Top 5 Movies to Get Excited For in 2012

With Summer 2012 rolling around, some fantastic movies are on the horizon with Spring and Summer release dates. Though it was difficult to cut the list to five, here are my picks for the best summer flicks that you won't want to miss:


5) Looper

I hadn’t even heard of this one until I started looking up movies for this list, but it sounds awesome!  Staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt, the description claims it is a Science Fiction Thriller about a killer who works for the mob of the future, and recognizes one of his targets as his future self.  It’s written and directed by Rian Johnson, who also wrote and directed The Brothers Bloom. Though there is little information about the film out on the web, I am still excited to see this film!


4)  The Avengers 

To be perfectly honest the superhero movies that have sprung up in the past few years have really been favorites of mine. Though I have never been a superhero fan, the new Batman and Ironman movies that have came out in recent years are favorites of mine. Though I was a bit disappointed with Iron Man 2, when I heard Tony Stark would be appearing in the new Avengers movie I got really excited. I thought Robert Downy Jr. played an amazing Tony Stark and I was hooked on the superhero movies since their buildup starting back in 2008. And considering the buildup for the Avengers has spanned four years and five movies, the film has big shoes to fill.




3) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy had an impact on me that few films franchises have even approached. Furthermore, The Hobbit’s years and years of questionable production had many wondering if it was ever going to get made. What's better is even though a decade has passed since the original films, most actors are returning for this new installment. The film was also shot on the new RED Epic cinema cameras, footage I am truly looking forward to seeing. One disappointment is the film's release in 3D as opposed to IMAX; however, it is this stereo release that prompted Peter Jackson to chose the RED cameras for production. Their small size allows easy stereo footage at amazing resolutions in a much smaller package than traditional 3D rigs. 

2) The Hunger Games: 

As a self proclaimed Hunger Games hipster (I read the books before they even became popular), I have been awaiting the release of the Hunger Games movie since I finished the first book years ago. This film actually put up a fight for the number one spot on my list, but it's number two slot is not to be underestimated. For those of you who haven't read the series, the books are set in a future, dystopian United States, where 24 children between the ages of 12 and 18 are pitted against each other to fight to the death each year. The novel follows Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who volunteers herself for the annual Hunger Games when her younger sister's name is drawn. Ever since Lionsgate studios picked the film up I have been following it's progress eagerly, and I don't expect the film to disappoint fanatic fans like myself. 

1) Dark Knight Rises

I love Batman. Regardless of the bad publicity Batman gets for being a "fake" superhero, he has always been my favorite comic book hero. And as a Christopher Nolan (Director) and Wally Phister (Cinematographer) fan, their past two Batman films, especially Dark Knight, have become some of my favorite movies of all time. Although I was disappointed at the revelation of which villain the Dark Knight would be facing in this third film, Bane, I'm excited to see the  much-needed re-imagining of this antagonist. It’s also interesting to see how Catwoman will play into the story, but then again, I was slightly skeptical as to how Two-Face was going to play out in a story involving the Joker in The Dark Knight, and look how that turned out. All in all, Nolan's Dark Knight was a cinematic masterpiece, and he will be sure to not disappoint with his latest and possibly last installment in his Batman trilogy.  

For What is an Amazing Movie Without Amazing Sound?

 This entry is written for: http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/forums/


At long last the dreaded battle for non-copyrighted audio is over, and Indie Filmmakers couldn't be happier. Audiosocket, a music, media, and digital licensing company, is preparing to launch a licensing site via a hosted music platform. The planned site, Audiosocket U, uses Audiosocket's MaaS platform, allowing users access to more than 35,000 songs from their nearly 2,000 indie artists and composers. With these tracks, filmmakers can utilize quality recordings and license them to be legally used in their short film projects for as little as $5. And when their school signs up with Audiosocket, the institution will receive a little piece of the pie in the form of an annual donation.

Students are ecstatic over this new site which is completely managed by Audiosocket and does not require any integration parameters to be met by each University. Even teachers like Kevin Bleich, professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, are excited over this new site. "Audiosocket offers a unique and robust tool for media creators wanting to add quality music to their projects without breaking the budget," says Bleich.

Indie filmmakers understand how frustrating it is trying to navigate the cold and tangled mess that is music licensing, which is exactly why Audiosocket has made education of this matter another priority of the site. According to Audiosocket President Jenn Miller, understanding copyright law and the process of respecting others' Intellectual Property is a truly crucial part of educating students studying to create content. Therefore, Audiosocket U not only aims to make the process of discovering and licensing music quick, easy, and hopefully even a little fun.

For those of you who use Vimeo, Audiosocket is a partner of the site along with IndieFlix and The National Film Festival for Talented Youth NFFTY).

Why Apple Released Thunderbolt Too Early

Thunderbolt was introduced about a year and half ago as a partnership between Apple and Intel, yet I have not used it once. 

Thunderbolt Speed Comparison

Thunderbolt (codenamed Light Peak is an interface for connecting peripheral devices to a computer via a connection bus, similar to your USB or Firewire port. The concept turned into a reality when it was introduced commercially on Apple's updated 2011Macbook Pro series, using the same connector as the Mini Display Port. The Thunderbolt I/O technology claims to provide two channels of transfer on the same connector with 10 Gbps of speed in both directions. For comparison, this would allow you to move data to and from peripheral devices at up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 and up to 12 times faster than with FireWire 800. In addition, Thunderbolt allows daisy-chaining of multiple high-speed devices without using a hub or switch; in essence multitasking over a single wire. For example, you can connect several high-performance external disks, a video capture device, and even a display to a single Thunderbolt chain while performing at rapid speeds.

So how does this magic happen? According to Intel, "Thunderbolt driver chips fold the data from these two sources together, and split them back apart again for consumption within the devices. This makes the system backward compatible with existing DisplayPort hardware upstream of the driver." This means the mini display port still maintains functionality but the option for Thunderbolt still exists.

So here we are, a year and a half after it's conception, and as I type this message I am not using Thunderbolt yet! WHY??? Well, here's my take. The technology really isn't available at an affordable consumer price. In order to use cables that work at such an incredibly fast speed, you need drives that can keep up; solid state drives to be exact. Unlike hard drives, solid state drives have no moving parts and do not have to spin a disk to write and read information, the information is nearly instantly accessed. Unfortunately, solid state hard drives have not dropped in price, and as a result Thunderbolt hasn't really taken off.

In my opinion Apple jumped the gun and released Thunderbolt a little too early. However, as the price of solid state continues to drop and the technology continues to improve, I foresee Thunderbolt as the new standard for data transfer in the near future.

Reviewed: The Go Pro Hero 2

The Go Pro has been used to shoot footage for over 60 shows ranging from Mythbusters to Sarah Palin's Alaska. It has filmed the inside of the mouths of Alligators, sharks, and polar bears. The camera has even seen the outer reaches of space from weather balloons; and did I fail to mention all in high definition.

Since it's appearance on the market a few years ago, Go Pro has delved into the professional and consumer market alike. The company is the primary brand of the privately owned Half Moon Bay company Woodman Labs, that was started out of a basement. All in all, this camera is incredible, so here is my review of their latest upgrade the Go Pro Hero 2. 


As an owner of the first Go Pro HD Hero camera, I feel it is important to post the comparable specs of each model to accurately differentiate between the two:

The Original Go Pro HD Hero

The Original Go Pro HD Hero Camera: ($199)

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m – ∞), glass
• Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
• Angle of View: 170º ultra wide angle in WVGA, 720p, or 960p mode
• Angle of View: 127º wide angle in 1080p mode

Video

• HD Video Resolution Modes: (subject to change, pending final firmware release)
  
  • 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
  • 960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
  • 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
  • 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
  • WVGA = 848×480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

Photo

• Resolution: 5 megapixel
• Capture Modes: Single, Triple shot burst, Time-lapse (1, 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs), Self-timer

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in, mono
• Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC Compression, Automatic Gain Control

The Go Pro HD Hero 2

The HD Hero 2: ($299)

Camera Optics

• 2X Sharper Professional Glass Lens
• f/2.8 Fixed Focus
• 170º Wide FOV (Including 1080p)
• 127º Medium FOV (In 1080p)
• 90º Narrow FOV

Video

• HD RESOLUTIONS:
• 1080p: 1920×1080, 30FPS
• 960p: 1280×960, 48FPS + 30FPS
• 720p: 1280×720, 60FPS + 30FPS
• STANDARD DEFINITION RESOLUTIONS
• WVGA: 848×480, 120FPS + 60FPS

Photo

• RESOLUTIONS: 11MP, 8MP, 5 MP
• FOV: Wide 170º FOV, Medium 127º FOV
• CAPTURE MODES: Single, 10 Photo Burst, Time-Lapse*, Self-Timer
• * Now supports time-lapse photo every 0.5 seconds. Requires Class 10 speed SD Card.

Audio

• Mono, 48 kHz, AAC Compression, Auto Gain Control
• Stereo External Microphone Input (3.5mm)

So sitting down to review this camera some of the biggest improvements to the new HD Hero 2 come hidden under the hood. According to GoPro, the Hero 2 is two times as powerful in every way. That means "two times sharper image, 11MP Photos (up from the original's five), ten photos per second (up from three), time lapse down to 0.5 second increments (previously 1 second), max fps 120 (up from 60), and 170 degrees FOV all the way up to 1080p (previously 170 stopped at 960p, dropping to 127 degrees at full resolution.) Aside from these improvements the same 1,100 mAh battery should give you about 2.5 hours of use, and still acts to heat your camera in case of cold arctic expeditions you might decide to capture. 


So all in all it seems either camera is a fantastic choice for the mount and go shooter. In addition, both cameras come with a plethora of mounting options and brackets to secure your camera in every way imaginable. Though the camera has been knocked for often unrealistic color reproduction and white balance issues, I still hold firm to the notion that the camera is a powerful device in a video buffs toolkit. If you are looking for the best price you cannot go wrong with the original HD model, but if you are looking for the most options and creative control, the HD Hero 2 is an easy pick. 

My Thoughts on 3D TV

I hate 3D television.

I can remember sitting in the huge theater in Disney's MGM (it was MGM at the time) Studios staring at the massive screen in front of me. The magical wonder of images coming right off the screen and seemingly into the audience amazed me! It was my first experience with 3D. Years later I saw a similar show at another theme park, Universal Studios on the Terminator Ride. However, during this show real actors jumped off the screen and into certain parts of the audience, flawlessly mixing 3D video and live acting; now that was cool.

So then you must be wondering why I have such a beef with moving 3D into the living room. Well, here's the thing. I like mono 2D television. It's simple, entertaining, and generally doesn't induce motion sickness. It seems as though more and more 3D televisions are popping up, and the content used to sell them is gimmicky. While 3D fish and cartoon frogs that stick their tongues out at you might look cool, let's be honest, how practical is 3D mainstream television? For instance, the classic show Seinfeld was shot in the 90s and is just as entertaining without Newman's large figure bursting out at you while you watch in 3D. The show was actually filmed using 35mm film, not a television standard. However, this large format allowed for the show to be converted into digital HD quality footage, a worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.

So what about those fantastic 3D shows I was so captivated by in amusement parks? Do I despise them now as well? No, rather I think they have found a perfect home in amusement parks as an attraction, not as a staple in the American home like 2D television has become. So I implore you to hesitate before jumping on the stereo (3D) television bandwagon and wait for this fad to blow over...and don't even get me started on 3D movies!

Cinema has Made it to TV Commercials???

True mastery ofCcinematography and SFX 

Recently I was searching the web for a very particular topic; how to use Adobe After Effects to freeze time. My inspiration had been the 20-something second scene from the recent comedy film "The Other Guys," featuring Mark Walhberg and Will Ferrel frozen in time causing havoc in a local bar. The shot features incredible special effects work and clever cinematography, the two ingredients I needed for my for my IMM 412 FX class final. However, as my search continued into the nitty gritty of how to accomplish this shot I stumbled upon something else.

Back in 2009 Phillips, an electronics company, released the first cinema sized television. When I say cinema sized, I don't necessarily mean the screen is the size of your house, but rather the aspect ratio is a whopping 21:9 (as compared to HD tv's 16:9. So, to help promote this new product the company created a 139-second (2m19s) continuous tracking shot of a frozen moment after an armored van heist gone wrong. It was directed by Adam Berg, with production contracted to London-based production company Stink Digital. The ad went on to become a huge critical success, winning the advertising industry's most prestigious award: the Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. It is the second online advertisement to win in the Film category. This was amazing, cinema had made it's way to television and even more surprisingly via a commercial. Not only did this bring about awareness to Phillips as a company, but it also awed viewers with some true mastery of Cinematography and SFX from their couch. 


So, how did they do it? The path taken through the location was roughly 100 meters long, and was broken into seven shots. The sequence was shot on an Arriflex 435 camera, and with the use of three different cranes, one being a motion controlled rig in order to produce the range of movement the camera takes. Two versions of each of the shots were taken, one at 50 frames per second (instead of the usual 24 or 25 fps) to minimize any motion from the extras, and a second "clean" pallet shot with all extras and suspended vehicles removed. This greatly minimized some of the post production rotoscoping and passes. 


Phillips created a true masterpiece and I can only urge companies to follow the lead and create some truly unique content as well. 


Check the Video Out Here!!!

Assembling A ‘Dragon’

For those of you who haven’t seen The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher’s latest film, I implore you to drop whatever it is you are doing and go see it. After seeing the film, a remake of the 2009 Swedish film Män som hatar kvinnor – literally – Men Who Hate Women), this movie had me amazed. Shot on RED Cinema Epic cameras, this film is not only a visual masterpiece but also a narrative triumph. Though Fincher combined a number of compelling actors to bring his audience into the world of the film, it was his incredible filmmaking that really won me over.

           

In a recent New York Times article, Fincher and the film’s editors Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, broke down a four-minute sequence of the film. This scene follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) who is visiting the aging industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), who is asking him to investigate a decades-old mystery involving his niece Harriet. As Vanger’s story unfolds, the shot shifts to a flashback to 1966, as connoted by the frame’s golden tones and bright hues; as Fincher put it, “Very warm and familial.” Back to the present, Vanger tells Blomkvist that his family was gathered on their ancestral island for a board meeting. There’s a time jump here, as now the two men are sitting in a study with drinks. According to Wall, editing is all about compressing time so it gives you the illusion of continuity, even as we take out the ‘boring’ bits. At 56 seconds we're back to the flashback, as the young Vanger (Julian Sands) conducts business. “Here you’re seeing three different shots glued together,” says Baxter. Fincher is known to shoot dozens of takes with the camera in the same position looking for the best take possible. Then the editors will piece together their favorite performances with digital split-screen effects. 

The flashback continues, as Vanger is interrupted by an accident on the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. One major precept of film editing is that, while you can show a scene from different angles, you will disorient viewers if you cross an invisible dividing line; one example is suddenly switching the point of view from a character’s left side to his right. The shot of the bridge is edited to nearly break this rule with the direct intent of disorienting viewers to match the confusion and chaos of the scene unfolding. At 2:50 we are back to present day, as Vanger explains that Harriet couldn’t have left the island without being seen; thus leaving murder as the only reason for her disappearance. At the end of this shot, Vanger’s dialogue from the next scene starts as a voice-over on top of this one, leading the viewer into the following scene. This technique is known as a prelap. Though common, the method often goes unnoticed. “Your brain fills in the gaps,” Wall said. Baxter adds the scene will seem slow if they don’t. 

After a brief scene in the attic, we are at 3:53. The audience sees the train leaving, but Blomkvist isn’t on it. This is the 83rd shot in the sequence; Fincher said, “I wanted to make the sequence move as quickly as it could, but still get the value of something that feels measured.” Contrary to the sequences of Blomkvist, the later sequences with Salander are edited at a speedier tempo. “Her decisions come faster; she’s thinking at a higher level.” As Baxter and Wall put it, editing not only requires intelligence, but it can also create a sense of it onscreen.