Dispatches – Thu. Jul. 24, 2014 – Recommended Viewing Tonight on TCM & ABC Overview - Tonight - On TCM – 8:00 PM – Lust For Life 1956 122 min. Dir: Vincente Minnelli DP: Russell Harlan On ABC 10:00 - 11:00 PM - NY Med --- --- --- Commentary - 8:00 PM – Lust For Life 1956 122 min. Dir: Vincente Minnelli DP: Russell Harlan Freddie Young Plot Teaser - The life of the brilliant but tortured post-impressionist, painter Vincent van Gogh. This is a good picture for all Film Students to see and study, especially aspiring Cinematographers and Gaffers. Lighting and other technical challenges centered around creating the correct color that best represented van Gogh’s artistic vision, creative interpretation, execution and finished work. It should be noted that the film received Oscar nominations for Art Direction and Set Decoration. Production Notes – While preparing for the film Kirk Douglas practiced painting crows so that he could reasonably imitate van Gogh at work. Many of the locations used for filming were the actual locations where Vincent van Gogh visited, lived and worked during his life. Director Vincente Minnelli had a portion of a field spray-painted yellow to closer resemble the color of Vincent van Goghs painting. Kirk Douglas had his hair cut specially in the style of the artist and had it dyed to a similar reddish tint. The actor so resembled the artist that some of the older inhabitants of the town believe Van Gogh had returned. Average Shot Length (ASL) = 15 seconds --- --- --- Reminder - 10:00 PM - NY Med (Thursday nights on ABC) - This is a medical documentary series that follows the medical staffs and patients of Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical Center (both a part of New York–Presbyterian Hospital in New York City) as well as Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. The series is produced by ABC News. Each episode in this well-done 8-part quality realty series (now only 4 parts remain) deals with the gritty world of trauma surgeons and hospital staff. It provides an excellent and visceral insight into high stakes medicine through the human experience of unforgettable real-life characters. Executive producer Terry Wrong: Medicine is a universal subject. At some point in our lives we, or those we love, will become patients for one reason or another. This series takes you behind the curtain to learn about those we depend on to fix us and how sometimes they just cant. -- -- -- Observational Notes (revised and improved) - Film Students – take special note of the structure of the program and the action cinematography most of which had to be done on the “fly.” Think in terms of handheld composition and movement to follow the fast action as it happens. Note Lighting – Available and Generated - and observe the artistic acceptability of mixed color temperatures if and when they occur. In this kind of production creative tweaking of the lighting is not always possible, for camera placement, composition and camera movement, as well as lighting, light controlling media and production value emphasis must be prioritized according to the characters, action, story and subject matter at hand. Aspiring Camera Dept., Electric Dept. and Grip Dept folks, think of all production issues and equipment that might pertain to your respective departments and crew positions. For example, Camera Assistants, think in terms of staging your camera equipment carts for ready access but also to remain clear of the fast and fleeting subject action and what is necessary to follow that action. Gaffers and Electricians – think in terms of where and how to mount small luminaires and what instruments to use. Peruse industry websites of suppliers and manufactures to examine the new LED and Fluorescent units that might be useful for this kind of lighting assignment. Grips – think about ways of mounting, masking or flagging lighting units in hard-to-rig situations. Note the interior architecture of the different locations on a shot-by-shot basis. Camera Grips, think of all possible dolly selections for when shots might require a more solid moving and articulating platform than handheld or Steadicam. Note potentially smooth hospital floors to avoid track. And think out-of-the-box when considering production budget and logistical challenges. For example – if adequate size film dollies are not available for whatever reason, what might serve as reasonable alternatives – hint (wheel chairs; gurneys, both readily in hospitals). Aspiring Sound Mixers and Boom Operators - be aware of audio capture. See if you can estimate what sound equipment was used on this series and the audio capture challenges therein. --- --- --- This new season premiered last week, June 26. (The series’ original premier – July 2012.) New season’s remaining episode schedule. No. Date 5 July 24, 2014 6 July 31, 2014 7 August 7, 2014 8 August 14, 2014 --- --- --- Thoughts – From the ingenious mind of Vincent van Gogh: “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” “Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painters soul.” “It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent.” “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” “I see drawings and pictures in the poorest of huts and the dirtiest of corners.” Note: Film students, read and think about these quotes very carefully. Think of how they can apply to components of filmmaking. --- --- --- Enjoy and learn from the magic. Observe, think, learn and accept in 360. And be safe out there. Frost
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:05:13 +0000
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