Week 91: Socials Roundup
Posts from 30 Sept - 06 Oct 2024
Week 91 posts include shots from La Chimera (2023); Agatha All Along (2024); Mike Flanagan’s films and shows from Gerald’s Game to The Fall of the House of Usher (2017-current); Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022); and Doctor Who (2005-2022, or 1963-present, depending how you calculate timey-wimey-stuff).
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
This version of Pinocchio uses stop-motion to depict an actual nightmare which would be a logistical nightmare to shoot in live-action.
From a classic "barging double doors open" closeup, a crane shot swings out over a boot camp yard to show children dangling from high ropes and jumping over barbwire - note how the monkey bars look like jail cells.
We return to the window to hear how excited the boys are for this 'elite' experience; nightmares and wars having been sold as excitement and glory.
Mike Flanagan’s Faces
Throughout Spooktober we're looking at shots from Mike Flanagan films and shows.
The Haunting of Hill House poster makes an explicit Face out of house and character
while other shots through his work make more subtle faces out of sets, windows or mirrors often serving as eyes.
In order: The Haunting of Bly Manor, Gerald's Game, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Haunting of Hill House X3
La Chimera
Speaking of faces!
Plenty of long shots and complex camera moves in La Chimera, but also creates a lot with a little - for example this short static shot where a character creates a 'face' by drinking from an antique bowl is fun, symbolic, gorgeous, and surprising all in a simple few seconds.
Doctor Who
Speaking of Doctor Who breaking fourth walls!
The scene from "Utopia" where the Master reassumes his Time Lord-i-ness has Professor Yana / Master (Derek Jacobi) and Chantho (Chipo Chung) staring at each other, and the audience, as they get closer and closer, and the shots move from medium to closeup.
This not only heightens the immediacy and personal feeling of their encounter (which we talk about at length on a whole podcast . . .)
it means when the Master thrusts the electric cable at Chantho, it comes right at *us* in a visceral shower of sparks!
Agatha All Along
Agatha All Along has fun with genres, edits, camera moves, and even 'simple' framing.
Teen (Joe Locke) stands in Agatha's house, positioned so that along with a painting on Agatha's wall, he looks like a tarot card [or Saint painting trading card, pending your preferences] come to life.