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.

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.

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:

• Dial M for Murder
• Alien
• Twin Peaks
• Blade Runner
• Fargo
• Se7en
• Trainspotting
• This is England
• Moon
• Oblivion

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!

Media Language - Huge 30 Page Resource

The document below is 30 pages of useful material (Courtesy of Mr Wallis at Ringwood) that will help all AS and A2 students with your exam preparations. I hope that most of you know the material within but I recommend downloading and printing it to kick start your revision which should be happening now. Don't wait until May!

Weekly Challenge - 5

Weekly Challenge 5: Camera/Mise-en-scene - Colour has become a key tool in film and TV to: create meaning; establish mood; establish character or emotions; or set an aesthetic tone. 


Find and discuss in detail the use of colour in one Film or TV show. If possible provide a clip or screen grab to illustrate your discussion.


As this is a more in depth challenge please submit your response by Friday 7th January 2011.

AS: Key Concepts and the Language of the Moving Image

Thanks to our friends at Ringwood School for the following excellent resources about the key concepts of Media Studies and Moving Image Language.

Key Concepts: http://mediastudiesringwood.blogspot.com/2010/11/key-concepts-basics.html

Language of the Moving Image: http://mediastudiesringwood.blogspot.com/2010/11/film-terms-techniques-shots-lighting.html

Enjoy!

AS: Semiotics - "The Bad Colour"

Aaron Mahnke, a freelance graphic designer from Boston started writing a post about where he found his desktop background for his computer but ends up discussing M. Night Shyamalan's film The Village and the symbolic meanings of colour in particular red - "the bad colour."

Please take a moment to read the post - it demonstrates that you don't have to be a film maker to understand and care about the connotations of colour; and also offers a picture of the many possible meanings that a single colour can have, dependent upon the individual who is interpreting it.

Oh, and if you have not seen The Village, do so now, it is an excellent example of the thriller genre. Here is the trailer to wet your appetite:

Year 12 Homework - Small Island

In your pairs write up your response to the following question... 

"Discuss the way race is represented in Small Island" 

Click to view / download the Mind Map from the lesson.

• Charlie & James - Camera
• Louise & Daniel - Sound
• Maraid & Steve - Editing
• Lewis & Graham - Mise-en-scene

Please bring your response with you to Monday's lesson (26.04.10)

"a movie about childhood", not a children's movie!

Where The Wild Things Are (Spike Jonze, 2009)

At the weekend my wife and I went to the Cinema as we are often known to do.  We went to see Where The Wild Things Are, dir. by Spike Jonze based on the beautiful childrens' book by Maurice Sendak.  The movie was beautifully crafted.  The camera work rsembled the best indie movies (Little Miss Sunshine, Amelie) with careful choice of distance, angle and positioning; and just enough editing to allow the movie to flow unobtrusively - Jonze ensures that the presence of the camera remains firmly unkown to the audience.

But what made this film so special (particulalry as a fan of the book) was one: the musical score - created by Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeah's fame which was quirky, challenging and beautiful at the same time - check it out at the film's website here: http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/#/Soundtrack

Like the music, the mise-sn-scene was stunning - Jonze's pallet is soft and haunting with some of the best lighting I have seen used in a movie in years.  The "Wild Things" were amazing - once again the Jim Henson company outdid themselves in prducing creatures that not only faithfully reflectd the wonderful drawings from the book but that took on a life of their own - seeming at times more human than could possibly be imaginable.

Here is the trailer for the movie:

Here is an animated version using the original pictures from the book:

And finally, here is a test made by Disney who for some time had the rights to produce the film - while this looks like it would have been good, I for one am very glad that this was one project that they did not complete.

Jonze's film is a film not for children but for those of us who read the book when we were kids.  It is a haunting, alternative, deeply beautiful and emotionally satisfying affair that brought my wife and I to tears - "I could eat you up I love you so".

In the words of Max: "Let the wild rumpus start!"