spectacular. For those of you who are familiar with Ghost in the Shell, you know there is nudity, so you will also find some nudity in the photos and in the making-of video. I just want to warn you that it's NSFW. This project definitely stays true to the creator's original vision. A lot of work went into creating this beautiful photography.
Here's a little information that came along with the video:
A respectful homage to Shirow Masamune’s manga and Mamoru Oshii’s seminal film “Ghost in the Shell”, this is a modernized direction that still tries to stays true to the original creator’s vision. What started as a photo tribute directed by Ash Thorp and Tim Tadder (photography), soon became a worldwide collaboration of more than 20 artists from around the world, with each and everyone coming together to help breath life into the project, resulting in the artistic interpretation you see below.
For a film that was a comment on the uber-connected society of the future, Project 2501 ended up being itself an example of how this collaborative group of creatives are so connected ourselves. Many of us never met beyond the communications provided by the vast and infinite net, but still came together to make the ultimate tribute to “Ghost in the Shell”.
Everyone of us wanted the opportunity to pay homage to a ground-breaking film that gave us so much.
We sincerely hope you enjoy our effort to capture the energy and beauty of the original film’s title sequence.
This team did such an incredible job with this, and I absolutely love the outcome. If anyone makes a live action version of this film it should be these talented individuals. I also included a the original opening sequence from the anime film. You can check out the official site for the project here.
