August | 2017 | Michael Firus

Final Project Idea development: further consolidation

As time progresses and more thought is given to this studio’s final project, I have set a course for the exploration of how the environment can create meaning and aesthetic beauty; I will also explore ways in which acting can formulate a scenario that can impart understanding to the audience regarding it’s context and motivation….

Final Project Idea development: Looking at Picnic at Hanging Rock

In order to explore my idea further for the final project, it seems pertinent to examine a film with similar technique to that which I want to achieve: Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir 1975) Much theory surrounds Weirs construction of the film, but the concepts I am beginning to apply to my own work…

Assessment 2 – Scene analysis: The Grand Budapest Hotel: Society Of The Crossed Keys

Immediately apparent in this scene from Wes Anderson’s 2014 comedy film is the way in which the director structures the mise en scene. Symmetry is favoured by Anderson, and this is often achieved through the use his sets. For example, all the reception desks of the various hotels essentially follow the same design principle. This…

Assessment 2 – Reflection 1 – “Lenny”

The “Lenny” script was one that we looked at very early in the studio. Indeed, this media artifact was the first one I had ever filmed with the Sony news gathering-type cameras that we now use regularly. For this reason, the creation of the following sequence was done with the aim of beginning the process…

Assessment 2 – Reflection 2 – “Action exercise”

Another exercise undertaken at the beginning of the course, this task involved the simple parameters of a 30-second length, a static camera, and supporting documentation. With such an open prompt, I decided to feature something about me. The subject in question was my practice of making short documentaries about people I find interesting. These people…

Final Project Idea development: Conception

As I begin to formulate a concept for my final project, I recall an art session that took place during my primary school years. During the session, we were advised to create an artwork inspired by the Australian painter: Frederick McCubbin. The painting our teacher showed us as reference was McCubbins 1886 work: ‘Lost’ These…