Saturday, May 25, 2013 — Partly Cloudy 5°C
Film

Stunning timelapse of Toronto in motion

Posted by Derek Flack / June 6, 2011

27 Comments

Toronto Time-lapseI rarely miss the opportunity to post a good timelapse sequence, but this recent effort by Ben Lean (who's done this sort of thing before) almost slipped under my radar until I happened to stumble upon it last night while looking at photos in the blogTO Flickr pool. Shot over the course of March and April this year, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that this is best one of these I've seen so far. From the initial driving sequence to the subway scenes to the quick day-to-night transitions, there's just scores of eye candy on offer. In some ways, I think it might be even better than "The City Limits" video that went completely beserk last month and now has 1.5 million views on Vimeo.

Check it out!

Time Travel from Ben Lean on Vimeo.

Discussion

27 Comments

Sort By Oldest First / Newest First

Subscribe

cR / June 6, 2011 at 10:11 am
user-pic
Amazing video. Very well done Ben Lean. The music was great. However I wouldn't mind seeing a more "summertime" feel if you or someone were to do a similar video. Perhaps more pedestrian and sun/water focused, with a more upbeat song.
This one to me reminded me of a long winter, but still beautiful.
Reply
Derek replying to a comment from cR / June 6, 2011 at 10:26 am
user-pic
Ask and ye shall receive:

http://bit.ly/gRh3ak
Reply
Liz Crawford / June 6, 2011 at 11:03 am
user-pic
I realise this takes a lot of work and I appreciate that but I wish the time lapse actually added some information. I know cars go back and forth on the Gardiner, I know people get on and off the subway. Show me something I don't see every day in any city. I'd like to see the club district transform from office workers to club goers then go back to emptiness. I'd like to see the SkyDome open and close. Even the reflection of the sunset on the downtown skyscrapers. Transformations, that's what I'd like to see. Otherwise it's just streaky lights and moody music.
Reply
scott replying to a comment from Liz Crawford / June 6, 2011 at 11:25 am
user-pic
Yeah, seriously. What's wrong with Ben Lean that he would make an absolutely gorgeous video that he wanted instead of the one that Liz wanted? Sheesh.
Reply
Liz / June 6, 2011 at 12:15 pm
user-pic
Sorry, I didn't realize only positive comments were allowed. We called them critiques in art school maybe they aren't PC anymore. Good job!
Reply
RofulCawptur replying to a comment from Liz / June 6, 2011 at 12:22 pm
user-pic
Lol... You werent critiquing you were shittalking it for not being `cool` enough by your non-respected standards. Art School? No surprise there... Another pretentious know-it-all who went to art school.

Good on ya, we all waste money in our own ways.
Reply
Fig / June 6, 2011 at 12:36 pm
user-pic
Very cool video - great work Ben.
Reply
Mike W replying to a comment from Liz Crawford / June 6, 2011 at 12:49 pm
user-pic
This reminds me of a review of a Coldplay album they had some kid do on a CBC kids program one time. He panned it, complaining they weren't enough like Linkin Park.
Reply
Jacqui / June 6, 2011 at 12:57 pm
user-pic
Don't know her, but she's right and if it were me, I would be grateful for the insight she's given. The video posted by Derek in response to Cr is imaginative. Fun to see Toronto featured.
Reply
Jeff Couch / June 6, 2011 at 12:58 pm
user-pic
Beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you!
Reply
Octavia replying to a comment from Liz Crawford / June 6, 2011 at 02:10 pm
user-pic
Not to hate on your comment, BUT:

Your ideas are awesome. But the thing is, this is this guy's video. It doesn't have to be your video. Thing is, YOU can make your video! Or pitch it to a friend! Your ideas are just as valid, but it'd be marvelous if you could take steps to realize them instead of seeing others' work within the frame of what you want it to be. (I actually loved the thing about the club district).
Reply
Roberto / June 6, 2011 at 03:52 pm
user-pic
I think this is a great piece of work, fantastic job Ben! Matter of fact I am considering shooting a commercial for my furniture store and was thinking of going along these lines, would you be interested in shooting it? email me at info@suite22.ca and we can discuss.
Thanks for sharing
Reply
michael s / June 6, 2011 at 06:36 pm
user-pic
all these videos make me really want a kickass sim city 5. especially the tilt shift one
Reply
raien / June 6, 2011 at 06:59 pm
user-pic
Time Lapse videos are always cool! This is the first one I've seen from Toronto! I can't wait to see more of your stuff @BENLEAN.
Reply
bee / June 6, 2011 at 08:06 pm
user-pic
What a really great time lapse sequence of our city!! Keep it up Ben!!
Reply
Peter / June 6, 2011 at 08:48 pm
user-pic
Very cool!
Reply
Jonathan / June 6, 2011 at 09:17 pm
user-pic
I enjoyed that. Thanks!
Reply
Ben / June 6, 2011 at 09:18 pm
user-pic
Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed the film. I'd like to thank Moby for the use of his track "Wait For Me", licensed through mobygratis.com.
Reply
Shawnte Clow / June 6, 2011 at 09:21 pm
user-pic
Stuff like this makes me fall in love over and over again with this city. Thanks for such a great piece of work! Hope to see many more!
Reply
ICanHazArt? replying to a comment from Liz / June 6, 2011 at 11:55 pm
user-pic
Critique? Maybe it's just me, but I find the best critique doesn't have to tear down the artist's expression. What did you like about it? What didn't you like about it? A critique will provide analysis of the work, and not just one view or opinion. I'm only saying this because you said...

Sidenote to BlogTO: Now don't go telling any neo-cons that there are subways and streetcars in this piece, these poor fragile souls might melt away at the sight of all those "tax dollars going to waste" or something along those lines.

Who knew post-g20 would be so much fun? :)
Reply
A / June 7, 2011 at 03:06 am
user-pic
Liz's attempt at criticism might make sense if this were an art blog but blogTO is consistently more of a daily info pack on entertainment and news. Just because it's media doesn't mean it's supposed to elicit an art-historical interpretation. In the context of seeing it here I think it makes a fine video brochure for Toronto.

I have my own criticisms.. but I wasn't exactly asked to express my thoughts. ;)
Reply
Maya / June 7, 2011 at 04:11 am
user-pic
I'm an expat living in the UK and this really made me miss Toronto. The green-red-green-red light sequence filmed next to the Flatiron building and the stop-go-stop-go traffic bit by Dundas Square were great metaphors. I also really like the choice of the part of Yonge street shown and the contrast with BCE place. The focus on highways makes sense since they play such a big part in the life of the city. We've all been the woman looking over the DVP (?), I think. And the final pendulum movement of light across the lake and under the huge sky is the perfect punch to a coherent story of Toronto's ups and downs, days and nights, greens and reds...

If I were to add anything, it would be a nod to Baldwin St & Augusta Ave, the Annex, or the Beach(es), or Roncesvalles, or some of the other areas that denounce the Manhattan ambition and happily do their own thing. But overall I thought it was brilliant. Wait for me!! :) And have a steam whistle.
Reply
Jo / June 7, 2011 at 07:00 am
user-pic
This is wild. Spectacular day to night sequences. I understand how much time goes in to making one scene of a timelapse. Keep making amazing movies.
Reply
mike in parkdale / June 7, 2011 at 09:33 am
user-pic
as a fellow timelapse fanatic.... All I can say is 'Great Job Ben!'

and if I had to say something critical - that shot of snow on the roof made me cringe. Not because it's not a nice shot, but because thinking of snow gives me an icecream headache.
Reply
Todd Yeates / June 7, 2011 at 06:15 pm
user-pic
Beautiful work, BL. While watching this I felt something I hadn't experienced in 7 or 8 months: optimism and exhilaration for this much dumped upon, woefully under-appreciated--and currently under attack from within--urban dynamo called Toronto. (aka: The Big Smoke, T-dot, El Toro and TCOTU) I urge you to make more of these!

(And to all you wannabe "art critics", shut yer festering cake-holes and do something positive for a change, instead of looking a gift horse in the mouth!)
Reply
sebo / July 16, 2011 at 02:38 pm
user-pic
here is my from few days ago, Toronto sun set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4SlXfb47lg

Reply
Martin / August 15, 2011 at 11:31 pm
user-pic
I was wondering how long the 7D can record video? Does it break it down in to 20min clips like the Nikon D7000? Just curious as to how you were able to get continuous footage...

Amazing work!

Reply

Add a Comment
Other Cities: Montreal