Winner of History

Winner of History

Client:
MYP Magazine

Research & text:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

»I didn’t want to be shot at the Wall!«

For MYP Magazine, photographer Max König and I portrayed Stasi victim Michael Bradler. In January 1982, he was arrested because he wanted to leave the GDR. The then 20-year-old spent a total of nine months in prison, including several months in solitary confinement.

Winner of History

Client:
MYP Magazine

Research & text:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

»I didn’t want to be shot at the Wall!«

For MYP Magazine, photographer Max König and I portrayed Stasi victim Michael Bradler. In January 1982, he was arrested because he wanted to leave the GDR. The then 20-year-old spent a total of nine months in prison, including several months in solitary confinement.

Today Michael Bradler works as a voluntary tour guide at the place where he was detained for many months: the former prison of the East German Ministry of State Security (MfS) in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.

Today Michael Bradler works as a voluntary tour guide at the place where he was detained for many months: the former prison of the East German Ministry of State Security (MfS) in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.


apoBank – The time is now

The time is now

Client:
Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank

Lead agency:
K’UP

Text & direction:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

Camera, editing & grading:
Steven Lüdtke

Over the course of 2021, I had the pleasure to realize a new brand campaign entitled „Die Zeit ist jetzt“ (The time is now) for Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank, developed by Berlin-based brand consultancy K’UP.

This campaign not only makes visible the diversity of individual lifestyles of people working in healing professions. It also sheds light on what these people draw their strength from and what is important to them in life. The core message of the campaign is that apoBank makes it easy for its customers to follow their vocation in order to have time for the essentials in life.

The time is now

Client:
Dt. Apotheker- und Ärztebank

Lead agency:
K’UP

Text & direction:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

Camera, editing & grading:
Steven Lüdtke

Over the course of 2021, I had the pleasure to realize a new brand campaign entitled „Die Zeit ist jetzt“ (The time is now) for Deutsche Apotheker- und Ärztebank, developed by Berlin-based brand consultancy K’UP.

This campaign not only makes visible the diversity of individual lifestyles of people working in healing professions. It also sheds light on what these people draw their strength from and what is important to them in life. The core message of the campaign is that apoBank makes it easy for its customers to follow their vocation in order to have time for the essentials in life.

For the campaign, photographer Maximilian König, DOP Steven Lüdtke and I portrayed a number of extraordinary personalities from a wide range of medical professions. While Max was commissioned with the production of the key visuals and editorials and Steven was responsible for the filming, it was my task to conduct in-depth interviews with the protagonists, develop individual portrait texts for the campaign website, and write personal voiceover texts for the 45-second short videos. Furthermore, I was entrusted with the direction during the production and post-production phases.

For the campaign, photographer Maximilian König, DOP Steven Lüdtke and I portrayed a number of extraordinary personalities from a wide range of medical professions. While Max was commissioned with the production of the key visuals and editorials and Steven was responsible for the filming, it was my task to conduct in-depth interviews with the protagonists, develop individual portrait texts for the campaign website, and write personal voiceover texts for the 45-second short videos. Furthermore, I was entrusted with the direction during the production and post-production phases.

Learn more on the bank’s official campaign website

Learn more on the bank’s official campaign website

Further testimonials:

Further testimonials:

Full credits:

Editorial department, text & direction: Jonas Meyer
Photography & post-production: Maximilian König
Camera, editing & grading: Steven Lüdtke

Creative direction: Lars Weber
Graphics: Emily Gelbert
Production: Kleinundpläcking
Strategic supervision: Dr. Marc Herz

Full credits:

Editorial department, text & direction: Jonas Meyer
Photography & post-production: Maximilian König
Camera, editing & grading: Steven Lüdtke

Creative direction: Lars Weber
Graphics: Emily Gelbert
Production: Kleinundpläcking
Strategic supervision: Dr. Marc Herz


Divided country, divided heart

Divided country,
divided heart

Client:
Stern & MYP Magazine

Research & text:
Jonas Meyer & Katharina Weiß

Photography:
Steven Lüdtke

For Stern and MYP Magazine, journalist Katharina Weiß and I wrote down the moving story of Martina Geng.

In the summer of 1971, the then 19-year-old GDR citizen fell in love with a West German — and subsequently repeatedly felt the harshness of the SED regime. In 1992, three years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Martina Geng experienced her own personal reunification: She met the West German again, for whom she still harbored deep feelings.

Divided country, divided heart

Client:
Stern & MYP Magazine

Research & text:
Jonas Meyer & Katharina Weiß

Photography:
Steven Lüdtke

For Stern and MYP Magazine, journalist Katharina Weiß and I wrote down the moving story of Martina Geng.

In the summer of 1971, the then 19-year-old GDR citizen fell in love with a West German — and subsequently repeatedly felt the harshness of the SED regime. In 1992, three years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Martina Geng experienced her own personal reunification: She met the West German again, for whom she still harbored deep feelings.

The chronology of this German-German love story was published on stern.de on November 9, 2019 — on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The chronology of this German-German love story was published on stern.de on November 9, 2019 — on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.


Fleischmann

Fleischmann

Client:
Deschler Gallery Berlin

Concept & design:
Jonas Meyer

Production:
DruckConcept

Publishing house:
DISTANZ Verlag

A collaboration between
Sven Marquardt, Nicholas Mockridge & Esther Perbandt

In the middle of 2021, I was asked by the Berlin Deschler Gallery to conceive and design the “Fleischmann” exhibition catalog. “Fleischmann” is a collaboration between director Nicholas Mockridge, fashion designer Esther Perbandt, and photographer Sven Marquardt. The multidisciplinary art project deals with the life and work of film and theater legend Volker Spengler, who forms the narrative starting point for a photographic series in three cycles.

Spengler, who died in 2020, gained international fame with the personification of the transsexual Elvira Weishaupt in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s “In a year with 13 moons” — making him an early icon of the LGBTQIA+ movement. His life was shaped by great artistic deeds and a tendency towards intoxicating extremes.

Fleischmann

Client:
Deschler Gallery Berlin

Concept & design:
Jonas Meyer

Production:
DruckConcept

Publishing house:
DISTANZ Verlag

A collaboration between
Sven Marquardt, Nicholas Mockridge & Esther Perbandt

In the middle of 2021, I was asked by the Berlin Deschler Gallery to conceive and design the “Fleischmann” exhibition catalog. “Fleischmann” is a collaboration between director Nicholas Mockridge, fashion designer Esther Perbandt, and photographer Sven Marquardt. The multidisciplinary art project deals with the life and work of film and theater legend Volker Spengler, who forms the narrative starting point for a photographic series in three cycles.

Spengler, who died in 2020, gained international fame with the personification of the transsexual Elvira Weishaupt in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s “In a year with 13 moons” — making him an early icon of the LGBTQIA+ movement. His life was shaped by great artistic deeds and a tendency towards intoxicating extremes.

Nicholas Mockridge examined Spengler’s life’s work and created the scenery, Esther Perbandt designed 15 costumes for the production and Sven Marquardt realized the image and light staging.

In addition to Volker Spengler, actors Alexander Scheer and Jasna Fritzi Bauer, characters from Berlin’s nightlife, young actors, Esther Perbandt herself and the fashion and art icon Countess Vera von Lehndorff aka Veruschka were cast for the ensemble.

Nicholas Mockridge examined Spengler’s life’s work and created the scenery, Esther Perbandt designed 15 costumes for the production and Sven Marquardt realized the image and light staging.

In addition to Volker Spengler, actors Alexander Scheer and Jasna Fritzi Bauer, characters from Berlin’s nightlife, young actors, Esther Perbandt herself and the fashion and art icon Countess Vera von Lehndorff aka Veruschka were cast for the ensemble.

The 68-page catalog was produced by DruckConcept and published by DISTANZ Verlag. It can be ordered online or directly at Deschler Gallery.

The 68-page catalog was produced by DruckConcept and published by DISTANZ Verlag. It can be ordered online or directly at Deschler Gallery.

Full credits:

“FLEISCHMANN. Mockridge – Perbandt – Marquardt”

Publisher: Marcus Deschler
Coordination: Kathleen Sichelschmidt & Anja Mosbeck

Concept & design: Jonas Meyer
Text: Max Dax

Photography: Sven Marquardt
Lithography: Mathias Spohn

Production: DruckConcept
Publishing house: DISTANZ Verlag
Distribution: Edel Germany

ISBN 978-3-95476-447-1
Printed in Germany

Cast: Volker Spengler, Vera von Lehndorff, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Esther Perbandt, Alexander Scheer, Hardy Paetke, Cikomo P., Mirijam Junker, Andreas Braun, David Kücklich, Pascal Götz, Merlin Besson

Full credits:

“FLEISCHMANN. Mockridge – Perbandt – Marquardt”

Publisher: Marcus Deschler
Coordination: Kathleen Sichelschmidt & Anja Mosbeck

Concept & design: Jonas Meyer
Text: Max Dax

Photography: Sven Marquardt
Lithography: Mathias Spohn

Production: DruckConcept
Publishing house: DISTANZ Verlag
Distribution: Edel Germany

ISBN 978-3-95476-447-1
Printed in Germany

Cast: Volker Spengler, Vera von Lehndorff, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Esther Perbandt, Alexander Scheer, Hardy Paetke, Cikomo P., Mirijam Junker, Andreas Braun, David Kücklich, Pascal Götz, Merlin Besson


Tank Man

Tank Man

Client:
C/O Berlin

Concept & realisation:
Jonas Meyer

Curation:
Felix Hoffmann & Kathrin Schönegg

Scientific research:
Christin Müller

In early 2021, I had the honor of creating an eight-minute video art piece for C/O Berlin Foundation’s thematic exhibition “Send me an Image . From Postcards to Social Media” curated by Felix Hoffmann and Kathrin Schönegg.

The video — for which cultural scientist Christin Müller researched and compiled a wide variety of visual content — sheds light on the phenomenon of “Tank Man” (also known as “Unknown Rebel”), an unidentified Chinese man who stood in front of a column of tanks leaving Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, the day after the bloody suppression of student-led demonstrations.

While it is still forbidden to talk about these events in China, the Tank Man‘s iconic act of protest has led to countless press reports, visual interpretations, reenactments, memes, or even merchandise articles. In my video, I take a look at some of the most interesting publications of the last 30 years found by Christin Müller.

I am very grateful for the trust the curators have placed in me. And I want to thank the unknown Chinese man for his extraordinary civil and moral courage. To create an art piece nowadays dealing with his fight for freedom and democracy — at a time when some misguided people in Germany loudly chant “dictatorship” because they are supposed to wear a health-protecting mask — made me feel embarrassed and ashamed, especially towards him.

Tank Man

Client:
C/O Berlin

Concept & realisation:
Jonas Meyer

Curation:
Felix Hoffmann & Kathrin Schönegg

Scientific research:
Christin Müller

In early 2021, I had the honor of creating an eight-minute video art piece for C/O Berlin Foundation’s thematic exhibition “Send me an Image . From Postcards to Social Media” curated by Felix Hoffmann and Kathrin Schönegg.

The video — for which cultural scientist Christin Müller researched and compiled a wide variety of visual content — sheds light on the phenomenon of “Tank Man” (also known as “Unknown Rebel”), an unidentified Chinese man who stood in front of a column of tanks leaving Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, the day after the bloody suppression of student-led demonstrations.

While it is still forbidden to talk about these events in China, the Tank Man‘s iconic act of protest has led to countless press reports, visual interpretations, reenactments, memes, or even merchandise articles. In my video, I take a look at some of the most interesting publications of the last 30 years found by Christin Müller.

I am very grateful for the trust the curators have placed in me. And I want to thank the unknown Chinese man for his extraordinary civil and moral courage. To create an art piece nowadays dealing with his fight for freedom and democracy — at a time when some misguided people in Germany loudly chant “dictatorship” because they are supposed to wear a health-protecting mask — made me feel embarrassed and ashamed, especially towards him.


Backstage Confessions with Bürger

Backstage Confessions with Bürger

Client:
Bürger GmbH

Creator & director:
Jonas Meyer

Production:
Giganten Film

Producer:
Gerrit Klein

DOP:
Steven Lüdtke

In January 2021, I was commissioned by Giganten Film and the supervising agency Oscar Charlie to write a series of commercials for the popular Stuttgart-based company Bürger. The reason: The Swabian food specialist had set itself the goal of making the product Maultasche better known, especially in northern Germany, and in doing so to present the many variations in which Bürger offers its bestseller.

Backstage Confessions with Bürger

Client:
Bürger GmbH

Creator & director:
Jonas Meyer

Production:
Giganten Film

Producer:
Gerrit Klein

DOP:
Steven Lüdtke

In January 2021, I was commissioned by Giganten Film and the supervising agency Oscar Charlie to write a series of commercials for the popular Stuttgart-based company Bürger. The reason: The Swabian food specialist had set itself the goal of making the product Maultasche better known, especially in northern Germany, and in doing so to present the many variations in which Bürger offers its bestseller.

In just a few weeks, producer Gerrit Klein, managing director of Giganten Film, organized the realization of three 15-second spots, which advertise the Maultaschen variants “Traditional,” “Vegetables,” and “Vegan” under the title “Backstage Confessions with Bürger.”

The videos were broadcast from April 2021 as part of the new Maultaschen campaign as pre-roll ads on YouTube and TVnow (todays’s RTL+). This meant that only ten weeks passed from the initial idea to publication.

In just a few weeks, producer Gerrit Klein, managing director of Giganten Film, organized the realization of three 15-second spots, which advertise the Maultaschen variants “Traditional,” “Vegetables,” and “Vegan” under the title “Backstage Confessions with Bürger.”

The videos were broadcast from April 2021 as part of the new Maultaschen campaign as pre-roll ads on YouTube and TVnow (todays’s RTL+). This meant that only ten weeks passed from the initial idea to publication.

Credits:

Concept, script & direction: Jonas Meyer

Production: Giganten Film Produktions GmbH
Producer: Gerrit Klein
Agency: Oscar Charlie GmbH

DOP: Steven Lüdtke
1st AC: Felix M. Weber

Gaffer: Amnon Schmuckler
Sound: Claudio Demel
Set manager: Lisa Dirk

Styling: Teresa Grosser
Hair & makeup: Luiza Simor
Food styling: Guido Gravelius
Set photography: Maximilian König

Casting: Gerrit Klein
Cast: Martin Schnippa, Lucas Wilson & Luna Schaller

Editing: Steven Lüdtke
Grading: Christine Lüdge
Mix & sound design: Marvin Keil

Medical service: Julia Stoellger / SetMedic.Berlin
Catering: Al Dente Catering
Studio: Spreegraphen Studios Berlin

Credits:

Concept, script & direction: Jonas Meyer

Production: Giganten Film Produktions GmbH
Producer: Gerrit Klein
Agency: Oscar Charlie GmbH

DOP: Steven Lüdtke
1st AC: Felix M. Weber

Gaffer: Amnon Schmuckler
Sound: Claudio Demel
Set manager: Lisa Dirk

Styling: Teresa Grosser
Hair & makeup: Luiza Simor
Food styling: Guido Gravelius
Set photography: Maximilian König

Casting: Gerrit Klein
Cast: Martin Schnippa, Lucas Wilson & Luna Schaller

Editing: Steven Lüdtke
Grading: Christine Lüdge
Mix & sound design: Marvin Keil

Medical service: Julia Stoellger / SetMedic.Berlin
Catering: Al Dente Catering
Studio: Spreegraphen Studios Berlin


Fargow (Pt. I)

Fargow (Pt. I)

Photo series
(personal work)

This is a true story. The events depicted took place in Brandenburg in 1986. At the request of the people involved, the license plates have been changed. Out of respect for the facts, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.

Fargow (Pt. I)

Photo series
(personal work)

Idea & concept:
Jonas Meyer & Maximilian König

Photography & postproduction:
Maximilian König

Cast:
Michel Diercks

This is a true story. The events depicted took place in Brandenburg in 1986. At the request of the people involved, the license plates have been changed. Out of respect for the facts, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.

Idea & Concept:
Jonas Meyer & Maximilian König

Photography & postproduction:
Maximilian König

Script:
Jonas Meyer

Cast:
Michel Diercks

Car:
Till Wolf

This true incident was photographed with the Leica SL2.

A special thanks goes to Thomas Böhringer.

Idea & Concept: Jonas Meyer & Maximilian König

Photography & postproduction: Maximilian König

Script: Jonas Meyer

Cast: Michel Diercks

Car: Till Wolf

This true incident was photographed with the Leica SL2.

A special thanks goes to Thomas Böhringer.


Fourteen—Twenty

Sven Marquardt: Fourteen—Twenty

Client:
Deschler Gallery Berlin

Director, DOP & editor:
Jonas Meyer

Music:
Jonatan Josefsson

In early December 2020 our senior creative Jonas Meyer had the pleasure to spontaneously realize a short exhibition teaser for Sven Marquardt: a video looking back at a selection of works from 2014 to 2020 the renowned East Berlin photographer is currently presenting at Deschler Gallery.

Sven Marquardt: Fourteen—Twenty

Client:
Deschler Gallery Berlin

Director, DOP & editor:
Jonas Meyer

Music:
Jonatan Josefsson

In early December 2020 our senior creative Jonas Meyer had the pleasure to spontaneously realize a short exhibition teaser for Sven Marquardt: a video looking back at a selection of works from 2014 to 2020 the renowned East Berlin photographer is currently presenting at Deschler Gallery.

Full credits:

Directed, filmed and edited by Jonas Meyer

2nd camera by Hardy Paetke
Photography by Sven Marquardt

Production assistance by Ralf Preßmar

Music by Jonatan Josefsson

Full credits:

Directed, filmed and edited by Jonas Meyer

2nd camera by Hardy Paetke
Photography by Sven Marquardt

Production assistance by Ralf Preßmar

Music by Jonatan Josefsson


Winter Escape

Winter Escape

Client:
Standert Bicycles

Concept & photography:
Nis Alps

5/21 or 11/4? A no brainer when you know the meaning of the numbers. “5/21” stands for the rain days/temperature you can expect on Lanzarote in December. “11/4” means the rain days/temperature you can expect in Berlin in December.

Reason enough for our photographer Nis Alps to escape the Berlin winter for a while and enjoy the mild climate on this beautiful island. So, he packed up his analog cameras and Standert’s new “Triebwerk Disc” bike for a bit of summer in winter—and for producing some content for the brand’s advertorial blog.

Winter Escape

Client:
Standert Bicycles

Concept & photography:
Nis Alps

5/21 or 11/4? A no brainer when you know the meaning of the numbers. “5/21” stands for the rain days/temperature you can expect on Lanzarote in December. “11/4” means the rain days/temperature you can expect in Berlin in December.

Reason enough for our photographer Nis Alps to escape the Berlin winter for a while and enjoy the mild climate on this beautiful island. So, he packed up his analog cameras and Standert’s new “Triebwerk Disc” bike for a bit of summer in winter—and for producing some content for the brand’s advertorial blog.


With Stance and Debate

With Stance and Debate

Client:
Jens Spahn MdB

Strategy & creative direction:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

Art direction:
Tavy Hornbrook

We created in late 2016 a differentiated brand positioning for Jens Spahn, Member of the German Parliament and current Federal Minister of Health, and a subsequent strong and clear visual identity focusing on a very personal photographic style. In the next step, we created a new concept for Spahn’s website and provided ongoing content production for his social media communications.

With Stance and Debate

Client:
Jens Spahn MdB

Strategy & creative direction:
Jonas Meyer

Photography:
Maximilian König

Art direction:
Tavy Hornbrook

We created in late 2016 a differentiated brand positioning for Jens Spahn, Member of the German Parliament and current Federal Minister of Health, and a subsequent strong and clear visual identity focusing on a very personal photographic style. In the next step, we created a new concept for Spahn’s website and provided ongoing content production for his social media communications.

In early 2020, we were asked to refresh Spahn’s visual identity and sharpen it for all of his official online communication activities. In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, we created a bold, clear and contemporary design concept that works from Instagram to newsletter, Facebook to WhatsApp.

In early 2020, we were asked to refresh Spahn’s visual identity and sharpen it for all of his official online communication activities. In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, we created a bold, clear and contemporary design concept that works from Instagram to newsletter, Facebook to WhatsApp.

Afterwards, we developed a brand book including detailed corporate design guidelines and equipped an online tool with various templates which now enables Spahn’s team to create corporate identity-proofed posts on social media in the twinkling of an eye.

Afterwards, we developed a brand book including detailed corporate design guidelines and equipped an online tool with various templates which now enables Spahn’s team to create corporate identity-proofed posts on social media in the twinkling of an eye.