TERRY GILLIAM: MONTY PYTHON ANIMATOR
Enjoy a bit of animation history. Pioneer and legendary animator Terry Gilliam describing the process used to create the epic animations for Monty Python's Flying Circus. It was a laborius, painstaking effort by today's standards, with the tools we now have. That's what makes this so interesting; the hands-on-every-detail aspect.
What a delight to hear Terry refer to it as "the quickest and easiest form of animation I know."
It's also interesting to note how plasticine animation has not only survived but thrived over time, where traditional cutout animation seems to have come and gone in a Flash.
RYAN SHECKLER CRUSHES IT IN MANHATTAN
Skaters have always been keen to the power of video and have produced some of the most dynamic work ever. The skill with which they shoot and the style of their edits hardly ever disappoints.
But this takes the art form to an epic level. It's poetry in motion.
Watch as an incredible idea is executed in perfect harmony with a real slick edit. There's some serious skill at work here, both on the decks and in the suite.
CURIOSITY. IMAGINATION. RESPECT.
Listen as James Cameron traces his roots from a curious boy to an influential filmmaker who's traveled full circle to discover deep meaning in passion, life, career, and community. An inspired talk; the hallmark of a presentation at TED.
THE ART OF STORYBOARDING
Here's an in depth video on storyboarding featuring Ridley Scott, director of such films as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, Prometheus, and the now iconic 1984 Apple Macintosh commercial.
For those who'd like more — much more — the article also includes an hour long video of a storyboard-to-picture sequence for the film American Beauty, with Sam Mendes and the late Conrad ("Connie") L. Hall providing commentary.
MASTERFUL CONCEPT AND EXECUTION
873 images strung together to tell a story in a powerful way.
The images were culled from Getty's archives [for this Getty spot] so they didn't pay a licensing fee for one single image. (Imagine they had.)
See what an incredible, memorable journey a team can take when they're given the keys to the castle.
RON HOWARD: REEL LIFE, REAL STORIES
Here's an in depth interview on film and filmmaking with Ron Howard. It's fascinating beginning to end, but for those who want to glean his advice for filmmakers, that segment begins at 16:54.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
In the queue to post since day one, now's a fine time.
(Who says nothing good happens at 3 am?)
Courtesy of the Daily Planet team, this goes out to FX artists everywhere.
Thanks DP, for penning and producing our anthem. We've loved it since its release.
"I easy ease, ease out, then I ease back in…"
A VIEW FROM THE STEADICAM RIG ON HUGO
Here's a perspective you've probably never seen.
A camera was attached to the steadicam rig and rolled while the final sequence of Hugo was
filmed.
Hear the exhaustion of the operator at the end. Enjoy the perfectly timed wisecrack (quite possibly from the director). And watch in amazement as a professional boom guy ["it's tough to be the boom guy"] navigates through doorways and around the cameraman.
This is something you'll hardly ever get to see. And thank you to 'mirrorvids' for posting it.
MEMORIAL DAY CHALLENGE: RYAN’S STORY
What a great honor and service to those who've served.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
I've a wonderful clip I use in my video production course of this master documentarian sharing how the Ken Burns effect came to be.
Well here's a look inside the storyteller's head, revealing some fundamental insights on what filmmaking is really about; telling a story and shaping the way it's told to elicit certain feelings and emotions from your audience.
If there's a common thread in these posts on filmmaking advice, it's to be true to yourself and your story. Be genuine. Don't make a film based on what you think will arouse. Let it move and excite you first. If it does then it'll move and excite others as well.
Enjoy.
