This film Will be charged largely on its artistic merit. I have a very clear vision of how I want it to look, but I am also thinking about other films and art that I can draw inspiration from and that will inform the style in which I create.
STANLEY KUBRICK – A Clockwork Orange
Camera
Kubrick’s films greatly inspired me, and the style in which he directs and frames his shots Will transfer well to my film. Kubrick’s camera stay is largely static when filming dialogue aside from relatively small pans and tilts. Kubrick takes great care in his camera movements, and even though they are small they always have an impact. Because of the limited space and limited projector size, complex and large camera moves Will not be possible in my film. Instead, I will frame the shots carefully and precisely and use only minimal movements to capture action.
Directing Actors
Kubrick’s actors always give them most. There is no attempts at subtlety or realism, instead they are outrageously unrefined, in no way attempting to hide the characters personality. This appeals to me greatly. I am not making a documentary and I do not need the film to feel realistic. Instead, I am trying to capture feelings and sensations as any artist would. I find it strange how in film the tendency is often to attempt to capture reality perfectly, whereas in other artforms like painting or music artistic expression is valued far more highly. I would like my film to be judged as a painting or a song and not a documentary.
Characters
Kubrick’s characters are always larger-than-life and yet simultaneously entirely believable. They tap straight in to the source of the narrative and so no time is lost in subtley. They are also very interesting and exciting.
A Clockwork Orange
Kubrick’s film most relevant to this project is a clockwork Orange. The film explores what it means to be a man and the consequences of removing free will. Alex, a violent and sadistic thug is subjected to behaviour altering experiments in an attempt to subdue the violence inside him after he commits murder. Kubrick questions whether a man can be good if he has no choice, and further questions whether a society that attempts to remove a man’s choice can be good. These themes are similarly explored in my story. Tracy, who attempts to control the world by merging it with her mind, was once controlled herself. Scientists used brainwashing Technology to turn her into an assassin, it was only after this she felt the need do use the machines for her own power. Moreover, as Tracy begins to lose control over the machines the question is posed to what extent she is responsible for this. Is she a product of the experiments done upon her or is she acting on her own will.
Spongebob Squarepants
I have been watching a lot of older episodes of spongebob Squarepants recently and in doing so have learned a lot about framing a scene, editing, and character creation. The action always takes place on a wide and cuts to a medium or tight shot for reactions, depending on how significant they are. If characters move, the shot gently moves with them, keeping them in frame. Objects or characters of narrative significance I’ve given their own shot.
The characters, like Kubrick’s, are without subtlety all refinement. Each character clearly embodies very specific elements of humanity. They are clear in their intentions, beliefs, and characteristics. They are distinguishable and unique.
Frankenstein
Van Gogh