Lasse Gjertsen
Encyclopedia
Lasse Gjertsen is a Norwegian
animator
, musician, and videographer
known on YouTube
as lassegg. He is best known for his short pieces "Hyperactive" and "Amateur", which string together short clips of video to create a unique form of video akin to stop-motion animation. His "Hyperactive" video has over 7 million views and his "Amateur" video has over 13 million views.
, Norway. He studied animation at Kent Institute of Art & Design
in England
, and at Volda University College
in Norway. His time at Kent Institute ended with his teachers failing to appreciate his work, specifically Hyperactive.
. Over the next six months Lasse uploaded 16 more videos, many created during his animation course. As of May 12, 2007 he has the 31st most subscribed channel, and four videos have been featured on the YouTube front page, Hyperactive, What The Fuck?, Amateur, and Sogno ad Occhi Aperti.
While Hyperactive has been the most popular, Amateur was featured in an article in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal.
Another video by Gjertsen has also been featured on YouTube
; "Hva faen, Speil?" in which he is looking into a mirror while some of the effects of LSD
become apparent through very clever video and audio editing.
Lasse Gjertsen's video Hyperactive was nominated in the category Most Creative video in YouTube's 2006 Video Awards. The video achieved third place.
Hyperactive was copied by Cartoon Network
in an advert for the show Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
. Lasse initially considered legal action
but after talking to a lawyer decided it would be too arduous.
It was also spoofed in an advertisement for the 3rd season of the FX TV show It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
. Whether this was done with or without Gjertsen's permission is unclear.
Lasse Gjertsen is also the creator of the soundtrack of the Chaplin Snakker videos on YouTube
. Chaplin Snakker is one of his electronic songs, in which the freedom- and awe-inspiring speech of Charlie Chaplin
from his movie The Great Dictator
(1940) is elevated by the use of music.
and MTV
. However, Gjertsen publicly denounces the concept of advertising
, considering it below prostitution, and has refused all such offers.
In addition to his video work, Lasse has a self-produced album of electronica
music.
In 2007 Lasse worked on a two-part music video
collaboration, named Sogno ad Occhi Aperti, with the Italian Cellist
Giovanni Sollima
. This was presented at the 8th International Fringe Film Festival
in Marzamemi, Italy
. In the same year he directed the music video for the Swedish rapper Timbuktu
's song "Get Fizzy".
, and singing.
The only videos without original compositions are the two music videos, Home Sweet Home by Norwegian Rapper
Sirius, and Sogno ad Occhi Aperti by Italian Cellist Giovanni Sollima.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
animator
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
, musician, and videographer
Videographer
Strictly speaking, a videographer is a person who works in the field of videography, video production — recording moving images and sound on video tape, disk, other electro-mechanical device. News broadcasting relies heavily on live television where videographers engage in electronic news...
known on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
as lassegg. He is best known for his short pieces "Hyperactive" and "Amateur", which string together short clips of video to create a unique form of video akin to stop-motion animation. His "Hyperactive" video has over 7 million views and his "Amateur" video has over 13 million views.
Biography
Gjertsen was born in LarvikLarvik
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Larvik. Larvik kommune - has about 41 364 inhabitants and covers 530 km2....
, Norway. He studied animation at Kent Institute of Art & Design
Kent Institute of Art & Design
The Kent Institute of Art & Design was an art school based across three campuses in the county of Kent, in the United Kingdom. It was formed by the amalgamation of three independent colleges: Canterbury College of Art, Maidstone College of Art and Rochester College of Art...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and at Volda University College
Volda University College
Volda University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education, in the village of Volda in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It was established on 1 August 1994, when the Møre og Romsdal regional college and the Volda Teachers College were merged together...
in Norway. His time at Kent Institute ended with his teachers failing to appreciate his work, specifically Hyperactive.
YouTube
Lasse originally submitted Hyperactive to YouTube after seeing a copy uploaded by another user with poor sound qualitySound quality
Sound quality is the quality of the audio output from various electronic devices. Sound quality can be defined as the degree of accuracy with which a device records or emits the original sound waves...
. Over the next six months Lasse uploaded 16 more videos, many created during his animation course. As of May 12, 2007 he has the 31st most subscribed channel, and four videos have been featured on the YouTube front page, Hyperactive, What The Fuck?, Amateur, and Sogno ad Occhi Aperti.
While Hyperactive has been the most popular, Amateur was featured in an article in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal.
Another video by Gjertsen has also been featured on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
; "Hva faen, Speil?" in which he is looking into a mirror while some of the effects of LSD
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
become apparent through very clever video and audio editing.
Lasse Gjertsen's video Hyperactive was nominated in the category Most Creative video in YouTube's 2006 Video Awards. The video achieved third place.
Hyperactive was copied by Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
in an advert for the show Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is an American animated television series created and produced at Cartoon Network Studios by animator Craig McCracken, creator of The Powerpuff Girls. It first premiered on Cartoon Network on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute television movie, which led to a series...
. Lasse initially considered legal action
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
but after talking to a lawyer decided it would be too arduous.
It was also spoofed in an advertisement for the 3rd season of the FX TV show It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American television sitcom that premiered on FX on August 4, 2005. New episodes continue to air on FX, with reruns playing on Comedy Central, general broadcast syndication, and WGN America—the first-ever cable-to-cable syndication deal for a sitcom...
. Whether this was done with or without Gjertsen's permission is unclear.
Lasse Gjertsen is also the creator of the soundtrack of the Chaplin Snakker videos on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. Chaplin Snakker is one of his electronic songs, in which the freedom- and awe-inspiring speech of Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
from his movie The Great Dictator
The Great Dictator
The Great Dictator is a comedy film by Charlie Chaplin released in October 1940. Like most Chaplin films, he wrote, produced, and directed, in addition to starring as the lead. Having been the only Hollywood film maker to continue to make silent films well into the period of sound films, this was...
(1940) is elevated by the use of music.
Beyond YouTube
The YouTube success has resulted in offers from international companies like ChevroletChevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. However, Gjertsen publicly denounces the concept of advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, considering it below prostitution, and has refused all such offers.
In addition to his video work, Lasse has a self-produced album of electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
music.
In 2007 Lasse worked on a two-part music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
collaboration, named Sogno ad Occhi Aperti, with the Italian Cellist
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
Giovanni Sollima
Giovanni Sollima
Giovanni Sollima is an Italian composer and cellist. He was born into a family of musicians and studied cello with Giovanni Perriera and composition with his father, Eliodoro Sollima, at the Conservatorio di Palermo, where he graduated with highest honors...
. This was presented at the 8th International Fringe Film Festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
in Marzamemi, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In the same year he directed the music video for the Swedish rapper Timbuktu
Timbuktu (artist)
Jason Michael Robinson Diakité , known under the stage name Timbuktu, is a Swedish rapper and reggae artist. Earlier in the mid-1990s, he started as part of rap Excel before going solo as Timbuktu.-Biography:...
's song "Get Fizzy".
Software
Lasse has stated he uses the following software in the creation of his videos:- Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
- Adobe Premiere ProAdobe Premiere ProAdobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based video editing software application. It is part of the Adobe Creative Suite, a suite of graphic design, video editing, and web development applications developed by Adobe Systems, though it can also be purchased separately. When purchased separately, it comes...
- Adobe After EffectsAdobe After EffectsAdobe After Effects is a digital motion graphics and compositing software published by Adobe Systems, used in the post-production process of filmmaking and television production. Its main uses are the origination of 2D and 2.5D animation, visual effects compositing and finishing...
- Debugmode WinMorph
- FL StudioFL StudioFL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
Music
Lasse uses FL Studio to create original compositions in his videos. Although he claims not to have much skill with instruments, he has sampled himself using Drums, Piano, Guitar, HarmonicaHarmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, and singing.
The only videos without original compositions are the two music videos, Home Sweet Home by Norwegian Rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
Sirius, and Sogno ad Occhi Aperti by Italian Cellist Giovanni Sollima.
2006
| Title | Release Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. "Hyperactive - Lasse Gjertsen" | May 8 | 2:06 | Viewed 6,151,897 times by itself (the same video uploaded by user champaR has 14,366,600 views ) |
| 2. "Machine Man - Lasse Gjertsen" | May 9 | 1:43 | 692,121 views |
| 3. "The Businessman - Lasse Gjertsen" | May 10 | 2:09 | 151,051 views |
| 4. "Us - Lasse Gjertsen" | May 10 | 1:21 | 588,542 views |
| 5. "Commercial (Norwegian) - Lasse Gjertsen" | May 21 | 0:40 | 1,691,834 views |
| 6. "Lasse vs Teknologi - Lasse Gjertsen" | July 28 | 0:42 | 731,135 views |
| 7. "Ghost or something?! Watch the left hand top corner.." | July 30 | 0:32 | 890,616 views |
| 8. "Hva faen, Speil? - Lasse Gjertsen" | August 25 | 1:02 | 1,777,184 views, featured on YouTubes front page |
| 9. "Lasse vs Teknologi II - Lasse Gjertsen" | October 29 | 2:13 | 966,164 views |
| 10. "Rødmaling - Lasse Gjertsen" | October 30 | 1:13 | 2,285,192 views, making it his most popular animation |
| 11. "Sirius - Home sweet home" | October 31 | 3:35 | 156,667 views, Music Video |
| 12. "Jeg går en Tur - A self portrait by Lasse Gjertsen" | November 1 | 3:14 | 1,020,749 views, Submitted as an entrance exam for animation school in Norway |
| 13. "Hvordan passere en veibane - Lasse Gjertsen" | November 1 | 0:27 | 336,560 views |
| 14. "Fotball NM '97 - Lasse Gjertsen" | November 1 | 4:08 | 1,727,088 views |
| 15. "Den Lille Valpen - Lasse Gjertsen" | November 2 | 1:21 | 408,594 views |
| 16. "Amateur - Lasse Gjertsen" | November 7 | 3:12 | The most viewed video on his account, with 12,203,978 views on YouTube as of August 14, 2009. |
2007
| Title | Release Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17. "Sweet Memories - Stine Mills" | January 31 | 1:33 | Video directed by his ex-girlfriend, for which Lasse did the technical work. |
| 18. "Giovanni Sollima - Sogno ad Occhi Aperti (Daydream) PART 1" | May 9 | 6:20 | Video for Terra Aria |
| 19. "Giovanni Sollima - Sogno ad Occhi Aperti (Daydream) PART 2" | May 9 | 5:53 | Video for Concerto Rotondo |
2008
| Title | Release Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20. "Det Ultimate Selvmord" | January 24 | 6:03 | English Title "The Ultimate Suicide" Lasse had his profile temporarily deleted after uploading the video, and was asked to add a disclaimer when his account was re-instated. It was thought to be real, but it was heavily edited yet still realistic. |
| 21. "Faen!" | February 7 | 2:20 | Spoken in English |
| 22. "New 9/11 Footage clearly showing fake planes!" | April 29 | 2:09 | |
| 23. "Roshambo" | June 25 | 1:00 | Animation |
2009
| Title | Release Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24. "Gammelt Nytt" | April 24 | 5:35 | Animation |
| 24. "Katzenjammer - A Bar in Amsterdam (Official music video by Lasse Gjertsen)" | December 15 | 3:13 | Music video for the Norwegian band Katzenjammer |
2010
| Title | Release Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24. "Consoul (Lasse Gjertsen 2009)" | August 12 | 12:13 |
External links
- Lasse Gjertsen on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Lasse Gjertsen on MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Lasse Gjertsen Exclusive content created for E4