Filmmaking
Filmmaking
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Rob Hauer
When asked who his professional role models are, L.A.-based d.p. Rob Hauer, who has lensed some of the best shorts of recent memory, cites some obviously inspirational folks, including Robert Richardson, Emmanuel Lubezki and Robert Elswit. “They show a wonderful range and their work elevates their stories, which I’d like to do as well. And none of them had overnight success — they had to work hard to get where they are, like all of us do.” But he cites other artistic influences too, harkening back to his early study as a still photographer at California State Polytechnic University, San […]
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A SHORT DOC ON STUXNET
As readers of the blog and print edition know, I am scarily fascinated by the development and future potential of Stuxnet, the weaponized computer virus that slowed down Iran’s nuclear program last year. For those who need to catch up on Stuxnet, here’s a striking short doc that’s just over three minutes long. It’s made by Patrick Clair and Scott Mitchell for the Australian TV program HungryBeast. Mitchell scripted, and Clair directed and to the riveting motion graphics. Check it out. Stuxnet: Anatomy of a Computer Virus from Patrick Clair on Vimeo.
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SONY CLASSICS TAKES CRONENBERG’S “A DANGEROUS METHOD”
In a press release sent out today, Sony Pictures Classics has announced that they have acquired the U.S. rights to David Cronenberg‘s next film, A Dangerous Method. Starring Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Vincent Cassel and Cronenberg regular Viggo Mortensen, the film follows how the intense relationship between Carl Jung (Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud (Mortensen) gives birth to psychoanalysis. Knightley plays their patient, Cassel plays Freud disciple, Otto Gross. The film, Cronenberg’s 19th, is currently in post production and was shot mostly in Germany by the director’s longtime DP Peter Suschitzky. The composer is Howard Shore and adapted from Christopher Hampton‘s […]
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TRAILER WATCH: “BELLFLOWER”
We have an interview with Bellflower director Evan Glodell in the next issue of Filmmaker, and he talks about finessing this trailer with Oscilloscope until it was the best it can be. Check it out. The film is a real Sundance discovery, a twisted relationship drama from a filmmaker who, in our piece, says he didn’t even really know what a film festival was before he popped his DVD in the mail to the Park City programmers. What I liked about the film: its raw emotional immediacy. This is a film about a break-up, and the movie itself feels pretty […]
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MEDAGLIA’S “KITTY, KITTY” ON VODO
Filmmaker webmaster Michael Medaglia is also a talented director; I really liked his short, Kitty, Kitty — an eerie piece of psychological horror that reminded me of early Cronenberg. Here’s how he describes it: Kitty, Kitty is a short film about love, cats and brain parasites. The disturbing short was inspired by Toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a brain parasite that can change human behavior and is believe to affect up to a third of the world population. This weekend Medaglia released the film for free on VODO.net, a website that turns filesharing and torrents into a legitimate distribution avenue […]
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TRAILER WATCH: “PARIAH”
Dee Rees’ powerful gay-themed drama has been one of our favorite film projects of the last few years. The film went through the IFP Narrative Lab, and two of its principals — writer/director Rees and d.p. Bradford Young — appeared on our “25 New Faces” list. So, we were thrilled when the film was picked up at Sundance by Focus Features and Rees was given a development deal. Focus has just released the trailer, which I’ve embedded below. And see my piece on Rees from the 2008 25 New Faces list and Jason Guerrasio’s on Young from the 2009 list.
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A SUMMERTIME PREVIEW OF ROOFTOP FILMS
Summer has long been my favorite time of the year in NYC. When the temperature skyrockets the crowds head for the shore, leaving only us sweaty diehards to sip iced coffee in sidewalk cafes in the afternoon, and attend al fresco screenings in the heat of the night. This year, though, I’ll be getting my caffeine fix alongside De Herengracht rather than anywhere near the Hudson, and seeing outdoor cinema courtesy of Pluk de Nacht rather than Rooftop Films. But if you happen to be lucky enough to be reading this from any of the five boroughs, I suggest marking […]
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Lady Vengeance: Trollhunter Review
Any genre fan will tell you that when it comes to movie beasties, delayed gratification is key. It is considered classic good form to mount anticipation via quick glimpses of scales/fur/claws, or unnerving detritus left in the creature’s wake, all leading up to the spectacular fashion in which the monster will finally emerge. Rather than bend completely to convention, Trollhunter, with dry Scandinavian aplomb, breaks with this rule of horror suspense by having the grizzled titular character run out of the woods, shout “TROLL,” and cause his disbelieving companions to disperse chaotically amid earth-quaking snorts and stomps. The troll isn’t […]
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Is the DSLR Dead ?
I ordered the much sought-after Panasonic GH2 camera in February, and I just got it last week. And now, only a few days later, the DSLR is declared dead! Okay, I’m being a bit facetious here, as is, I think, Michael Murie over at his Notes on Video blog, which I linked to in the above paragraph. Or maybe not… As he notes in a series of links and excerpts, the professional community is now backing away from the camera format that was being celebrated everywhere — including Filmmaker — just a few months ago. He writes: The DSLR community […]
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BRITISH LOVE FOR NEW THEATRICAL MODELS
Last night I attended a pre-opening for the new Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. It’s a gorgeous space with two theaters that are both modern but possessing of a classic arthouse vibe. Seeing Manhattan and An Affair to Remember unspooling threw me back to the Golden Age of NYC rep that I experienced in my college years. Particularly exciting was the space that lies in the middle — an airy auditorium with raked bench seating and the world’s largest plasma screen TV. Screenings will be held in this space as well as lectures, Q&As and community events. […]
