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Know your history, know your media literacy

May 5, 2016 by carlcasinghino

a-face-in-the-crowd-posterHistorians will often point out that societies reap what they sow.

When one contemplates the look and feel of the ubiquitous connection most of our young people have to visual communications — social media platforms and streaming Interweb rants, pratfalls, and snarky yucks —  it appears that the ascendancy of the apparent Republican party nominee to President of the United States seems far less of a surprise or anomaly.

This new podcast from On the Media highlights one of the most important movies ever made about politics in the United States: A Face in the Crowd.  As these journalists point out, it’s quite a movie to watch these days (or Citizen Kane too, as cited by this podcast).  And such great performances from Andy Griffiths, Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau, among others.

Posted in Chapter 5, Media Literacy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Award-Winning Short hits a Million

April 30, 2016 by carlcasinghino

ZomIn an earlier post, I highlighted two movies by one of my former students, Brendan Kirschbaum.  One of them, Zom, is now at a million views on YouTube.  Millions of viewers for a high school final project!  Amazing.  Like the other film of his that I highlighted (Boxes), this movie is a superb lesson in visual storytelling, as are his shorts Brewed Awakening and Flight of the Geese.

Posted in Chapter 1 | 4 Comments »

The Evolution of Ghostbusting

April 30, 2016 by carlcasinghino

01GHOSTBUSTERS4-COMBO-master675An interesting then / now filmmaking comparison will be on hand this summer with the new version of Ghostbusters directed by Paul Feig and starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon (with the classic original having been directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis).  Here is an article that provides some insight into decision making processes that students do not often think about: art direction and visual design.  Props, vehicles, sets, and more aspects of the world that the filmmakers are creating are featured in this discussion with director/screenwriter Paul Feig and production designer Jefferson Sage.  Put on your Proton Packs and get ready to bust some ghosts!

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Uncannier Expectations

April 3, 2016 by carlcasinghino

Why_8216Ex_Machina8217_Visual_Effects-f994b1c7599c0e19a8ce686a5f0dcce5Here’s a follow-up to a recent post, Uncanny Expectations.  This piece from Vulture by Logan Hill has a slide show and video which illustrate the illusive depths of digital manipulation to the human form that create warped realities and new expectations for the human face, figure, and all else.     

Posted in Chapter 2, Media Literacy | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Digital Cinematography Resources

March 31, 2016 by carlcasinghino

DP Ed Lachman with Cate Blanchette and Rooney Mara

Ed Lachman with Cate Blanchette and Rooney Mara

In earlier posts, mediateacher has highlighted resources for screenwriting, editing, sound, and much more, and of course there have been discussions of cinematography, such as upon the release of the documentary Side by Side.  Here are some excellent cinematography resources: this 20-minute film and accompanying tutorial by John Hess of filmmakeriq.com about color and digital cinematography; the “Through the Lens Film School” blog by Chris Weaver that offers pretty easy-to-follow lighting tutorials and general tips; and, finally, an interesting “food for thought” page from Deadline magazine prompted by statements by DPs Robert Richardson and Ed Lachman (who shot Carol on 16mm!) about what is really happening these days in the world of VFX-driven cinematography.

Posted in Chapter 4, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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