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.

Transom Tool: Recording Phone Calls

Transom Tool: Recording Phone Calls: "The first thing to consider about recording phone calls it to make sure that what you’re doing is legal. Laws vary widely from place to place, with dramatic differences even between states in the U.S. The safest policy is to always be upfront about the fact that you’re recording, and to get clear consent from the person being recorded."
Having said all that - this article covers several helpful techniques.

Technology and Music

From the Desk of David Pogue - So Many iPhone Apps, So Little Time - NYTimes.com: "Once you install and open this program, your iPhone's screen displays four colored circles of different sizes. These are the 'holes' that you cover with your fingers, as you would the holes on a flute. Then you blow into the microphone hole at the bottom of the iPhone, and presto: the haunting, expressive, beautiful sound of a wind instrument comes from the iPhone speaker."

A surprising example of iPhone as musical instrument.

The Third SanFran MusicTech Summit Brings Together Leaders in Music & Technology on Monday, October 20, 2008

San Francisco, California - The Third SanFran MusicTech Summit will bring together the leaders in music & internet technology for panels and discussions on the rapidly evolving digital music industry. The Summit is on Monday, October 20, 2008 from 9 am - 6 pm + cocktails at the Hotel Kabuki (Japantown) 1625 Post Street @ Laguna.

The conference features legendary speakers from all areas of the music-tech ecosystem, including producer Narada Michael Walden, inventor of computer based multimedia Marc Canter, Marin Luther of Rebel Soul Music, representatives from imeem, Lala, MySpace Music, Warner Bros Records, YouTube, Apple iTunes, Google, Parliament / Funkadelic, Pandora, All Music Guide, JamBase, Pivotal Labs, Walden Venture Capital, Bandcamp, The Future of Music Coalition, and many, many more.

Speakers List: http://www.sanfranmusictech/speakers.html

"It is a fabulous event for folks who are (or whom wish to rise) to the level of the digital thought leaders" says Brian Zisk, Executive Producer, "A rare opportunity to meet and mingle with industry leaders in a friendly and conducive to dealmaking environment."

Tickets are currently $150 - $299, with discounts for musicians, developers and students. Raffled items include a Gibson Guitar and more. The Summit is approved for 2 Credit Hours of Continuing Legal Education (including one for ethics) by the State Bar of California.

To register: http://www.sanfranmusictech.com or call 1-866-55-TICKETS

Sponsors include matchmine, Pandora, JamBase, SeeqPod, MusicBrainz, Friendster, Searchme, LyricFind, Purple Haze Ventures, ABB Records, Gibson, Ustream.tv, , Bay Capital Legal, P.C., The Future of Music Coalition, High Flyer Wines, and Sake2Me.