MARTIN SCORSESE 

I have always been an admirer of Scorsese films, particularly the way in which the subject matter is presented in a raw, emotional way. When you watch a Scorsese film, there is something of this state that makes the audience just know who made it. The documentaries of Scorsese, I find extremely compelling as have all different ways of approach to a subject matter. For instance, George Harrison: Living in The Material World presents the life of George Harrison in a traditional unobserved manner which differs to the more sentimental style of Italianamerican where Scorsese documents his parents. When watching the two, I found myself inspired by the way such documentaries had a theatrical feeling when portraying the information. Many documentaries don’t feel like your watching something spectacular but when I watched these film it feels more like a movie. I must try to get this feeling across in my own project.

 

                            George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)

 

The editing is well constructed in this particular film and this pushes the narrative of the piece forward. I have already found out that the post production of this project is something important I must focus on.

Italianamerican (1974)

This film presents a more personal ‘home movie’ feel with Scorsese himself getting involved in the process of interviewing both his parents about there backgrounds and lives together. It was nice to see such a master of film in a more sentimental way.

DZLIGA VERTOV- Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Completely different to the work of Martin Scorsese, The Man with a Movie Camera is a pre war movie, which uses both film and photography to depict the political message that Vertov subtly presents. The Russian filmmaker uses a way of montage to present this propaganda piece, displaying an avant guarde style. The use of the eye is symbolic of power amongst other things but that is not what interests me about this film. It is the use of pure black and white film that presents an extremely raw                                                                                           and truthful account of the events during                                                                                             this time. Many documentaries now a days use high quality cameras and tend to be in colour.  Therefore, it is an experience to see another medium is being used. As part of my own project I might consider the way in which I portray the subject matter as well as the technology/equipment/medium I am going to use.

 

 

 WOODY ALLEN- A Documentary (2012)

Woody Allen has always been a huge inspiration to me as both filmmaker and comedian. His ability to take a small situation and build upon it has everyone in stitches. What is so fascinating about this documentary is that the audience get to glance at the seemingly darker side of the man, highlighting is styles as a filmmaker alongside looks into the man himself. Many often say that comedy doesn’t just appear and usually it is rooted into someone with a strong, emotional life. This documentary uses a varied response to interviews, with both Allen himself and friends etc. in order to tell the audience about the subject and give them more of information. The cinematography of this film is stunning and has greatly inspired me to consider lighting and the look of my own short film.

I just occurred to me whilst watching this documentary that I need to consider a title scene as filmmakers such as Allan and Scorsese tend to come up with new, artist ways of presenting such information.

KEVIN HART- Let Me Explain (2013)

This documentary records the journey and lifestyle of  comedian Kevin Hart whilst on tour. He describes the way in which comedy is viewed by a westernised society along with the attitudes towards a black comedian. His wild look on life masks a more hardworking side to his nature which is evident here. The cameraman and crew take an unobserved position, allowing the audience to see the daily routines the comedian must face in order for this tour to become a success. It looks at how pleasing people isn’t just about telling a joke or to but hitting on the reality of life and being able to see a bigger side.  This documentary in one sense is more inspirational to me because of the nature of the subject matter. I see here how to conduct an interview properly with a comedian and now understand more about the work of such a talented man. A documentary after all must inform the audience, which is what I intend to do when produce my own work.

JAMES MARSH- Man On Wire (2008)

This documentary film directed by Marsh pinpoints the tightrope artist Philippe Petit’s daring high wire routine performed between NYC’s World Trade Centre towers in 1974. This tense, thrilling documentary presents the trials and tribulations of this artists in a highly emotional way. When watching the piece, I felt almost guilty for watching as Marsh presents the subject from an criminal documentary kind of way. Perhaps the director was pointing and judging this illegal artistic performance but my emotions were heighten which only can be attributed to the concise, edgy way in which the film was put together. Like many points of research before, I found the use of raw footage and interviews highly engaging and something I want to achieve in my own work.  The use of soundtrack also added to the intensity and is something I need to look into in my own work. Between the recent film The Walk, which is also well stylized and directed, I think the documentary has the audience travelling an emotional ride. Perhaps, considering the audience’s reaction to my work is needed.