A film is actually a series of still photographs played in quick succession (24 frames per second is the usual rate in theaters). When watching, the human mind will fill in the short blanks between frames to create the sensation of watching smooth continuous motion — a phenomenon known as persistence of vision.

As such, we have over a century’s worth of films, and wouldn’t you know it, many explore and employ concepts that we as photographers sometimes struggle with.

Yes, we have books, websites, videos and even live classes and workshops dealing with many of these subjects, but film is yet another tool at our disposal. Films can be used to supplement all the other learning material that’s out there.

Plus, it’s an excuse to go watch a movie — just tell your honey that you’re doing “research”. Now, whether or not you can write off the expense of a ticket or rental is up for debate.

In any case, many films can provide technical pointers such as:

• Composition
• Lighting

Others can also provide artistic ideas like:

• Costumes
• Makeup
• Concepts

The purpose of most mainstream films is to convey a story, and a lot of films will have stylistic features that enhance things like:

• Mood
• Emotion
• Tension
• Space

And other films serve mainly as inspiration.

In future posts, we will start exploring specific films and learn how to look for and understand technical and artistic concepts so that you can use them in your photography.

So Stay Tuned!

This film from director Richard Linklater features actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and Jesse and Celine, travelers who meet up on a train to Vienna, and the time they spend chatting and walking throughout the Austrian capital on Jesse’s last night in Europe.

What’s striking about this film is the amazing chemistry between the actors — you really forget they’re acting and, especially in today’s realm of “reality TV”, you find yourself just wanting to know what happens next.

Of course, I’m sure a lot of that also has to do with the excellent writing as well.

This film is refreshing, smart, and interesting.

Yes, it’s a “talking heads” film, but a great one.

Beautifully shot, with a pretty well-written story, King Kong is a very nice “roller-coaster” ride that almost doesn’t feel like the 3 hours and 7 minute length — and that’s a good thing!

The casting is excellent — Jack Black as the showman director Carl Denham, hell-bent on bucking the system, risking lives and limbs to create the ultimate blockbuster, but forgetting human compassion in the process.

Alan Brodie is perfect as the brooding, somewhat idealistic writer Jack Driscoll who turns into the very hero of his script, in his desire to rescue the in-distress damsel…

Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts, is a upstanding, caring actress who gets caught up in things beyond her control. In the end, she is able to establish a connection, a rapport with the giant ape…

Kong, acted, as I understand, by Andy Serkis (who “played” Gollum in the LotR Trilogy).

That said, the computer technology and expertise that exist today give us no excuse to not have top-notch effects AND acting by our computer-generated characters. Thus, Kong is no disappointment in that department. He is a creature with the greatest of mood swings, wild and savage against the predatory T-Rexes that also roam Skull Island, and yet gentle and almost human with his unwilling “consort” Ann, displaying very human-like expressions and gestures. You almost forget he’s not a real gorilla.

The action sequences are what we’ve come to expect after Jackson’s LotR Trilogy, and the Jurassic Park series — packed with action, excitement, and adrenaline-inducing chases, with some terrific creature effects. There are a few “rough” spots in terms of digital effects, for those that know them when they see them, but overall, everything is up to par.

The music is reminiscent of some of the scoring from LotR, which is no surprise since the composer for both is the same: Howard Shore.

All in all, a great addition to the cinematic roller-coaster world of the action/adventure genre.

Check it out if you like that kind of ride.

This film should appeal to fans of Jackie Chan.

Tony Jaa, who plays Ting, brings a breath of fresh air to the martial arts genre, doing all his own stunts, without the use of wires. Thus, everything is “natural”, if you call jumping over cars, through hoops of barbed wire, walking on people’s shoulders, and setting your legs on fire natural.

In any case, the action sequences are quite impressive — it’s also refreshing to see another style of martial arts, the Muay Thai — and the film itself if quite beautifully photographed.

A good sprinkling of humor helps as well.

Check it out on DVD if you’re a fan of the martial arts/action genre.

Effects are mostly top-notch, and include Lord of the Ring-esque battle scenes.

Acting is fine all around, as are costumes, and designs.

The music might be a bit too modern for my taste.

Young Georgie Henley as little Lucy Pevensie really steals the show — she’s quite adorable.

If they make any of the other C.S. Lewis books into films, I’ll be looking forward to them.

Sometimes artists are given a vague concept, with which they can “run with” and come up with inspiring pieces that further develops the storyline.

On the other hand, sometimes a movie script is very fleshed-out, with lots of details, and the artist is asked to visualize what is written.

All in all, it seems to be a very rewarding occupation.

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There’s a narration of the history of this dance, and includes “re-enactments” of sorts — basically dance numbers set in different locales to fit the narration.

Looks pretty good.

God of Gamblers.

Starring Chow Yun Fat and Andy Lau, this Wong Jin-directed film sports a strong plotline. Well, strong for an action movie, that is.

It’s about a gamber (Chow) who’s so good he’s called Du Shen, “gamble god” or translated, “God of Gamblers”. However, he has an accident and loses his memory, and winds up with some small-time gamblers (led by Lau).

Hilarity ensues. Well, not quite.

In any case, the film offers an enjoyable, tight storyline, and features a good amount of fight choreography and cool takes on some games of chance.

This film inspired a number of sequels, starring comedic actor Stephen Chow (of Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle fame).

Check it out.

In a time when more money and time is being poured into visual effects than say…STORY or sympathetic, well-rounded CHARACTERS (played by actors who can ACT), Serenity comes as great relief.

Based on Joss Whedon’s short-lived TV series, Firefly, Serenity recaps the origins of the show, but at the same time is a smart, complete storyline in itself.

Filled with great dialogue, unexpected twists in characters you think you might know, and a strong overall message and tone, Serenity is a film that can be enjoyed by audiences of many different tastes: from the diehard sci-fi fan, to the romantic, to the action/adventurer.

Check it out.