Actors are actors, right? Well there are actually quite a few vital differences between stage actors and on-screen actors.
Stage actors obviously only have one chance to get their lines right and they also have to have a bit of an open mind in case they forget their lines and have to compromise. They also are performing for a live audience that is far away and it is apparent in the way that they act. They over exaggerate every movement they make and project their voices so everyone can hear. They have to deal with a lot of things that are exaggerated, like the props and costumes that they use. They also act differently because of the environments that they are in. The sets for plays are obviously not as realistic and elaborate as those of films tend to be. There are no after effects that can be used to make things look better, so the actors have to learn how to do things in certain ways ie; fight scenes.
On-screen actors are meant to seem more like real people in real situations. (This has nothing to do with the authenticity of what the film is about. like for sci-fi movies or fantasy films) What I mean is, that the actors aren't necessarily performing for an audience. They are pretending to be people who are unaware that they are being filmed. They have many times to get their lines right because films are edited before people watch them. Film actors do not need to be exaggerated in any way while they are acting because of the use of closeups and cinematography that can be used to creatively portray things.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Similar Movies Come Out at the Same Time
Have you ever noticed that a lot of times films that are very similar come out at the same time? Some examples of this are the movies:
Ants and A Bug's Life
The Illusionist and Prestige
Surf's Up, March of the Penguins, and Happy Feet
Ratatouille, Flushed Away, a Tale of Despereaux
Megamind and Despicable Me
These movies all came out around the same time of each other and they are so similar! This could be anything from the storyline to the subject matter. Why does Hollywood put out films that are so similar at the same time?
It is in part to cultural trends, but a large part of why this happens is for the competition. Different film studios might hear that another studio is making a certain film or a certain kind of film and they want to get in on it and try it themselves! When this happens however, one or the other of the two films is going to be viewed as the "shadow" or "photocopy" of the other film! This not only makes competition greater between the two or more films, but the value of both efforts will be compromised and less money is made!
Recently, filmmakers have been creating films from Greek mythology.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief, the Clash of the Titans, and Thor
Word Count: 226
Ants and A Bug's Life
The Illusionist and Prestige
Surf's Up, March of the Penguins, and Happy Feet
Ratatouille, Flushed Away, a Tale of Despereaux
Megamind and Despicable Me
These movies all came out around the same time of each other and they are so similar! This could be anything from the storyline to the subject matter. Why does Hollywood put out films that are so similar at the same time?
It is in part to cultural trends, but a large part of why this happens is for the competition. Different film studios might hear that another studio is making a certain film or a certain kind of film and they want to get in on it and try it themselves! When this happens however, one or the other of the two films is going to be viewed as the "shadow" or "photocopy" of the other film! This not only makes competition greater between the two or more films, but the value of both efforts will be compromised and less money is made!
Recently, filmmakers have been creating films from Greek mythology.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief, the Clash of the Titans, and Thor
Word Count: 226
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Editors
"Film editing is part of the creative process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling. Film editing is the only art that is unique to cinema, separating film-making from other art forms that preceded it (such as photography, theater, dance, writing, and directing), although there are close parallels to the editing process in other art forms like poetry or novel writing. Film editing is often referred to as the "invisible art"[1] because when it is well-practiced, the viewer can become so engaged that he or she is not even aware of the editor's work.
On its most fundamental level, film editing is the art, technique, and practice of assembling shots into a coherent whole. A film editor is a person who practices film editing by assembling the footage. However, the job of an editor isn’t simply to mechanically put pieces of a film together, cut off film slates, or edit dialogue scenes. A film editor must creatively work with the layers of images, story, dialogue, music, pacing, as well as the actors' performances to effectively "re-imagine" and even rewrite the film to craft a cohesive whole. Editors usually play a dynamic role in the making of a film."
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_editing)
Film editors are on the post-productions team of film. They work closely with directors in figuring out what they are expected to portray. Although the editors are really at the Directors discression, they generally have a bit of room to do what they feel is right for editing certain sequences of film. The editors are really doing a lot of the behind the scene things that don't necessarily get the credit that they deserve. (editing is a stressful and laborious process that can take many many hours to complete) They get screen credit obviously, but they aren't really recognized like specific directors and actors are. Despite this however, they are very vital in the film-making process.
Word Count: 336
On its most fundamental level, film editing is the art, technique, and practice of assembling shots into a coherent whole. A film editor is a person who practices film editing by assembling the footage. However, the job of an editor isn’t simply to mechanically put pieces of a film together, cut off film slates, or edit dialogue scenes. A film editor must creatively work with the layers of images, story, dialogue, music, pacing, as well as the actors' performances to effectively "re-imagine" and even rewrite the film to craft a cohesive whole. Editors usually play a dynamic role in the making of a film."
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_editing)
Film editors are on the post-productions team of film. They work closely with directors in figuring out what they are expected to portray. Although the editors are really at the Directors discression, they generally have a bit of room to do what they feel is right for editing certain sequences of film. The editors are really doing a lot of the behind the scene things that don't necessarily get the credit that they deserve. (editing is a stressful and laborious process that can take many many hours to complete) They get screen credit obviously, but they aren't really recognized like specific directors and actors are. Despite this however, they are very vital in the film-making process.
Word Count: 336
Producers
"A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.
The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a film project.[1] However, an idea or concept for a film can originate with any individual, including a screenwriter, a director or a producer."
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_producer)
Producers really don't have a lot to do with the making of the actual film. They just kind of invest in a film that they believe will do well. (Since they take a risk by using their own money to fund the making of the film,they want it to be a movie that is expected to do well and make quite a bit of money.) This also like the director though, is very suseptable to varying from producer to producer. Some producers can be very involved in the making of the films and some might not hardly be involved at all.
Word Count: 204
The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a film project.[1] However, an idea or concept for a film can originate with any individual, including a screenwriter, a director or a producer."
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_producer)
Producers really don't have a lot to do with the making of the actual film. They just kind of invest in a film that they believe will do well. (Since they take a risk by using their own money to fund the making of the film,they want it to be a movie that is expected to do well and make quite a bit of money.) This also like the director though, is very suseptable to varying from producer to producer. Some producers can be very involved in the making of the films and some might not hardly be involved at all.
Word Count: 204
Directors
"Directors are responsible for overseeing creative aspects of a film under the film producer. They often develop the vision for a film and carry the vision out, deciding how the film should look. They are responsible for turning the script into a sequence of shots. They also direct what tone it should have and what an audience should gain from the cinematic experience. Film directors are responsible for deciding camera angles, lens effects and lighting with the help of the cinematographer, and set design with the production designer. They will often take part in hiring key crew members. They coordinate the actors' moves, or blocking, and also may be involved in the writing, financing, and editing of a film."
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_director)
The director's job cannot really be technically "classified" seeing as different directors like to have more or less control of everything. Their work will also vary depending on whether or not they are also acting in the films that they are directing in. For example: Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Jerry Lewis all directed one or more of the film's that they acted in. Directors will often times use storyboards to illustrate their ideas and how they want to portray things long before they start filming or even writing a script. They also have to work with the post production teams such as the editors, to make sure that everything gets portrayed how they had intended. They may even help direct sound mixing and such.
Word Count: 248
(Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_director)
The director's job cannot really be technically "classified" seeing as different directors like to have more or less control of everything. Their work will also vary depending on whether or not they are also acting in the films that they are directing in. For example: Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Jerry Lewis all directed one or more of the film's that they acted in. Directors will often times use storyboards to illustrate their ideas and how they want to portray things long before they start filming or even writing a script. They also have to work with the post production teams such as the editors, to make sure that everything gets portrayed how they had intended. They may even help direct sound mixing and such.
Word Count: 248
Monday, June 6, 2011
Film Budgets: What is Put in and What Comes Out
Information found at www.imdb.com
Lord of the Rings; the Fellowship of the Ring
Budget:
$93,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$66,114,741 (USA) (23 December 2001) (3359 Screens)Gross:
$870,761,744 (Worldwide) (2002)Pirates of the Caribbean; Dead Man's Chest
Budget:
$225,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$135,634,554 (USA) (9 July 2006)Gross:
$1,066,179,725 (Worldwide)Pride and Prejudice
Budget:
$28,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£2,529,947 (UK) (18 September 2005) (397 Screens)Gross:
$120,051,592 (Worldwide)Casa Blanca
Budget:
$950,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$181,494 (USA) (12 April 1992) (11 Screens)Gross:
$1,711,189 (USA) (19 June 1992)The Godfather
Budget:
$6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$302,393 (USA) (19 March 1972) (6 Screens)Gross:
$245,066,411 (Worldwide) (11 May 1997)Citizen Kane
Budget:
$686,033 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$216,239 (USA) (5 May 1991) (11 Screens) (re-release)Gross:
$1,585,634 (USA) (re-release)Word Count: 126
Different Genres in Film
When we think of different film genres, there are probably a few that come to our minds. (Action/Adventure, Horror, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Spaghetti Western, International, Independent, etc) But these are really just the broad overview of genres! There are many many more!! All of these different genres have been recycled over and over again throughout the years! Although there are more of certain genres during certain years. Spaghetti Westerns for example were very popular in the 30's with John Wayne films. However, they are still making western films today! For example, the new film Cowboys and Aliens. The same goes for all of the other genres! There have been horror or suspense movies in the past (a lot of Alfred Hitchcock) like Rear Window, Psycho and The Unknown. But they are still making plenty of those today! Obviously there are differences in the storyline and characters and moral messages and everything but they all have many similarities within their genres. That might even be part of the reason that we feel so comfortable watching movies from within the same genres. There is some part of them that is in the known area for us. It might even just be the setting or the costumes or the time period.
Word Count: 208
Word Count: 208
Top 100 Films of All Time
Top 100 films of all time, according to the American Film Institute. (click the link to see the list)
Obviously different film institutes differ in which films they put in their top 100 lists. But they have a lot of the same films on their lists. For example, Citizen Kane, Singin' in the Rain, On the Waterfront, The Wizard of Oz and the Godfather are almost always in the top 20! Why is this? Almost all of them were made a very long time ago! The Wizard of Oz was made in the late 30's and Citizen Kane was made in the early 40's. Singin' in the Rain and On the Waterfront were made in the early 50's. The Godfather was made in the early 70's. These films are all so different and yet they have all remained in the top 20 films for all of these years. They really are just so unique and offer so much to their viewers! How many movies do we watch now a days that we don't really get anything out of? I know that I have seen plenty of movies that upon leaving the theatre, I wonder why in the world I not only wasted my money but also my time! These movies that have become the greatest of all time and have remained on the list for all of these years, offer more than just one element of film to the audience. They aren't just cinematographically pleasing, they have moral and social messages within them! I think that some contemporary filmmakers need to remember why they are making their films, and not just focus on the money.
word count: 275
Obviously different film institutes differ in which films they put in their top 100 lists. But they have a lot of the same films on their lists. For example, Citizen Kane, Singin' in the Rain, On the Waterfront, The Wizard of Oz and the Godfather are almost always in the top 20! Why is this? Almost all of them were made a very long time ago! The Wizard of Oz was made in the late 30's and Citizen Kane was made in the early 40's. Singin' in the Rain and On the Waterfront were made in the early 50's. The Godfather was made in the early 70's. These films are all so different and yet they have all remained in the top 20 films for all of these years. They really are just so unique and offer so much to their viewers! How many movies do we watch now a days that we don't really get anything out of? I know that I have seen plenty of movies that upon leaving the theatre, I wonder why in the world I not only wasted my money but also my time! These movies that have become the greatest of all time and have remained on the list for all of these years, offer more than just one element of film to the audience. They aren't just cinematographically pleasing, they have moral and social messages within them! I think that some contemporary filmmakers need to remember why they are making their films, and not just focus on the money.
word count: 275
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