Trip to MoMi

The first time I went to the Museum of Moving Images was last year. At the time I was still learning about the nature of film so the experience was phenominally educational. Alot of the exhibits showcased differenct cameras and film stock as well as their purpose and usage during the time they came out. It was a great experience to see the timeline of the film industry's developement prior to digital media. I think my favortite exhibit were the clips of feature films from the early era of film. Many of the clips highlighted much of the same topics discussed in class ie. film noir, lighting, mood, etc. All in all the experience was that I believe any aspiring film maker should recieve first hand themselves.

run lola run scene analysis

The scene that I’m choosing to analyze is the beginning scene from “Run Lola Run”, one of my favorites. Lola, a young German woman, finds out that her boyfriend Manni is in serious trouble and needs a large sum of money ASAP (I’m skipping over a lot of details but this is the basic plot background information needed to understand the scene analysis). The movie goes through different timelines, I suppose, or versions (?) of what could possibly happen as an outcome of Lola’s different choices during her pursuit to help her boyfriend. Anyway, the scene I’ve chosen begins as soon as Manni and Lola hang up the phone and Lola begins to run. Here’s a clip:

The scene begins with a shot of Manni’s concerned face and then it cuts away to a clock, giving us a sense of how little time Lola has. We hear beeping indicating that Manni’s pay phone time has run out, also reminding us his actual time is running out. It cuts to a shot of Manny from above in the small phone booth as he puts his head down in frustration. The edits are smooth so far and the imagery – the clock, Manni in a confined phone booth – gives of the feel of time closing in.

We then see a television screen in Lola’s where huge set up of dominoes is being knocked over. It cuts to Lola looking at the clock. The clock is being zoomed in on, at some times smoothly and at some times there are jump cuts purposefully giving us little jolts forward in time. The intellectual edit sets up the theme in which the decisions that Lola makes in the little time she has a domino effect resulting in the final outcome of that particular timeline. We hear the sound of dominoes falling even when the screen is not showing it. We can also hear a quickening ticking of the clock.

There are then multiple front shots of Lola starting from a mid shot the moving in to a close up (It zooms out at time as well, but just small bits, the ending result is to get closer to her face). The cuts are choppy, breaking continuity, taking us into the stress of Lola trying to come up with a plan. Her hands are on her temples her eyes are closed, it jumps, her hands are pulling at her hair her eyes are wide open, it jumps, her face looks worried, it jumps again, her face looks concentrated. The background music is getting faster and louder. The camera starts to spin around Lola as she tries to think of people who can help her. Shots of the faces of the people she is considering flash on screen for split seconds as the camera continues to spin around her. We hear her whispers of their name, but her lips are not moving. We are in her mind. It finally lands on her papa and she says “papa” out loud. Lola quickly turns and runs out, but the camera does not follow.  Shot of her dad pops back on screen and he looks to the side and gives a small head shake, foreshadowing what his reaction to her pleas for help would be.

The camera then follows her out her room door and someone who lives with her shouts something out as she is running. There are still no cuts since she started running. The camera circles the random lady and lands on the t.v. she sits in front of zooming in to the picture itself which is an animation of Lola running down what seems to be an endless spiral staircase. The music is becoming more intense and we start to hear lyrics now – up until now it was lyric-less.

The Lola animation opens the door to go outside and it fades to white and then back to color, of the outside of her building. Lola is running towards the camera, we see her red hair far away getting closer. She gets closer and closer until it looks as if the camera is going to bump into her stomach. At that moment it immediately cuts to the other side, we are seeing her run from behind. The music is matching the pace of her panic-y run. We see Lola run down the street from behind, the shot is smooth at points and then for other moments there are jumps in Lola’s running.

The whole bit really effectively gives the audience the feel for the pace of the movie. The rhythm of Lola’s running matches the music and the jump cuts gives makes it feel like little time lurches. The intellectual edits match the themes of the film.

Momi !

     I participated in the interactive sound effect exhibit. Movie clips were shown in which particular sound effects were taken out.  Then we were given a few different audio replacement options which we could pick to fill the various muted moments. It was fun to change the roars from the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to different, less threatening noises. The exercise really demonstrated how vital sound effects can be to the movie. Although it is often thought of as secondary by the audience, or at least not explicitly given consideration, a sound effect can really change the mood of the movie. A switch between a dinosaur’s roar to a kitten’s meow suddenly turns a scary and dramatic scene to a humorous one. There was also a part where we could dub the voices in the clips of some movies. I dubbed over some Marilyn Monroe lines.

     Both of these demos illustrated just how vital sound is to the overall outcome and effect of a movie. Often when I watch a movie my awareness of the sound work done on the film is minimal. I usually only consciously think about the musical score of the film and how that effects the mood and feel of whatever it is I am watching. I never really gave much thought to how the actors and actresses have to rerecord their lines and how the editors have to work to make it fit smoothly into the piece. I guess the fact that I never gave it much though before is a testament to how well the editors, foley artists, and actors/actresses do their jobs. It was really interesting to see work that goes behind something that, despite perhaps not being noticed as much as the visual sometimes, is very vital to the outcome of a movie.

scene analysis King of New York

Duncan Glaser

King of New York

Scene Analysis

The scene begins with a close up shot of Christopher Walken kissing his a woman on the train and then cuts to a shot of the womans chest revealing that her shirt is open. These two shots work specifically to show how Walken's character has a bit of pent up sexual tension after being in jail for so long and also how he is brazen enough to act upon those urges even in a public place. The camera moves further out in the next shot and we can now see straight down the train car to Walken and the woman who are positioned in the middle of the shot.

The camera goes back to a close up of the characters kissing until they are interupted by a sound from the other end of the car. As they look over the camera cuts to their point of view straight to the other end of the car where three men emerge walking towards the camera. This creates an ominous feeling as “danger” is approaching Walken and the woman who are in a seemingly venerable position. The camera switches angles to face back towards Walken and the men walk into the shot cornering Walken.

As the men confront Walken he stays cool and shows them the gun tucked in his waist. The camera switches to a close up of the mens faces to show their reaction as they are taken completely off guard by Walkens seemingly harmless appearance. We then see a close up shot of Walkens gun and money as he takes it out. The gun and the money are part of where Walken's character derives his power and this is shown through the close up shot. The scene ends with a nice match on action as we see a shot facing walken as he tosses a money roll towards the camera and then we see a shot of the men as they catch the money coming towards them and then leave the train.

The lighting is very cool tone and reflects on Walken's character's cool calm nature. The compositions of the long train car shots emphasize the coming and leaving of the men and how the dynamic has changed from before to after they confront Walken.

Blog #4 scene analysis

Fando y Lis (original title) 

Fando and Lis

Chapter 5: Cemetery Romp, 15:40-19:10 min

Director, Alejandro Jodorowsky

I chose this film and that scene because Jodorowsky’s films are amazing, They are my favorites and every time I see them I can find something new, a new thought that I haven’t had before.

This movie is about Fando and Lis a couple that are experiment the different phases of a love relationship and the end of this journey is the dead. At the same time they are looking for the meaning of life. They are looking for “Tar” a place they are looking for, but they have to go through obscene temptations, and the director takes this too serious and explicit.

I picked chapter 5, in this chapter Fando and Lis are taking some rest in a cemetery, Lis is singing “I will die, and no one will remember me” but Fando says that he will remember her and he will visit her grave with a flower and a dog and at her funeral he will sing in a low voice “how beautiful is a funeral” then a guitar starts playing and someone singing “how beautiful is a funeral, I’ll visit your grave with a flower and a dog” Then trumps, drums and a saxophone keep playing, no lyrics, just music. The melody is faster and more “fun” while the cuts in the movie show us to Fando and Lis lying down on the graves, behind them making so many different faces and acting like statutes. Some shots are hand recorded so it looks like a documentary and it is black and white, so the music contrasts with this lighting. They are like making fun of the dead but after a few minutes the music slows down and a flute takes over. Same melody but more sentimental, you can notice the change of mood, from happiness to sadness. Fando and Lis are on their knees looking at a grave. The interesting here is that in the grave is Lis’s doll, this part is going backwards so instead of burying in the grave they are digging up until they can take the doll out of the grave.

 I recommend this director and his work. It is something complete different but you are sensitive about some topics like religion and sex don’t watch them. But they make you think a lot if you do watch them.

Interview Duncan Glaser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9PMYEuiGKc

Sound Walk

Duncan Glaser

Sound Walk

It's mostly quiet at night but the silence is regularly interrupted by the sounds of car tires against the wet street. Walking through Madison Park the tree branches blowing in the wind serve as keynotes. The white noise creates a peaceful ambience to someone passing. The wind also causes a rope to rhythmically clang against its metal flagpole creating a subtle yet resonating beat.

The roar of a garbage truck disrupts the tranquility as it pulls up. The garbage men shout loudly to each other over the noise as they toss bags into the machine. The mechanical noise increases as the trucks compactor crushes the trash. The noise reaches a crescendo and then the truck pulls away. The roar fades into the distance with the truck.

The silence doesnt last long as the bass from a passing car thumps loudly joining in a harmony with the flagpole's noise. It vaguely reminds me of a song I've heard somewhere but the car drives off before I can remember it.

 Outside of a nightclub a group of women loudly laugh with each other as they try to find a cab. The high pitch laughter carries all the way across the street.

Museum Blog

Duncan Glaser

Museum of the Moving Image

The Museum of the Moving Image's core exhibition “Behind the Screen” was a very intersting collection pertaining to many facets of films production history and methods. One very interesting part of the exhibition was the collection of film cameras, lighting and sound recording equipment. It showed very clearly the progression of the technology used to produce films and how that progression increased the quality in the productions.

Another great part of the exhibition was interactive computers set up allowing users to experience part of the films audio production process. One computer let you choose a film clip and then fill in the sound effects and watch the finished product. For a scene where a truck crashes in Terminator I replaced the crash sound with chicken noises which was rather amusing to watch. Another computer let you add in different sound tracks to films and see how they gave the scene different tones. It was fun to be able to play around with the audio production but it was very simplified and didnt entirely reflect how the actual process is achieved.

 The exhibition also featured a egyptian mummy themed movie theater in which an old explorer adventure tv show was played. This display showed how many gimmicks used to be implemented to enhance the movie experience. Nowadays theaters are much less extravagant and rely more on the technology to sell product. Even so we still have brought back some old gimmicks like 3d films, lets just hope they dont try to bring back Smell-o-Vision.

Blog #3

So I recently went to the MoMi and I loved it. It was such a great experience, I feel weird not going sooner. One of the exhibits that caught my eye was "Lights, Camera, Astoria!" Usually history is boring to me, any history but this intrigued me. The fact that the Astoria studio was so important and was used so early in films history is awesome.  To know that Paramount Pictures had its home in the studio is a really cool detail that interested me, because now Paramount is a huge company so its cool to learn its roots. Overall this exhibit is a must see, if you're interested in film.

Missing Assignments

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR MISSING BLOGS IN (and projects)

Everything needs up be up or sent to me by Monday DEC 23

-Chris

Final Project: Revision

strain:revisited from John Gutierrez on Vimeo.

Scene Analysis: Drive Elevator Scene

The elevator scene is an extremely important scene in this movie. It involves the main character known only as Driver and his love interest, Irene as well as the hitman hired to take them out. This scene is significant because it signifies the biggest turning point in the movie. In this scene Driver, who is used to outwitting his opponents in his car, must fight to protect Irene who is unaware of the danger they are in. The scene takes place in the elevator of the building Driver,Irene and her son live in. Driver knows that Irene is in grave danger but he remains calm as is his nature throughout the movie. The scene really captures the two sides of the mysterious character Driver. On one hand we are shown the calm caring side that he usually shows around Irene. On the other, we are shown the cold, calculated, violent side that we have seen in previous scenes throughout the movie. It serves to establish the lengths at which Driver is now prepared to go and his development from being this mysterious cold hearted man who seemingly does not care for his own life to a man with a purpose and a reason to sacrifice it. An important recurring theme throughout this movie is the very little dialogue between characters in important scenes. To compensate, the director uses set design and effects to convey the powerful emotions that are present in many of the scenes. The elevator scene is one of the most emotional and symbolic scenes in the film. There is virtually no dialogue in this scene, however the audience can presume certain things based on the setting, the lighting, and the cinematography. Through these elements the director is able to convey the two sides of Driver without words.

Final project

http://youtu.be/968zui90kds

Final & Extra Credit Recap

Final is tonight @ 7pm-9pm (same place, same time) - DO NOT MISS - 20% of your grade.

- Study-guide is on blackboard if you didn't check it out already.

********

I offered extra credit:

1) Revise any project with your feedback notes for a grade boost.

2) Like both facebook.com/nostrandproductions & facebook.com/garbagegirlfilms for (5) BONUS points on your final exam.

3) Invite all your friends to both pages and I'll give (5) additional BONUS points on your final exam for a total of 10.

All extra credit must be in by MONDAY the 23rd!

thanks

-Chris

Yankee Stadium Subway Station- Sound walk

The chirps of electronic crickets bounces off the walls. The chatter of the soon -to-be passengers fills the air. Beeps upon beeps upon beeps sounding off wildly, with no metric pattern as they swipe their metro cards to gain access to the underground. Emergency alarm sounds! Down here, the emergency exit is just another door.

Footsteps pace rapidly down the stairs. They're afraid of getting left behind. No train yet. Toddler escapes his mother, stomping and jumping about. Man slowly drags his feet down the stairs. Keys jingle with every footfall. He coughs and wheezes. Noses sniffling all around. Only silence comes from those on their cell phones.

In the distance the tracks rumble. A light appears down the tunnel. The train. Slowly approaching squeaking and hissing past. Screeches to a stop. More feet pace rapidly down the stairs. The train halts and lets out a breath. Doors glide open. People scurry in through the doors. Chatter. Spanish, English. Purring of stagnant train as it fills with more passengers. They plop down to sit. Music from loud headphones floats through the train. Reggaeton. Doorbell sounds as the conductor speaks through the crackling speakers, "This is Yankee Stadium, 155th street next. Stand clear of the closing doors." Doors shut closed. Train hums and creeks into motion, swopping into darkness.

Blog #4

Perks of being a Wallflower-Tunnel scene

I was driving towards Manhattan a few days ago and tunnels generally make me feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. I remembered that the one time I felt it was liberating was in the ending of Perks of Being a Wallflower, in the last letter scene where after many adversities the character has grown so much and centered himself. He has conquered his anxieties and depression and feels "infinite".The steady music gets louder, more uplifting and triumphant. As the scene speeds up the the lights on the side move faster with the music. His dialogue is on level with the music but both are climbing. While the actors are technically contained, in terms of life and learning they are growing and freeing themselves in the tunnel. It's a great scene and important for the movie.
Charlie is followed to the back of the pick-up and he sits down facing back. The reflection of the other cars' headlights is on the top of the tiled tunnel and everything is bright. Charlie then turns around kisses Sam while the camera zooms in a little.He then slowly raises himself, lets go of one hand and then the other while he takes up the frame. The camera then follows them from behind with Charlie feeling victorious and the others screaming and whooping at the end of the tunnel. The sound, lights, voice over, and action in the film do a great job explaining their growth as they enter adulthood.

Blog #4: Power Dynamics

Ridley Scott's "Thelma & Louise" will forever be one of my favorite films of all time. I used this same film for my other media class and thought it will be befitting in completing this assignment. The film possessed an abundance of themes and issues in our society in the relation to men and women, and the scene that I chose truly exhibits the power dynamics between the two sexes.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D9mDHPY0RA





In this scene, Thelma and Louise encounter a very perverted trucker driver on the open road and finally decide to stop and engage in conversation. They kindly ask to apologize for his highly inappropriate language, but when he refuses, they decide to take matters into their own hands and shoot down his truck, ultimately exploding it.

In the matter of composition and lighting and sound, when Louise and Thelma scold the man and ask him to apologize, the camera moves from them to him and back and forth showing the exchange and the "interrogation." After the driver says "Fuck that" to apologize, Louise gets on top of her 1966 Thunderbird and pulls out her gun. This revealed strength and power that these women had over the man. All the man had was himself and his truck, which Thelma and Louise shot down, but Thelma and Louise had their self dignity and their guns, resulting in the truck driver being powerless. After both women begin shooting the truck, the truck explodes startling all three characters in the scene. The engulfment of the smoke symbolized, in my opinion, the evaporation of the driver's strength over the women. He was helpless as he threw his hat and fell to the ground. This movie is simply remarkable.

Museum of the Moving Image- Historical Innovation

The exhibits at the Museum of The Moving Image demonstrated innovation and true creativity. It is quite ironic to note that although I am a media studies major, I never visited the museum prior to the assignment. With that being said, I found the exhibition on "Lights, Camera, Astoria!" quite informative especially because it allowed me to appreciate the art of filmmaking much more. It was interesting to see history of filmmaking being told in a visually creative way. In addition to that, I also truly loved learning that the shows and movies I grew up watching or happened to stumble upon, have its roots in the Astoria studio. The film stills were intriguing in that it revealed that although the technological advances in media production have evolved, compositions or the way in which a shot is composed, remains fairly the same. I loved experiencing how much thought and elements go into creating images and although I am somewhat thrilled that we have all these advances in moving images, I wish that the cameras used during older periods of time were still used. I think that if a show or movie were to use those cameras to shoot their film, there would be quite a positive effect on the audience and viewers and create a level of appreciation for all things film.

Project #3

Interview Final!

jennas audio project

Could not figure it out, finally resorted to youtube. Hope it works!