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.

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

Dad?-- Contributed by FBS graduate Dan Abbot

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

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.

Contributed by FBS Graduate Jay Shropshire

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.

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

Film Terms

Underscore- Music that provides atmospheric or emotional background to the dialogue on screen.

Contributed by FBS grad Jay Shropshire

And the nominees are...

American Society of Cinematographers 2012 Film Nominations

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.