Docu-meta-ry

The purpose of this documentary is to document a documentary film crew's documenting of... something... for a documentary. I have yet to settle on what that "something" is because it is not the focus of the piece. Rather, the focus of the piece is the documentary film crew; through this, another purpose is gleaned: to reveal to the audience the trials and tribulations, the failures and successes, the ease and difficulty of the filmmaking process.

The Two Escobars

"The Man With a Movie Camera" x "The Bicycle Thief"

The Man With a Movie Camera (1929):

The Bicycle Thief  (1948):

The Three Styles of Editing

REALISM - Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

Editing in the realist fashion is, in a sense, the lack thereof; that is, true to its name, realism is realistic. Little to no editing occurs, and cuts typically exist only to bridge scenes. Above is a prime example of realist editing from Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern; the selection is a sequence shot, meaning it is a single take, static in regards to not only motion but as well focus, lighting, and speed. The duration of Songlian's monologue and the duration of the shot are equal -- there is no editing done at all (or, at least in regards to cutting).

Step Outline

Click to get to my step outline! I love all of you :'D

The characterization of Cyrus in The Warriors (1979)

The man himself -- Cyrus. Can you dig it?

In Walter Hill's The Warriors (1979), the character of Cyrus is present in but a single scene, for he is killed within the first half hour. Nonetheless, his brief appearance is replete with characterization. He is at once vehement and eloquent, commanding total respect and attention from his audience; an intellectual and a strategist, considering his ambition to run New York through a massive, unified gang; and a true leader, with all of his followers pledging allegiance. Whereas all others in the courtyard setting are darkly lit, crowded together, and uniformly dressed, Cyrus is in the spotlight, in the center stage, in the garb of a king.

"Photos of People Who Deserve to Die?" (Chase Jarvis)

This article, by Chase Jarvis himself, details a series of posters and billboards that have been appearing recently. They proclaim various niche groups who, as seen at left, "deserve to die." However, this is a front to raise awareness; a visit to the campaign website reveals the organization's true message: that no one deserves to die, regardless of societal labeling. The question posed by the article is whether or not this tactic works; put simply, because of the massive (albeit often negative) attention it generates, yes. It does work. As they say, any publicity is good publicity. Read the article! Follow Chase's blog! Yes!