Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

News

New film about history of beer in Brooklyn - NY Daily News
A new documentary is taking Brooklyn back to it's beer brewing roots. The
50- minute film "Brewed in Brooklyn" gives beer history buffs a crash
course in ...
<http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/new-film-history-beer-brooklyn-article-1.1248056>
On set--Contributed by FBS grad Robert Mack

Monday, January 28, 2013

Film Crew Slang

Spill- Light that is escaping from the sides of a lighting unit, or any light that is falling where it is not wanted.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Pick of the Week

Classified X (1998)- A documentary tracing the history of stereotypical portrayal of African Americans in the movies. Written and narrated by writer/director/actor Melvin Van Peebles. Van Peebles is best know for his groundbreaking 1971 film "Sweet Sweetback's Bad Asssss Song". Yes, the title is spelled that way. "Sweetback" broke the mold of stereotyped and assimilated black Americans in the cinema. His characters spoke like the people in the streets of the 1970's. They were strong, defiant and sexual. We will get back to that film in another posting. Classified X is entertaining and edged by the delivery of Van Peebles. He also wrote but did not direct this fascinating look into mirror for us all.

Film Crew Slang

Off Book - When an actor has completely memorized their lines and is no longer in need of the script.
Shooting DC3 with C500 Fun Day!-Contributed by Cinematographer James Neihouse

Thursday, January 24, 2013

So many students wonder why they have to study film history.  Well last nights TV viewing was a great example.  For instance, on "Modern Family" there was a christening scene.  The entire scene was played out like the christening scene from, "The Godfather".  Knowing this definitely adds to the overall comedic value of this already great show.  It should be noted that this is not the first time this show has done that either.  A few seasons ago the also paid homage to "Strangers On A Train".  And this is not the only show that does this.  Coincidentally also on TV last night was a show called, "Suburgatory".  In last nights episode that paid homage to "Norma Rae".  Not to mention the endless movie references in such hit shows as "The Simpsons", "Family Guy", "Gossip Girls", etc.  Even the movie, "Sex and The City II" was book ended with scenes from "It Happened One Night".  These generators of TV and motion picture content have obviously studied the masters of cinema and continually draw inspiration from their work, giving the work that came before them great relevance.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Film Crew Slang

FAST:  (Focus, Aperture, Shutter, Tach) The camera assistant's motto. Everything he/she must check on the camera before each shot (Focus, Aperture, Shutter, Tach).


Man there are certainly worse places to work then on the beach in Malibu...
Contributed by FBS Grad Wes Alley

Monday, January 21, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013

Calm before the storm at Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot--Contributed by FBS graduate Brent Martin

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Dialogue Greatness

The Hangover (2009) (Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore)

The boys have a stolen and drugged Bengal Tiger in their hotel room and Doug is missing.
Stu Price (Ed Helms)singing :  
“What do tigers dream of when they take their little tiger snooze? Do they dream of mauling zebras, or Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit? Don’t you worry your pretty striped head, we’re gonna get you back to Tyson and your cozy tiger bed. And then we’re gonna find our best friend Doug, and then we’re gonna give him a best friend hug. Doug, Doug, oh, Doug, Dougie, Dougie, Doug, Doug! But if he’s been murdered by crystal meth tweakers, then we’re sh*t out of luck.”
"More "Jersey Shore Massacre"Pick Ups Contributed by Jay Shropshire

Friend's Pics

Me and my shopping cart rig. Yeah baby .---Posted by Ginzo

Film Crew Slang

Wet Set- Any scene shot in standing water. It could be a flooded basement, sewer, pool...you name it. It doesn't have to be Pirates of the Caribbean 2 or Das Boot to qualify.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Friday, January 11, 2013

Film Crew Slang

Bump: A bump is a one-time pay bonus offered to a crew member for a specialty service performed such as a stunt, operating special equipment or being a Special Business Extra.

Special Business Extra: An extra who has been coached by the director to perform a specific action during a scene. They might be answering a telephone, dropping an item, guarding a door etc. In the credits you will see them listed as Policeman#1 or Man on Phone etc.

Extra: Actors who may walk around or appear in a scene but do not speak on screen. They are background and some may mime speaking.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Pick of the Week

"Perfume"(2006)-The story of a man born with super human olfactory sense. Jean-Baptiste's sense of smell is better than a red bone hound on the hunt for Dexter Morgan. Jean grows up to be a perfume expert seeking the "perfect scent". His search leads to unmentionable depravity.
"Perfume"was directed by Tom Twyker (Run Lola Run, The Princess & the Warrior), perhaps the David Lynch of Europe. His films are worth any aficionado's attention. Kudos to baby Jean-Baptiste in the opening scene. A star performance for sure. That kid must be related to the child in "Trainspotting". Enjoy.

A guy walks onto a film set...

Q: How many Studio Development Executives does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A
: Hmm...first let's talk about the concept behind this whole "light bulb" thing.

Film Crew Slang

Load-in: Hours before the director and stars arrive, the crew (grip, electric, camera, props, etc) unload their equipment trucks and set up mountains of gear for the shoot day. This is known as the Load-in. Guess what happens at the end of the day? That's right, the Load-out.

Dialogue Greatness

"I will be watching you and if I find that you are trying to corrupt my first born child, I will bring you down, baby. I will bring you down to Chinatown!"
Jack Byrnes (Robert DeNiro) in "Meet the Parents" 2000
Trippy mirror----Contributed by FBS Graduate Dan Wilson

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Friend's Pictures

IMAX camera on Libra stabilization head suspended from the boat's on-board crane.
Contributed by cinematographer James Neihouse

Pick of the Week

Bellflower (2011)- Two drinking, smoking college pals build muscle cars & modified weapons hoping that Armageddon happens. Their goal? To rule the roads just like in their all-time favorite film "Mad Max". That's enough for me...I'm in.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Big Words!

The Purkinje Effect- Huh? Don't worry, it's easier to understand than it is to pronounce. In 1819, Johannes von Purkinje discovered an odd effect while walking at dawn one day. He observed that blue flowers appeared brighter than red flowers in the dawn light while in full daylight the red flowers looked brighter. In other words, brightness of light effects how we perceive the brightness of different colors. This is especially true in dim light. This effect is referred to as the Purkinje Effect. A good example is moonlight. The Purkinje Effect fools our brain into thinking moonlight is blue, even though as reflected sunlight, it is the same color as daylight. Notice that most night scenes in movies are blueish tinted to create a "nighttime" effect.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Film Crew Slang

First Team- When the Director of Photography is finished lighting for a shot he will inform the Assistant Director (A.D.). The A.D. will then call for first team (the lead actors) to come to set. First team will replace 2nd Team (stand-ins) who have been on the actors marks while lighting was taking place.

Friend's Pics

Contributed by FBS Grad Brian Reulke w/ Michael Weber

Keep working

Congratulations to JOHN MCKERROW of Naples, Fl. for booking a nice V.O. & Emcee project. Prior John has booked CO-STAR roles on "MAGIC CITY" & "BURN NOTICE" thanks to LORI of LORI WYMAN CASTING WYMAN. John can also be seen soon on stage in the lead role of Shakespeare's classic. "Taming of the Shrew" as seen here getting his hair pulled! For tickets, go to www.sipnaples.org

Friends Pics

Chilling with great friends & Gypsy Poets on the neighborhood backyard stage! lol---Contributed by Swany Swan

Film Crew Slang

Basher- East Coast crew slang for an Eyelight, a small camera mounted light that is used to add a little sparkle to an actor's eyes or face. Also known as an Obie.