Channel 4 Inspiration is an event that helps young filmmakers to develop the skills and attributes they need to breka into the industry.
It is an event that motivates young filmmakers to develop their ideas and give them informatioon on how to fund them before production. Channel 4 have a copius amount of links that will enable aspiring filmmakers to get into the industry and have their ideas worked on and eventually produced, which is extremely beneficial.
"It's about inspiring people by showcasing the skills, experiences and attitudes they need to progress - as well as innovative ways to focus and strengthen their own career prospects. We will cover areas such as acting and presenting, journalism, new media, theatre, producing and directing and advertising in the media."
On their site they also have a link that enables people to choose which jobs they're interested in, and the people who do them jobs and their statement of how they got there. This advice is particularly valueable especially from a runners point of view, especially in this industry where you have to start at the bottom.
http://4talent.channel4.com/4talent-opportunities/inspiration-week/index.shtml
Also within Channel 4 there are a lot of work experience opportunities which allows people to make contacts in the industry which is beneficial for when looking for work before/after leaving uni.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Analysis of a scene from Eraserhead- David Lynch- Avant Garde
Although David Lynch did not specialise in short films, and had directed the likes of Twin Peaks; which in itself could be considered as a very abstract drama, he also directed Eraserhead in 1977, which was a black and white movie that can be considered as very Avant Garde.
The scene in which I looked at was where a dead cooked chicken started moving on a charcters plate. The legs started moving in the air and eventually blood and various other things started spilling out of it. It had elements of horror to it and the reactions form the other characters were very strange. It could be considered very artistic and weird to have such a thing happen in a movie. I believe that the purpose of this scene was to trigger an emotion and to make the audience feel uncomfortable and disgusted.
The black and white colouring of the film sets no tone or mood to the scene however the lighting and the props used makes it look sinister anyway. This adds to the horrific elements of what David Lynch uses in this film to contribute to triggering a reaction from his audience. The Avant Garde elements could be considered similar to other films such as The Big Shave as it is unconventionaland is using blood and gore linked to something that is either an every day action (shaving) or something that is considered as normal (a cooked chicken).
The scene in which I looked at was where a dead cooked chicken started moving on a charcters plate. The legs started moving in the air and eventually blood and various other things started spilling out of it. It had elements of horror to it and the reactions form the other characters were very strange. It could be considered very artistic and weird to have such a thing happen in a movie. I believe that the purpose of this scene was to trigger an emotion and to make the audience feel uncomfortable and disgusted.
The black and white colouring of the film sets no tone or mood to the scene however the lighting and the props used makes it look sinister anyway. This adds to the horrific elements of what David Lynch uses in this film to contribute to triggering a reaction from his audience. The Avant Garde elements could be considered similar to other films such as The Big Shave as it is unconventionaland is using blood and gore linked to something that is either an every day action (shaving) or something that is considered as normal (a cooked chicken).
Short Film on TV and video activism.
In the 1960's and 70's television provided some minority viewing for short films scheduled into 'filler' and late night slots.
In the 1990's BBC2 series 10x10, in association with the British Film Industry, showcased shot film.
In 1993 BBC launched videoactivism, populist mass observation on teh close-up straight to camera.
Cameras then were small and cheap so it allowed this revolution to happen.
The video diary was to influence the generation of 'reality TV' online in 2001.
A lot of short films that were very similar to documentaries were made in that time and were representative of occurences that happened that people were either against, or in favour of. Videos of protests, marches, and various other political things were filmed in order to show the 'reality' of it.
A site in which depicts an displays these videos that anyone can upload and produce is www.bbc.co.uk/videonation. On this site is full of short films inw hcih people have filemd a particular issue they feel strongly about and have posted it online to show the world.
In the 1990's BBC2 series 10x10, in association with the British Film Industry, showcased shot film.
In 1993 BBC launched videoactivism, populist mass observation on teh close-up straight to camera.
Cameras then were small and cheap so it allowed this revolution to happen.
The video diary was to influence the generation of 'reality TV' online in 2001.
A lot of short films that were very similar to documentaries were made in that time and were representative of occurences that happened that people were either against, or in favour of. Videos of protests, marches, and various other political things were filmed in order to show the 'reality' of it.
A site in which depicts an displays these videos that anyone can upload and produce is www.bbc.co.uk/videonation. On this site is full of short films inw hcih people have filemd a particular issue they feel strongly about and have posted it online to show the world.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Analysis of an Avant Garde Film- The Big Shave
The Big Shave- Martin Scorsese 1967
· The film commences with jazzy type orchestral music and shots of a shiny clinical bathroom.
· We see a man shaving and there is alot of close-ups, it eventually becomes sinister and dark and unexpected to see the man purposely cutting himself all over his face.
· Very representative of other Scorsese films he as directed such as The Departed, Raging Bull, Good Fellas etc.
· Could be considered as an allegory towards to Vietnam War and how war is silly and the general stupidity of it.
· The film commences with jazzy type orchestral music and shots of a shiny clinical bathroom.
· We see a man shaving and there is alot of close-ups, it eventually becomes sinister and dark and unexpected to see the man purposely cutting himself all over his face.
· Very representative of other Scorsese films he as directed such as The Departed, Raging Bull, Good Fellas etc.
· Could be considered as an allegory towards to Vietnam War and how war is silly and the general stupidity of it.
Avant Garde Films
· Avant-garde films are usually what are produced by film students, and those who tend to be experimental and artistic.
· Because short film couldn’t compete with Hollywood and the mainstream film industry, it found its own home as art
· Avant Garde cinemas take a strong interest in short films. An example of a short film maker is Maya Deren; she made films from the 1940’s-1961 and displayed highly individualistic sensibility to short films. “Meshes of the afternoon” set the tone for USA Avant Garde filmmaking. She took on an anti-mainstream stance in her artistic license and creative freedom
· Examples of Avant Garde films are “Meshes of the afternoon”; this film was displayed in the Tate Modern and had a lot of manipulation of time and space, and defiance to continuity. “The Berlin Horse”; this film was made in the 1970’s and is merely just a film of a horse running about and changing colour. Although a very simplistic and repetitive film, it is considered as an Avant Garde film.
· Because short film couldn’t compete with Hollywood and the mainstream film industry, it found its own home as art
· Avant Garde cinemas take a strong interest in short films. An example of a short film maker is Maya Deren; she made films from the 1940’s-1961 and displayed highly individualistic sensibility to short films. “Meshes of the afternoon” set the tone for USA Avant Garde filmmaking. She took on an anti-mainstream stance in her artistic license and creative freedom
· Examples of Avant Garde films are “Meshes of the afternoon”; this film was displayed in the Tate Modern and had a lot of manipulation of time and space, and defiance to continuity. “The Berlin Horse”; this film was made in the 1970’s and is merely just a film of a horse running about and changing colour. Although a very simplistic and repetitive film, it is considered as an Avant Garde film.
History of film continued- Free Cinema and protest
· Short films can be fictional or non-fictional, or documentary and be influenced by historical features.
· A protest to the dominance of the mainstream is the British Free Cinema movement of the 1950’s
· British free cinema was generally black and white film, documentary fly on the wall type films. Most films in free cinema are short films and ‘Cinema Vérité’- True cinema-French.
· These films are on a shoestring budget and they usually have an unpaid crew.
· The camerawork is usually handheld and using a 16mm film stock Bolex cameras.
· Filmmakers of today take too much advantage of technology that is available to them and don’t have enough focus on the narrative, only on things such as SFX and what technology allows them to do, as opposed to the raw material.
· BFC has an experimental approach to sound.
· BFC had style and attitude and was funded by the British Film Institutions experimental film fund, just by featuring working class people at work and in society.
· A protest to the dominance of the mainstream is the British Free Cinema movement of the 1950’s
· British free cinema was generally black and white film, documentary fly on the wall type films. Most films in free cinema are short films and ‘Cinema Vérité’- True cinema-French.
· These films are on a shoestring budget and they usually have an unpaid crew.
· The camerawork is usually handheld and using a 16mm film stock Bolex cameras.
· Filmmakers of today take too much advantage of technology that is available to them and don’t have enough focus on the narrative, only on things such as SFX and what technology allows them to do, as opposed to the raw material.
· BFC has an experimental approach to sound.
· BFC had style and attitude and was funded by the British Film Institutions experimental film fund, just by featuring working class people at work and in society.
The History of Short Film
History of short films and short films vs. Hollywood
· 1895- Sortie de l’Usine- This was one of the first ever short films. The first ever short films were short due to technological restrictions however more ‘experimental’ sequences.
· The relationship between short film and Hollywood à some could propose that Hollywood caused the downfall of Short films. Short films eclipsed by the dominant mode of film production and “the classical narrative”. Hollywood films are generally feature length and last usually for 90 minutes.
· Genres- Hollywood films have genres and a definable way of being categorised. The Hollywood system used to be all in house before technology advanced and things such as could be considered as portable and used on location instead of having to dub it in after. As long as they had the main things which were the script, the stars, the set, and the production team, the films were ready to go.
· Cinema exhibitors required Hollywood films to be no longer than 90 minutes. Each film was designated a 2 hour block which enabled customers to get food, watch advertisements and trailers and have a toilet break, as well as watching the film.
· From the 1930’s onwards, short film production was a marginal activity, and eventually Hollywood completely overtook the makings of short film as it was proven to be more popular and friendlier for viewers to watch in society that was changing and becoming more interested in mainstream material rather than creative.
· Currently Hollywood no longer follows the studio system; it sees short films as a cut price laboratory for experimentation and innovation. Trends styles and ideas are taken from short films to influence overall themes and genres for the look and feel of Hollywood films. Hollywood makers can take risks with short films with minimal financial risks and to search for talent and future filmmakers. Studios in Hollywood have developed a scouting system for new directional talent using film festivals.
· 1895- Sortie de l’Usine- This was one of the first ever short films. The first ever short films were short due to technological restrictions however more ‘experimental’ sequences.
· The relationship between short film and Hollywood à some could propose that Hollywood caused the downfall of Short films. Short films eclipsed by the dominant mode of film production and “the classical narrative”. Hollywood films are generally feature length and last usually for 90 minutes.
· Genres- Hollywood films have genres and a definable way of being categorised. The Hollywood system used to be all in house before technology advanced and things such as could be considered as portable and used on location instead of having to dub it in after. As long as they had the main things which were the script, the stars, the set, and the production team, the films were ready to go.
· Cinema exhibitors required Hollywood films to be no longer than 90 minutes. Each film was designated a 2 hour block which enabled customers to get food, watch advertisements and trailers and have a toilet break, as well as watching the film.
· From the 1930’s onwards, short film production was a marginal activity, and eventually Hollywood completely overtook the makings of short film as it was proven to be more popular and friendlier for viewers to watch in society that was changing and becoming more interested in mainstream material rather than creative.
· Currently Hollywood no longer follows the studio system; it sees short films as a cut price laboratory for experimentation and innovation. Trends styles and ideas are taken from short films to influence overall themes and genres for the look and feel of Hollywood films. Hollywood makers can take risks with short films with minimal financial risks and to search for talent and future filmmakers. Studios in Hollywood have developed a scouting system for new directional talent using film festivals.
Analysis of Rubber Johnny and Scummy Man
Rubber Johnny (Condom)
Chris Cunningham – 6 minutes – 2008. Music by Aphex Twin
Weird opening
Abstract, totally unconventional
Made out of rubber? Name is Johnny
Drugs, tripping, eyes white
Elements taken from music video, trance, trippy, Infrared
Sold for independent release, controversial, Aphex twin, good market for it. Synergy of marketing. Additional release of short film.
Conceptual drawings and ideas, artistic audience.
Music, video, book of artistic stills and conceptual drawings.
Scummy Man – Paul Fraser – Narrative of song – Arctic Monkeys
Black and White, no tone set
Cult, quite old film, sexual innuendoes
Jump cuts
Gritty, realist, emotionally engages with their stories
Recognisable actors
Gabby knows girls are vulnerable, however intimidated by the guy
Protagonist, got problems, sex obsessed
Girl under pressure, forced to do it, unwilling, knew man before
Chris Cunningham – 6 minutes – 2008. Music by Aphex Twin
Weird opening
Abstract, totally unconventional
Made out of rubber? Name is Johnny
Drugs, tripping, eyes white
Elements taken from music video, trance, trippy, Infrared
Sold for independent release, controversial, Aphex twin, good market for it. Synergy of marketing. Additional release of short film.
Conceptual drawings and ideas, artistic audience.
Music, video, book of artistic stills and conceptual drawings.
Scummy Man – Paul Fraser – Narrative of song – Arctic Monkeys
Black and White, no tone set
Cult, quite old film, sexual innuendoes
Jump cuts
Gritty, realist, emotionally engages with their stories
Recognisable actors
Gabby knows girls are vulnerable, however intimidated by the guy
Protagonist, got problems, sex obsessed
Girl under pressure, forced to do it, unwilling, knew man before
Analysis of About a Girl
About a Girl’ Analysis – 2001
Geoff Boyle - Cinematographer
Writer - Julie Rutteford
Budget - £33,000
9 Minutes long
About a girl vs. About a Boy, warm feeling, innocence vs. guilt, SF vs. mainstream
Messages about content via title sequence, message within technology
First shot, silhouette, scenery, youth culture, fandom, superiority or shot, on hill – Escapism, assertive song, reflects personality? Clouds.
Pathetic Fallacy, where the weather imitates the mood of the action
Britney – Pure innocent Christian – grew up too fast / Girl – not pure, not innocent, secrets – grew up too fast (Identifying with character, singing/dancing
Huge contrast/juxtaposition, character, walls, urban area, trapped in surroundings, gates, isolates, situation, status, secrets, earnings, not hiding being her face, still a child, becoming of age.
Verbal Diarrhoea – strong accent.
Lower class, not close to her family, only talks to herself
Gritty housing estate, playground, dogs, siren, atmosphere setting scene
Swearing at her dad, problems, realises what’s going on
Camera moving erratically, in and out, reflects inner turmoil, unpredictable, personality
“I’m not a kid!” – Trying to show she’s growing up, pregnant, static shot! Dad shows no interest in daughter – unemployed.
She wants to be included with her dad, but wishes he thought about what she wanted.
Has maternal comments – pity – bless
“I’ve had enough!” – Shot panning away, full colours, grey de-saturated. “Stronger than yesterday.”
Wants’ to be famous – girls together smells perfume. Leader authoritative personality. Smart
Got a lot to say, she’s assertive, cheeky, ambitious
Escapism, Stereophonics, Madonna, pop culture. Dream World.
More sinister air to it, strawberry sauce, blood, references her vulnerability. More stationary shots.
What’s in the bag? Becoming darker. Foretelling what happens
Talking stops her thinking.
Kills baby, dismisses it, sings to hide it, wants’ a 99 flake. Hard hitting issues. Mum doesn’t pay attention.
Baby in bag, nobody notices. Bag is like her, disposable, throw it away. Gives birth to the baby. Bag floats towards the grate, trapped.
Symbolic of people in society being so dismissive and not conceiving issues that are hard in society.
Geoff Boyle - Cinematographer
Writer - Julie Rutteford
Budget - £33,000
9 Minutes long
About a girl vs. About a Boy, warm feeling, innocence vs. guilt, SF vs. mainstream
Messages about content via title sequence, message within technology
First shot, silhouette, scenery, youth culture, fandom, superiority or shot, on hill – Escapism, assertive song, reflects personality? Clouds.
Pathetic Fallacy, where the weather imitates the mood of the action
Britney – Pure innocent Christian – grew up too fast / Girl – not pure, not innocent, secrets – grew up too fast (Identifying with character, singing/dancing
Huge contrast/juxtaposition, character, walls, urban area, trapped in surroundings, gates, isolates, situation, status, secrets, earnings, not hiding being her face, still a child, becoming of age.
Verbal Diarrhoea – strong accent.
Lower class, not close to her family, only talks to herself
Gritty housing estate, playground, dogs, siren, atmosphere setting scene
Swearing at her dad, problems, realises what’s going on
Camera moving erratically, in and out, reflects inner turmoil, unpredictable, personality
“I’m not a kid!” – Trying to show she’s growing up, pregnant, static shot! Dad shows no interest in daughter – unemployed.
She wants to be included with her dad, but wishes he thought about what she wanted.
Has maternal comments – pity – bless
“I’ve had enough!” – Shot panning away, full colours, grey de-saturated. “Stronger than yesterday.”
Wants’ to be famous – girls together smells perfume. Leader authoritative personality. Smart
Got a lot to say, she’s assertive, cheeky, ambitious
Escapism, Stereophonics, Madonna, pop culture. Dream World.
More sinister air to it, strawberry sauce, blood, references her vulnerability. More stationary shots.
What’s in the bag? Becoming darker. Foretelling what happens
Talking stops her thinking.
Kills baby, dismisses it, sings to hide it, wants’ a 99 flake. Hard hitting issues. Mum doesn’t pay attention.
Baby in bag, nobody notices. Bag is like her, disposable, throw it away. Gives birth to the baby. Bag floats towards the grate, trapped.
Symbolic of people in society being so dismissive and not conceiving issues that are hard in society.
Codes and conventions of short films/mainstream films.
Experimental, Micro shorts – under 5 minutes
Low budget, less financial pressure
Small cast
Niche audience – not mainstream
Tell stories
Young, aspiring directors make short films – experience, portfolio, style calling-cards represent style of cinematography, style, genre, script etc
Amateur
Realistic, grainy look and feel, have underlying message
See them at film festivals, art galleries, YouTube, TV - (Channel 4) prelude to feature
Short Film
Feature Length / Mainstream
Under 50 minutes
Over 50 minutes
More visually captivating
Clean cut, edited to a mainstream standard
Low budget, less actors
High budget, big cast, props, scenery etc
Used to display capability or creative style, script etc
Usually already established capability by progressing o feature length
Short production length
Long production length
People are less knowledgeable of them, small marketing – niche audience
Mass audience / mainstream
Feature Length / Mainstream
Over 50 minutes
Clean cut, edited to a mainstream standard
High budget, big cast, props, scenery etc
Usually already established capability by progressing o feature length
Long production length
Mass audience / mainstream
Catherine des Forges: - “Spare economic narratives, interesting storytelling, well structures work, which draws in the audience quickly.”
Gareth Evans: - “Short films are long films that finish earlier.” “A good idea, succinctly Told, less is more.”
Requirements of short films
· They have to have aesthetic complexity- for example, the look and feel must not be conventional and be quite complex.
· Plurality of content- intricate detail must be included and the film makers are not interested in continuity.
· Short films generally break all conventions of mainstream cinema; there is alot of breaking the 4th wall and manipulation of time and space.
· The exhibition of these short films are perfect for internet distribution such as Youtube, Myspace, Vimeo etc to gain other people opinions on them and for viral promotion.
· Plurality of content- intricate detail must be included and the film makers are not interested in continuity.
· Short films generally break all conventions of mainstream cinema; there is alot of breaking the 4th wall and manipulation of time and space.
· The exhibition of these short films are perfect for internet distribution such as Youtube, Myspace, Vimeo etc to gain other people opinions on them and for viral promotion.
What are short films?
What are short films?
· A short film is defined by its length NOT it’s genre.
· There are no set codes and conventions, ONLY length.
· Short films are created through innovation and creative and artistic license.
· Cinema started with short film in 1895. Workers leaving the factory- Sortie de l’Usine- made by the Lumiére Brothers, Journey to the Moon- which was the first sci-fi and the Wizard of Oz which was the first colour film.
· Short films have no precise criteria or characteristics
· Documentaries can be considered as short films. Also black and white films, animations, colour films, fictional and dramas are all other things that short films can have.
· All established genres can be portrayed in a film.
· Short film ISN’T part of mainstream cinema. Short films have been proven to influence mainstream cinema and Hollywood and are generally shown at film festivals or underground cinemas.
· A short film is defined by its length NOT it’s genre.
· There are no set codes and conventions, ONLY length.
· Short films are created through innovation and creative and artistic license.
· Cinema started with short film in 1895. Workers leaving the factory- Sortie de l’Usine- made by the Lumiére Brothers, Journey to the Moon- which was the first sci-fi and the Wizard of Oz which was the first colour film.
· Short films have no precise criteria or characteristics
· Documentaries can be considered as short films. Also black and white films, animations, colour films, fictional and dramas are all other things that short films can have.
· All established genres can be portrayed in a film.
· Short film ISN’T part of mainstream cinema. Short films have been proven to influence mainstream cinema and Hollywood and are generally shown at film festivals or underground cinemas.
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