Friday, September 12, 2003
Film Variations - Partial Filmography
To recap some of the forms and films that we've viewed recently and a few that are suggested:
Non Linear structure
The best contemporary reference is Christopher Nolan - he weaves tight suspenseful scripts with a motivated non-linear style. The finer is Memento but his early work in Following was solid (and a great example of DIY filmmaking). Another to consider is David Lynch - films for the seriously screwed up. Lost Highway is my personal favorite, but Mulholland Drive also has a structure that blends nicely with his strong visual sensibility. Linklater's Slacker and Figgis' Time Code also have much to recommend them.
Episodic Narrative
Two styles that we have looked at:
(1) Sequential: weaving story lines through structure based on theme, character or visual signature. Great examples: Pulp Fiction, Go, & Jarmusch's Night in the World. This last one is a particular favorite of mine.
(2) Flashback: using this reflective device to reveal inner conflict, drive character and give our audience multiple and simultaneous levels of interpretation. Check out The English Patient, Remains of the Day and The Sweet Hereafter for inspiration.
Looped Narrative
This structure closely emulates (and references) the video game paradigm and plays with modern sensibilities concerning fate and free destiny. "Playing again?" is an option we often wish we had in real life... here we can explore this. Check out Run Lola Run, Groundhog Day or select episodes of ST:TNG and the X Files.
Presentations are in-class on the 25th - please let me know of any tech needs you might have. Those of you who haven't pitched your concept need to contact me ASAP or bear the consequences.
And there will be consequences. Oh yes. Dire ones.
To recap some of the forms and films that we've viewed recently and a few that are suggested:
Non Linear structure
The best contemporary reference is Christopher Nolan - he weaves tight suspenseful scripts with a motivated non-linear style. The finer is Memento but his early work in Following was solid (and a great example of DIY filmmaking). Another to consider is David Lynch - films for the seriously screwed up. Lost Highway is my personal favorite, but Mulholland Drive also has a structure that blends nicely with his strong visual sensibility. Linklater's Slacker and Figgis' Time Code also have much to recommend them.
Episodic Narrative
Two styles that we have looked at:
(1) Sequential: weaving story lines through structure based on theme, character or visual signature. Great examples: Pulp Fiction, Go, & Jarmusch's Night in the World. This last one is a particular favorite of mine.
(2) Flashback: using this reflective device to reveal inner conflict, drive character and give our audience multiple and simultaneous levels of interpretation. Check out The English Patient, Remains of the Day and The Sweet Hereafter for inspiration.
Looped Narrative
This structure closely emulates (and references) the video game paradigm and plays with modern sensibilities concerning fate and free destiny. "Playing again?" is an option we often wish we had in real life... here we can explore this. Check out Run Lola Run, Groundhog Day or select episodes of ST:TNG and the X Files.
Presentations are in-class on the 25th - please let me know of any tech needs you might have. Those of you who haven't pitched your concept need to contact me ASAP or bear the consequences.
And there will be consequences. Oh yes. Dire ones.
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Ambiguitive Narrative
Partial Filmography of these movies would include the very fine Usual Suspects; the excellent Fight Club and the unusual Sixth Sense .
Partial Filmography of these movies would include the very fine Usual Suspects; the excellent Fight Club and the unusual Sixth Sense .
Thursday, July 31, 2003
BBC NEWS | Technology | Software stunts put on a show
Interesting article but might put guys like me out of work.
Interesting article but might put guys like me out of work.
Monday, July 28, 2003
Partial Filmography
Hamlet – Olivier (noir), Gibson (action-adventure) or Branagh (modern epic)
Richard III – Olivier or McKellen
Looking for Richard – Al Pacino
Othello – Welles or Fishburne
Chimes at Midnight – Welles
Henry V – Olivier or Branagh
Love’s Labours Lost – Branagh
Much Ado About Nothing – Branagh
MidSummer Night’s Dream – Kline
MacBeth – Polanski
Throne of Blood – Kurosawa
Ran – Kurosawa
Shakespearian Offshoots
Shakespeare in Love (Romeo and Juliet)
Dead Poets’ Society (Midsummer Night’s Dream)
Forbidden Planet (Tempest)
A Midwinter’s Tale (Hamlet)
The Lion King (Hamlet)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Hamlet)
O (Othello)
10 Things I Hate About You (Shrew)
My Own Private Idaho (Henry IV)
Hamlet – Olivier (noir), Gibson (action-adventure) or Branagh (modern epic)
Richard III – Olivier or McKellen
Looking for Richard – Al Pacino
Othello – Welles or Fishburne
Chimes at Midnight – Welles
Henry V – Olivier or Branagh
Love’s Labours Lost – Branagh
Much Ado About Nothing – Branagh
MidSummer Night’s Dream – Kline
MacBeth – Polanski
Throne of Blood – Kurosawa
Ran – Kurosawa
Shakespearian Offshoots
Shakespeare in Love (Romeo and Juliet)
Dead Poets’ Society (Midsummer Night’s Dream)
Forbidden Planet (Tempest)
A Midwinter’s Tale (Hamlet)
The Lion King (Hamlet)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Hamlet)
O (Othello)
10 Things I Hate About You (Shrew)
My Own Private Idaho (Henry IV)
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Partial Filmography - Comedy
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
South Park the Movie
A Fish Called Wanda
Delirious
LA Story
Monty Python's Meaning of Life
Dr. Strangelove
Lolita
Zoolander
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
South Park the Movie
A Fish Called Wanda
Delirious
LA Story
Monty Python's Meaning of Life
Dr. Strangelove
Lolita
Zoolander
Partial Filmography - Action/Adventure
Purely Action
The Transporter
Le Professional
Rush Hour II
The Fast and the Furious
El Mariachi
More Adventurous
LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring
Das Boot
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Road Warrior
Gallipoli
Purely Action
The Transporter
Le Professional
Rush Hour II
The Fast and the Furious
El Mariachi
More Adventurous
LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring
Das Boot
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Road Warrior
Gallipoli
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Partial Noir Filmography:
Bladerunner
Dark City
Touch of Evil
Miller’s Crossing
LA Confidential
Sunset Boulevard
The Big Lebowski
The Limey
Memento
Following
Total Recall
Double Endimnity
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Chinatown
Bound
Bladerunner
Dark City
Touch of Evil
Miller’s Crossing
LA Confidential
Sunset Boulevard
The Big Lebowski
The Limey
Memento
Following
Total Recall
Double Endimnity
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Chinatown
Bound
Thursday, June 26, 2003
The Illustrated Vogler
Here in precis form are the basic steps for Vogler's work.
1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting with the Mentor
5. Crossing the First Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to the Innermost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward (seizing the sword)
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixir
Here in precis form are the basic steps for Vogler's work.
1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting with the Mentor
5. Crossing the First Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to the Innermost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward (seizing the sword)
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixir
