Mirroring Shakespeare's Macbeth, Throne of Blood illustrates
::sigh::
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thank You For Smoking
Jason Reitman does an excellent job of masking a vital message in Thank You For Smoking.
Tobacco spokesman, Nick Naylor, is contracted to save the tobacco industry. The quick thinking and slick-tongued spokesman can practically talk his way out of anything and convince almost anyone to do anything. While he does not smoke himself and must remain a role model for his son, who is now the stepson of a physician, he also must do his job. Just as Nick evaluates his morals as his son questions them, the film frames the platform for the viewer to do the same. Common transitions are also nicely integrated to show change of location.
The thought-provoking story exposes the corruption in the tobacco industry, but reminds us that those working in it are human too.
Tobacco spokesman, Nick Naylor, is contracted to save the tobacco industry. The quick thinking and slick-tongued spokesman can practically talk his way out of anything and convince almost anyone to do anything. While he does not smoke himself and must remain a role model for his son, who is now the stepson of a physician, he also must do his job. Just as Nick evaluates his morals as his son questions them, the film frames the platform for the viewer to do the same. Common transitions are also nicely integrated to show change of location.
The thought-provoking story exposes the corruption in the tobacco industry, but reminds us that those working in it are human too.
The Laughing Club
The Laughing Club is a documentary detailing the relatively new tradition of laughing -- just for the heck of it.
When one thinks of a documentary, one may experience a flash back to high school history courses with ancient black and white clips with a monotonous narrator, perhaps spiced up with a few slides and transitions. The Laughing Club is not one of these, thank goodness.
The documentary showcases various laughing clubs throughout India. The documentary takes the viewer on an intellectual journey. It introduces the concept to the viewer, allows the viewer to question it, explains the benefits and enjoyment through interviews and showing the spread of such clubs, and leaves the viewer chuckling and wanting to try it out for themselves.
Recently, a news channel covered a story about a seminar given to various corporate employees about laughing that was very similar to the laughing clubs of India. It also detailed how one particular company added a slide from the 3rd to 1st floor of the office to create a happier environment. I wonder how this will effect business...
When one thinks of a documentary, one may experience a flash back to high school history courses with ancient black and white clips with a monotonous narrator, perhaps spiced up with a few slides and transitions. The Laughing Club is not one of these, thank goodness.
The documentary showcases various laughing clubs throughout India. The documentary takes the viewer on an intellectual journey. It introduces the concept to the viewer, allows the viewer to question it, explains the benefits and enjoyment through interviews and showing the spread of such clubs, and leaves the viewer chuckling and wanting to try it out for themselves.
Recently, a news channel covered a story about a seminar given to various corporate employees about laughing that was very similar to the laughing clubs of India. It also detailed how one particular company added a slide from the 3rd to 1st floor of the office to create a happier environment. I wonder how this will effect business...
Paths of Glory
The matter of loyalty in Paths of Glory is quite the opposite of the aforementioned analysis of such in Lawrence of Arabia; it was an incident of disloyalty through cowardice. In the eyes of the General, it was loyalty over logic, though to Colonel Dax and those that were tried, the act wasn't intentional disloyalty, but practical matter of life and death.
In Paths of Glory, death is a consequence as a result of cowardice. A trial immediately took place, a decision was decided upon, and those charged were immediately executed. Compared to today's standards, this is somewhat of a harsh and expedited process. With history in mind, this was to be expected, as the French government was based on the strict interpretation of Thus, the deaths and other conflicts in Paths of Glory were simply the result of procedure.
There were only four major scenes in Paths of Glory: the battlefield, where the trials took place, the underground prison area, and outside where the execution took place. The simple settings coupled with being filmed in black and white allow the viewer to focus on other intricacies. The tension, anxiety, and depersonalization of military life is captured through the close-quartered scenes.
Military garb was to be expected, but a downside of the movie was the lack of French association, aside from the brief mention of the country they were oh-so loyal to. At times, it was forgotten that the army was French. Perhaps the infusion of language or accents could've helped, as it is vital to consider the historical aspects of French law and warfare when interpreting the movie.
In Paths of Glory, death is a consequence as a result of cowardice. A trial immediately took place, a decision was decided upon, and those charged were immediately executed. Compared to today's standards, this is somewhat of a harsh and expedited process. With history in mind, this was to be expected, as the French government was based on the strict interpretation of Thus, the deaths and other conflicts in Paths of Glory were simply the result of procedure.
There were only four major scenes in Paths of Glory: the battlefield, where the trials took place, the underground prison area, and outside where the execution took place. The simple settings coupled with being filmed in black and white allow the viewer to focus on other intricacies. The tension, anxiety, and depersonalization of military life is captured through the close-quartered scenes.
Military garb was to be expected, but a downside of the movie was the lack of French association, aside from the brief mention of the country they were oh-so loyal to. At times, it was forgotten that the army was French. Perhaps the infusion of language or accents could've helped, as it is vital to consider the historical aspects of French law and warfare when interpreting the movie.
College
Looks like I'm going to UF
Go Gators?
As hard as it is to convey, I'm quite exited. I look forward to joining several clubs and just the college experience in general. They gave me a decent amount of financial aid, 70% of my determined need. Even though Bright Future covers 100%, there are a ton of other expenses that are included in the cost of attendance that I may or may not need. I still need to find a place to live up there and get about $6K in outside scholarships before I'm ready to go. Oh yeah, finishing high school might be a minor thing on that list too...
Go Gators?
As hard as it is to convey, I'm quite exited. I look forward to joining several clubs and just the college experience in general. They gave me a decent amount of financial aid, 70% of my determined need. Even though Bright Future covers 100%, there are a ton of other expenses that are included in the cost of attendance that I may or may not need. I still need to find a place to live up there and get about $6K in outside scholarships before I'm ready to go. Oh yeah, finishing high school might be a minor thing on that list too...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Lighting Myth
Student Filmmakers tackles a common misconception among amateur filmmakers -- lighting. Many believe that there is a necessity for advanced technical knowledge in order to properly light a scene, but the author makes the point that one simply needs the vision of how one wants the scene displayed. Once the image can be seen, the ability to properly light it should come naturally.
Link: http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/news/videolighting_MDavidMullenASC.shtml
Link: http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/news/videolighting_MDavidMullenASC.shtml
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