Research Materials

Research: List

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Director: Michael Cimino

Synopsis

An in-dept analysis on the Vietnam war impacts and disrupts the lives of friends in a small steel town in Pennsylvania.

Critical Thoughts:

The way that this film takes on the pain of the Vietnam war through the life experiences of a simple group of friends is effective in the execution of the idea in detailing the PTSD and true friendship both in the war and the after effect in life is successful in the implementation.

The performances from De Niro and Walken in the scenes truly detail their friendship and the cataclysmic conclusion that occurs into the finale, are performances that hit home in terms on the true affectionate friendship that can be relatable to majority of people and with the given circumstances of the Russian Roulette scenes.

Within both cases, they are emotionally powerful moments that come with moments of regret, empathy, and humanity in the victims of the bloodshed that came from the actions of the Cold War.

In addition, the relevance of the trauma of the war that catches up to one’s life are important to those dealing with forms of suffering both physically and mentally, which is very crucial to go through these forms of pain to make ones feel better in life.

Application to Project:

This screening research can be applied in looking not only the scene of Russian Roulette in the end part of the film, but also looking at the context in the end of the film can be beneficial to apply into the shooting style and narrative beats that can be required to take the emotions for the actors to play along with the setting of the fatal Russian Roulette Scene.

In addition, another thing that can be applied into this project from the film is the backstory of the Friendship between both Michael, played by Robert De Niro and Nick, played by Christopher Walken in which moments of their friendship can be used in verbatim to be given to the actors playing characters like Michael and Nick so then they can have some form of characters to reference in their portrayal for benefiting their performance.

8 1/2 (1963)

Director: Federico Fellini

Synopsis:

Guido, a director is attempting to bring together a new idea for artistic satisfaction. But due to personal and professional stresses he is enduring, he turns to a life of Fantasy to help set himself free from his tension.

Critical Thoughts:

The work contained in Federico Fellini’s 8 ½ can easily be interpreted within many contexts of Fixation endured with a reputation to the character of Guido, how Fellini blends the moments of the dreams with reality help to almost show the duality battle that he is feeling which is almost represented within the life of Federico Fellini and how he used the character of Guido to express himself and what he is feeling.

The personal battle of Guido is clear already in his clothing and how he almost feels uncomfortable with those of an Upper Class almost downgrading his work and putting tension on him, which he takes himself to state in every scene “I have a Splitting Headache.” Which becomes more apparent of the struggles that Guido is dealing with for the production and his own welfare.

In terms of the film as a whole, I feel that Fellini is able to blend levels of Surrealism to create a world that can come across as Fashionable and Beauty, but really does have its faults in terms of Fairness and Free Will, Guido is almost metaphorically trapped in a cage surrounded by Elitism and disapproval from people close to him which almost show the faith that people can sometimes have in others and not so much faith present in those who doubt Guido whilst feeling heavy pressure.

Application to Project:

Elements can be applied into the project by looking into the main portrayal of Guido and almost the increasing compression he is facing, I can apply this into my final project as it follows the journey of Filmmaking as a Psychological mind field that can be used as a Reference of a Act in knowing how Guido went from the beginning of the film to the conclusion.

In addition, this film plays faintly with the 5 stages of Grief which can be applied into the end of the film with our filmmaker character coming to a form of acceptance of the decisions made throughout production and almost have a moment of Purification in the work that has been done and produced to know the ultimate toll this has had on the character psychologically and momentum moving forward.

The Disaster Artist (2017)

Director: James Franco

Synopsis

Tommy, an aspiring actor, faces rejections and goes on to direct a movie titled “The Room.” However, the failed attempt at moviemaking unexpectedly becomes a profitable cult film.

Critical Thoughts:

The fictional reciting of the story of Tommy Wiseau in the filmmaking and his life are told in a heavily documentary feel and this helps it to have a distinct blend of fictional heightened elements that are portrayed in this adaptation of the book written by one of the actors in “The Room.”

This aims to make the style of filmmaking and telling the story clear for the viewer and almost build a cinematic style that look normally amateurish compared to stylised pieces of work, however, this works in the favour of the Disaster Artist.

The Depictions of Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, played by James Franco and Dave Franco help to show the heightened moments that are incredibly relatable to those who want to have a chance at their dreams and the processes of building art in its entirety, with the weight of a production clearly demonstrated in the two different dynamics from both Tommy and Greg, you can feel compassion in both people and how they view the project.

The Story of the filmmaking and aspiring to ones dreams and full potential is such a relevant beat that can have multiple perspectives told and the unique way that The Disaster Artist and Franco’s decisions are made in the storytelling give an insight to the untruthful world that Hollywood being the land of hope and dreams which is not the case for Hollywood, but rather a glamorous filter that the world has taken on a perspective and has become more darker as the years have carried on, the Disaster Artist shows the world of filmmaking in a conventional way, but in the suggestion, it’s the movie industry is much more soul destroying as it does take a lot of rejection to then get the first potential job within the industry and knowing this fact through watching the film, very relevant material and themes that I can look upon in this work and apply to future projects.

Application to Project:

This can be applied to the project in numerous ways, firstly by the shooting style of a Handheld, documentary style filming which I feel can come across in a personal way in capturing the life of everyone who is working on the film and relate to a mix of fixed and movable cameras to detail the life of the filmmaking.

Moreover, using the narrative of this film can also influence the characterisation too in building an archetype of a character and then with the actors, going more in detail with the characterisation and journey that they will be exploring from start to finish.

Ed Wood (1994)

Director: Tim Burton

Synopsis

Ambitious and Troubled movie director Edward D. Wood Jr. attempts to fulfil his dreams on filmmaking despite his lack of talent.

Critical Thoughts:

With the ambition behind every decisions of Ed Wood, played by Johnny Depp, there is a real sense of belief and naivety in everything that Ed Wood does within the work, from the first piece he directed for theatre to Planet 9, this vulnerability within the art can make people feel empathy for those attempting to work within such a brutal industry with different aspirations to what is important to the craft from the filmmaking and in Ed Wood’s case, his expression on his comfort and sexuality with his personal life with Dolores Fuller, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, and the impact this has on her.

This narrative of the director having ambition for their work and not being critically acclaimed is like be a retelling of this piece from the 1900s that can still utilise different elements from the original texts and be adapted to different works, like Ed Wood which feels like a cinematic retelling of The Seagull with a realistic biography style to put towards this film.

The Style of using Black and White art style as the main visual aesthetic matches well to tell this story in an impactful way which almost feels like watching an era of film like Citizen Kane, which features a small moment involving Orson Wells, played by Vincent D’Onofrio. This aesthetical choice helps to give it an old-fashioned feel to the films within the 1930s of Hollywood which helps to make the design very distinctive for the filming to help make it with a classic feel.

Application to Project:

The main applications from Ed Wood within the project involves the characteristics for Ed Wood himself as reference for the filmmaker to look the eccentric nature of the director and how he can put himself into a delicate position of harm within his vision that can be seen within the film.

Also, the people and conflicts that Wood deals within the film can be like different challenges that the filmmaker within this film can go through to achieve his goals as it would never be a simple journey from the start to the end of production, which is a similar motif that would be attempted to be applied into the piece.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Director: Edgar Wright

Synopsis

An aspiring fashion designer enters in a dream state of the 1960s where starts to encounter an aspiring singer. However, the glamour is not all that appears and the dreams of the past start to crack and reveals a dark mystery to discover.

Critical Thoughts:

The nature of which this film presents the mystery with Ellie’s, played by Thomasin McKenzie, gift of Psychic connection in a subtle mention towards the inner demons of ones most feared things and linking this with the glitz and glamour of 1960s London Soho, helps to bring together a thought-provoking tale on the sexism of power that men use and abuse their right for the hopes and dreams of others. From Ellie’s viewpoint in London, both in Contemporary and 1960s eras come across as a place that look visually pleasing, but dangerous too once the exploration begins.

The Performances from Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy are incredibly relatable both as people with dreams and with their moments of glory cut short by the power of those in a higher form of power that can almost break them physically and mentally, there is elements of sympathy that is seen in the two lead protagonists given both characters aspirations and how they want themselves to be viewed in life.

The world and filming style Edgar Wright applies into his work is always significant in which he can leave his distinct flavour onto the world and that is no different in this film. From the decisions being made in the soundtrack to the use of the camera, it is clear the story he is telling in the world of Soho and the nightlife of the 1960s comes across with both beautiful moments of fantasy and nightmare fuel for those who have experienced the things both Ellie and Sandie, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, have been through.

Application to Project:

Viewing this film has been beneficial as this has helped in additional research into the glitz of the industry and how much of a dark turn it can take when it came come to the industry, the idea for the project won’t go as dark or dangerous towards the themes explored in the film.

In addition, the slick choreography and camera work can be something that could be applied within the work, both in terms of how the camera moves around to capture the life and the movement of the actors both in moments of passion and fury can be a reference point for them to use when developing the choreography.

The Batman (2022)

Director: Matt Reeves

Synopsis

When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures, a Vigilante must rise to investigate the cities hidden corruption.

Critical Thoughts:

This film can take classical comic book archetypes found within the pages of old-fashioned comics of the 1930s and ground them into a timeless setting that could fit within any period after the 30s blending old gothic aesthetical locals with modern technology.

The strengths are prominent throughout the entire film, but the key thing that stands out from a filmmaking perspective is the use of Cinematography, done by Greig Fraser, which details different aspects of the City of Gotham into a truly disgusting and bleak apparel that is seen clearly within the narrative and the journey that Batman/Bruce Wayne, played by Robert Pattinson goes through within the film.

Another strength this film uses within its advantage is by having relevant messages throughout the film that are thought-provoking whilst not being too much in the face of the viewer, for example, the characterization of Edward Nashton/The Riddler, played by Paul Dano, normally would be over played within the standard portrayal, however, him and director, Matt Reeves is able to take this character and turn it onto its head to create a Sinister character that has peculiar obsessions that the film uses to its advantage to help show the dangers of fixation with particular details on a threatening level.

Application to Project:

One key takeaway from this film that can be applied into this project can include the portrayal of The Riddler and the meticulous detail that the character places into their plan on showing the corruption of the high power, which to the character of The Riddler attempts to show in a violent way similarly to the Zodiac killer.

This portrayal and the consistent tone of the characters obsessive nature can be a fundamental element to be applied to the characterisation of Ed Wells and if time can be allowed for development to the script, an exploration into this psychiatric mindset and understanding of obsession in this way to a near enough threatening level.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Director: Quinten Taratino

Synopsis

A faded TV actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the last few years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Critical Thoughts:

The callbacks and nostalgic value of the golden age of Hollywood come true within this films aesthetic and story in a clear way, the depiction of Hollywood within this film showcasing its glory and dark parallel goes in contrast with the message about the film industry and how much perception there is for the industry from a public standpoint and what occurs behind the scenes.

The beauty of the film and the colour palate helps to give the understanding of the 1960s Cinema of America and the much darker aspect of the narrative involving the decline of the golden age of Hollywood and the way that cult leader, Charles Manson comes across and leaves his impact onto the people around him.

Also, with the characterization of Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, come across as stereotypical actors of their time that are creatively challenged with each development of the era and the overall effect of the shift of focus from generational change at the end of the 60s.

Application to Project:

Something that can be applied to the project from this film can include the portrayal of Cliff Booth and Rick Dalton in terms of stereotypical actors and how they react to certain things occurring when working on projects and the outcome of the work once it has been completed.

In addition, another thing that can be applied is a short sequence that involves Cliff Booth and Bruce Lee fighting whilst they’re on a film set, this sequence and the way the reactions are delivered between the actors could be a point of reference to use when constructing the fight scene and how the actors would react to each other using both motifs from the film and real experiences from personal work within the industry.

Community: Documentary Filmmaking Redux (2011)

Director: Joe Russo

Synopsis

The Dean of a Community college is given the task of making a commercial, but the shoot goes over budget and spirals out of control with a student documenting the experience.

Critical Thoughts:

The way that this episode of the comedy is shot has a distinctive style of a documentary which is clear given the episode nature in having Abed, played by Danny Pudi, being behind the camera and documenting every moment of the commercial filming like documentaries such as Hearts of Darkness, which is a documentary that follows the journey of filming Apocalypse Now.

By having the principal character of Dean Craig Pelton, played by Jim Rash, be the focus point of the narrative and following his decent into madness onto making this commercial is poetic with the struggling artist and how this can be manifested in a comedic way with darker undertones of narcissism into the work that is being produced for the commercial.

In addition, by having the characters react to the craziness that is occurring from Dean Pelton such as Annie, Troy, and Britta, played by Alison Brie, Donald Glover and Gillian Jacobs, it helps to characterize the perspective and toll that this destructive path is for our characters living through these moments, through comedic timing and heightened moments of absurdism in the narrative, it helps to create realistic viewpoints onto the situations that the Dean puts our main characters through.

Application to Project:

Through the comedic circumstances that our characters and the Dean find themselves in within the story, the application from this episode can come through from potential moments that were experienced off set, for example, there could be a comedic moment of a character who is asleep or background subject that can be ironic in this moment to add an effect of humour into this moment.

Moreover, by looking at the portrayal of Dean Pelton and other characters within this episode of the show, it can assist into the references for the actors to look at and how they use the different circumstances that are presented into the narrative so then they can play this using the situations that are in the episode to help with the overall circumstances that are within the portrayal of the project.

Also, by having different shots that are not just capturing subjects in the foreground that are clear to the audience, but little background hints can be applied to some shots, this can help build an dynamic world that can have moments of ironic flavour which can be rewatched and repeated to help break down key moments done by the project for different reasons.

The Office: Threat Level Midnight (2011)

Director: Tucker Gates

Synopsis

A Boss of a Paper Office company makes and finishes a movie called “Threat Level Midnight” and screens it for his employees, however, his girlfriend is less than enthusiastic for his finished product.

Critical Thoughts:

From the framing of the fictional film and how this is perceived and viewed in an overromanticized and stylized with the shot decisions, it helps to create a comedic effect onto the work that Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell, created with serious intentions towards the film and the struggle that went through including various people from his past to bring this film to life.

The reactions from his co-workers and seeing them acting in the final fictional film of “Threat Level Midnight” are incredible comedic beats in understanding the cinematic potential of the film and different to the filming of the standard cinematography that is incorporated in The Office.

In addition, the cinematic recreation and almost student level of filmmaking in representing different beats from other films in an amateur way shows the understanding of ambition that Scott wants to show towards his colleagues, however, it is funnier with the tacky nature of the film and how he talks about the details applied to the film for comedic effect.

Application to Project:

Many things that can be looked at within this episode and be applied to the project including the disastrous narcissism of Michael Scott in which he has an audience laughing throughout parts of the film which can be applied to the ending of the film and reverse by having a supportive audience, but the filmmaker not being satisfied with their work and completely realizing their need for life.

Moreover, another thing that can be applied from this episode is the break between the filmed narrative and cinematic shots, this can assist in creating a key distinction in the framing and how this can be seen from an audience perspective to change the framing and applying the audience an example of what the fictional film will be with more detail into the shot type.

In addition, another detail that can be applied from this to the project is the ambitious nature of the project from both Michael Scott and Ed Wells so then it is clear that the work they are doing is all passionate and coming from themselves, where the differences will be in the framing of their work, Scott’s can be quite cheap whereas Wells’ work will look consistently to tone and detail going with his meticulous detail in the frame.

Super (2010)

Director: James Gunn

Synopsis

After his wife falls under the influence of the wrong people, an everyday person transforms into a superhero with the best intentions but lacking in heroic skills.

Critical Thoughts:

The absurd nature of the character of Frank Darbo along with his Superhero identity of the Crimson Bolt, played by Rainn Wilson, goes to show the dark and depressing nature of heroism and role models that people look toward and inspire to be, the violent and aggressive tactics that Frank/Crimson Bolt uses to get his wife back and show his form of Justice is crucial in showing his obsessive nature towards his code of heroism and the value of fighting crime.

In terms of the cinematography that is used in the film, it is handheld which feels documentary like that goes hand in hand with a found footage project looking at the sad and lonely life of our protagonists and how their life goes from Zero to Hero, the handheld shots of the action go in comparison to the audience being placed into a discomforting form of observation onto the main protagonist and the aspect of the world.

Also, the blend of absurd reality and fantasy help to create a viewpoint for the protagonist and how they perceive the world they inhabit whilst having an understanding of their objectives, this entertaining blend of hyper-realism and cartoonish motif help to detail the mindset of our protagonist and their viewing on reality.

Application to Project:

The main applications that can be applied from this film to the project is the obsessive nature of our main protagonist and how their view on reality is different to others along with the effect the of one’s actions having on one person’s choices and how this can affect the people close to them.

In addition, another takeaway from this film is the handheld style of filmmaking that makes the film come across in a documentary style following our main lead and their decent into madness knowing what impact this can have on their life which is a clear motif that is applied into the portrayal of many characters in this film.

Also, another consideration that can be applied into the project from this is the obsessive nature of our protagonist with his goal and the lack of care of others that lead to the end of certain characters due to their own selfish perception, this motif won’t be followed as heavily but can resonate in certain aspects leading to the realization onto different understandings on characters and their consequences of actions.