Mark Cousins’, The Story of Film: An odyssey provides tremendous insight into the “art” of film.
I am once again leading a study group using Cousins 15 hour documentary series and the accompanying book. This is my fourth time. Each time I go through the material I learn something new. While initially it might seem as a history of film, this work is a special learning tool for understanding and appreciating the technique and artistry not only of the past but in today’s films. Watching episode four alone should be must viewing for every moviegoer. The film elements being used in the 1930s that the episode shows are the core of today’s filmmaking. Among the topics covered are the various uses of sound and in particular music to complement the images, the use of motion capture to create animations, the different types of lens focus and much more. It also covers the techniques of two premier filmmakers, Jean Renoir and Alfred Hitchcock. A mini masterclass.
As we go through the semester I will comment on future episodes/chapters.
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