Ridley Scott Response Post (due 4.9.18)

Ridley Scott has over 100 television and film production credits; he’s produced nearly 2,000 commercials and has 25 feature films to his credit. At 80 years old, he’s still going strong producing Oscar-nominated work and performances as recent as this year’s award’s season (2017-18).

Explore the biography on our website, the audio & videos listed here, and examine the timeline of his work below.

After taking in all the materials address the following questions and post your responses to four of the questions by Monday, April 9.

Here –  Sir Ridley Scott explores a visual & audio journey of his filmmaking journey with a timeline of Scott-Cinema … Ridley Scott says there is no “One way to make a movie, no director’s cheat sheet.”

In this podcast interview – Sir Ridley Scott Sir discusses his career, gives advice to aspiring directors and lets us know what he looks for in a script.

 

 

If you would rather read the script to this dialogue, it is available here: http://www.bafta.org/media-centre/transcripts/bafta-a-life-in-pictures-sir-ridley-scott

Here -2018 BAFTA Fellowship recipient Ridley Scott talks about making his way from directing commercials to sci-fi blockbusters like Alien, Blade Runner and The Martian.

 

 

As a reminder: Post your responses to four of these questions by Monday, April 9 (11:59 pm).

1. After reading his biography on our webpage, why do you feel his family’s influence has continued to impact his life in the entertainment industry?
2. What are the most impactful lessons Scott shared about filmmaking (that you can apply to life). If you select this, you should post something different from other students.
3. Looking at the actors/actresses he’s had an impact on (within launching careers or providing opportunities) over the years, which filmmaker(s) gained the most from those opportunities. Explain and defend.
4. Scott has become a trailblazer in Sci-Fi, why did he say that he’s drawn to those stories – and how did they impact the film industry? Explain.
5. Now in his 80^th year, Scott isn’t slowing down. After listening to his interview or watching the interview segments, what are his secrets to continued success?
6. What intrigued or surprised you the most about Ridley Scott’s life, films or impact on cinema?
7. Scott has directed sci-fi, drama, action films, biopics & period films – based on the research provided here – how do you feel he’s been able to find success in multiple genres? Explain and defend.

Sandra Bullock: Response Post

Read the Sandra Bullock biography on our site and watch the video below. This response post is due March 21, 2018 (11:59 pm):

Answer three of the following questions:

1. What have been the greatest challenges for Sandra Bullock’s success?
2. What films do you feel were the breakthrough films for Bullock (in being recognized by critics)? Explain.
3. What was the most fascinating thing about Bullock you learned from the written biography or video?
4. Bullock talks about “giving back” – what can you learn from the examples she shared?
5. Bullock developed an understanding of producing – how has that helped her?
6. Why/how has Bullock been able to stretch genres (comedy, drama, action, sci-fi)? Explain.

Tom Hanks: Hollywood’s Most Trusted

(Response due March 21 by 11:59 pm).

Filmmakers love working with Tom Hanks; critics appreciate his work, and adult audiences love his dedication to real-life (and engaging) roles, while children love to laugh with him and his adventures as a lovable cowboy (in the Toy Story film series).

He is likable, trusted and can do comedy, adventure & drama. Read this biography linked on the Biography Channel website. You’ll find it is updated to include his newly announced role starring as children’s TV show host, Mr. Fred Rogers. 

He began his entertainment career in stand-up comedy & TV sitcoms, and most would have never predicted at that time, he move on to Oscar gold. Explore is early life here:

In this video – Tom Hanks shares is love of film, and life (and others chime in on Hollywood’s most trusted leading man.

Engage in these videos and Biography Channel reading and address three of the following questions:

1. What did you find most interesting about Tom Hanks’ early life? Why?
2. What surprised you to most about Hanks’ approach to acting? Explain.
3. What do you feel is the secret to Tom Hanks’ success? Why?
4. Why do you feel that Tom Hanks has been able to appeal to multiple generations to audiences since 1984? Explain.
5. Why has Tom Hanks been able to find success in multiple role types? Explain.

 

Stephen King Response Post (due 3.5.18)

 

 

Stephen King response post (due 3.5.18 by 11:59 pm) : Read the article on our site: Stephen King: Grandmaster of Horror and watch the 13 minute interview with King exploring the “Top 10 Rules for Success.”

Questions and thoughts to consider when examining Stephen King: the influence of his family background, locations on his storytelling, why fear matters, themes that impact readers, what it means to explore terror.

Assignment: List two to three items that you found interesting or unique about Stephen King’s through his biography and his approach to writing. Why did it interest you? Make sure that you post something original and are not rehashing what another student has already posted (unless you can approach your response in a different manner).

Tim Burton Response Post (3.05.18 due)

TIM BURTON response post (due 3.5.18 by 11:59 pm) : Read Tim Burton: Legend of Darkness (on our class site), and watch the BAFTA documentary Tim Burton: A Life in Pictures.

Questions and thoughts to consider when examining Tim Burton: the influence of family background on his storytelling, the Disney opportunity, why darkness can be a friend, why understanding the importance of being an outsider matters, when art –set design- character costume and make up become fluid and serve as a singular thing, when to walk away from a project and when to stay, how dark is too dark.

Assignment: List two to three items that you found interesting or unique about Tim Burton, his style, his history, or his approach to filmmaking. Why did it interest you? Make sure that you post something original and are not rehashing what another student has already posted (unless you can approach your response in a different manner).

 

Respond to the post on the reply/response section at the bottom of the page.

Daniel Day Lewis Response Post (due Feb. 26)

Daniel Day Lewis is one of the most critically-acclaimed actors of all time, especially when you evaluate his body of work. Since his breakthrough film in 1990s Oscar-winning “My Left Foot”, Daniel Day Lewis has been nominated for six Academy Awards, seven British Academy Awards, and nine Golden Globes. He’s accumulated nine wins from those prestigious organizations collectively. This is even more impressive when you realize that Daniel Day Lewis has made less than 20 serious films.

Daniel Day Lewis is known for committing physically, mentally and artistically to roles; he takes on a multitude of accents; he loves to work with directors Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson

and Jim Sheridan; he appreciates roles of historical significance, and he takes his time choosing just the right film … one in which he can always totally engage his entire self (physically and emotionally).

This video is a wonderful retrospective of highlights from some of Daniel Day Lewis’ greatest performances.

Read this Daniel Day Lewis biography and watch Daniel discuss filmmaking here on Movies 101 (60 minute in depth interview). Watch at least two of the following interview segments, but I’d encourage you to take them time to watch each segment. DDL is truly a fascinating talent.

Interview with DDL Part 1:

Interview with DDL Part 2:

Interview with DDL Part 3:

Interview with DDL Part 4:

Interview with DDL Part 5:

 

Response Questions: After reading the biography and watching the videos, address four of the following questions and respond by 11:59 pm on Feb. 26:

1. What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
2. Why does Daniel Day Lewis choose such challenging roles? What do you feel that can teach you about life (and the choices you make)?
3. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
4. Talk about how Day Lewis’ approach to acting works for him (this should come from the reading, interview and your own perspective)?
5. Compare similarities to Day Lewis and any other filmmaker you’ve studied this semester.
6. What do you feel is the secret to Day Lewis’ success? Explain.
7. Why do you feel that Daniel Day Lewis has continued to find such meaty roles (and dominate the acting landscape with each performance)? 

Cameron Crowe Response Post (due 2.19.18)

ONLINE POST DUE: Feb. 19 at 11:59pm:

Please read the following biography links and watch the interview links relating to Cameron Crowe’s first Oscar win and his director’s commentary on the film “Almost Famous.” You also have two film critics reflecting on the life and film’s of Crowe. Answer any two of the following questions:

1. What did you find most interesting about the life of Cameron Crowe? Why?
2. Two part question – What was most interesting about his “Almost Famous” experiences  A. His Oscar win B. the real-story behind the story?

3. Where does Crowe find inspiration for his stories. How can that help you when writing, exploring, or sharing your life with others?

4. Compare Crowe to any other filmmaker we’ve explored and share similarities you find in filmmaking, directing or writing.

5. How has Crowe’s love of music continued to shine through his films. Give examples.

6. Crowe’s life has been filled with much more than feature filmmaking. He’s also been a journalist and documentary producer. How do those three things connect, and how can they complement each other? Give examples from the readings or videos.

7. Based on his body of work, where do you feel that Crowe is at his best? Where do you think “he feels” he is at his best? Explain.

9. Crowe has not always found success at the box-office (or with critics) -what motivates him forward when success doesn’t allow. Explain.

Cameron Crowe – Entertainment Journalist at 16

Cameron Crowe: The Crazy Life of Opportunities

Cameron Crowe talks about winning an Oscar:

Cameron

Crowe talks about the Oscar-winning film “Almost Famous”

Film Critics talk about Cameron Crowe, his life and his films (Profiles with Malone and Mantz)

 

John Hughes Response Post (2.19.18 due)

Response Post due by Feb. 19 (11:59 pm): John Hughes

Read the article on our website “John Hughes: Forever Young” and watch the 7 minute interview with John Hughes from the Texas Archive: The Roy Faires Collection. Then address two (2) of the following questions. Everyone should try to address a question that hasn’t already been answered first.

1. Compare John Hughes approach to writing with that of another filmmaker we’ve explored. Offer examples.
2. Compare John Hughes approach to music with that of another filmmaker we’ve explored. Offer examples.
3. Based on the reading and the interview, why do you feel that John Hughes is more interested in character than in the overall visual appeal of filmmaking?
4. Compare John Hughes to Cameron Crowe and explore their similarities.
5. How does John Hughes approach to character study and casting compare to other filmmakers we’ve explored?
6. Why do you feel that Hughes was able to find such success? Give examples.
7. What was most interesting to you about John Hughes and his path to success? Why?
8. No one who understood filmmaking and the teen experience was more connected to both in the 80s like John Hughes. Why was it so important for him (and his stories) to shine during that time in history? And even now?
9. Compare John Hughes overall filmmaking style/approach to any other filmmaker we’ve explored this semester.
10. Why is dialogue so important to John Hughes? And how do you feel he was able to master it?

Clint Eastwood Response Post (2.12.18 11:59 pm deadline)

Clint Eastwood (87 years old) has lived a pretty crazy life on film and television. He’s been a gunslinger, gangster, dirty cop, crusty old boxing trainer, and war-time soldier. He’s acted, written, produced and even directed Oscar-winners. After nearly six decades in the business, he shows no signs of slowing down. In 2016, Eastwood directed the critically acclaimed “Sully”, and this year he’s released “The 15:17 to Paris” starring real-life figures portraying themselves.

Read the Clint Eastwood biography here (and watch the mini-documentary on that page as well), then watch the interviews below.

Clint Eastwood talks to BBC journalist, Michael Parkinson about his switch between acting and directing, and what drives him to make films. This video clip is from the popular British talk show ‘Parkinson’.

Clint Eastwood dropped by to chat with Ellen here in this clip. He told Ellen what keeps him making incredible movies year after year, then shared his work rescuing animals.

Address any three of the following questions and post by 11:59 pm on Feb. 12:

un frisson dans la nuit play misty for me 1971 real clint eastwood clint eastwood jessica walter COLLECTION CHRISTOPHEL

1. After more than 60+ years in the business, what are some of the things you can learn from Eastwood about perseverance?
2. What interests you the most about his varied career? Explain.
3. Compare Eastwood’s path and life to another filmmaker (we’ve explored) with similarities.
4. How does Eastwood manage the balance between directing, producing and acting? Do you think that you can relate to any aspect of that in your life? Explain.
5. After watching the interviews, share your thoughts on his personality (positive or negative).
6. Eastwood has been an audience and a critic fave for his work ethic, and yet many times he will actually shoot rehearsals (and put those takes in a final cut of the film), and he provides a certain amount of freedom for his cast. How do the two of these find balance in filmmaking for Eastwood? Explain. 

Response post due (Monday, 1.29.18 by 11:59 pm)

Please take in the following article and videos (on Woody Allen, story & character). Also read the article on “The Race that is Oscar” and then address the questions:

• Read the article on our website about Woody Allen.

• Watch the short documentary of “Woody Allen: Reinvents the Romantic Comedy”, (6:00 minutes)

• Watch “How to Introduce a Character: Woody Allen Style,” (7:53)

• Watch Screenwriter Andrew Stanton (Toy Story, Wall-E, Finding Nemo, A Bugs Life, Finding Dory) talks about “The Clues to Great Story” (18:12)

• Watch “How To Make The Audience Care About Your Characters by John Truby,” (2:52)

• Watch first (1:27) of “The Art and Craft of Dialogue Writing” with Karl Iglesias.”

 

Address the following questions and respond in the reply/respond section at the bottom (pleas try to offer something different from other students):

1. What do you find most interesting or intriguing about Woody Allen? Explain why.
2. After watching the videos on story, character and dialogue –   offer two to three points you feel are most worthy in understanding the “power of story” or the “importance of character.” Defend your answers.
3. What did you find most interesting about the impact of Awards from “The Race that is Oscar” article? Why?Or, what new knowledge did you gain about the impact of awards?

 

1.23.18