christiangruener

“Are you sure you really want to do this documentary?” The following day, I found myself sitting outside Hans Thomann’s office, no longer expecting the project to continue. It was only when his wife, Gabriele, asked him that I realized he had been talked into something he didn’t want: a documentary he never intended to make. Over the next three days, he hit the „pause“ button on everything. The two of us sat in a small room, talking about his life. A man who had always focused on the future, avoiding the spotlight, was now being asked to revisit his past and expose intimate details—something that didn’t quite add up. But despite everything, he went through with it. Not for himself, but for his company. One story he shared stuck with me: a customer wanted to buy a piano at the wrong price—an error made by one of Hans‘ employees. The store took a loss, but Hans simply said, “Customers can’t help it if we make mistakes.” It was a moment that captured his sense of integrity and commitment. Respect to Hans for taking on this emotional journey. I always thought I knew what it meant to keep my word, but Hans showed me the true depth of that principle. Here’s to preserving the legacy of these „dinosaurs.“ #musikliebe #dokumentation #storytelling #cinematography #filmproduction #filmemacher #filmproduktion #werbung #teamwork #brandmarketing #truthinthewood

Reading acceptance speeches after commercials can be quite tiring. If you feel like that, then you better stop here. I can’t ignore this and would like to thank all the wonderful people who made this project possible. We have the unwaveringly positive thinker @stabmixer to thank for the whole trip. @_dani_sabsi_, for who “not possible” is a foreign language, thank you from the bottom of my heart. @holgerjungnickel, who never got tired of going through the shots with me over and over again. @janaklausmann, who tirelessly searched for the ideal cast. Jovana Sremcevic, thank you for teaching our leaves to fly. Bene Haas who brought light into the guitar with his two magic hands. @claudiokoehl and @lukassieberer, who built, rebuilt and rebuilt everything. Dominic Titus who captured the music so beautifully on site. @simon.gruen, Roman Sehrer-Thoss and Thomas Apel for standing outside in the rain so it gets light. Thomas Höltzel and Babette Pönisch for all the little details that gave life to the pictures. @birgitutz_costumedesign for the fantastic packaging, Nilgün Konya for supporting the facial features of our actors and @babuexp who, together with @mredding85, put the lipstick on all the films at the end. @georg_buetow thank you very much for taking on the role. @gnarly.music for your presence in the moment, even though I was constantly talking to you. @itisdeandeville for your touching performance, @bossmeier_ for the fact that spontaneity is at the top of your value system. The jazz quartet from @paul_guitar_prem and of course MoNi, for allowing us to accompany you on the day. Applause goes to @thomann.music for making music your passion and to @hertz6_agentur for showing that creation and production can be in synergy. This is just the DC. #musikliebe #storytelling #cinematography #filmproduction #filmemacher #filmproduktion #werbung #teamwork #brandmarketing #truthinthewood

(Smart) Heart working chiefs. To get the best stuff, two decades ago, there was no way around Treppendorf. A tiny Franconian village with an altar for every music instrument. As soon you were in the shop, you were overwhelmed by the number of instruments and the knowledge about them. A few months ago I was standing in front of the store again, around which half a city was built. The family business Thomann has now become the music retailer with the highest sales in the world, employing over 1,700 people. Hans Thomann even came by personally to hear what his Christmas film would look like. The piano that had been set for weeks suddenly became a violin and if we hadn't talked him out of heavy metal, the cast would look different now. I'm still annoyed that I didn't listen to Hans fireworks of ideas. The Franconian, casual togetherness continued from preparation to filming to post. The subway, which was no longer available for filming, was laughed away, the missing cast was spontaneously replaced by the head of marketing and the film was ultimately painted in grading together with everyone involved, which is a far cry from smart. In the last weeks I have been waiting in vain for long customer discussions, voting rounds and meetings in which the aim is to argue cleverly. Hans Thomann has achieved something that should actually be left behind for a company of this size. Heart. Under the Thomann logo it says “Music is our passion.” As an external service provider, this simple why has resonated across all instances. Thank you Hans, Sebastian and Tobi for showing that even in 2023 you can not only work smart, but also with heart. #storytelling #cinematography #filmproduction #filmemacher #filmproduktion #werbung #teamwork #brandmarketing #truthinthewood

Real can no longer be distinguished from virtual. The blue tit is one of the most intelligent bird species, that we encounter on a daily basis. She is quite confident and generally doesn't care about people. Working with the little all-rounder was surprisingly easy. Most of the time, the first shot was spot on, stage directions were easily implemented and she never got in the way on the set. I would have bet a lot against it. But with a blue tit, however, there is no longer any need for an elaborate twist to convey the added value of the product. The bird is generated on the computer @seh.sucht and so well, that we can no longer see the difference to reality, at least that's how I feel. After the end of the shoot, the digital blue tit chirped a clever sentence that stuck with me: "Take care of nature, then it will also take care of you." Thanks for putting this together @rabbicorn_films, @janbehhrens, @lennartfrohne, @marcson_m, @lennart.p.lucius, jp_grelich @chris_lohfeld, @uweanhalt for @easeegermany with the creative from WvonZ, @olinse76, Jan Schmaler, @miri_dmitrovic and performance @peterstock.official, @vanessarottenburg, Juna Clausing #storytelling #cinematography #virtual #filmproduction #sustainability #greenproduction #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmemacher #filmproduktion #werbung #teamwork #brandmarketing #truthinthewood

After the first half back to the beginning. Exactly twenty years ago it started in the water. Back then with a camera that was traded back and forth, until I could afford it. Filming was born. Leisure activity, passion, hobby all rolled into one and always against the storm. This became a job and later everyday life. The last project I was allowed to do for a construction pioneer, who drives his steamer against the current. With a steamer! Respect that he remains true to his vision. A little outside of the industry, we then implemented something that was pretty close to where it all started. An inspiring pioneer who doesn't show what he does, but why he does it. Thanks for the reminder. #documentary #cinematography #filmproduction #filmmaker #filmmaking #thinkverylittle #filmisculture #filmdiscovered #thedaily35mm #thefilmmagazine #taintedfilm #filmpht #filmnalogue #shootfilmsociety #filmemacher #water_shots #waterislife #underwaterphotography #truthinthewood

We are focused on presenting ourselves. We have to stand out, put us in the right light, and make a good impression. Angelo's job is to make himself invisible. He has to stay calm and when it is his turn, he must not attract attention. If no one sees anything from him, he's done his job well. We don't even know, that the job of a page turner exists. Thanks for official selection @otbfilmawards @wellingtonfilmfestival @hightatrasfilmfestival #anatoliainternationalfilmfestival #imaginerainindependentfilmawards #shadowplay #musicislife #filmisnotdead #cinematography #pianist #filmproduction #shadowspoetry #filmmaker #filmmaking #shadowpaintings #shadowandlight #thinkverylittle #filmisculture #filmdiscovered #thedaily35mm #thefilmmagazine #taintedfilm #filmpht #filmnalogue #shootfilmsociety #29mzine #ig_cinemag #analogfeature #audimaxregensburg #meistersingerhalle #truthinthewood

The desire to arrive somewhere looks insanely dramatic in this picture. In reality it is one of the funniest images that I have been able to shoot in a long time. Thanks @hanna.goldfisch for proofing, that you don’t have to take yourself so seriously. . . . . . #filmmaker #filmproduction #cinematography #filmmaking #filmisnotdead #actors #desire #dreamhouse #modellife #home #properties #truthinthewood

„For me, music is the most direct way to communicate emotions. That is something language cannot do … Because you have to understand and feel when the pianist would like to have turned the page, it's not just about reading music sheets, it's about reading the person sitting next to you. You have to feel when he is ready.“ (Angelo Volpini) Truly grateful for this idea @melli335 pictures @uweanhalt @berniweise @didihupfer @0laf_d @kasparkaven colours @sebrpp support @theadot @durchdachtesdenkerdarsein @tirolerfestspieleerl . . . . . #shadowplay #musicislife #filmisnotdead #cinematography #pianist #filmproduction #filmmaker #filmmaking #st3zmag #audimaxregensburg #meistersingerhalle #truthinthewood

A few years ago I got the chance to shoot a spot about a young family, shortly afterwards my first child was born. Now there are three of them. This time it's a spot about arriving and building something real in life, what felt quite personal. Inwardly, I wish history would repeat itself. Greatly thankful for the exceptional team accompanied me here, with lovely ideas @sahnelloiblich brilliant preparation @namotofilms @anettfrosch @michax108 @nickconradt @leider_styling lighting magic @holgerjungnickel and spontaneity when it was needed @oliviafriz @goasel @fortschrittdurchregression . . . . . #filmmaker #filmproduction #cinematography #filmmaking #filmisnotdead #actors #desire #tinyhouses #dreamhouse #properties #truthinthewood

Travel in the speed of imagination. @jakob_wahl The beautiful mind records visual impressions, sounds and smells of everyday life and blends them into poetry when we allow it. Link in bio. . . . . . #filmmaker #filmproduction #cinematography #filmmaking #filmisnotdead #actors #desire #dreamhouse #properties #truthinthewood

Few stills from a long roadtrip across germany. Raise my hand to the weather persevering bikers @clementguyot_ and @helenabaldr for making this safety film happen. . . . . . #filmmaker #filmstill #filmproduction #filmisnotdead #cinematography #moto #bikelife #motorbike #safetyfirst #safetyriding #truthinthewood

Last leap into the past. This guy was never supposed to be featured. The scene was about a complete different character. The guy, unfortunately I don't have his name anymore, took his role so seriously, that the camera @yo_shi_7 had no choice but to stick with him. Thanks for being there. . . . . . #actors #filmmaker #filmproduction #commercial #filmisnotdead #cinematography #filmstill #filmmaking #truthinthewood