Tillary Does Photography – Sleepy Hollow: Lighting and Atmosphere

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Denise

Oh my god. This piece is so well done. Tillary manages to pinpoint the beauty and awesomeness of films and TV that you kinda knew but didn’t understand. Well done.

Now go read the blog, dammit. And don’t miss her look at Hannibal.

Taylor Cleland's avatarTillary does Photo graphy.

sexy crane

I would be lying through my teeth if I said I hadn’t been secretly giddy for Fox’s new fall drama, Sleepy Hollow, since I first saw the teaser this past spring. To be honest, it looked kind of ridiculous and cheesy (which is part of why I was so excited–I love a good whimsical show) but something about it genuinely caught my attention. And I wasn’t disappointed.

This show is BEAUTIFUL. But when I did my second watch, I was having trouble putting my finger on why: it doesn’t have the edgy and stylistic control that Hannibal had. Really, the shots themselves aren’t that varied or non-traditional: opening shots showing us just where we are, medium shots of characters talking and doing things with the background either fairly in focus or previously established, and close ups only after knowing where we are and what’s going on.

On the surface…

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Justin Bieber’s arrest. Because I can’t help myself.

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Denise
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Smile and say "nobody's ever gonna let me forget this"!

Poor kid. Fame gets to everyone. One day you’re peeing into a mop bucket, the next you’re getting sent downtown by the po-po for drag racing.

Honestly? I’m hoping this is a hiccup for the guy. He’s 19 for chrissakes. And though I’ve never, ever been a “Belieber” (shudder: nobody wants that. Belieber me), I don’t wish him any harm. And if I think about it, I can’t root for Amanda Bynes, Britney Spears, RDJ and many other folks who have been In The Dark Place and not root for Bieber too. Not that I condone his current behavior. I’m just hoping for a “snapping out of it” moment. Soon.

So, where’s this going? I got a press release about this thang about 20 minutes ago. Figured I’d share, and put up my two cents while I’m at it.

By now everyone has probably heard that a John Lennon – like deportation could be possible. So there’s nothing new here, but putting an actual lawyer with that though is kinda nice.

But what I’d really like to see? Somebody in Bieber’s circle actually giving a damn and occasionally saying no. Seriously; his dad was one of the people helping with the drag racing? And people wonder why stars sometimes take the crazy train.

I’d share the entire release, but after these few paragraphs it sounds like a Caruso infomercial. Not to hate, but there’s only so much that’s needed in this particular context.

Read on, if you dare….

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Awards Season: Society of Camera Operators award nominees!

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Denise
Also, kick-ass award.

Also, the winners get a kick-ass award.

UPDATE: the ceremony has been moved to March 8th.  

Oh, you were, perhaps, thinking I’d do a little sumpin’ sumpin’ on the Oscar nominations that were announced this morning?  Oh, I’ll get to that my pretties.  But right now it’s another award that you probably have never heard of, which of course gives it way more cool cred.

I’m talking about the Society of Camera Operators Awards.  Camera operators are the guys and gals that get the fantastic, mind-blowing shot that the Director or DP (director of photography, don’cha know) really want.  I’m betting that’s an amazing feeling in and of itself, though as I couldn’t take a decent still shot to save my life, I’ll just have to believe that’s the case.

As always, read this full post for the list of noms.  I’m kinda hoping for Kenji Luster to take the award in the TV section, but that’s because I’m a huge fan of Body of Proof, and I’m bummed it’s no longer on air.  As for the film nominees?  I think all these COs did great work, but I’m bowing down to Peter Taylor, because his work on Gravity is simply jaw-dropping.  And also, alot of underwater work.  Getting the shot, when Sandra Bullock’s hair is whipping around in the water?  Over and over and OVER again?  Bravo, Mr. Taylor.  Bravo.

Full press release; read on!

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Awards Season: Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Denise

Mmm, hair and makeup.  C’mon; what would American Hustle be without Bale’s magnificent Chia Pet combover?  I’m not ashamed to admit that the hair and makeup awards are my favorite part of Oscar night.  So when I heard about the Guild giving out it’s own awards?  Heck yeah I had to share.

Love that the Guild breaks down the awards, with Contemporary, Period and my favorite, Special Effects.  They also have separate categories for Film, TV and Live Theater.  Hooray for the members working on Key and Peele for getting nods; that’s a show that deserves more buzz.  And y’all know I’m already rooting for Greg Nicotero to win for SFX makeup for his work on The Walking Dead.

Awards will be handed out February 15th, 2014.  Congrats to all nominees!

MAKE-UP ARTISTS AND HAIR STYLISTS GUILD LOGO

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Elsewhere Info: Location Managers Guild Awards

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Denise

(Originally posted on Geek for e: clicky here for that piece!)

Awards! Bet you didn’t know there were so many given out during Awards Season, did’cha? Well, I’m here to help.

Today’s the final day for submissions to the Location Managers Guild Awards. What are those, you ask?  Well, all movies need a place to film right?  I mean, you don’t want to see every single scene shot in a soundstage.  Location Managers are the people that scope out places to shoot scenes, make sure there’s adequate security (fire, police, and ambulance coverage too, if necessary), get the permits and basically do all the non-glamorous stuff so that directors, actors and the other artsy folks can do their jobs.  They’re also the folks locals interact with, so when Film & TV people shoot here in B’more?  Chances are you’ll run across a Location Manager doing his or her thang, and they’re the folks you’d talk to with any questions or concerns.

Yeah, I kinda think they’re awesome too.

Anyway, their guild is doing an awards presentation March 20th.  Gotta admit these awards were a mystery to me, but now that I know the exist?  I’m dying to find out who will win, and why.

Read on for the full press release!

LMGAlogoHORIZonBLK copy

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Missed Gravity? No problem, it’s back!

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Denise

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For your consideration, a film that’s awards bait and actually riveting. Didn’t see Gravity, so you don’t know what I’m talking about? Well now, Warner Brothers thought so. So they’re bringing it back to the multiplex!

It’s gonna happen this Friday, January 17th, and it’ll probably be for a limited time. (Though if it snags any Oscars, I’m betting it will linger longer.)

Fair warning though; you may want to skip trying to smuggle in astronaut ice cream. You’ll be only too happy with having your feet on the ground during this flick. I suggest popcorn and M&Ms instead. Mmmm, popcorn.

Read on for the full press release!

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Elsewhere Review: The Legend of Hercules

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Denise

My eyes are still bleeding from the pain of having to sit through this one.

As always, feel free to clicky on the hyperlinked title for the original piece!

hercules

The Legend of Hercules: mythologically bad.

Twitview: Avoid. The stills from this film are better than the film itself. 1 out of 5

Renny Harlin harkens back to his Cutthroat Island days with The Legend of Hercules, a film so derivative and dull that I’m shocked it took me 45 minutes to want to check Candy Crush Saga.Hercules is a mish-mosh of 300, The Matrix, and Braveheart (let’s take back our kingdom y’all!), a testosterone fest too dull for even the biggest fan of bloodsport. Think Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome meets Clash of the Titans, but with no bits of humor to make it enjoyable, nor convincing storyline to make anyone care about who lives or dies.

I had high hopes for this film. A bunch of beautiful men in skirts. Not too shabby, right? Add Psychotic king and his bereaved wife, who decides to opt for a little Olympic hanky-panky. Meanwhile the heir to the throne — and Hercules’ half-brother — is a petulant wimp that couldn’t find his…purpose in life…with two hands and a road map. All of that makes for a promising hero-bent-on-revenge flick.  Ahh, empty promises.

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Dick Smith to receive Lifetime Achievement Award. Because he’s awesome.

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Denise
Dick Smith. (PRNewsFoto/Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild)

Dick Smith.  THE man. (PRNewsFoto/Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild)

In an alternate life I was a makeup/FX artist.  But as I have absolutely no talent in that area whatsoever, I simply fawn over those that do.  Who better than “The Godfather of Makeup”, Dick Smith?  Seriously, I have a tattered, pancake-makeup-encrusted copy of his Dick Smith’s Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook on my bookshelf, right next to Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions.

So when I heard that Smith was getting a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards, my only question was what took ’em so long?  But since the Academy Awards didn’t start honoring these artists ’til 1981 (otherwise Smith surely would have won for his work on The Exorcist, Little Big Man and The Godfather), I guess I can cut the Guild some slack.  Some.  Smith did receive an honorary Oscar in 2012, and at the Fangirl Residence there was a standing ovation from all in attendance.

FX geeks will be doubly excited about this award, as his protege Rick Baker will be the presenter.  Y’know, the 7-time Oscar winner that did that amazing transformation scene in An American Werewolf In London?  They guy that has been teasing us with Maleficent poster eeriness?  Yeah, him.

The ceremony will be held February 15th.  And I’d kill to be there.  Or at least I’d spill a ton of Karyo syrup, red food coloring and peanut butter.

Clicky for the full press relase!

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Horror Comics Awards Season: Ghastly Awards nominations announced!

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Denise

GhastlyAwards_mainlogo

Check it out — this year’s Ghastly Awards nominees have been announced, and it’s a bumper crop o’ awesome.  I’m psyched that Afterlife With Archie, The Strain, Rachel Rising, Ghosted and Crossed: Wish You Were Here got tapped.  Winners will be announced January 31, 2014.

Meanwhile, if you aren’t reading these titles and love horror? Well, you’ve got your reading list right here. You’re welcome.

Read on for the full list of noms, and a big, huge CONGRATS to all nominated!

 
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Passes to the Baltimore area screening of The Legend of Hercules. By the beard of Zeus, we’ve got ’em!

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Denise

hercules

Couldn’t resist that Anchorman 2 bit in the title.  Because who doesn’t love mythology?  And shirtless dudes?  Well, you do, or you wouldn’t be reading this, amirite?  So on with the show!  First off, a synopsis from our Greek Chorus of PR:

In the epic origin story THE LEGEND OF HERCULES, Kellan Lutz stars as the mythical Greek hero – the son of Zeus, a half-god, half-man blessed with extraordinary strength.  Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom.  Through harrowing battles and gladiator-arena death matches, Hercules embarks on a legendary odyssey to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land.

Directed by RENNY HARLIN

Written by SEAN HOOD and DANIEL GIAT

Sounds good, right?  Kellan Lutz (that tree-climbing “monkey man” vamp from Twilight) directed by Renny Harlin (the man that put the chomp on Sam Jackson in Deep Blue Sea) should be a slam-bang good time.  So, you want passes or what?  Read on, magnificent one, read on….

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