Monday, April 16, 2018

You Know It's Wes Anderson If...

Here are some Wes Anderson videos:

A good one breaking down the visual elements of TGBH:



For fun! Does this make him seem more or less postmodern?



 And this one also provides a good overview of his style in a fun and humorous way:



 And this one? Well, I couldn't help myself. Have you seen Isle of Dogs yet?!

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Where can I find Digipaks to analyse?

Answer: discogs.com.

Search an artist or album:


In the list presented, search for ‘gat' or ‘dig'.


Hopefully, you will find that the entire packaging has been scanned and added.


Friday, June 23, 2017

A2 Coursework: B324 Deadlines (2017-18)

28th August: x30 research tasks:

  • 10 short films
  • 10 posters
  • 10 film reviews
Or the equivalent texts, dependent on your chosen brief. 


25th September: All research tasks completed:

  • 30 set
  • 10 independent
  • Target audience research

16th October: All Planning documents:

  • Script
  • Storyboard
  • Animatic

11th December: First complete draft:

  • Main video
  • Ancillary 1
  • Ancillary 2

5th February: Final drafts:

  • Main video
  • Ancillary 1
  • Ancillary 2

5th March: Evaluation & Blog complete

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Steven Spielberg: Opening Shots 1971-1991

Interesting video collection of Steven Spielberg's opening shots from 1971-1991.

Useful for A2 Short Film and Trailer students and AS Opening students.

What should I be doing?

Music Video:

1. Research in to Music Video styles: Concept, Performance, Narrative, Hybrid.
2. Research into existing media: 10 x Music Videos; 10 x Digi Packs (4 and 6 panel); 10 x Adverts

Short Film:

1. Research into existing media: 10 x Short Films; 10 x Reviews; 10 Websites or Posters
2. Detailed research into Genre.

Trailer:

1. Research into existing media: 10 x Trailers; 10 x Film Posters; 10 x Film Magazine covers
2. Detailed research into Genre.

There should never be an idle moment.

Mr. M.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

#PostmodernMedia #FilterBubble

From this Rolling Stone article on the late Roger Ailes:
What most of us are buying when we tune in to this or that channel or read this or that newspaper is a reassuring take on the changes in the world that most frighten us. We buy the version of the world that pleases us and live in little bubbles where we get to nurse resentments all day long and no one ever tells us we're wrong about anything. 
~ Taibbi, Matt - 2017.
 Sounds familiar... keep revising!

Mr. M.

Wednesday, March 08, 2017

HyperNormalisation and Fake News

Ex-student George Turner emailed me and suggested that we would find the programme: HyperNormalisation by Adam Curtis, both relevant and interesting. Having watched the first 30 minutes, so far, I am inclined to agree.


Please watch the programme on BBC iPlayer and make notes. It is quite long, so you might want to break it up into sections. This Wikipedia article has a good synopsis of the different chapters.

In reading about the show and watching it, it also got me thinking about Fake News and misinformation. Please read through the following articles and make notes. This will add to your understanding of hyperreality and provide you with a current and evolving case study for your essays.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Wes Anderson - #Pomo or not #Pomo?

As we are going to be looking at the concepts of 'quirky sensibility' and 'new sincerity' through the work of Wes Anderson, this video (once again shared via 'FilmSchoolRejects') was very timely:


You can see more videos about Wes Anderson's films herehere and here.

We will be asking the question: Is Wes Anderson's work postmodern or does his work represent something that might be considered post-postmodernism, metamodernism or is it not postmodern at all?

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Under the Influence: Barry Jenkins on Wong Kar-Wai

It is always interesting to see how one director influences another...

In this video, Barry Jenkins discusses the influence that Wong Kar-Wai had on his work.


Here is a side by side comparison of shots from 'Moonlight' and various Wong Kar-Wai films.


Wong Kar-Wai is one of my favourite directors. Every film student must watch 'In the Mood for Love'. It is a masterpiece of cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound and editing working in unison to make a true work of art.

Both videos were found via: FilmSchoolRejects, which is a fantastic site that regularly shares interesting articles and videos about film. Consider following them on Twitter or Facebook.

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

The new culture war: how Hollywood took on Trump


Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg posed with his wife, Jocelyn Towne, on the award ceremony’s red carpet, he with a teeny sign reading “Refugees welcome”, she with the words “Let them in”, written on her chest.

Click here to read the rest of the Guardian article

Sunday, December 04, 2016

Editing: The 'Match Cut'


A fantastic compilation of match cuts from various films... useful for editing revision and inspiration for your practical work. :)

Art of the Title: Stranger Things


Another fantastic breakdown and analysis from 'Art of the Title'; this time for 'Stranger Things' (my fave show of 2016).

As you continue your coursework research, you must make use of the site 'Art of the Title'. They have covered some of the most iconic title sequences in significant detail, including:

Saturday, September 10, 2016

'Bring on the female superheroes!' - TED Talk by Christopher Bell


As we are taking our first tentative steps into 'Postmodern Media' please listen to this passionate TED Talk by Christopher Bell, Ph.D in which he asks 'where is all the female superhero stuff?'.

Consider the questions he raises about the way in which 'the media' exacts control over public perception and how easily women are 'erased' from the narrative.

He also uses some key terms including 'media saturation' (which we began discussing yesterday - see Dominic Striate quotes in the introductory doc) and 'public pedagogy' which we will be discussing regularly throughout the course.

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Kubrick

A look at the cinematic experience of Stanley Kubrick. His work is a tour-de-force of symbolism, narrative exposition and cinematography. His attention to detail may only be matched by Wes Anderson and his editing is without a doubt meticulous.

Much can be learned here, both in terms of your own production work but also in terms of Postmodern Media. Enjoy!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Learn Cinematography and Composition by following @comp_cam

To learn more about cinematography and composition, follow Composition Cam on Twitter (@comp_cam) and Instagram.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

A2 Revision: Intertextuality

Another nicely timed video that is useful for revision. In this case, The NerdWriter discusses 'intertextuality' and there are some great examples in the video. Watch, make notes and enjoy.


There are more great film and media related videos on his Tumblr; go check 'em out!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Everything is a Remix: The Force Awakens


This is a fab caveat to your Ferguson/Matrix/Blade Runner case study, brining it bang up to date. Check out his original post for more info and links.

This post by Austin Kleon also posits some useful thoughts and additional links/resources (scroll down!).

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Net-a-Porter on taking a digital brand into print

Watch highlights from Net-a-Porter’s talk at the Changing Media Summit 2016, looking at how their magazine Porter bridges the gap between print and digital:


Thursday, December 24, 2015

A2: 'Star Wars Is A Postmodern Masterpiece'


Detailed article by Forrest Wickman, exploring the postmodern make-up of Star Wars.

It will further your understanding of pastiche and bricolage. If you know the original trilogy well it could also serve as an additional case study.

'May the force be with you, always.' ;-)