Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Faster direction?

This is topic Faster direction? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000361

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 07-02-2001, 07:37 AM:

Hi all

I recently saw 'Les Visiteurs II" on video and thought it a very ordinary sequel. My question though revolves around one feature of this film which I have also seen duplicated in Moulin Rouge.

Director Jean-Marie Poire insisted on pulverising the audience's senses with shot after shot after shot in quick succession all the way through the film. Baz Luhrmann did the same thing in Moulin Rouge although to be fair at least he slowed down the pace towards the end of the film.

I can understand moments of pacy direction in times when particular action scenes are being shot. I think the logic is that one uses many camera shots to visually keep the audience informed about what is happening and to add excitement. I can't understand the logic of using such pacy direction (arguably overkill in terms of the number of camera shots used) all the way through the film.

Is this technique an attempt to appeal to younger generations who perhaps have become used to faster imagery due to video games? Have others noticed some directors overusing camera shots recently?

cheers Peter

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-02-2001, 09:54 AM:

"Styles" come and go. Many of the "hot" filmmakers today got their start making television commercials, where some "razzle dazzle" is often needed to keep the viewer from changing channels. Many also come from a music video background. Other threads have discussed the use of handheld (not even a Steadicam) cameras, as popularized by television shows like NYPD Blue. The style can be very appropriate for some films, but is very distracting in others. IMHO, fast cuts and shaky camerawork are more tolerable on a small TV screen than on a large movie screen.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-02-2001, 12:02 PM:

I prefer to call it "fast editing" but obviously the director had a say in it. I don't mind it as long as it doesn't last too long. Don't get me wrong, I hate slow editing as well!

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 07-03-2001, 04:06 AM:

I think I've found out why.

Have a look at this article
http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/pros/preston/preston_03.html

I found the following quote interesting.

"Michael said that fast editing is usually required in commercials aimed at younger viewers because they have a regrettably short attention span"

Fast editing may work for younger viewers but for me (age 36) it is just disconcerting!

Fast editing. Just say No!

cheers Peter