KEEP MAKING FILMS
It's entitled Quentin Tarantino's advice, and he does make some good points (heavily peppered with expletives, but that's Quentin, right?).
But it's Sam Raimi's golden nugget at the beginning that shines here.
"Make films, no matter what anybody says, and you'll be a filmmaker."
KINETIC TYPOGRAPHY: A PRIMER
This hardly scratches the surface, but it's enough to fan the flame and light the fire of a young creative eager to express themself through the medium of motion design, or what used to be known as motion graphics.
It will also demonstrate to anyone who hasn't yet experienced the phenomenon just how powerful moving words about the screen in rhythm to a soundtrack can be.
If you've ever seen Yahoo's "Who Knew?" http://news.yahoo.com/who-knew you know just how far this medium can be taken. In my estimation they're the best of the best and should be studied by anyone serious about this art form.
The following are a few select pieces chosen from many online that were set to the same soundtrack. I just happened to like the style of these. You can YouTube the titles to see how each artist has interpreted the track, which is what makes this medium so wonderful.
Like a snowflake, no two are ever alike.
And if you'll allow an ounce of self indulgence, I've included my very first effort at the end.
The Mickey Mouse Club Theme
Rocky Balboa's Motivational Speech
Network: Peter Finch Monologue
Portal: Still Alive
Andrew Wood: Tactics vs. Strategy
ANIMATION INSPIRATION
For aspiring character animators everywhere (and I include myself on the list) feast your eyes and open your mouths [in awe] over the incredible work of the students at www.AnimationMentor.com
This is one of those places where feature film animators get their start.
WATCH STUDENT SHOWCASE REELS HERE
FREDDIE & BRANDON’S HUMBLE BEGINNING
Freddie and Brandon's first post, from 2006.
"For those about to shoot, we salute you."
PRODUCTION AUDIO
If you're shooting for TV or film you're not wiring everyone with lavs. You're booming a shotgun mic.
Here's an interesting how-and-why-to production.
This was written and directed by Colin Hart for Full Sail University's Digital Audio Production class in the Digital Cinematography program.
JOHN BALDESSARI – A BRIEF HISTORY
A fascinating retrospect of this influential artist, deftly edited and narrated with perfect dry wit by Tom Waits.
Tom Waits. How cool is that?
CINEMATIC STUDIES – OVERHEAD / POV
Courtesy of kogonada on Vimeo, these compilations are excellent highlights of the overhead and point-of-view shots.
WES ANDERSON | FROM ABOVE
_________________________
BREAKING BAD | POV
THE ART OF THE TITLE
Opening titles. The story before the story.
They're fantastical journeys in and of themselves, with ever-increasing intricacy and style.
So who started this highly skilled art form that's taken on a life of its own?
Saul Bass, of course.
And if title design interests or fascinates you, here's a site you should bookmark:
ADVICE ON FILMMAKING
Here's a clip from a 2003 documentary. It might seem like an eternity ago, especially given the advances in equipment and technique. (You'll chuckle when John McNaughton talks about having just shot a movie on Hi8.)
But as Stephen Covey points out, principles and the natural laws of effectiveness are changeless.
Point is, don't get caught up in having just the right gear to work with. Tech has, and always will, upgraded every six months. Who can keep up with that?
Sure, shooting 4K at 48fps is [probably] great. But when life hands you an SD Flip and that's all you've got to work with (for years) keep shooting.
Keep telling stories.
Cause maybe — just maybe — someone will let you build and run a film studio. And you'll be ready.
😉
JOHN CLEESE ON CREATIVITY
A brilliantly clever man, who through his lighthearted delivery (he is John Cleese after all) sheds incredible light on the time and space in which creatives exist.
While the rare, true creative will watch and giggle with deep understanding, they know that it's also the foundation for being misunderstood, misinterpreted, and most definitely the trait which annoys everyone else about them.
Such uniquely enlightened beings are truly not of this world. And that, I propose, is the underpinning of society's fascination with their fantastical ideas, dreams and schemes.
Folks may love the end result. But few enjoy, appreciate, or really understand how it happens.
It's a lengthy clip, but worth hearing, if only in part.
Enjoy.