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Microfilmmaker Reprints Badham's Do's & Don'ts of Directing Actors 1970-01-01 00:59:59 John Badham has been directing television and movies for a long time, and has some great films to his credit (WarGames, Saturday Night Fever). Here he lists some wonderful advice on dealing with the talent--a resource that can make or break your movie.
Quotes from some very famous names are also cited, supporting each point Badham makes. The whole thing is entertaining and very valuable to any
Lance Weiler's Head Trauma in Filmmaker 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Lance Weiler is one of the guys who brought us The Last Broadcast (1998), a faux documentary about a killer in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Last year he self-distributed his latest feature Head Trauma, to seventeen theaters across the country, followed by a prompt DVD release. A master of web promotion, Weiler has as wealth of knowledge and wants to share it--which makes him even Read more:Lance
, Filmmaker
YouTube to Spread Wealth with Content Creators 1970-01-01 00:59:59 AP is reporting that YouTube
co-founder and CEO Chad Hurley has announced that the video sharing behemoth will start sharing profits with video uploaders. While no model is yet in place, this is fantastic news for video producers everywhere. With the insane amount of traffic that goes through the YouTube servers, this could be a worthwhile outlet for the starving filmmaker to not only get Read more:Wealth
, Content
, Spread
The Departed 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Vintage Scorsese
You just can't keep a good filmmaker down. Martin Scorsese is considered one of the best (if not the best) American filmmakers alive, yet has no Oscar for Best Directing. He's been overlooked five times by the Academy, but I predict this will be his year. This will be the year of The Departed
, an excellent crime drama rife with fine performances, an engrossing story, and
The Prestige 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Too Much Sleight of Hand
The last time Christopher Nolan directed a script written by his brother Johnathan, one of my favorite films emerged in the form of the backwards-forwards mystery narrative, Memento (2000). They have reunited to bring an adaptation of the award-winning novel, The Prestige
, to the big screen, and have done so quite grandly. Those familiar with their previous work will
X-Men: The Last Stand 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Stands and Delivers
I like the X-Men franchise. Not only is it freakin' cool to watch, but actually has something to say. The first two films have done well, both with audiences and critics. Now comes the inevitable third installment in the series, X-Men: The Last Stand, which may be a misleading title, since I highly doubt this will be the "last' time we see these characters or this Read more:Stand
World Trade Center 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Intimate Stories of 9/11 Told Well
I can tell you exactly where I was during the attacks on the WorldTradeCenter
on September 11, 2001. I was working my TV news production job during the morning news broadcast. After the show had ended, NBC's Today show began with a gaping hole in one of the Tower buildings. As they were reporting live, the second plane exploded into the second tower and I Read more:World Trade
, World Trade Center
Take the Lead 1970-01-01 00:59:59 More of a Follower
Pierre Dulaine did something truly remarkable. He introduced a ballroom dancing program to hundreds of New York City elementary school children, changing their lives for the better. This program has been chronicled in the acclaimed documentary, Mad Hot Ballroom. Now we get the fictionalized version of this story, Take the Lead, which is "inspired by true events"
V for Vendetta 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Not Subtle, but Effective Political Statement
There is nothing objective in filmmaking. Even the most "pure' documentary is still a subjective statement (what did they film that they are not showing you?). Narratives are totally manipulative, since they are scripted before any kind of production takes place. Some movies really lay it on thick, especially those with an agenda to drive home. Read more:Vendetta
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Delightfully Zany, Hilarious Fun
I'm just going to say it now: "Nick Park is a genius".
Having already garnered three Academy Awards for three claymation shorts (two featuring Wallace
and Gromit and Creature Comforts), he has proven his talent is no fluke. In 2000, he ventured into features with Chicken Run, which he co-wrote and co-directed. With Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Read more:Rabbit
War of the Worlds (2005) 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Not Just Sci-fi, but Heartfelt Survival Tale
It's a wonderful experience to be in the hands of a great filmmaker. I love the feeling of going to the movies, forgetting all my problems, and just immersing myself in an artificial universe made real by people with skill and talent. Steven Spielberg is one of those people, and while his version of War of the Worlds
might not be up there with his
Flags of Our Fathers 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Noble, but Heavy Handed and Dull
The last time Clint Eastwood sat in the director's chair, he won an academy award (and deservedly so) for Million Dollar Baby (2004). This time he tackles the events surrounding the famous photograph of the soldiers who raised the flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. It's a departure for Eastwood, who usually concentrates on intimate characters in intimate Read more:Fathers
Technique: Time-Lapse Video 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Time-Lapse
Photography is the method of capturing one frame of film at set intervals. When played back, the subject appears to animate. Typically this is done with an anchored tripod (such as with the orchid above), to capture movement imperceptible to the human brain.
Using a film camera, one frame was exposed when a timer activated the cable release, but how is this accomplished on video?
Children of Men 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Raw Power and Long Takes
Last year was a pretty bad year for the movies. While there were some very good ones, I was disappointed that I had not seen at least one film that I would give my highest rating to. I had heard of a new film from Alfonso Cuarón whose most mainstream success was the third (and best) Harry Potter movie. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that this would be the Read more:Children
Technique: Dropped Frames 1970-01-01 00:59:59 While editing my most recent short film, Middle of Nowhere, I came across a shot I wanted to tweak. In one scene the character of Peter (Tye Nelson) is literally shot while running away from a parked car. Tye did a good job a faking the bullet hit, but I wanted a more violent reaction.
After pondering a bit, I came across a fairly simple solution: the jump cut. Since the camera was fixed on Read more:Dropped
, Frames
Feature Film Reviews 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I loved it!
I liked it
it was okay
sucked
Unlinked reviews are currently published at thenettle.com, a subscription-based web business magazine and will be archived here shortly after publication there.
American Dreamz
Batman Begins
Borat
The Black Dahlia
Cars
Casino Royale
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlotte's Web
Children of Men
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Da Vinci
Top Ten Films 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Everyone has their favorite movies, and I'm no different. The picks below may or may not be classified as the "greatest" films of all time, but they are films I enjoy returning to again and again. I believe that the best movies are the ones we never tire of, but learn from and enjoy over and over.
This list is by no means complete, and I may change it from time to time. It is always a Read more:Top Ten
, Films
Scene Gems: Grace Kelly's Entrance in 'Rear Window' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Grace Kelly was one of the most beautiful women ever to appear on the silver screen. Alfred Hitchock knew this, and put her in three of his movies. Rear Window
is the best of these, and one of the best ever. In this clip we first meet Kelly's character Lisa Fremont, who desperately wants Jimmy Stewart's Jeff to marry her. He's resisting for some unknown reason...
I like this scene not only Read more:Grace
, Grace Kelly
DV Guru Stops Publishing 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The digital video blog, DV Guru put up its last post yesterday. That's too bad. DV Guru was a great way to find information about various video topics from all over the web, and I made a habit of visiting there frequently, if not daily. There was always something good it would point me to, and its content will be missed. Here's wishing good luck to all those that made a visit there worthwhile. Read more:Stops
, Publishing
Charlotte's Web 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A-listers Crammed into Cute Story
Like last year's Chronicles of Narnia, Charlotte
's Web is one of those stories that every kid (and as a result every adult) knows by heart. Most of us probably remember the musical 1973 animated version of Wilbur the pig and his caretaker spider Charlotte who determines to save his life. This new live action version uses state-of-the-art effects, has (
Stranger than Fiction 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Sweet Love Story
I can't say I'm a big Will Ferrell fan. He seems to be the modern day Chevy Chase, an actor playing himself and taking whatever role comes across his agent's desk. He has the goofy dork thing down pat, but doesn't ever challenge himself--until now. Stranger
Than Fiction
still has Ferrell playing to type, but it's a much meatier role than he is used to. Add a good director,
Borat 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Pathetic Excuse for Humor
Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die. --Mel Brooks
No one likes to be the victim of joke, while everyone will probably laugh at the misfortune of others. I still giggle whenever I see Moe smack the crap out of Curly, or watch a show like the original Candid Camera or the current version, Punk'd. Tom Green used a Read more:Borat
Casino Royale 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Craig Forges Impressive Bond
The James Bond series of films is the longest running franchise in movie history. This an amazing feat, if for no other reason than just about all of these movies contain the same interchangeable characters, villains, and plot. There has been practically no variation on this very successful formula for almost forty years. Only the names of the lead actor have Read more:Royale
, Casino
, Casino Royale
Metacafe Slaps 'Middle of Nowhere' with Adult Rating, Director Ticked 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Middle Of Nowhere
- video powered by Metacafe
I've been experimenting lately with several video sharing sites to see who offers the best features and options. One thing that really intrigued me about Metacafe, is their Producers Rewards program. This program allows filmmakers to make money on their uploads, based on number of viewings. Some producers have made up to $25,000 using this site, Read more:Adult
, Rating
, Director
My Short Films 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I can't really babble about movies without having made a few of my own, right? So here are a some examples of what was going through my head at the time these were created. Expect additions as new projects are completed, and old ones restored.
Middle of Nowhere (2007) 5:00
A couple on an all-night road trip come across something unexpected--and it won't go away.
Original music by Seth Read more:Short
, Films
Letters From Iwo Jima 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Unique Perspective on Famous Offensive
Earlier this year Clint Eastwood directed Flags of Our Fathers, a WWII drama that focused on several soldiers and how they fit into the famous photograph of the flag raising at Iwo Jima
. Now comes Letters
from Iwo Jima, also from Eastwood, that tells the story of the Japanese soldiers involved in that very same battle. It's a very refreshing change, not
Everything's Been Done...Again 1970-01-01 00:59:59 WARNING! Please do not read this article until you've seen my short film Middle of Nowhere, or the above short, Reflexus. I comment heavily on the story structure of both, completely giving away any surprises these stories hold. Half the fun of movies like this are watching them unravel to their Twilight Zone-style conclusion.
About a week ago, I submitted my most recent short film, Middle Read more:Everything
, Again
Online Video Competitions: Drive for the Prize 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This Superbowl ad was the result of an online contest
"What's my motivation?" This phrase is a long-running joke referring to what method actors say to their directors. They have to know what is motivating their character in order to produce a "realistic" emotion. The same could be said for filmmaking itself. Without some kind of motivating force, there is a very good chance that nothing Read more:Competitions
, Online Video
TiVo to be Portal for Amazon Unbox Downloads 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Some great news for independent filmmakers has just come down the pike from TiVo and Amazon
's Unbox
download service. Instead of just being able to grab movies and watch them on your computer (which not many of us do or even want to do), Amazon is working with TiVo to make their entire library available for rental on series 2 or 3 TiVo boxes (but not DirectTiVos) with a broadband connection. Read more:Portal
, Downloads
, Amazon Unbox
Technique: Airsoft Guns Make Great Prop Firearms 1970-01-01 00:59:59 DISCLAIMER: Remember that whatever kind of firearms you use in a production, always inform local law enforcement about what you are doing. No movie is worth the price of someone getting hurt or killed due to a prop weapon being mistaken for a real one.
When I decided to produce my short film Middle of Nowhere, one of the biggest issues was the gun used in the story. Not only is it wielded by Read more:Airsoft
, Great
, Firearms
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