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Posts Tagged ‘close-ups’

  1. Slow Motion Shots

    February 10, 2014 by lpaters5@uoregon.edu

    After seeing how cool the FS-700 is concerning the slow motion options, this music video demonstrates some scenes in which slow motion is appropriately used for creative effect. There are a variety of shots in which paper cranes are flying, whether off a ledge, in the little boy’s hand or in the wind, and I imagine they were all different speeds when they were shot. This music video showcases how in post, we can slow down the rhythm of all the shots to match what we’re making.

    I also worry about location a lot, whether the logistics of permission or of something not being “beautiful” enough of a location to shoot, but this video also shows how artistically interesting an abandoned building filled with piles of forgotten waste can actually be. There are so many close-up detail shots that bring you in to the intimacy of exploring the space, and the lighting is very well done. All in all I think this piece shows that when done right, slow motion can really be a magical effect.

    Hammock – Breathturn from David Altobelli on Vimeo.

    Category Winter Week 6 | Tags: ,,, | 2 Comments

  2. NY Times Op-Doc | Rural Poverty in America’s Heartland

    February 4, 2014 by lpaters5@uoregon.edu

    I included the description in the title of this post because I think it’s really beautifully said. Although it’s called Sarah’s Uncertain Path, the description is; “Profiling a pregnant teenager in Missouri, this short documentary provides a window into rural poverty in America’s heartland.” Short, sweet, enticing, heartbreaking, and to the point in one sentence. A great example of how to entice people to view your work in only a few words – something we are all working on.

    This piece in particular has been getting a lot of social media conversation, so I wanted to see what the buzz was all about. Also, I use the word heartbreaking because I definitely cried during this piece. It’s so beautifully composed, with intimate close-up shots of the families and beautiful lighting streaming through the panels of the old barn and the rural landscapes, not to mention the lovely use of sunset light at the end. What struck me most of all was the unspoken message of hope despite all odds. These sweet children with few possessions were making the most of their situation by playing the broken down piano, twirling each other around on a makeshift swing, lost in childhood and blissfully unaware of how set back they’ll be by so many of their peers living in bigger homes, with more money, and therefore more opportunities.

    The documentary really peeks after we’ve met this family, been shown around and let in to the little corners of their lives, and we hear Sarah talking about her dreams for the future. Simple dreams, to have her own house and car, maybe go to college, maybe have a pool. Why is that so hard for someone like Sarah, or any of us, to achieve? As the character of this piece, Sarah paints an emotionally powerful picture of the “American Dream” that is slipping further from reality for all of us, as a pregnant 15-year-old in a broken down house in Missouri, still filled with endearing hope that her dream is just out of reach.

    Category Winter Week 5 | Tags: ,,,, | 1 Comment

  3. TREASURE

    January 14, 2014 by lpaters5@uoregon.edu

    I’m really happy to see a lot of people posting creative ideas on how to feature aspects of the past while producing multimedia journalism pieces. To add another to the mix, this Vimeo Staff Pick is titled Treasure, and features an adorable old man named Tom Clark whose insatiable appetite for treasure hunting has kept him searching into his golden years.

    What I notice about many of the pieces we’re posting is that filmmakers seem keen to recreate scenes or actions of their subjects doing the activity that they may have old photographs or footage of. I don’t really think it counts as staging as it seems to be just a more controlled version of what subjects are currently doing as their hobby anyway, as is the case with this piece, and I think it can really help us visually link the past to the present.

    This piece has so much going for it in terms of creative flashbacks. There are quick shots of Clark doing his “detecting” in between other quick shots of a black and white photos of him in his youth. Since we’ll be looking into incorporating older artifacts as well as pictures for our Reporting Story assignments, another visual element that I think is valuable is the shot by shot montage of a multitude of the treasures he’s found over the years. Most are simple items and while they’re still interesting, it’s a very creative way to showcase his immense findings in a short amount of time. There are many close-up shots of his hands, the shovel, and the little trinkets, all of which let us in close to this interesting world of treasure hunting.

    TREASURE (03.00) from Oliver Murray on Vimeo.

    Category Winter Week 2 | Tags: ,,, | 2 Comments

  4. Close-ups | Glósóli

    November 13, 2013 by lpaters5@uoregon.edu

    I know I haven’t been the first to post a Sigur Ros music video, but this has always been one of my favorites. This is a story without words as the only sound used is the music, and it features mostly tight and super tight close-up shots on faces as well as detail shots on buttons, shoes, and the environment. I think it’s a very beautiful and creative use of the environment of Iceland, as there are many natural springs that give off steam and tall grass that looks lovely close-up or far away. The costumes of the children have a naturalistic element that makes you think they might just be wild children, wandering the plains of Iceland.

    The lighting is also remarkable considering the entire video is shot outdoors. It seems to be nearing sunset when the video starts and it is dawn towards the end, but you are able to tell due to the contrasting color change which seems to work well. While the majority of the shots are close-ups and only occasionally medium or long, there is an extreme long shot at the end that is absolutely magical. There isn’t much of a narrative model as we are simply on a journey with the mysterious wandering children, wondering where they are going, but the last few shots answer our question and make it completely worthwhile. All in all, it’s an ethereal piece of cinematic work.

    Sigur Rós – Glósóli from Arni & Kinski on Vimeo.

    Category Week 7 | Tags: ,,,,, | No Comments

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