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Archive for category film business
3D camcorder
Posted by andrew in film business, filmmaking on August 16th, 2010
What! A 3d camcorder! When will the insanity end?
I can’t say that any of the 3D movies I have seen have blown me away. Avatar was ok but I just kept thinking about how much I hate smurfs and that was distracting. Actually the story was poor and that was more distracting. Or rather it was obvious and undemanding and it pissed me off. Apart from Terminator, Aliens and some parts of the Abyss, Cameron has done a good job of convincing a lot of people that he’s really good.
Anyway, “Up” is the winner for me in the 3D stakes. But this general insistence on tacking 3D onto every big blockbuster movie is taking the biscuit. Clash of the Titans is a case in hand. It was put through that 3D process and released and poor innocents got their asses scammed but again that was mainly because it was badly written. If a film is written well and it is justified to have in 3D then maybe it will be wortht it but such a film hasn’t been written yet.
Thank f**k Inception wasn’t like that. Isn’t Lucas releasing Star Wars in the new format? Maybe that will be worth it, but I’ve seen that movie, damnit.
We’re having 3D televisions pushed down our throats. The marketing gods have decided that our lives are worthless without such gadgets. Oh, ok then. I mean, I dont want to be left behind do i?
Ok, I’m ranting. Back to this camcorder. It is 3D because it has a converter lens on the front which allows the recording of low res images (960×540, or 960x1080i) in 3D. You can take the lens off and shoot hi-def 1080 p in 2D too.
It retails about $2000 so you can shoot all your home movies and low budget films in the format. It might be a noveltycool for family stuff but you will need one of those TV’s to watch it on.
At the end of the day, if you come with a great story you can shoot in most formats and engage the viewer. People get engaged by great stories which begs the question, why shoot in 3D anyway?
I’ll wait for the holodeck.
Film terms and movie speak
Posted by andrew in film business on January 22nd, 2010
It is almost as if there is a whole other language when it comes to the film and movie business. There are an awful lot of film terms and film terminology that seem designed to keep out all but the most persistent cine-phile and wannabe artist who dreams of someday directing a film themselves.
Granted, there are many industries who operate under the own arcane gobbledegook. ‘Management speak’ is often touted as an example of language gone loopy. Movies, however, are a very public affair and if you have the slightest interest in getting under that glossy and glamorous sheen to see how they are really made, then you will soon come across some very mystical incantations which will befuddle your brain and murk your mind. Reading like something out of “The Lord of the Rings” are words, phrases, job titles and techniques from “Gaffers to gobos, dollies to doughnuts, apple-boxes and Auteurs.” Were you aware that if you are at all interested in looking through the camera then, one day, you may have to put your face against a “teddy bear’s asshole”? I’ll leave you to find that one out for yourself.
Anyone getting to grips with film terms and movie terminology should be rewarded with a certificate of achievement and a badge. If you have ambitions to study film technique, make films yourself or just appreciate the art and craft of movie making, then at some point you will begin to encounter these obscure and esoteric nuggets of mouthery that are found nowhere else. They are mysterious and strange and, like some ancient Masonic code, designed to act as a barrier to those who are merely curious and of the fair-weather variety.
To the committed seeker though, they represent the first layer of initiation into the movie world. They are the first test of worthiness which you must conquer before those who have travelled before you will even consider looking down upon you and letting you fetch them a cup of coffee.