Stanley Kubrick: Use of the camera and viewfinder

As organized as Stanley Kubrick was, he also used a Director's Viewfinder in order to find the exact shot required. He also looked through the lens in order to ensure that he had the shot that he required, based on the lens that would provide the effect he required. He was not afraid to use fisheye type lenses to create certain effects, telephoto or zoom lenses. He even threw a camera out of a window, destroying it, to create the effect of Alex jumping out of a window in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.

Stanley Kubrick: Obsessive Perfectionism

Stanley Kubrick made some of the greatest films of the 20th Century. Many of his films defined their generations and spoke about the times that they were made in. Films like PATHS OF GLORY, LOLITA, DR. STRANGELOVE, 2001, THE SHINING, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and FULL METAL JACKET provided a sense of the societies that they were made in.

Stanley Kubrick started originally as a 16 year old still photographer working for LOOK magazine, and then proceeded to work as an independent filmmaker throughout his career. Stanley Kubrick controlled every aspect he possibly could in his films; from script-writing, location finding, set construction, cinematography, editing and even distribution. His obsessive perfectionism suggests a true "auteur" which may be bordering on autism.

A glimpse into the Kubrick mind can be seen in the documentary "Kubrick's boxes" which talks about his thousands of boxes in his home, as well as the book "The Stanley Kubrick Archives".

We will examine some of the aspects of the Kubrick approach to filmmaking which may provide some insight into the filmmaking process.

Alfred Hitchcock: "Psycho"

The film "Psycho" was created at about 1/4 the cost of Alfred Hitchcock's previous film "North by Northwest". This was in part because of less locations and studio time, as well as Hitchcock's organization and use of preproduction. Production designer Saul Bass developed storyboards for the famous shower sequence. You can see a DETAILED ANALYSIS and the TRAILER

Alfred Hitchcock: Family Plot

"Family Plot" is Hitchcock's last film and it feels like a parody of his filmmaking. The plot seems very campy compared to most of his films, involving psychics and a very 70s feel to it. You can see the PREVIEW to decide for yourself.

A detailed examination of the use of storyboards and floorplans in "Family Plot" is listed at the FAMILY PLOT CEMETERY SEQUENCE Of particular interest in the storyboard is how the camera movements and the camera angles are illustrated. The use of floorplans is especially important in complex scenes involving multiple actors and complicated camera moves.

Alfred Hitchcock: "Marnie"

Alfred Hitchcock used Storyboards throughout the film "Marnie". His production designer Robert F. Boyle used his drawings in order to design sets as well.

You can see the trailer for "Marnie" at the Hitchcock Wiki

Alfred Hitchcock "North by Northwest"

"North by Northwest" is probably Hitchcock's masterpiece. His use of the camera, editing, dialogue, music, actors and location is remarkable in one film. These drawings show the detail created in the house as well as the importance of pre-production. This house was designed by Robert F. Boyle, in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Alfred Hitchcock "Lifeboat"

"Lifeboat" by Hitchcock provided the challenge of several people in one small boat. He had to do detailed planning in order to create suspense and provide visual interest for the audience. Notice his detailed shotlist and camera angles.

Hitchcock also used detailed storyboards, floorplans, and shot lists. Above is a series of these that were used by Hitchcock in various films. These primarily came from the Alfred Hitchcock Wiki

Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense

Good Evening.....

This post is about Alfred Hitchcock and his use of the camera.

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most brilliant cinema directors of all time and his films become a textbook of how to make a suspenseful film. Hitchcock always challenged himself as a director. He explored 3-D with "Dial M for Murder", he developed new camera techniques in "Vertigo", and he successfully eliminated editing (one of his strong points) in "Rope" by his remarkableAlfred Hitchcock Wiki mise-en-scene.

In the article listed below, Hitchcocks many techniques are revealed, such as:

1. It's in the Mind of the audience

2. Frame for emotion

3. The camera is not a camera

4. Dialogue means nothing

5. Point of view editing

6. Montage gives you Control

7. Keep the story simple

8. Characters must break cliche

9. Use humour to add tension

10. Have two things happening at once

11. Suspense is Information

12. Surprise and Twist

13. Warning: May cause MacGuffin

http://www.borgus.com/think/hitch.htm

Hitchcock was a perfectionist and knew exactly where to place the camera. He primarily used the 50mm (2 inch) lens and would challenge himself and his cinematographer in what the camera would show.