RICHARD ZANUCK DIES AT 77
Richard Zanuck died today at his home in Los Angeles of a heart attack.
He was the Producer of a vast string of hugely successful films, including: The French Connection, Patton, The Sound of Music, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Driving Miss Daisy, Jaws, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice In Wonderland, the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, and most recently Dark Shadows.
His work is to be admired, respected and studied, along with his passion, commitment and involvement as a producer. To wit:
"I think there's been a devaluation of the concept," he told Variety. "Maybe too many people have used the term 'producer' when they weren't qualified. That's what the Producers Guild has been fighting for years. I was the chairman of the producers' branch of the Academy for about 10 years, and we were constantly trying to find ways to prevent this proliferation of credits. A producer should contribute from the very beginning until the very end, in all aspects. I'm there at the set every day, on every shot. Not that the director, particularly Tim (Burton), needs me, but just in case. There are producers who don't even watch the dailies, who have some contact with the project and get their name slapped on there. That's what we've been trying to get rid of."
Rest in Peace Richard.
SUBTLETIES OF THE SLATE: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
There's more to slating a scene than one might think.
And here are some fun, behind-the-scenes compilations.
REST IN PEACE ANDY GRIFFITH
Though well known for his legal drama, Matlock, Andy Griffith will always be endearingly connected with the show that touched a generation with pure, simple family values.
Through 8 seasons and 249 episodes, The Andy Griffith Show serves as a great cinematic reference. It shows how powerfully you can connect with an audience in black and white, using just one camera.
Sheriff Taylor joins most of the cast who've now passed. Surviving cast members of The Andy Griffith Show are:
Ron Howard (Opie Taylor), Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker), Ken Berry (Sam Jones) and Jack Burns (Warren Ferguson, Barney's replacement).
Here's an interview Matt Lauer had with Don Knotts & Andy Griffith on The Today Show, March 4, 1996.
AFTER EFFECTS FIREWORKS TUTORIAL
Happy Fourth of July everyone. Here's a holiday specific, fun effect.
There are lots of fireworks tutorials out there, but I liked how this lad handled it. For those who know After Effects it's a great get-in-and-get-it-done tut.
For those who don't, don't get caught up with what he's doing. Just watch and enjoy the transformation from particles to the effect he's going for. See how everything's done with purpose. The kid knows his stuff.
Part 1
Part 2
HOW A CCD WORKS
Not that you've ever wondered, but here's Bill the Engineer Guy explaining in great detail how our digital images are captured to memory.
Listen up, there's a test.
FILM ACADEMY MAKES HAIRSTYLING ELIGIBLE FOR OSCAR
Grandma and mom would've appreciated this. They owned and managed salons their entire lives, from NY to here in Florida. Mom opened the first nail salon in Ocala back in '79.
BOOTHS & BODIES: THE LIFE AND WORK OF ANYTHONY VIZZARI
An excellent short documentary by Philip Bloom, DP and DSLR pioneer.
GOOGLE SPLASH: HOW IT WAS MADE
A behind the scenes look at the execution of a simple, great idea.
NEIL GAIMAN ADDRESSES THE UNIVERSITY OF ARTS CLASS OF 2012
I've paid dearly for my art. But I also know how good I've got it and wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'm free. I'm free. And freedom tastes of reality."
Listen to one of the greatest speeches ever given on believing, and being true to yourself as an artist.