Arts & Life

I was excited to see the Stanley Kubrick retrospective not only because I like his films, but because I knew examining his work from an art perspective would be really interesting. The composition in his films is so strong, I think many frames from his films could be an exhibit all on their own. That’s why the beginning was especially interesting. It showed Kubrick’s background as a photographer working for Look magazine. Composing images must have been an innate gift for Kubrick. Even as a teen, his photos were really strong. The intro also displayed cameras Kubrick preferred, both as a photographer and filmmaker.

One of the standouts was the 2001: A Space Odyssey segment. Just saying attendees get to see what went into making Kubrick’s greatest visionary achievement is an understatement. Looking at the set blueprints, custom-made futuristic props, set models and costume designs–we see how Kubrick and his team created an entirely new futuristic world.

All of which took its toll on the director.

Another highlight for me was seeing production elements from The Shining. This film still scares me and I have to admit I was a little unnerved just being around the costumes, designs and models. The exhibit really does capture the unsettling mood of the film.

Here are a few more shots from the exhibit, but I don’t want to give too much away. There is plenty more to see and you should definitely check it out!

This costume needs no explanation, the image has become iconic.

A bit about the presence of red in Kubrick’s films.

A model of the war room from Dr. Strangelove.

Find out more on LACMA’s website.

Yesterday I had a breakthrough. I stumbled upon an old podcast from RadioLab called “Me, Myself, and Muse.” In this episode,  Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert describes how her approach to the creative process completely changed after she interviewed Tom Waits, who had a unique take on where inspiration comes from. She discussed how it’s something that exists outside you and even something to be bargained with. I think listening to this is not only inspirational, but a huge relief. If you stop thinking of inspiration as strokes of brilliance that have to come out you..a whole lot of pressure is lifted! Check it out here

While we are talking about wise words from radio shows, check out This American Life host Ira Glass discussing storytelling along to some very well done motion graphics and typography.

Would-be filmmakers often get discouraged by everything that goes into making a movie. You can’t just sit down and do it, like drawing or writing. With actors, locations, props and equipment….it becomes a complicated and expensive passion.  But UK filmmakers Tom Jenkins and Simon Sharp, aka The Theory, have bypassed these issues in brilliant ways. In the two short films below, they have managed to create emotion and compelling action just using toys, google street view, video projectors and dynamic editing. Their resourcefulness has paid off big time. After their short films becoming viral hits this year, it was announced in October that Jenkins and Sharp will make the move into feature films. The two are directing Giants, a sci-fi film for Sony. Watching their work is a good reminder to keep creating even when short on resources.

In Address is Approximate, a lonely desk toy uses Google Street View to escape the office and take a journey through the Pacific Northwest. It reinforces the message of not being held back by your limitations.

And in Speed of Light aka The World’s Tiniest Police Chase, toys and clever use of projectors make action sequences reminiscent of big budget films.

Check out more on their website