Just after VHS but before DVD's, the laserdisk was invented. This technology got filmmakers really excited because it was the first format that came even close to the picture quality of movie theater film. And thus began the letterbox wars which eventually created the 16:9 HDTV format. As Directors began to see their creative legacy get translated into multiple formats, they became concerned about possible hack jobs. And out of this concern, the Artists Rights Foundation was created.
This group of filmmakers established new protocols that did things like limit Turner Classic Movies from arbitrarily colorizing classic Black and White films. ARF also wrote one of the best filmmaking textbooks I've ever seen, complete with activities, worksheets, and suggested movie clips. You can download a PDF copy of "Making Movies: A Guide for Young Filmmakers"here
Turns out the Artist Rights Foundation merged with the Film Foundation back in 2002. Recently, the Film Foundation announced the launch of The Story of Movies, a clearinghouse for all kinds of curriculum. The goal is to give different teachers tools that will expose students to classic films. Is it any surprise that Turner Classic Movies is a co-sponsor?
[edutopia article on the site here]
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Monday
Movies for Young Urban Filmmakers
The first step to becoming a filmmaker is to watch great works then analyze and critique them. I have found these films to be especially effective when teaching storytelling, composition, and editing. Some of these films are Oscar winners, some are not. Many of them are urban cult classics. You can even ask your students to let you know which music videos have been influenced by these works.
Blood In, Blood Out - Three brothers, their choices, the consequences. (also called Bound by Blood)
City of God - Gangs in Brazil. The documentary about Favelas that's on the US dvd is also very educational. A nice contrast is to show this film with Black Orpheus.
The Conversation - A sound tech regrets the job he's done. Coppola directs.
Cooley High/Boyz in the Hood - An African-American High School story. Cooley High is set in Chicago in the 1970's and written by the same guy who co-created Good Times. Boyz in the Hood is essentially a remake/modernized version set in LA in the 80's.
Made in America: Crips & Bloods - This documentary by Stacey Peralta presents valuable perspective and also shows some great CG (After Effects, Motion, etc.) technique.
Do the Right Thing - Great example of issue filmmaking and also had a huge influence on music videos. Shows a wide range of camera angles and moves.
Klute - 1972 Oscar winner about prostitution. Deep. Shows how the camera can be used effectively when NOT moving.
Mi Familia - LA's Chicano history told in a classic Hollywood structure.
Requiem for a Dream/Trainspotting/Gridlock'd - Movies about drug addicts. Three very different takes. A good question to ask is which one is the most realiztic and why?
Scarface - If you have to ask, you'll never know.
To Be and To Have - A beautiful documentary about a group of schoolchildren and their teacher in rural France. In filmmaking, many times simple is better.
Visions of Light - Documentary about the job of the Cinematographer/Director of Photography. Dials in detail that students didn't realize was there.
The Warriors - Cult classic. Everything old is new again.
Be sure to screen all of these films in advance, many of them contain adult language or themes that may not be appropriate to your school/program. However, you can also show a less offensive scene or portion of the film for discussion.
Blood In, Blood Out - Three brothers, their choices, the consequences. (also called Bound by Blood)
City of God - Gangs in Brazil. The documentary about Favelas that's on the US dvd is also very educational. A nice contrast is to show this film with Black Orpheus.
The Conversation - A sound tech regrets the job he's done. Coppola directs.
Cooley High/Boyz in the Hood - An African-American High School story. Cooley High is set in Chicago in the 1970's and written by the same guy who co-created Good Times. Boyz in the Hood is essentially a remake/modernized version set in LA in the 80's.
Made in America: Crips & Bloods - This documentary by Stacey Peralta presents valuable perspective and also shows some great CG (After Effects, Motion, etc.) technique.
Do the Right Thing - Great example of issue filmmaking and also had a huge influence on music videos. Shows a wide range of camera angles and moves.
Klute - 1972 Oscar winner about prostitution. Deep. Shows how the camera can be used effectively when NOT moving.
Mi Familia - LA's Chicano history told in a classic Hollywood structure.
Requiem for a Dream/Trainspotting/Gridlock'd - Movies about drug addicts. Three very different takes. A good question to ask is which one is the most realiztic and why?
Scarface - If you have to ask, you'll never know.
To Be and To Have - A beautiful documentary about a group of schoolchildren and their teacher in rural France. In filmmaking, many times simple is better.
Visions of Light - Documentary about the job of the Cinematographer/Director of Photography. Dials in detail that students didn't realize was there.
The Warriors - Cult classic. Everything old is new again.
Be sure to screen all of these films in advance, many of them contain adult language or themes that may not be appropriate to your school/program. However, you can also show a less offensive scene or portion of the film for discussion.
Saturday
Why Shoot? Why Capture? Why Edit
Nice post from the always articulate David Pogue about Why We Shoot Home Videos on NYTimes.com: "Two weeks ago, writing about Apple’s new flagship laptop, the MacBook, I noted with dismay that Apple appears intent on eliminating the FireWire jack. FireWire is a connector, originally developed and promoted by Apple itself, that lets you import video from a tape camcorder for easy editing. It was a cornerstone of Apple’s “anyone can edit video” revolution."
A lot of what he writes about would apply to the average A/V club - video yearbook - after school program too. It's a risk we're happy to take: if we make it, someone will watch it.
A lot of what he writes about would apply to the average A/V club - video yearbook - after school program too. It's a risk we're happy to take: if we make it, someone will watch it.
Wednesday
You Go Grrrl!
Courtesy of the Media Alliance mail list:
"Reel Grrls is a Seattle-based media literacy program for teenage girls and they've taken on media ownership concentration. As a happy result of the Seattle FCC hearing earlier this year, Reel Grrls put out a sharp 10-minute documentary on youth and news content. A great teaching tool for those of you who work with teenagers or tweens. Yes, we've put a link to it on our website and yes, Youtube is wonderful, but we really encourage you to support youth media-making and buy a copy of the 2008 Reel Grrls Story Time Compilation DVD, which includes the film (and some other wonderful stuff, too)."
"Reel Grrls is a Seattle-based media literacy program for teenage girls and they've taken on media ownership concentration. As a happy result of the Seattle FCC hearing earlier this year, Reel Grrls put out a sharp 10-minute documentary on youth and news content. A great teaching tool for those of you who work with teenagers or tweens. Yes, we've put a link to it on our website and yes, Youtube is wonderful, but we really encourage you to support youth media-making and buy a copy of the 2008 Reel Grrls Story Time Compilation DVD, which includes the film (and some other wonderful stuff, too)."
Sunday
Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture
If you use polaroids in your classes, better stock up on film - the company just announced they'll stop making it in 2009.
If not, then enjoy this stroll down memory lane - an homage to polaroid through youtube commercial clips: PC World's Techlog A Heartfelt, YouTube-Based Wake for Polaroid Instant Photography
Oh, and here's what Flickr has to say about it.
If not, then enjoy this stroll down memory lane - an homage to polaroid through youtube commercial clips: PC World's Techlog A Heartfelt, YouTube-Based Wake for Polaroid Instant Photography
Oh, and here's what Flickr has to say about it.
Friday
Happy Anniversary Black Maria
Today is the 100 anniversary of the opening of the first American motion picture studio - Thomas Edison's "Black Maria."
Lights! Kinetograph! Action!
Tuesday
Net Day/Speak Up Survey - Fill it out before December 23
"Speak Up, a national online research project facilitated by Project TomorrowSM, gives individuals the opportunity to share their viewpoints about key educational issues. Each year, findings are summarized and shared with national and state policy makers. Participating schools and districts can access their data online, free-of-charge. All districts and schools, in the current NCES database, are automatically registered to participate in Speak Up. To participate in the survey and obtain free, online access to your school or district’s aggregated results, your registration must be activated below."
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