Bowza – Ride With Me Freestyle
Posted on 21st February 2012
I’ve been busy planning my business, Ahmco. Although it’s a creative video agency, the business/legal side of things got me feeling a bit creatively drained.
I had recently got back in contact with an old school friend, who is now a rapper going by the name of Bowza. He asked if I could direct a music video for him for any track of my choice from his mixtape. The only restriction: it’s zero budget.
One of my philosophies, and something that is a part of Ahmco’s manifesto, is that we make videos and films of the highest quality with the least amount of resources. That doesn’t mean deliberately limit yourself or try to build a skyscraper for a penny. However, just throwing money on expensive cameras, effects and other resources doesn’t necessarily make something good (the Transformers movies, anyone?).
I thought it would be a great creative challenge — just me armed with my Canon 5D, a tripod, a track and a reflector. Making do with whatever light, people and locations we had available.
The music video is currently being edited, but here’s a little video of a freestyle Bowza did on the side while we were shooting:
Watch on YouTube: http://ahm.co/bzf1
Shattered Pieces on Vimeo and Ahmco
Posted on 24th September 2011
Many people have (or more like had) been requesting Shattered Pieces on Vimeo. I’ve finally got round to doing it. Those that wanted it probably don’t care anymore or have watched it on YouTube already. Sorry!
I’ve uploaded a higher quality video compared to the YouTube version. It took FOREVER to upload. That along with Vimeo’s super quality — watch it again if you already have!
Check it out here: http://vimeo.com/ahmco/sp
Also, you might have noticed the new logo at the start. What is Ahmco? Well, Ahmco is my new film and video production business.
It was getting confusing having Aqeel Ahmed the Person (me!) and Aqeel Ahmed the Brand, so I’ve decided to split them up, and work under the name of the production business, Ahmco.
We’ll be providing services such as TV commercials, music videos, corporate videos, films and animation. It’s basically “Aqeel: The company” 
Check out the website with showreel: http://ahm.co
This also means that this website will now become more personal and less about work. We’ll see if I can keep it to myself!
W.A.N.T.
Posted on 17th April 2011
Two weeks ago, I participated in the Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge, where you have to make a film in (you’ve guessed it) 48 hours.
I was in Team Bower Rangers, led by director Josh Bower. I served as VFX guy and graphic design (logo and posters that appear in the film).
It was a great experience trying to come up with a story, shoot it and edit it all within such a small space of time.
The brief was to include the following (random) things:
And, here’s the final film: http://aql.tv/WANT
Shattered Pieces at East End Film Festival
Posted on 15th March 2011
I’ve got great news! Oh wait, you’ve just read the title of this post, haven’t you? Darn. Anyway, yes, Shattered Pieces is going to be screened at East End Film Festival 2011. It’s extra special as it’s a great festival and it’s finally going to be shown in the place I call home; London’s East End.
UPDATE:
The festival will be from 27 April to 2 May 2011. Shattered Pieces will be shown at 20:30 on Friday 29 April at Genesis Cinema (on Mile End Road, Whitechapel). Tickets will be available from 30 March on their website.
Fish Fingers Spec Commercial
Posted on 27th February 2011
I made this a few weeks ago but couldn’t post it because it was for a competition and was still being judged. It was shortlisted for MOFILM’s January 2011 competition, but unfortunately didn’t win! Ah well!
It’s a commercial for Young’s Omega 3 Fish Fingers. Shot on a Canon 5d mk2 and audio recorded on a Zoom H4n, in about 6 hours. This was my first time working with children. The kids (obviously) aren’t actors, but both were amazing and cute.
Everybody involved did a great job. I’ve included their links so do check them out!
Starring:
Wendy MacLennan as Mum
Harvey Rhodes-Vaughan as Andy
Matilda Welsh as Kellie
DoP: Jim Dinsdale
AD: Josh Bower
Director: Me, Aqeel Ahmed
Big thank you to:
Howard Berry for all the help given, even though extremely busy!
The Khan family for letting me use their kitchen.
Andrew Ormes for helping at auditions.
Short URL to the YouTube video (although I can’t imagine this one being a popular one): http://aql.tv/fish
Alienated on YouTube Front Page
Posted on 22nd January 2011
Looking through my mentions on Twitter, I saw I had a tweet from @MoslehChowdhury telling me that he saw my student short, Alienated, on the front page of YouTube in their spotlight.
Even though Alienated is on my old YouTube account, people are still finding their way to AqeelTV and most importantly, Shattered Pieces. Thank you to everybody that has watched (any of) my films, and an even bigger thank you to all those that are sharing and commenting. I feel so positive and it’s only just the start of 2011! I will definitely be making loads of new videos this year, including some tips and lessons on filmmaking.
Stay tuned/connected! <3