Blog Intended for the week of April 8th

The Player: known in today's youth and urban societies as an individual able to carry out numerous relationships simultaneously. Ironically, this definition fits right in with the 1992 film, "The Player." Robert Altman's film exhibits a mass array of ridiculous circumstances and final goals which take the audience on a rare journey through a mix of emotions and ideas. The role of the player is played by Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins). I think he is a fantastic fit for the role. His stature, tone of voice, and simply his behavior are attributes which add to his overall persona as a character in fear of losing his job, that he is being threatened, and that falls for the woman of a man he killed. It is very hectic because of all these issues taking place. The strangest part throughout the film as an audience is having the knowledge that Mill is a murderer and a less than admirable sort of man. However, he is the main character and considering that most probably related the character to that of a good force in the plot.

My favorite shot from the film was the breakfast scene where the camera manages to include two conversations by sound and frame though this editing created a strange feeling about the entire meeting. I felt as though there was a GIANT elephant in the room (even though they're eating outside). It was obvious that the rendevous between Mill and the other man contained extreme relevance to Mill's situation in Hollywood and others' opinion of him at the time which has, up to this point, been hinted as a main worry of Mill's.

Another great feature of the movie is the use of many actual actors in their roles at their home environment, doing the exact thing they do every day. Actors don't have to act! This sort of phenomenon doesn't happen often and for such a gathering to take place and become a full feature film is quite interesting to me.

Blog Intended for the week of March 7th

By this point, a full script has been turned in and we are on the way towards actually filming a movie!!! The idea brainstorming has been a rocky road but I feel like everyone has been pretty much on the same page as far as the type of humor is concerned. The great thing about making a comedy is the attitude of the group members. Every one seems to be pretty excited about how the project's going to go and I'm quite content with that groove.

This is the first time we've had to seriously take on the film making process for with legitimate cameras, a major goal at hand, and we have to do this with a group of people. The challenge is almost too anxiety-filled to take on responsibly! But then again... why film my FIRST movie with responsibility!?!?! I want to experience what it feels like to create novel angle views and camera shots! I want to feel the passion of the movie in my veins as I take on the power of film as a medium! I want to view the final product with pride!

Blog Intended for the week of February 28th

Creepy Creepy Creepy! "Blow Out" was an intense thriller that kept me on edge the throughout the duration of the film. The sketchiness of the plot was the first issue that bombarded my comfort zone, followed by a series of awkward, scary, and confusing events really provided the formula for an all-out knock-out! The massive amounts of complicated shots and screen views were a major factor in the film's tone.

The actors in this film really played their roles to a T. John Lithgow took the whole classes nerves by the chains and reinvited us into a world of mystery and fear. John Travolta really stood out as well with his youthful, energetic attitude.

Brian de Palma forces his audience to take the journey which he lays out in this detective like plot. The shots and choices of editing are genius and the proof lies in their ability to control the audiences emotions and train their minds.

Blog Intended for the week of February 14th

Starting off working on the short film project has been the most exiting portion of the semester. This sort of hands on activity is exactly what I looked forward to joining this film class. I understand that learning the "tricks of the trade" so to speak are important but I also mainly recognize what I have fun doing and that is making funny things and group projects. I was so happy to have gotten in the Comedy group. I've always loved comedian actors and have thought of how much fun that sort of job could be. I think what most worried me about the project was group procrastination which can be much more dangerous than individual procrastination. However, I was excited for the possibilities considering all the different personality types we have. I feel like that's a great asset as far as having unique input.

A couple of initial ideas that came to mind were plots based around an individual (college student) under the influence of some sort of drug. We felt that the audience could easily relate and find the scenario pretty comedic. One of the coolest parts of the project was looking forward to being able to act, write, come up with ideas, edit, and carry out all the dealings of film making. All these years, sitting in the theater without any idea of what goes on pre-release and only being able to imagine how certain optical phenomena were created and now I have gained at least a little access to the world of film making knowledge.

I am very excited about what is to come from this film project! I think that it will only increase my interest in the subject. I know that the journey required for film making is difficult and frustrating but it will most likely provide an amazing learning experience!

Blog Intended for the week of February 11th

Singin' in the raaaain! Everybody's singin in the rain! What a delightful movie! I, just as almost all Americans alive, was familiar with the tune though I honestly did not know where this upbeat legend came from. And this movie is most definitely that: legendary. It's no wonder why either. So many of the songs in the musical are memorable and catchy. Also the feel of the movie is extremely impressionistic. One cannot help but change emotions when watching this movie. It created an environment of laughter and joy around me just as I was watching it. I think the fact that it is a musical really attributed to this effect because singing itself can really push off an energetic mood. Also, it's always fun to see how the director and screenplay writers introduce songs and the scenes during which the songs are sang. The whole movie is full of outgoing, eccentric scenarios and images which kept me on edge for most of the movie. I enjoyed being able to have no clue what would come next in a plot that is really just a digressive love story in Hollywood. The development of "talky" films is also shown throughout the movie. Silent films are not even widely considered anymore. This day in age is so consumed with the next possible advancements that past history, although outdated, can still be quite entertaining and artistic.

I think my favorite part of the movie was how likable all the characters are. It's hard to not appreciate an individual's constant smile and glamour when it's so evident as the characters in this film can be. After hearing soooo many people talk about how great the movie is and how it's their favorite, or at least top five, I don't think I was so sure about how much I would like it. However, my skepticism was easily overridden when I realized that Singing In the Rain is absolutely one of the best movies I have seen!

Blog Intended for the week of February 2nd

Cinematography, editing, lighting, and all the behind the scenes aspects of movie making are ridiculously intriguing and for the most part not paid attention to by common movie goers. To be honest, these movie making aspects are what truly makes the movie in my opinion. Some film pieced together without the process of angling the best ways and cutting at the precise moments necessary would not hold much esteem as far as I'm concerned! Moreover, the techniques, imagination, and skill used for creating an exciting, fulfilling movie Lighting is one of the most significant film developments in my opinion because it really requires an artistic perspective and the ability to realize the view from your head to the set. There are also really neat editing techniques which can mold a scenes tone, perspective, and comprehensibility in very innovative ways. Using the right camera shots on top of placing out the correct lighting on top of forming the right kind of atmosphere on top of relaying certain messages to the audience by using these sorts of skills.

I think that filming techniques are necessary to learn in the form of guidelines but most importantly the director must be able to feel the passion and the soul of what they are creating in order to portray it correctly. As far as filming a movie as a group I think each individual should suggest their input for the purpose of creating a complete group image of whatever is needed. Creativity is the key with art like this because the more innovative measures used to describe and bring about a story, the more in touch with the film makers the audience can become.

Post 3

"Sunset Blvd." has most definitely opened my eyes as to why Hollywood has been viewed so awesomely throughout my life. Hollywood's first Golden Age gave birth to legendary actors and timeless directors. there is no question why these individuals are framed so. This age produced films, like "Sunset Blvd.," which captured audiences with their screenplay, camera technique and usage, and of course, the acting. There was no extremely developed computer imaging and editing. There was not the high-tech equipment utilized on a daily basis today. There was no top-of-the-line, over-the-top film making techniques which spread from sound to imaging to all sections of Hollywood. The age was one of mastering that which was available and the creation of novel methods and ideas to uncover the endless possibilities of reaching into people's hearts and minds.

I have seen a few older movies but very rarely do I catch a film from the pre-70s or even 80s era. However, many of these, such as "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "Young Frankenstein." Both of these films exhibit wonderful acting that, when examined fairly, surpasses most "good" acting of today's silver screen. I'm not sure if the black and white effect is what throws me off or a combination of the storyline, acting, and camera-work, but these older movies seem to have more of an effect on me than newer films. This mystery is possibly due to my awareness in newer movies of all the computer imaging and editing that allows the various fear factors to seem so real when in fact, this fact, in some way, makes them seem artificial (which they are). Thus, the fear factor from 50s, 60s, and even 70s movies is quite dependent upon the acting and talent of the director(s) and cameramen. Not to take away from that of today's actors, directors, cameramen, etc. I am merely impressing the lack of available technology in today's Hollywood in comparison to Hollywood's first Golden Age and the products which have come forth from each era, respectively.