Thomas Fosdick - Film Technique

 

Bunny: 

In this animated short, Blue Sky Studios does a fantastic job of presenting a charming yet uncomfortable sequence about death and the afterlife. The use of lighting and grain make for an intimate combination. When the short begins, the Bunny (who is the main character) notices a bug flying into a light she has on outside. She is an old bunny and it's clear that she's near the end of her life so when the light is introduced at the end when she climbs into the oven, it's clear she makes her way into the afterlife. The granular nature of the film adds an old, worm (and warm) feel to the short. At times this effect can provide a cozy feeling, other times an otherworldly one.   

Harold and Maude: 

This film does an excellent job of using close and far imagery to make parallels and convey deeper emotion. The first instance is when Maude and Harold are in a graveyard that has white flowers all around. The scene starts zoomed out on a large area of white flowers. It then zooms in on them talking about life with only the flowers in view. At first, one thinks that all of the flowers are the same but Maude points out that each one is different in its own way. The camera zooms out and shows the tombstones that are the same white as the flowers. This gives an incredible parallel to what Maude was explaining to Harold.

Northfork:

This film uses a very grey color pallet to tell a story of a 1950's town of the same name. The most impressive scene occurs on a snowy day when a father and son evacuation team arrives at a house that was split in two. The son explores one side while the father explores the other in the search of the owner. When they both get to the top floor they look at each other but there is a barrier of falling snow. The scene is incredible as the son urges the father to jump to the other side. He almost falls in between and then sees angles. These angles keep the theme of a pale and grey color pallet.  

Paris, Texas:

This film uses various forms of travel to convey its message of searching for some meaning in suffering and communication. Throughout the film, the camera pans over large freeways, winding roads, and communication lines that seem to stretch on forever. A feeling of loneliness while surrounded by people comes over the viewer in an excellent way. The film keeps this theme at the climax when Travis finally meets with his former wife but the line of communication is partially broken here as well. 

Pink Floyd, The Wall:

This icon rock film follows the life of a British boy whose father was killed in WWII. It covers his life as he slowly loses his mind and becomes a neo-nazi. The film does an excellent job of combining animation and real-life to give a surreal experience to the narrative. The animation parallels the life of this man as he is indoctrinated into British society in a way very reminiscent of the enemy Britain just fought.  

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