SPECIAL EFFECTS

AMERICAN HORROR STORY

 This is a television show that utilizes it's special effects team!  I have posted only two clips from the show but I could have dedicated an entire blog post to video clips. 

The two clips that I have chosen are from two different seasons.  The first is from season three, Coven, in which we see one of the witches being burned at the steak.  Obviously they did not light this actress on fire and burn her to death.  This was a digital effect that was added later.

The second clip is from season four, Freak Show,  where they had to create two headed twin sisters.  This was done with makeup, prosthetics, computer generation and green screen.  In the final product, you can't even tell which head belongs to the actress and which is fake.

Tsotsi - Music and Sound

In the film Tsotsi, we are taken on an emotional journey through the life of a troubled youth. Our guide on this journey, music and sound.  

In the opening scene of this film the music gives us clues to what is going to happen.  Tsotsi's friends are playing a game and then ask Tsotsi what they will be doing for the night.  The music changes to rap music and has a tone that tells us that whatever the boys are going to do, it isn't going to be good.  

When Tsotsi steals the car, we hear a contrasting sound.  The music is upbeat while the situation is quite the opposite.  Tsotsi has just shot a woman and stolen her car, which, to his surprise has her infant son in the back seat. We are also shocked along with Tsotsi to hear a baby crying.   This sound causes Tsotsi to crash the car.

The music selections, I believe, were beautifully paired with the situations in the film, even when the music seemed as though it didn't fit.  

 

The Maori People and The Whale Rider

The Maori people are indigenous to New Zealand.  They have many traditions and customs that are unique to their people.  We see many of these such customs in the movie The Whale Rider.

 Facial Tattoos:  The Maori use the facial tattoos the men shows rank in the tribe.  These tattoos are also known as the Moko.  This is their identity card and different symbols represent different ranks.

For the women, the tattoos are  more subtle only defining the lips and chin.  

For all tattoos, a bone chisel was used to carve the images into the skin.  This chisel was then dipped in pigment and tapped into the carvings to create the image. 

We see this tattooing in the film The Whale Rider. 

 
The Haka:  This is the  dance of the Maori people, particularly the men.  There are many types of Haka, the most well-known is the war dance.  This shows their strength and is meant to ward off their enemies.  It is also supposed to motivate the warriors in battle.  In this dance there chanting, stamping of feet, bulging of eyes, tongue extension, and waving of weapons.

In The Whale Rider, we see that this tradition has been lost among the younger generation and there is an attempt to teach the young men in the tribe how tow perform the Haka.

The Woman's Role:  Women in the Maori culture were not allowed in battle or to perform the Haka.  They were however, well respected for their childbearing abilities.  Women were also allowed to do the opening calls and to welcome guests.  They were also revered for their storytelling abilities.  

In the film we see that women must take a back seat to the men.  Paka could not even accept that a female could be chosen by the gods to be the chief of the tribe. Pikea could only prove herself in her death.  This is when she is finally free to follow her destiny.

 
 

Transitions

Transitions are necessary in films to move us from one scene to another.  Without them, a film would drag on and lose it's excitement as we would have to watch the character's every movement as they go from one place to the next.  

A transition that I am particularly fond of is the use of lap dissolves.  A lap dissolve is a transition in which the previous scene fades into the next scene in the film creating an interesting transition.  

I have chosen an interesting example from the movie Citizen Kane. Here we see the actor walking through swinging doors as this scene dissolves into the newspaper headline of the next scene.  This transition is done so smoothly that it almost tricks your eyes.  Beautifully done!