The High Price of Progress

From December 2008 American Cinematography

Archival footage is mixed with this film, not exactly matching, on purpose. The shot decisions made to film Milk were exquisite, the lighting and continuation of the period add to it. It was purposefully kept shot in neutral tones, to avoid a feeling of nostalgia (see my Milk review about how Van Sant keeps his actors at arms link). What I though was cool was that the shop they filmed in was the actual store font of Castro Camera. The lighting that went into the kitchen scenes, where Milk speaks into taperecoder, used the single light that was typical of this time, but crafted to give the perfect lighting.

Sancutary Process

The new sci-fi show Sanctuary doesn't use sets. Actors work in front of a green screen then the sets, like the fortress in Sanctuary, to apartment interiors, are all added in. This was kept when it reached network, but it needed reshooting for the higher resolution of television.

Screenwriting- "Can Films Make A Difference"

"Writing Consciousness-Raising Stories" - Catherine Ann Jones
Student Filmmakers July 2008

In 1994 Quentin Tarantino's film Natural Born Killers, a satirical crime film, the main couple murders about 50 people "for the great sex after". The week it opened, a couple in the Midwest recreated the film's premise. When they were arrested, they gave the names of the characters. This shows the dark side of film, but there is also the story that provides a carthatic release for the viewer. The trick is to finding the balance in it I believe.

Lighting Your Subject's Face for Most Flattering or Most Dramatic Effect

The reason behind good lighting is professionalism. The most effective lighting accentuates the performer and the performance. To do this, move lighting around the subject in order to find the ideal height and position, key lighting should falls on the side of the face furthest from the camera.