The three feature films I watched for this class that had most impact on me were The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, and Raging Bull because these films had a strong emotional connection with me. I felt what the protagonist felt in the movie through great directing, acting, cinematography, and sound.
Three feature films that we haven't watched for this class that I believe should be watched by any film students are The Wackness, Requiem For a Dream, and Kids because these movies are about real stuff that happens to young adults everyday, but it is made into a film. I think by watching these movies, it can motivate film students to create their own film. These films are all independent films but very popular ones.
I chose The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as one of the movies that had the most impact on me because after watching that movie, I kind of felt how it was to be paralyzed. Especially with all the long POV shots in the film. I appreciate that I am living and have full function of my body. I chose the film Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind because I loved how the beginning scene of the film really took place toward the end of the film, but you wouldn't have known that if you had not seen the whole film. Everything made sense toward the end. I also loved the scenes where Joel is awake in his mind running away with Clementine and everything is falling apart. It gives me the feeling of the world falling to pieces. I chose the film Raging Bull because Robert Di Niro is such a great actor in this film, not that he isn't a great actor. The movie feels so real with all the fantastic make up and brutal fight scenes. I get nervous every time Jake gets into an argument with his wife because I know he might snap and hit her. I chose the film The Wackness because any young man can relate to this movie, especially if you just started dating for the first time or if you have a crush on a girl. It's about a young man dating a girl for the first time but she ends up breaking his heart because he took the relationship too serious and she just thought it was a summer fling. This movie has a ghetto new york city feeling to it and it seems like that is how it would really be like in real life. I chose the film Requiem For a Dream because this film shows you how you will turn out if you become a drug addict. Either it's heroin or weight loss pills, drugs will destroy your life. This movie is quite disturbing, but after watching it you will think drugs are the most disgusting thing ever. I chose the film Kids because this film was had a real street life feeling to it. Everything was raw and seemed like it was filmed without a script. This films is about kids having unprotected sex with many partners and soon realize they contracted AIDS.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Michael Rapaport
The film guest I chose to write about is Michael Rapaport. Michael Rapaport is an Actor, Director, and Producer. He acted in such movies like Hitch, Deep Blue Sea and even had his own sitcom The War At Home. He just recently directed his first documentary film Beats Rhymes and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest. The documentary is about a very influential and legendary underground Hip Hop group called "A Tribe Called Quest". This interview with Michael Rapaport was aired recently on July 20, 2011.
After listening to this interview with Michael Rapaport I learned that his style of acting and the way he portrays himself comes from growing up in the hard streets of New York City. In mostly all of his acting roles, he is actually playing himself. At first I thought of Michael being the typical actor that knows how to do a good New York accent, but little did I know that he grew up in Brownsville and Harlem, and his heavy New York accent stuck with him and landed him the roles he has played up to today.
Michael Rapaport grew up listening to Hip Hop music in the 80's. Hip Hop was apart of his everyday life and influenced him heavily not just as an actor, but as a person. "Hip Hop was apart of my everyday life once I discovered it. If I wasn't listening to it, I was trying to find it. You definitely had to work for it. There was no internet, it wasn't on cable, it wasn't played on MTV, the only time it came on was on late Friday nights and Saturdays". This quote is noteworthy because it describes how passionate Michael was about Hip Hop music while growing up. Remember in the 80's Hip Hop was barely being introduced to the mass majority. Hip Hop was actually looked down upon because of it's topics and use of language. Since Michael was so passionate about Hip Hop music, you can only imagine how passionate he became about acting when he first started.
"Hip Hop and the vernacular of it and just the attitude of it, that's just how I was. It was kind of teenage anxed rebellion and it was really just how we all talked. I never tried to hide or change you know who I am or disguise it. I'd probably be a little further along in my career if I did." This quote is noteworthy because Michael stays true to his roots and culture. He is who he is and does not try to hide it. I do agree with Michael and think he would be further in his career if he actually did disguise the way he is. Michael is known as a Character actor, which means he is only famous for playing that same character he has always played. If he would change up his character for different roles, then I think he would land a lot more roles. But Michael does not want to portray something else and I think he is pretty successful being himself.
Michael never thought about being an actor. "Honestly, before I really started acting, I didn't think about it. You know I wanted to be a basketball player. So when I realized my hoop dreams weren't coming true I started doing stand-up comedy. And even then I didn't think about acting till I got called in for an audition from people that saw me doing stand up comedy. It was the thing for Zebra Head and I read that part. I just knew that was for me." This quote is noteworthy because Michael got his first acting role in a movie from doing stand-up comedy and simply being himself. He never thought about being an actor but because he acts the way he does from growing up where he did put him in the perfect position for the character in Zebra Head. His didn't find his career, his career found him.
I think Michael Rapaport had some very influential things to say in this interview. He contributes passion and realism to the film industry. I think if you're passionate about something keep doing it. You may not find a career or job pursuing it, but somewhere down the line your passion will reward you or even change your life.
After listening to this interview with Michael Rapaport I learned that his style of acting and the way he portrays himself comes from growing up in the hard streets of New York City. In mostly all of his acting roles, he is actually playing himself. At first I thought of Michael being the typical actor that knows how to do a good New York accent, but little did I know that he grew up in Brownsville and Harlem, and his heavy New York accent stuck with him and landed him the roles he has played up to today.
Michael Rapaport grew up listening to Hip Hop music in the 80's. Hip Hop was apart of his everyday life and influenced him heavily not just as an actor, but as a person. "Hip Hop was apart of my everyday life once I discovered it. If I wasn't listening to it, I was trying to find it. You definitely had to work for it. There was no internet, it wasn't on cable, it wasn't played on MTV, the only time it came on was on late Friday nights and Saturdays". This quote is noteworthy because it describes how passionate Michael was about Hip Hop music while growing up. Remember in the 80's Hip Hop was barely being introduced to the mass majority. Hip Hop was actually looked down upon because of it's topics and use of language. Since Michael was so passionate about Hip Hop music, you can only imagine how passionate he became about acting when he first started.
"Hip Hop and the vernacular of it and just the attitude of it, that's just how I was. It was kind of teenage anxed rebellion and it was really just how we all talked. I never tried to hide or change you know who I am or disguise it. I'd probably be a little further along in my career if I did." This quote is noteworthy because Michael stays true to his roots and culture. He is who he is and does not try to hide it. I do agree with Michael and think he would be further in his career if he actually did disguise the way he is. Michael is known as a Character actor, which means he is only famous for playing that same character he has always played. If he would change up his character for different roles, then I think he would land a lot more roles. But Michael does not want to portray something else and I think he is pretty successful being himself.
Michael never thought about being an actor. "Honestly, before I really started acting, I didn't think about it. You know I wanted to be a basketball player. So when I realized my hoop dreams weren't coming true I started doing stand-up comedy. And even then I didn't think about acting till I got called in for an audition from people that saw me doing stand up comedy. It was the thing for Zebra Head and I read that part. I just knew that was for me." This quote is noteworthy because Michael got his first acting role in a movie from doing stand-up comedy and simply being himself. He never thought about being an actor but because he acts the way he does from growing up where he did put him in the perfect position for the character in Zebra Head. His didn't find his career, his career found him.
I think Michael Rapaport had some very influential things to say in this interview. He contributes passion and realism to the film industry. I think if you're passionate about something keep doing it. You may not find a career or job pursuing it, but somewhere down the line your passion will reward you or even change your life.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Shots Fired
SHOT LIST - Opening Scene
| Production Title: American Beauty | Director: Sam Mendes | Cinematographer: Conrad L. Hall |
| SHOT # | LOCATION | SHOT TYPE | CAMERA ANGLE | CAMERA MOVEMENT | SHOT DESCRIPTION (subject, action, lighting, etc.) |
| #1 | Ext. | EST - BE | HA | Traveling | Ext. neighborhood, day; traveling helicopter shot of neighborhood |
| #2 | Int. | WA – BE | BE | Still | Int. bedroom, day; still shot of Lester waking up in bed |
| #3 | Int. | CU | BE | Still | Int. bedroom, day; still shot of Lester lying in bed |
| #4 | Int. | CU | LA | Still | Int. bedroom, day; still shot of Lester putting on shoes |
| #5 | Int. | CU | EL | Tilt | Int. bedroom, day; tilt shot of Lester showering |
| #6 | Int. | MLS | EL | Tracking/Pan | Int. bathroom, day; tracking/pan shot of Lester masturbating in shower |
| #7 | Ext. | ECU | HA | Handheld | Ext. front yard, day; handheld shot of Carolyn cutting a rose |
| #8 | Ext. | CU | EL | Tilt | Ext. front yard, day; tilt shot of Carolyn inspecting the rose |
| #9 | Ext. | LS | EL | Still | Ext. front yard, day; still shot of Carolyn cutting more roses |
| #10 | Ext. | MCU | HA | Handheld/Pan | Ext. Jim’s (neighbor) yard; handheld pan shot of Jim’s dog barking |
| #11 | Ext. | LS | EL | Still | Ext. Jim’s yard; still shot of Jim quieting his dog |
| #12 | Ext. | LS | EL | Pan | Ext. Jim’s yard; pan shot of Jim’s lover Jim calming their dog |
| #13 | Ext. | MS | EL | Still | Ext. front yard; still shot of Lester looking out the window |
| #14 | Ext. | LS | EL | Tilt | Ext. Jim’s yard; tilt shot of Jim greeting Carolyn |
| #15 | Ext. | MLS | OTS | Steadicam/ Slow Zoom-in | Ext. front yard; steadicam shot of Jim walking towards Carolyn and slow zoom-in to Lester looking out window |
| #16 | Int. | LS | OTS | Still | Int. living room; still shot of Lester watching Carolyn cutting roses |
| | | | | | |
Monday, July 4, 2011
Composition
DOWN BY LAW
In this shot, the framing device used was the rule of thirds: left, center, right. This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: left, center, right because if this shot was divided into three equal frames vertically, there is a subject to fill each frame.
The emotional impact of this framing device used gives the audience a feeling of friends that stick together. In each frame, the men are in jail leaning on the bars, but by reading their body language it seems as if they are good friends and even if they are stuck in jail, they are with each other.
In this shot, the framing device used was symmetrical balance. This shot is a good example of symmetrical balance because if you split the frame in half right down the middle, it is almost symmetrical.
This framing device gives the audience a psychological impact of separation. Each frame has it's own character and a pathway leading deep away from each other. It seems as if one of the characters is giving the other his jacket before they go their own ways.
The framing device used for this shot is the rule of thirds: foreground, middle ground, and background.This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: foreground, middle ground, and background because there is a subjects in the foreground, middle ground, and background.
In this shot, the framing device used was the rule of thirds: left, center, right. This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: left, center, right because if this shot was divided into three equal frames vertically, there is a subject to fill each frame.
The emotional impact of this framing device used gives the audience a feeling of friends that stick together. In each frame, the men are in jail leaning on the bars, but by reading their body language it seems as if they are good friends and even if they are stuck in jail, they are with each other.
In this shot, the framing device used was symmetrical balance. This shot is a good example of symmetrical balance because if you split the frame in half right down the middle, it is almost symmetrical.
This framing device gives the audience a psychological impact of separation. Each frame has it's own character and a pathway leading deep away from each other. It seems as if one of the characters is giving the other his jacket before they go their own ways.
The framing device used for this shot is the rule of thirds: foreground, middle ground, and background.This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: foreground, middle ground, and background because there is a subjects in the foreground, middle ground, and background.
This framing device gives the audience an emotional impact of reunion. The foreground is the main focus as it seems like a long awaited reunion hug. The middle ground and background subjects are not too concerned about the main subjects reunion as they are deeper and more distant in the frame.
MSTERY TRAIN
The framing device used for this shot is the rule of thirds: left, center, right. This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: left, center, right because this shot can be divided into three equal frames vertically and contain a subject in each frame.
This framing device gives the audience an emotional impact of trouble arising. All three frames have characters with suspect behavior, especially in the middle frame where the character is drinking out of a liquor bottle while the character in the right frame is driving at night. The character in the left frame is smoking a cigarette nonchalantly resting his elbow out the window. There is just a feeling of trouble stirring up.
This shot uses three framing devices; symmetrical balance, rule of thirds: left, center, right, and rule of thirds: top, center, bottom. This shot is a good example of all three framing devices because this shot can be divided into three frames vertically, horizontally, and symmetrically in half.
These framing devices give a psychological impact of mystery. The two characters in the left and right frame are both staring into the middle horizon line. This gives a feeling of wonder and mystery of what life is like out that window. By symmetrically framing the characters' bodies facing each other, it is suggesting that they are in the same situation.
DEAD MAN
The framing device used in this shot is deep space composition. This shot is a good example of deep space composition because the main focus of this shot is the two characters, but deep in the background are dozens of trees, which are the main subjects of the setting.
This framing device gives a psychological impact of departing. As the tress move deeper into space, the characters are going further away from their origin. Judging by the character on the right, he must be the leader since he is closer to the camera.
The framing device used in this shot was the rule of thirds: left, center, right. This shot is a good example of the rule of thirds: left, center, right because once again the frame can be divided into 3 equal frames vertically and contain a subject in each frame.
This framing device gives an emotional impact of acceptance. The eye line of both characters lead us to the third subject, which are the wanted posters of the character on the right. They both stare at the posters as if they just accepted that one of them is a fugitive.
LIMITS OF CONTROL
The framing device used in this shot is lead room. This shot is a good example of lead room because the main focus in this shot is the character on the left staring to the empty space to the right of the frame.
This frame device gives a psychological impact of destination. The main focus is the character on the left, walking toward the empty right space. As the frame will move, the new unseen setting will appear gradually.
STRANGER THAN PARADISE
The framing device used in this shot is compositional stress. This shot is a good example of compositional stress because the main character in this shot is on the left side of the frame, and her eye line is looking toward the left side which is leaving the negative space on the right. Even though there is a character in the right frame, he is sleeping and has no eye line.
This frame device gives an emotional impact of rejection. Even though there is a character on the right of the frame, the character on the left is looking the opposite direction of the character on the right. She is ignoring or rejecting the character on the right leaving compositional stress and negative space.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
"Film Noir"
"Great noir poses the question, why me? Why is this happening to me? And the very dark answer that it provides, an almost unacceptable answer... For no reason. For no reason at all. Because noir is concerned with error, with confusion. It's the noir idea, we don't know what's going on, but we know theres something bad is out there controlling events. For me the great noir films are films about fall guys, a person who finds himself caught in a net. The more he struggles, the deeper and deeper he becomes intwined in nightmare." -Errol Morris (Director). This quote by Errol Morris from the documentary Film Noir applies to the film Out of the Past by stating that there is a fall guy, Jeff Bailey, who is caught in a net. The net is the business he's doing with Whit, which he can't seem to get out of. The more Bailey tries to resolve the problem, the deeper hole he is digging for himself. And there is no answer for why this is happening to him.
"Well the classic femme fatale to me is a women that is usually getting the man into bed, then into trouble." -Marie Windsor (Actress) This quote by Marie Windsor from the documentary Film Noir best describes Kathie as a femme fatale in her role in Out of the Past. What makes Kathie a femme fatale is her seductive looks and personality that eventually gets Jeff into lots of trouble. Just like Marie Windsor's quote, Kathie gets Jeff to fall for her and soon storms up lots trouble for him. I think Kathie fits the profile for a typical femme fatale because she is beautiful, but underneath the beauty she is evil and violent.
In the film Out of the Past there were unique uses of shadow, light, deep focus, and shooting locations to create the world of film noir.
As you can see in this scene where Jeff is confronted with his old partner, there is a nice use of shadows and lights. These shots were primarily lit from the bottom, giving the scene an erie and uncomfortable feeling as if something bad is about to happen. In the third screen shot you can even see the shadow of Jeff's old partner's hat on the roof, that is how I know the light source was from the bottom.
"Well the classic femme fatale to me is a women that is usually getting the man into bed, then into trouble." -Marie Windsor (Actress) This quote by Marie Windsor from the documentary Film Noir best describes Kathie as a femme fatale in her role in Out of the Past. What makes Kathie a femme fatale is her seductive looks and personality that eventually gets Jeff into lots of trouble. Just like Marie Windsor's quote, Kathie gets Jeff to fall for her and soon storms up lots trouble for him. I think Kathie fits the profile for a typical femme fatale because she is beautiful, but underneath the beauty she is evil and violent.
In the film Out of the Past there were unique uses of shadow, light, deep focus, and shooting locations to create the world of film noir.
The use of deep focus really pulled my attention closer to the screen as if these scenes were more important to pay attention to. Just by looking at these two screen shots, you can tell something dramatic is happening in the scene without watching it. The camera can really persuade one to feel a sense of tension.
The locations and settings used in this film worked well giving the audience a feel a small local town with mountains to a big city like San Francisco. I think the local gas station and coffee shop is a good setting for film noir because it's just an average place everyone has been to, but seems like a good setting where crime or trouble happens. In these four screen shots, they were all taken place in the day, but I'm sure once dawn hits, the whole atmosphere changes. Especially in a "Film Noir".
I don't think the use of color photography in "neo-noir" movies can compare to the good old fashion black and white "film noir" movies. You just don't get the same feeling with color. There is just something about black and white that makes you feel uneasy or a sense of unsureness. There is one "neo-noir" film that I think can compare to "film noir". It's Sin City directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film is mostly black and white, but has some color to it. He did a very good job on this movie, making it look like an old fashion "film noir".
I don't think the use of color photography in "neo-noir" movies can compare to the good old fashion black and white "film noir" movies. You just don't get the same feeling with color. There is just something about black and white that makes you feel uneasy or a sense of unsureness. There is one "neo-noir" film that I think can compare to "film noir". It's Sin City directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film is mostly black and white, but has some color to it. He did a very good job on this movie, making it look like an old fashion "film noir".
Sunday, June 12, 2011
"What Makes A Good Movie?"
What makes a movie compelling, noteworthy, or deserving of an award to me is it's story, cinematography, and soundtrack. A good movie must have a good story line that I can understand and possibly relate to. Without a good story I might get bored or uninterested. Cinematography is very important as well, because I have to be visually attracted especially because I love photography and unique perspectives. A movie with a great story can be a disaster with bad cinematography. The soundtrack or movie score is key in a great movie. It gives me a feel of the what is happening in the scene and sometimes makes me jump out of my seat in an intense scene. The soundtrack and movie score sets the right vibe in a movie.
The movies for Week 1 "Le voyage dans la lune" and "The Great Train Robbery" meets my criteria for a good movie, at least for being a silent film made in 1902 and 1903. Both movies had a good story, cinematography, and soundtrack, but it wasn't the best. Yet again the movie was made over a hundred years ago. In "Le voyage dans la lune" my favorite scene was the spaceship they made and shot out of a canon. I thought it was great and humorous! In "The Great Robbery" I loved the dancing scene, where they started shooting the ground to make the guy dance faster.
Just off the top of my head, two of my favorite films that meet my criteria are "The Wackness" and "Avatar".
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"The Wackness" is a great independent film written and directed by Jonathan Levine. This movie has a great story that any young man can relate to, great cinematography, and an amazingly hip soundtrack. This film is interesting, emotional, and humorous as well. I love independent films and this one is probably my favorite! I recommend this movie to anyone that hasn't seen it yet.
"Avatar" is an epic fantasy film written and directed by the famous James Cameron. This movie has a great story I think anyone will love, especially those with a great imagination. The cinematography and computer generated imagery is absolutely breathtaking, and the soundtrack was fantastic. Some people say this film is over rated, but I disagree. I also recommend this movie to anyone that has never seen it.
The movies for Week 1 "Le voyage dans la lune" and "The Great Train Robbery" meets my criteria for a good movie, at least for being a silent film made in 1902 and 1903. Both movies had a good story, cinematography, and soundtrack, but it wasn't the best. Yet again the movie was made over a hundred years ago. In "Le voyage dans la lune" my favorite scene was the spaceship they made and shot out of a canon. I thought it was great and humorous! In "The Great Robbery" I loved the dancing scene, where they started shooting the ground to make the guy dance faster.
Just off the top of my head, two of my favorite films that meet my criteria are "The Wackness" and "Avatar".
"The Wackness" is a great independent film written and directed by Jonathan Levine. This movie has a great story that any young man can relate to, great cinematography, and an amazingly hip soundtrack. This film is interesting, emotional, and humorous as well. I love independent films and this one is probably my favorite! I recommend this movie to anyone that hasn't seen it yet.
"Avatar" is an epic fantasy film written and directed by the famous James Cameron. This movie has a great story I think anyone will love, especially those with a great imagination. The cinematography and computer generated imagery is absolutely breathtaking, and the soundtrack was fantastic. Some people say this film is over rated, but I disagree. I also recommend this movie to anyone that has never seen it.
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