School Project 1

This quarter I'm taking a class at SCAD called "Cinematography and Editing." Really, it's a Final Cut Pro class (which works for me because I really want to learn the program). It can be tedious, but also a lot of fun. My first assignment was to put images to the Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken." To me, the poem is about choices, and the most personal choice comes between the city and the country and the lifestyles associated with each. In order to create this contrast, I shot a series of videos while in the North Georgia Mountains a couple weeks ago, then I paired those videos with a series of videos I shot around Atlanta. I wanted to create a split screen with two videos running simultaneously, bookending each with one choice. The final cut I submitted is not flawless, but I had fun with it and felt pretty good about what I was able to do with my limited knowledge of FCP.

James Cameron is back in my good graces.

Wow. Amazing. Incredible. Visually magnificent. Story? Heard and scene it many times (It's Dances with Wolves meets Pocahontas meets James Cameron). But who cares! The world that James Cameron & Co. create is absolutely unbelievable! Avatar is a movie that must be seen in 3D - trust me - those glasses will not bother you. If you're able - both physically and financially - see it in IMAX 3D. Like, whoa, awesome. I know now what it must feel like to be in a video game, and I'm sure those The World of War Craft kids took time out of their busy schedules to see Avatar - probably a few times. There were scenes that were completely breathtaking and if I could have, I would have walked right into the screen...can you imagine living The Purple Rose of Cairo through Avatar??? How amazing would that be?? I mean, assuming you survive. Avatar's fictitious world is set on the planet Pandora in the year 2159 (if my memory serves correctly), and the story is simple: Greedy, corporate, money hungry, violent Americans want to take over the Navi race to mine their planet for a rare, expensive (like really pricey) element. Honestly, this is a film that could have been produced as a silent movie and set to a musical score - and you wouldn't be missing anything. Regardless of its simplistic tale and message, I cannot stress enough how unbelievable Avatar is. Judging by its box office numbers, I'm sure pretty most everyone has seen it by now, but if you haven't - GO! Do not miss this in the theater! You won't regret it!

Highlight of My Day.

Last night Glenn drove me around Atlanta while I captured some video for a project. It's not always super exciting, but Sir Glenneth knows how to keep himself (and me!) entertained. I think he needs to record an album :)

Happy Birthday Paul Newman!

I know, I know. Alas, Paul Newman left us in 2008, but I still feel the need to pay tribute to him because, well, he was a fantastic actor and an amazing person all around. I always have some Newman's Own product on hand (usually salad dressing, sometimes Fig cookies). And, of course, a Newman movie is never far.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Newman! I hope you're racing your cars wherever you are. And wearing your seatbelt.

"I don`t think there`s anything exceptional or noble in being philanthropic. It`s the other attitude that confuses me."

Best Quotes I Heard Today.

"I think editors are really sly politicians."

--- Alexander Payne, Director

"I learned soon on that I could not be stoned and edit."
--- Donn Cambern, Editor on Easy Rider

Best film of the decade (2000s) - really???

Okay, so finally - FINALLY - I sucked it up and watched Mulholland Drive.

It was funny actually: Two summers ago I made a list of required movies Glenn must see - mainly the classics like Singin' in the Rain, Annie Hall, Vertigo, etc. Well, one of the films I include (for good reason) is Sunset Boulevard - a FANTASTIC movie - Billy Wilder directed it, William Holden stars in it, and it deals with Hollywood and its corruptness - very ahead of its time for 1950. Anyhow, over the nice, long weekend we watched Sunset Blvd, then immediately followed it up with Mulholland Drive, which despite the Lynch film being really bizarre and over the top, it was an interesting companion piece to Sunset Blvd - at least thematically speaking. I'm pretty sure that's where the comparison ends. I mean, yes, David Lynch, he's weird. He likes to create very ridiculous scenarios or compose extremely disturbing frames and almost throw them in his viewers' faces. I liked Blue Velvet, and from what I've seen of the series, I've enjoyed Twin Peaks. Then Inland Empire totally threw me for a loop. Which, Mulholland Drive is no different. When the film ends, Lynch begs us to ask: Was it all a dream? Are we supposed to know what was "real" and what was "imagined"? Does anyone really know? Yes, I've learned that Lynch likes doubles - doppelgangers - I know he subscribes to the Polish school of filmmaking. But still, despite his creativity and interesting leaps, Mulholland Drive I just do not get. A slew of end of 2009 blogs named it the best film of the decade, but I'm not quite sure why. Does anyone really understand Lynch? Is there really someone out there who can explain what that weird thing behind the dumpster which ended up scaring to death that guy from Mad Men and LOST was and/or represented? Because I am confused. I should've taken that Lynch class when I had the chance! Oy!

It's Elementary!

What do you get when you take a 19th century Master Sleuth, add a little Robert Downey, Jr. and some Guy Ritchie, then mix them with fantastic production design which recreates the essence of old, dirty London circa 1890? Why the latest Sherlock Holmes film of course! Though the film is a bit of a departure from the most well-known cinematic reincarnation of Sherlock - the Universal series starring Basil Rathbone - it contains a lot of the elements that made Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character so beloved, plus incorporates Guy Ritchie action sequences which make for a very entertaining ride. Ritchie continues to utilize that slowed down camera movement with voiceover, immediately followed by real time action. It works really well in showing how Holmes perceives situations and his step-by-step process in executing his action. Robert Downey, Jr. plays Holmes while Jude Law portrays the sidekick Watson, John Watson. Their chemistry is fantastic - and while I still love the House-Wilson buddy relationship - I'm digging the Downey-Law rhetoric. Rachel McAdams shows up as Holmes' ex-lover who matches his wit and cleverness, but of course, leads him to the central case of the story. While I am a huge Rachel fan - I gotta say, I could've done without her - or really any love interest - in this film. But at the same time, she didn't hurt the movie. It was a lot of fun! And the title sequences! Fantastic! Great design throughout the film, and I love that the end credits were not just slapped on last minute. On the contrary, a lot of work went into those credits and they fit the feel of the film perfectly. And, not surprisingly, the film sets up a sequel extrememly well, and hints at possible characters with whom Holmes may find himself entangled. I am, in a word, intrigued.

Peabody What??

Hello again...yes, I'm back, and it's only been a day! But I had to share a photo I was given today. It's yours truly with Mr. Robert Osborne - in his New Year's Eve finest - with TCM's very own Peabody Award (if I had known pictures were to be taken that day, I would have worn something nicer...and newer). It was exciting, and I had to share. Maybe get you to drool at all my hardwork over the last year ;)

Also, I just finished a documentary from 1992 called Visions of Light all about the world of Cinematography. Really great doc. They only interviewed DPs, so it's completely genuine. I'm telling you - movies can look ohhhhh soooo good.

Okay, back to work!

Happy Happy New Year!

Happy 2010 all!! I hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful holiday season. I don't know about you, but I was ready to say, "Bye-Bye 2009!" and "HELLO 2010!!!" Though it's scary to think it's 2010! That's the year of the SEQUEL to 2001: A Space Odyssey - the SEQUEL! We're in the future!

Anyhow. I have a lot of movies to see this month, but it's been a tad difficult because I'm hooked on Dexter - oh my gosh - such a fantastic show! I spent most of this last weekend watching Season 2, and Sunday watched the first couple episodes of Season 3. I cannot wait to got caught up until the 4th season. I haven't read anything about it, but I've gleaned from people's "OMFG" comments that something crazy exciting happens! Shhhh....don't share yet!

And I have officially commenced the Winter Quarter at SCAD - well, online at least. I'm kinda excited about my classes. One of them is called Cinematography and Editing which will get me familiar with Final Cut Pro and various (easy) production and editing processes. I've got to get the creative juices flowing this month! But it shouldn't be too hard since I received an awesome Christmas present which will push me in the right direction: the Kodak zi8 pocket digital video camera. Look out world! I'll be capturing you in 720p and 1080p! Then editing you in Final Cut! Woo woo! I suppose I should actually be doing classwork and not blogging...

Once again, Happy New Year! Be safe and well, and I'll be back to talk about movies - both mine and the professionals :)