Filmmakers, even those claiming no particular religious faith, make use of themes that seem to resonate universally with human beings – and these are highly theological. This is not news to most people, but I like Scott Myers’ examination of theology and its use in visual storytelling. It’s in 5 parts.
Here is a link Scott’s exploration of “The Theology of Screenwriting” on his Go Into The Story blog.
The Theology of Screenwriting, Part 1: Sin | Go Into The Story.
I’ve been pondering the options for a vertical aspect ratio for narrative films if the intended delivery is primarily mobile devices.
I’m preparing to do some teaching in Eurasia this fall to train young filmmakers to work with mobile devices in places where they have phones, but other resources are extremely limited.
And this past week I spent at a debate tournament with my daughter and noticed lots of parents shooting videos of events with their smartphones, held vertically in portrait mode. It got me wondering about the options for a vertical aspect ratio for narrative films if the intended delivery is primarily mobile devices.
Here’s a link to an article that also asks that question, along with a link to a cool little film shot vertically.
The Way We Watch: Cell Phone “Portrait” Aspect Coming To A Video Near You.
This clip works very well embedded on this particular blog site because of the white background field. It’s a bit odd on Vimeo on a laptop or desktop. However, when I view it on my iPad, using the Vimeo app and holding in vertically, it looks great and I like the composition possibilities a lot. When I’m in the story I don’t really notice that it’s vertical. Of course, if the film is viewed everywhere else it will seem odd – talk about letterboxing!
If you want to write well, read well.
If you want to write well, read well. Here are just the Top 10.
1. CASABLANCA Screenplay by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Based on the play “Everybody Comes to Ricks” by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison
2. THE GODFATHER Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Based on the novel by Mario Puzo
3. CHINATOWN Written by Robert Towne
4. CITIZEN KANE Written by Herman Mankiewicz and Orson Welles
5. ALL ABOUT EVE Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Based on “The Wisdom of Eve,” a short story and radio play by Mary Orr
6. ANNIE HALL Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman
7. SUNSET BLVD. Written by Charles Brackett & Billy Wilder and D.M. Marshman, Jr.
8. NETWORK Written by Paddy ChayefskyFACTS
9. SOME LIKE IT HOT Screenplay by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond. Based on “Fanfare of Love,” a German film written by Robert Thoeren and M. Logan
10. THE GODFATHER II Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo. Based on Mario Puzos novel “The Godfather”
via 101 List.
“…it’s easier than ever to make something. But it’s as difficult as it ever was to make someone feel something.”
Scott McClellan writes a good article in EchoHub this week. If you are creative person, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative act or even the technology that makes it easier/cheaper to create (a real tendency in the filmmaking world) but forget about the long discipline of learning to tell good stories.
Scott writes:
So, it’s easier than ever to make something.
But it’s as difficult as it ever was to make someone feel something.
Our job as communicators is found in the difference between those two pursuits.
[And]
In other words, if I really want to be a filmmaker, I need to invest in more than just a camera. It’s easier than ever to make a video and publish it on the Internet, but it’s as difficult as ever to make a video that makes a difference.
Read the whole post here: Making Something is Easy, but it’s Not Enough | Echo Hub.
Those TED people; I love when they mess with my mind. So now it’s education and extending video content in an open-source, sharing model.
Those TED people; I love when they mess with my mind. So now it’s education and extending video content in an open-source, sharing model.
If you are in any way involved in on-line media training, you should check this out.
TED-Ed | Lessons Worth Sharing.
In a nutshell, the new TED-Ed system lets any educator take existing content from their own YouTube videos and create lesson materials for their students in the form of addition text information, quizzes, etc. AND, other world-class educators (like many TED speakers) are making their own videos and lessons available. What’s more, you can edit their existing lessons to create your own custom lessons to meet your educational needs and goals. That’s pretty cool.
Of course, if your dream is to create a business from on-line education and to be able to monetize your content, this paradigm undermines that model. Depending on your content area, you could find yourself in competition with the free information folks. If you are in a niche where you are the world expert, you might still have a chance if you package it all in a way that adds great value versus the open source world. Same as always.
If you’re an educator or user, what are your thoughts?
What can entrepreneurs learn from Woody Allen? Apparently a lot!
What can entrepreneurs learn from Woody Allen? Apparently a lot! I was intrigued by this article on TechCrunch that lists 9 things non-filmmakers can learn from his career. Of course, as a filmmaker I have appreciated his films, both the hits and misses. He has remained independent and true to his own vision through 50 years and many earth-shaking culture shifts.
It’s worth digging into the details, especially stories from different seasons of Mr. Allen’s career, his disdain of the Academy Awards hoopla, etc. But here’s an excerpt:
In today’s day and age, we want to transform decades of work into years or even months. Allen built up his career over five decades and kept at it persistently, even when scandal, or a bad movie, or a bad article, would cast gloom over his entire career. But he shrugged it off.
So what can we learn from Woody Allen?
- Wake up early
- Avoid distractions
- Work three to five hours a day and then enjoy the rest of the day
- Be as perfectionist as you can, knowing that imperfection will still rule
- Have the confidence to be magical and stretch the boundaries of your medium.
- Combine the tools of the medium itself with the message you want to convey
- Don’t get stuck in the same rut – move forward, experiment, but with the confidence built up over experience.
The same can be said for successful entrepreneurs. Or for people who are successful in any aspect of life. Is Woody Allen a happy man? Who knows? But he’s done what he set out to do. He’s made movies. He’s told stories. He’s lived the dream, even when it bordered on nightmare. I can only be so lucky.
Read the whole article, “9 Things Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Woody Allen”
MindSoulStory 