The movie "The Seventh Seal" written and directed byIngmar Bergman, is a very peculiar movie. It reminds me of the twilight zone because it has a mysterious aspect of what is going to be played out through the course of the movie.
In the beginning, a knight is playing a game of chess with Death before it takes his life. The game carries on throughout the movie where the knight goes about his business while Death makes his move. Eventually Death becomes impatient and cheats the Knight by finding out his strategy.
The most profound part in this movie is when the Knight wants to know the meaning of Life. He thinks through Death he will be able to unlock the mysteries and have knowledge to understand the world around him. When Death comes to finish the last of the chess game, the Knight ask if Death with reveal secrets to him concerning life. Death responds with they have no knowledge but they are unknowing.
These are some of my most favorite T.V series introductions before each show starts. They all are one of a kind. When you hear the music or see the first screen you know that its your favorite show and that its time to sit your ass down and watch it.
So, as I was sitting through a lecture
in my Film class, the topic was about “Film Loops”. What came to mind as I
watched these films with repetitive loops (of athletes and stories that dragged
on forever), was the Adult Swim Commercials on Cartoon Network. These small commercial
loops for their late night comedy shows were very crazy. Too bad I wasn’t able
to find any on the internet or You Tube.
Looping small parts of a film is
quite interesting as well as a great art form. Here are some commercial loops
that I found that emphasize the power of Looping. They are quite funny and at
the same time annoying. Check out the film loop of someone eating and a dog
taking a revers dump, classic films to add to the collection of nonsense. Enjoy!
Once
Upon a Time in the West by Sergio Leone has a lot of sound
elements, one wouldn’t notice if they hadn’t stopped to listen. There is so
much sound going on in the just the beginning of the film. It makes you wonder
how much sound one misses when standing alone. Since this is a western film, the sound as
well as the visual elements places the viewer in the atmosphere of being out in
the desolate lands of a western.
I’m not a very big fan of westerns, but after seeing
and listening to this film, I am rather intrigued to watching / listening other
ones now.Next time I go out into the desert, I am going
to have to stop and listen to the surroundings. Who knows, I might hear buzzards, tumble weeds
blowing by the wind, insects and maybe a rattle snake.
I have found my calling and the genre that I would like to pursue... It is
that of Italian "Neorealism". What is "Neorealism" you may
ask yourself. The best way I can describe it… it is true reality. Neorealism isn’t
the crap that you see in movies today with happy endings and heroes or any
other silly crap that we are fed on the big screen (or the little one in your
homes).
Neorealism in cinema began in in 1945 and lasted till about 1948 with one of
the last films in the genre showing in 1951. It was a reflection of reality
after and during the devastation of World War 2.
Ceasare Zavattini
One of the most vocal amongst screenwriters in the genre is Cesare Zavattini. He wrote the
screenplay for "Bicycle Thief" for Italian Director Vittorio de Silca.
Here is a list of some of the films that were produced during this genre:
1945 - Open City
1946 - Paisan
1946 - Shoeshine
1947 - Germany Year Zero
1948 - The Bicycle Thief
1948 - La Terra Trema
1951 - Umberto D.
When
I first seen Bicycle Thief, I immediately thought it was going to have a strong
resolution at the end of the movie. But as in life itself, sometimes there is
no resolution to the conflicts that we face. The feeling that overcame me when
watching this great film was the feeling of being ripped off by the society
that we live in and it’s many disguises of reality. I then chuckled and realized
it was a great film. Bicycle Thief had poised a reaction out of me, something
that movies usually don’t do, only people who frustrate me. I highly advise
anyone to see this film and try something different by receiving a new outlook
on life.
Here are some excerpts of some sound creators along with video. I did not
appreciate some of them, but there are people who do. I know sound is a great
aspect in making movies; it is a building block and is essential in film
making. But when you have sound that is just nonsense with movies you get crap.
Anyone who has experienced bad sound with their movies knows that it is crucial
to have wonderful sound to complement their vision.
John Cage
What I'm not going to show you (but you may want to brace yourself when viewing)
are some videos of abstract sound creators.
John Cage is considered a great composer of sound, but I do not favor
his work. Perhaps Hitler's impression of some of his work can best explain my own attitude for the time being, but is subject to change.
...and then there is this experimentle film called "Boomerang" by Nancy
Holt and Richard Serra.
I just want to rip my ears off and plug them with corks or
cement. This video was so annoying, it makes me just want to smack the woman
upside the head and knock the headphones off her. If you get through the rest
of the video, I commend you, but you must not have anything better to do with
your life. I had to watch this video as part of my class regarding sound, so I
have a better excuse than you.
Then there is Gary Hill, his vision and sound just
confuse the viewers. It’s a funny combination but most people who seen this video
were confused about what was going on. The images and dialog are hard to focus
on at the same time.This experimental
film is profound and I do credit the artist for creating it. Enjoy this film.
Last, but not least, is Jay Rosenblatt. His use of images and narration in "The
Smell of Burning Ants" is very intriguing. I was very impressed with the
images and how the dialogue made you correspond to what was going on. This is definitely
a must watch film. Some images have been cut because they are too graphic for
YouTube. If you can get a hold of the original film, it is one to add to
your collection of great film makers.
Editing is the building block of any film. Without
good editing your film is pointless. Don’t get me wrong, camera shots have to
be just as great. But, the editing of the shots must be considered to emphasis
the vision of the film and in return to encapsulate the viewer. To broaden my
perspective and to realize great aspects of good editing, the following films
show the magic of great editing.
The Battleship Potemkin - Sergei Eisenstein - 1925 Odessa steps -
Do any of these scenes look familiar? A majority of the films
we see today have used these same concepts and editing techniques from the
Odessa steps from the film “The Battleship Potemkin". These are foundation
techniques that should be used in any film maker’s films.
Here is an example:
Some other great examples of great film editing is the movie “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock.
Alfred Hitchcock
In the shower scene, there are numerous shots to convey
the murder. Not once does the knife actually penetrate the victim. The editing
of this particular scene is marvelous in respect to express the enclosed space
between the murderer and the victim. The transitions from the swirling of the
water down the drain with the victim’s eye are also remarkable.
Now, another great movie, with of course great film
editing, is the movie “Apocalypse Now”
by Francis Ford Coppola.
I didn’t realize the awesome editing for the opening
scene of this movie, until I was revisited with it in class the other day. This
scene alone screams watch me! I can remember in my high school days watching
this movie religiously with a couple of friends and not realizing till now the
sheer vibrancy from the work that was done to make this spectacular movie. The rhythm of the helicopters flying by, the
smoke blowing in the wind, the music in the background and the queue of Jim
Morrison singing “This is the End” with the explosion, illuminates raw power of
this opening scene! This movie should be a cornerstone standard building block
for every film maker/editor out there!
