Med 6

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Auteur Theory
Tim Burton http://www.timburtoncollective.com/

The roots of his creative genius lie in the obvious: the work of stop-motion animation pioneer Ray Harryhausen and the Hammer Horror films starring such cinematic legends as Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, to schlock-y matinee escapades featuring Vincent Price, and the not so obvious: from the early works of Walt Disney to the films of cinematic auteur Federico Fellini. Unlike some filmmakers who merely to steal from the greats, Burton uses his inspirations more as a canvas onto which he creates his incredible sights for all to behold.
Much like Walt Disney, Burton respects both the adult and child audience that goes to his pictures by telling a story that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. He gives us something old, something familiar, and something completely unexpected.

A few of his trademarks: - Frequently uses the name Edward
- Visual style and themes heavily influenced by Gothic horror films of the twenties and thirties, especially those of
James Whale and F.W. Murnau, along with the films of German Expressionism. The illustrations of Edward Gorey are another major influence.
- Frequently shows dead dogs, clowns, sheep, twisted trees, jack-o'-lanterns, scarecrows, butterflies, and redheads in his films.
- His films frequently have dinner table scenes.
- His films often have
gothic subtexts.
- Personalizes the
production logo in the beginning of his films.
- Opening credits usually utilize a
tracking shot. They also tend to go either on, through, or into something.
- His long standing collaboration with
Danny Elfman, who scored all his films since Pee-wee's Big Adventure,
- He often uses an uplifting ending theme for his theatrical trailers by
Danny Elfman but is never used for the films.
- His artwork, and lots of his films are notoriously influenced by the artist
Edward Gorey, and his pen and ink drawings.
- Often uses
shadows for a scary, ominous effect.
- His main characters tend to be outsiders, and are usually shy, with a pale complexion and unruly black hair, similar to his own.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Burton

Repeated actors: Johnny Depp
Jeffrey Jones
Michael Keaton
Martin Landau
Lisa Marie
Jack Nicholson
Christopher Walken
Newest additions: Lisa Marie and Glenn Shadix

Films: BELIEVE IT OR NOT (postponed)
SWEENEY TODD (2008)

CORPSE BRIDE (2005)
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005)
BIG FISH (2003)PLANET OF THE APES (2001)
SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)
MARS ATTACKS! (1996)
ED WOOD (1994)
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
BATMAN RETURNS (1992)
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990)
BATMAN (1989)
BEETLEJUICE (1988)
PEE-WEE's BIG ADVENTURE (1985)
Four C's

Its hard to say that you fall under only one of the characteristsics. I see myself as a mainstreamer as i buy brands like coca-cola, watch mainstream telly like Eastenders and even listen to mainstream radio, Radio1. I'm not much of an aspirer, you might catch me wearing some high status brand, maybe. Succeeder isn't for me, not just yet. I feel that sometimes i am a reformer trying to buy animal friendly products and fair trade.




Sunday, September 17, 2006

Students given free MP3 players
College students are to be given free iPods so they can catch up on missed lectures in their own time.

Free iPods probably won't be coming to our sixth form anytime soon, but South Kent College in Dover has invested £25,000 in 250iPod Nano's (not even the classic iPod...or even the shuffle...but that NANO!!) so that students can catch up with missed lectures.

Personally i think its not a bad idea, now days everyone owns an iPod or any sort of MP3 player and new media is the way forward what with all the myspaces, online blogs etc etc. On the other hand you're probably likely to get robbed for your iPod and someone will have your lecture as well as your music playlist!
And then there is also the point that if it is sucessful, lessons in a classroom wont be so popular and asking questions about the work would be harder, infact you probably wouldnt need to go to school! it would be like greenford high having its own podcast! and then you could just email your homework to your teacher! and you'll spend most of your life sitting infront of a computer with your iPod in one hand and typing with the other!
Maybe it wont become that popular and turn into that....i don't know


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5319258.stm