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Lavern Templeton

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Everything posted by Lavern Templeton

  1. Hi, Steve, I learned on an XL-401 and it is quite nice if you are just beginning. It has single frame shooting for animation and options for automatic timed frame rates, though none exceed 18fps. If you want to shoot some reversal like tri-x or plus-x the camera reads those well and with nice lighting can give great results. Really what you must ask yourself is "Are features such as 24fps, changeable lens, and 64T absolutely necessary?" Or do you just want to get acquainted with film? Overall, solid camera despite it's (few) flaws. LT P.S if you override the light reading on the camera and underexposed by 2/3 of a stop I hear this solves the 64T problem.
  2. First of all, great fun that reminded me of why going to the theater with your friends is always a good night out. Second, stellar photography. So many shots popped with color, boosted the laugh per minute count and accomplished all of this without really taking away from the solid dialogue and acting.
  3. I had a discussion with a fellow student recently and her opinion is that cinematography at it's best when it is a 'presentation' of the story, or in other words the the camera is used to deliver the information and the other elements (acting and music in particular) are held responsible for interpretation. I had to disagree, pointing out that what we see dictates our understanding of a film as much as hear from dialogue, music, etc, thus the camera must interpret the story and not simply present it. Any thoughts? LT
  4. Does anyone have any news on "The Lady From Shanghai"?
  5. YouTube - Jordan XXII ad "takeover" On the subject of commercials, this one stood out to me when it was aired.
  6. In wake of Sundance '08 I've read a few articles mentioning the prevalence of A-list stars/directors (and recognizable actors) becoming crucial to the development of indie projects. Sundance this year featured films with no less than John Malkovich, Charlize Theron and others. Some have purported that this is a trend that demands independents to seek "brand recognition" to have their projects pushed through. However, I feel that in light of internet resources and other outlets, non-studio productions can still reach a wide audience and even find ways to generate a profit. Much in the way the music industry is being redefined by talented artists not affiliated with a record label still finding their markets, one has to assume some of these ideas will crossover to film and television. This is not to say that the star system will be obsolete any time soon. I am only suggesting that it is quite conceivable that we may begin to see new talent that may not ever reach the silver screen through wide distribution, yet still operate within a comfortable niche, which may redefine the notion of "brands" in the entertainment industry. (And the strike ended)
  7. Viridiana, Sansho the Bailiff, Maltese Falcon....
  8. I could do this by decade, Foreign or U.S, or General, but for the moment............... Non-U.S. Ugetsu (Mizoguchi, 1953) Fallen Angels (Wong Kar Wai, 1996) The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (Leone 1966) Branded to Kill (Seijun 1967) 8 1/2 (Fellini 1963) U.S The Empire Strikes Back (Kershner 1980) There Will Be Blood (P.T Anderson 2007) Malcolm X (Spike Lee 1992) Mulholland Dr. (Lynch 2001) Pulp Fiction (Tarantino 1994)
  9. I saw it on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great camera work, a top tier score and lovely acting. This film presents a inquiry on the whole "westward bound" train of thought. Individual power, weakness and self serving justice play a large role in the major characters identity, rendering each character, especially Plainview and Eli, likable yet despicable fools. The score added much to this and it should be seen and heard in the theater. As for the end scene, almost like a 19th century farce that invites one into the madness and absurdity of these characters, it closes appropriately incredulous.
  10. Thanks, David.Yeah, Gondry and Co. were pretty clever with the set pieces. (I love the idea of an enlarged kitchen sink they could take a bath in.) I suppose this was a technique used for the hobbits in LOTR as well, no?
  11. Thanks, David.Yeah, Gondry and Co. were pretty clever with the set pieces. (I love the idea of an enlarged kitchen sink they could take a bath in.) I suppose this was a technique used for the hobbits in LOTR as well, no?
  12. During the scene where Joel (Jim Carrey) is revisiting a memory of being a child playing underneath the kitchen table, he appears to be the height of a four year old. I heard this was a trick done within the camera, but I have not found an adequate explanation for this perspective shift. Any thoughts?
  13. I've been hearing some rumors about a big screen adaptation of the William Gibson novel Neuromancer. I don't know who is set to direct or produce this film, but whoever it is better have some guts. The book is so visual and filled with metaphor it will take someone who wont pander to the average movie goer with cheap wit or special effects overloads in order to remotely mirror the original......Anyone know what the word is on this production? LT
  14. Hello, My background and format choices (super8 and mini dv) have been limited greatly to what is affordable to me. Each has their pros and cons yet I have become been a bit curious and frankly perplexed by all the fuss surrounding the film vs digital talk. I have no interest in discussing a particular format's lifespan or another format's artistic validity, but I see a real paradox in the way many filmmakers and newcomers think about the tools they use. Allow me to offer a question; when shooting in digital mediums, why search for an elusive aesthetic (read-"film look") while using a format that may offer it's own advantages artistically? It seems to me we have been blessed with an affordable and efficient tool that has yet to be (by my viewings at least) explored in narratives for it's qualities that Do Not resemble the familiar visual look and feel of film. When the guitar went electric, so did the playing, and we bore witness to a sonic revolution that altered song-writing and technique. Now before I am verbally lacerated by opinions dictated primarily by techno-speak, please recognize that I acknowledge my ignorance in the field and I hold only my ideas and will to learn. LT
  15. Try Central Camera on S. Wabash (downtown). I went in there for a super-8 (about 3 months ago) and they had plenty of used equipment including a 16mm camera. They tend to cater way more towards still photography however so I went with eBay. Nevertheless, it's worth checking out as you could find something worthwhile. They do carry 16mm film and Super 8 cartridges, though. LT
  16. Christophe, I like your work very much. The images have such a rich and regal quality. I particularly liked the girl on the swing sequence, and the boys in the marching band outfits. The close up of the blue eyed man eying the camera and the children running in the field I thought you could do without. The images that follow those two shots can be even stronger in their absence, in my opinion. Nice Stuff LT
  17. Auto and manual deliver solid exposure results. Thanks for the tip. BTW, Alessandro, have you ever re-calibrated the internal light meter on a camera?
  18. Hello, I use a Minolta XL401 and I just bought a roll of Ektachrome 64T. I normally use B&W film but I wanted to change it up a little. According to Super8 Wiki, i'd need to adjust 2/3 stop underexposure to get proper exposer for this film. Has anyone had to do this with their camera, and what have been the results using this stock? Thanks
  19. Thanks for the input guys. I'm actually in Chicago, but it seems the labs here only process 16 & 35. Such is life. LT
  20. I'd like to transfer some Super8 rolls so I can edit on my PC. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go and what formats (DVD, MiniDV etc.) to use? Thanks LT
  21. I've been thinking about ways a low-budget film-maker can increase production values. I'm talking about dollies, (like a basket with wheels from a laundromat), special effects (a friend has a belt buckle with an LED display you could program text into) and the like. On the Rashomon DVD cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa discusses using a full length mirror with tree branches attached to it to direct sunlight and shadows on the actors. Pretty cheap technique. Share your tricks.
  22. Planet Terror succeeded in it's goals. Trashy, tasteless film-making that celebrates lowlifes, stylish violence, shameless sex scenes and shock value. All of QT's movies before this shared similar qualities and just added great acting. DeathProof however, sans nice editing, was a complete failure. While RR and his cast seemed to have had a hell of a lot of fun on the set, QT simply digresses into endless references, pointless conversation, and full frontal narcissism. Even the characters were cut-outs from his old movies(ex. Kim and Zoe=Jules and Vincent). DeathProof showed QT can create realistic dialogue, but someone should remind him to do what he does best. Craft grossly entertaining films. On a side note, the "MACHETE" trailer was hilarious.
  23. A Few Options 1. Find books based on the general process of making a film, both technically and artistically. Use the net. 2. Enroll in a production class at a community college. 3. Seek out folks with experience and see if you can work with them. 4. Buy some film/dv tapes/vhs or whatever and con your friends into making a film(everybody has a some desire to be in a movie). In any path you choose however, be patient, determined, and willing to work with people. LV
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