Great Posters, but what about the films?

I really like these two posters for upcoming films, but I don't know what the films are like. From Paris with love looks pretty awful, House of the Devil looks interesting, but not quite as interesting as the poster, which really taps into the 70s horror vibe, and alone would be enough for me to watch the film.

YouTube Discoveries #1

Still Busy

This darklight thing is taking it out of me. Meanwhile, here's a great shot:

Piers is Busy

So at the last minute I've become dp on three shorts that are being filmed for the 'Hotel Darklight' project, as part of the Darklight festival. They're attempting to shoot something like eight shorts in a week, almost entirely at one location. Should be fun!

I'll post the IBC stuff at the end of the week. In the meantime, here is a video of a man with a jet pack:

IBC 09'

I have a good few pics and some insights from IBC - the content/camera conference that I attended over the weekend. Just have to collate everything and then I'll post here in the morning.

Reason No. 1 to Keep your Mouth Closed

Click here.

A Wonderful Resource

Anyone who has any interest in cinematography should really check out the goldmine of learning that is Roger Deakin's forum. The oppurtunity to ask questions and receive answers from one of the greatest Dps of our time (No Country for Old Men, The Assasination of Jesse James and many many more) is truly a unique learning source.

The website was offline for some time (due to an interfering user), but luckily for us it has reopened, and Roger is once again fielding questions from amateurs and established dp's with immediacy and in detail.

Yesterday I asked him about the lighting set up for my favorite scene in Jesse James (pic below), and a few hours later he replied. There aren't many professions where you can pick the brains of those at the top of your field.

Junior Christian Science Bible Study

Trickery

We may never find out how he really did it, but you have to admit that it was, and will be fascinating television. In case you didn't catch it - watch here.

The theories are circulating the internet, ranging from impossible probability formulas to laser-engraved ping-pong balls. I reckon that it's likely that the method is more simple, although the promised revelation on Friday may just be further misdirection. Not that I wont be glued to the t.v. Can you think of a greater marketing ploy in this day and age? (Incidentally, Channel 4's marketing drive for this seems to have been pretty inspired - from a backwards, then forwards teaser, to a stylish use of the 'Thatcher' trick as a double-page spread in the Metro newspaper)

Looking forward to the series of 'Events' over the coming months. Goodbye Big Brother, hello really entertaining television.

I must route out that Derren Brown dvd, my pack of bicycle playing cards and start learning some magic again.

Edit: My own personal half-theory, having spent an hour or so trawling through others: There is some sort of glitch when he crosses in front of the television to reveal the numbers. From my editing experience, it looks to me as though (possibly) two clips have been joined together here, and the second half is being played back in reverse, but shot to look normal (think that Coldplay video with the car crash). On close inspection, his movements from that point on do appear a little strange (anyone who's played around with reversing footage will probably notice on close inspection), and unless it's just my tv, his voice doesn't quite sync up with the image. This use of reversed footage would tie in nicely with the aformentioned teaser . Other people have noted the use of images that are half backwards, half forwards in these promotional campaigns, which leads me to believe that this is almost certainly the technique. As for the trick itself... let me think a bit more about that :)

102 Minutes

Photo by Larry Towell

Footage of the September 11th attacks is still absolutely horrifying. I saw an excellent documentary on Channel 4 tonight- '102 Minutes that Changed America' which was entirely composed of video material from the day, the majority of it shot by random people. There is a slight soundtrack and no narration (apart from the dialogue of the people on and off the camera).

The result is a chilling, immersive depiction in real time of the incredible events that unfolded in those 102 minutes. In using over a hundred different video sources, it takes you on a completely impartial journey through the chaos, confusion and absolute horror of the day. Without intending to be slight, the scenes here are far more dramatic than the most extreme hollywood blockbuster. The exploding planes, the clouds of rising dust- apolcalyptic images that are far more dramatic than any created in cinema.

I know for me, and probably for many people, the image of those towers being hit by the planes is possible the most terrifying thing I will ever see. That shocking moment is captured perfectly in this film. It is both difficult to watch and utterly compelling. The moment that confirmed that it wasn't an accident, the moment that has profoundly affected the past eight years and perhaps the rest of our lives.

Not only does it capture the incredible action, it also depicts the invaluable human reaction. The disbelief of the bystanders, the shock of the camera operators and also the blind rage of many onlookers. It cleverly avoids the shots that we've already seen, repeated hundreds of times in the days and weeks after the event. Instead we see things from a more intimate and immediate point of view.

It was the first major tragedy in the age of amateur video reporters, in the city full of people with cameras. You can tell that some of these people were budding film makers, leaping at a chance to document the incredible scenes around them. And its lucky for us that they did, because combined with a subtle soundtrack and some strong editing, they've helped to create a hugely important historical document on what is likely to be the defining moment of our generation.

Ground Zero, 2009

Sex with Hitler

Now that's just incredible balls-out marketing - a shock-tactic German advertising campaign to raise AIDS awareness. The tv and poster campaign depicts both Hitler and Stalin having sex with women.

It has understandbly been criticised by groups representing people with the disease- it runs the risk of labelling them as the 'mass murderers', rather than the affliction itself. But perhaps that is a risk worth taking, if the majority take it as intended.

Other have criticised the lack of information - there's no mention of condoms, etc. But I think that's exatcly how it should be. Advertising suffers all too frequently from dumbing-down its audience and dilluting the audience. By assuming (I'd imagine correctly) that the targets for this campaign are well aware of how to prevent Aids. The message is the importance of doing so.

Regardless of the effectiveness of the campaign, you have to appreciate the brilliant graphics of the poster (I haven't seen the TV equivilent). It's rare that you see an image quite so striking.

You've gotta love Germany (just love it safely).

Poodles

One more great slideshow from the telegraph:



The fascinating world of sculpted poodles.

Vegetable Curiosities

An article from the Telegraph has an entertaining slideshow on strange vegetables.

This is my favourite - the brilliantly titled 'Willy Carrot'.

IBC Countdown

Off to IBC in a little over a week. It's a broadcast and content convention, yes... but.. it's in Amsterdam! And, Red have just announced that they'll have an epic prototype on show, so things are looking up...

I'll keep an eye on things and let you know what looks interesting.

Predictions

Hmm... I thought Met Eireann were supposed to predict the weather?

My Son, My Son, What have Ye Done?

How have I not heard about this yet?

A Herzog film produced by David Lynch, starring Micheal Shannon (the brilliant schizophrenic neighbour in Revolutionary Road), Chloe Sevigny and William Dafoe?

Here is the trailer. Quality isn't great, but it certainly looks interesting.

More interesting films listed in The Playlist's Toronto Film Festival preview here.