Interference Random Movie Talk III

[monkeyskin]

Hmm, I see what you mean now and it sounds interesting. I can't think of any examples of that being done right now so can't comment on how it might be properly pulled off, but depending on the shot and action required it could be done a few ways. Possibly only exposing half of the negative for multiple takes of the same shot like for Alec Guiness in Kind Hearts and Coronets, but that's probably only if there's no interaction between the two halves of the screen.

Definitely different than deep focus like you pointed out.

 

[Lancemc]

Yeah, a sort of masked double-exposure is probably the most likely method. It's definitely an older technique too, as I don't think I've ever seen it done in a more contemporary (likely digitally edited) film, where said effect would be done digitally in post.

It's also extremely uncommon, which is probably because it likely takes an inordinate amount of work to pull off successfully and the fact that it's entirely unappealing and distracting. I really hate it, so I figure more directors would avoid it, or simply find the benefit out of balance with the effort needed to pull of an effect like that in camera.

 

[LemonMelon]

Just went out and rented I'm Not There, Once, and Almost Famous (which I've already seen and loved, but only saw it on the internet, and I wanted my mom to watch it as well). Will report back.

 

[Lancemc]

Three fantastic rentals.

 

[Dalton]

You know, reading the little bastard's original post again on it, he might actually be talking about deep focus, but I still think he's referring to the thing I'm talking about. Could be either thing, since he did mention the "blur between the two figures" or whatever.

I'm talking about a case where a single frame seems to be divided in half, vertically, by an apparent change in focus. For example, in the left half of the frame, a character in the background is in focus, while his foreground is out of focus. Then in the right half of the frame (the same shot mind you, at least it appears as such if it is in fact an editing trick) a character in the foreground appears in sharp focus, while his background (thus the left character's space) in out of focus. It's not a case of deep focus where all layers of the frame are in focus, it's as though two halves of the same shot are both in shallow focus, merely focused in different planes.

It's a particularly jarring effect because where the two halves of the frame meet, there's a strange uncanny vertical line where the focus shifts from one side to the next. There's a particular shot like this in Serpico where I first noticed this being done. Like I said, I assumed this was what YLB was talking about, though I don't remember the shot in question in The Untouchables to confirm it or not, though no, it's certainly not the same thing as Welles' cabin shot.

Apparently virginity really improves ones eyesight.

 

[Lancemc]

I wouldn't know.

 

[No spoken words]

I've yet to see "I'm Not There".

 

[LMP]

I threw out a misnomer with the Kane cabin shot, sorry about that, guys. Here's a screengrab of the shot in question:

The blur in background between Connery and Costner is fairly noticeable.

Laz and NSW, I may be getting the Woody set afterall.

I know you're a fan monkeyskin, do you like Woody's stuff, Lance?

 

[Lancemc]

Thanks for posting that screengrab. That's exactly what I was talking about too. You can see there how the lines of the background objects don't quite match up even. I'm thinking our the double-exposure theory might hold some water afterall.

Haven't seen a whole lot of Allen. What I have seen I've enjoyed quite a bit, however.

 

[LMP]

Thanks for posting that screengrab. That's exactly what I was talking about too. You can see there how the lines of the background objects don't quite match up even. I'm thinking our the double-exposure theory might hold some water afterall.

Haven't seen a whole lot of Allen. What I have seen I've enjoyed quite a bit, however.

No problem. What's really brilliant is when it's used again in the aforementioned Opera scene. It starts with the opera singer in the foreground and De Niro in the background, then the camera zooms toward De Niro while retaining the same quality of the opera singer. That may be my favorite shot of the film, and definitely showed me a nice technique that would work well in a short film I'm developing.

Which ones have you seen?

 

[No spoken words]

YLB, that's good news! Lance, you do not need me to tell you to keep mining Allen's work.

 

[LMP]

YLB, that's good news! Lance, you do not need me to tell you to keep mining Allen's work.

Indeed it is, I'll order it today.

I've yet to see "I'm Not There".

Same here, but I'd love to check out about 5-6 of the ones I missed before moving onto other marathons. I end up calling them marathons, which is totally incorrect, I kind of shuffle back and forth between a set of films to watch and try to make sense of them. That way, I won't get sick of someone's work and keep everything fresh.

I'll try and balance Woody out (so excited!) with Scorsese, then do the '07 releases:

Diving Bell
Michael Clayton
I'm Not There
Eastern Promises
Youth Without Youth, among others with a '70s Sci-Fi marathon:

Silent Running
Logan's Run
The Omega Man
The Man Who Fell to Earth
Soylent Green
Planet of the Apes ('68, cheating a bit, but I need to revisit it)

And then go from there. What do you all think?

 

[Lancemc]

I promise to seek out some more Allen if you both promise to make I'm Not There a priority.

How could you both have passed over last year's best picture?

 

[No spoken words]

I promise to seek out some more Allen if you both promise to make I'm Not There a priority.

How could you both have passed over last year's best picture?

Done.

 

[No spoken words]

Indeed it is, I'll order it today.



Same here, but I'd love to check out about 5-6 of the ones I missed before moving onto other marathons. I end up calling them marathons, which is totally incorrect, I kind of shuffle back and forth between a set of films to watch and try to make sense of them. That way, I won't get sick of someone's work and keep everything fresh.

I'll try and balance Woody out (so excited!) with Scorsese, then do the '07 releases:

Diving Bell
Michael Clayton
I'm Not There
Eastern Promises
Youth Without Youth, among others with a '70s Sci-Fi marathon:

Silent Running
Logan's Run
The Omega Man
The Man Who Fell to Earth
Soylent Green
Planet of the Apes ('68, cheating a bit, but I need to revisit it)

And then go from there. What do you all think?

Hard to argue with the first batch. Soylent Green I could not watch, cos I'd just think of Phil Hartman's imitation of it and crack up. Logan's Run was a great concept executed in a cheesy manner. Holds up poorly, but probably still worth watching. I love the original Planet of the Apes, and I told you about my mishap regarding the end of the film......I've yet to see Michael Clayton, either, damn me to hell.

 

[Lancemc]

Just watched Michael Clayton a second time the other day as well...on blu-ray.

Soooooo good. Still my favorite script of 07.

 

[Lancemc]

Also, as mixed as my feelings have been towards the film's trailers and promo stuff has been, I'm becoming increasingly optimistic and excited for Wanted next week. Early word is shaping up for this to be another really exciting Matrix-esque actioner. Now, it could very well be a disaster, but it's been a long time since I've seen a truly great action flick in theaters (probably since Casino Royale), so I can't help but be hopeful.

 

[No spoken words]

Wow, yeah, the trailers have been less than inspiring....but it would be great if turned out to be kick-ass.

I'll say this:

As we're sitting around, Interferencing it up....the days are passing.....and before you know it, it'll be July.....and then we can all say "The Dark Knight opens THIS fucking month".

 

[corianderstem]

I'm really excited to see Wanted, and all the information I have on the movie is based on the trailers. It just looks fun and cool.

And so far, looks like early reviews are good. I don't know if it's still the case, but I did see 10 positive and 0 negative on Rottentomatoes. A good start!

 

[No spoken words]

I'm really excited to see Wanted, and all the information I have on the movie is based on the trailers. It just looks fun and cool.

And so far, looks like early reviews are good. I don't know if it's still the case, but I did see 10 positive and 0 negative on Rottentomatoes. A good start!

It actually looked stupid to me, but, 10 out of 10 is a great start. Nice. I'll fucking see it if it's 1/2 way decent.

 

[LMP]

I promise to seek out some more Allen if you both promise to make I'm Not There a priority.

How could you both have passed over last year's best picture?

I don't think it was ever released in my area, and if it was, it was either for a very short amount of time or I figured I'd wait 'til DVD. Hell, The Darjeeling Limited only played 3 weeks at the rinky-dink theater about 10 minutes away. That's ridiculous.

It's tops on my "Left to See from '07" list along with Michael Clayton, don't you worry, sir.

Apparently the red-band trailer for Wanted is all kinds of awesome. I'd probably go see it in theaters, especially if it's between that or Hancock in the next coming weeks. And holy fucking shit Batman, The Dark Knight's hitting in less than a month. Fanboys on Flixster are exploding at this very minute.

 

[Lancemc]

The Wanted Red Band is actually pretty good. Check it out.

Dark Knight will surely be badass. And it's sandwiched between Hellboy II and X-Files. Truly glorious.

And before we know it, November will roll around, and I'll be getting mad crazy pumped for Quantum of Solace. Fuck YES.

 

[No spoken words]

The Wanted Red Band is actually pretty good. Check it out.

Dark Knight will surely be badass. And it's sandwiched between Hellboy II and X-Files. Truly glorious.

And before we know it, November will roll around, and I'll be getting mad crazy pumped for Quantum of Solace. Fuck YES.

I'll be right with you on Quantum, fellow Bond-a-thon viewer.

Oh, man, I was telling YLB that I've never seen the XFiles, so, the film is out for me....I want to watch it all on DVD then one day see the film. Everyone that knows me is sort of shocked that I've never seen the show. I like to keep 'em guessing, Lance.

 

[corianderstem]

I've never seen the XFiles

*gasp*

 

[LMP]

I'm really not that pumped for Hellboy II, to tell the truth. The first was interesting enough and I'm a fan of Del Toro's work, but it hasn't really jumped out at me as something I HAVE TO SEE, you know?

There's a good string of releases from now to September to keep me going to theaters until Quantum hits:

Wall-E
X-Files 2
The Motherfucking Dark Knight
Step Brothers
Burn After Reading
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Tropic Thunder
Pineapple Express
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Miracle at St. Anna

 

[corianderstem]

I have no interest in seeing Wall-E. I don't care how amazing people say it is. I felt the same way about Ratatouille.

 

[No spoken words]

*gasp*

I know.

I'll watch it on DVD.

 

[Lancemc]

Oh man, the latest Burn After Reading trailer was a thing of beauty.

 

[LMP]

I have no interest in seeing Wall-E. I don't care how amazing people say it is. I felt the same way about Ratatouille.

The only Pixar movies I don't like are A Bug's Life (overshadowed by Antz, for me) and Finding Nemo - the rest are just gravy. I enjoyed Ratatouille more than I thought I would and this one looks more up my alley.

Apparently Roger Deakins was a visual consultant for this film, whatever that means. His name's attached, so color me interested.

 

[redhotswami]

I know.

I'll watch it on DVD.

step 1) cut a hole in the box
step 2) log the fuck off
step 3) watch it now!

next MONTH dude! get ta steppin!