Sunday 30 December 2012

Saturday 29 December 2012

YouTube

Finally I've got a YouTube Channel. Watch and enjoy!
I've got some videos based on films, but, of course, I do not own these films and the music. Except the film The Pinguin, which was made by me, include music. In future I'm going to have more films like these, but sometimes I want to show everybody what I think and feel about some very good films - and I make a video. So here we are! http://www.youtube.com/user/Anna13Kavan?feature=mhee

There are two examples.



Christmas

Some new photos specially for the beginning of a New Year!








Sunday 18 November 2012

Celtic music


5 minutes of good Celtic music. These men are playing in a bar or in a club, because as it can be seen they are in the building, without natural light, but with lamps, beer and blue light for atmosphere. The men are playing different instruments, creating a pretty picture. The video contains overflowing and has focus on the men faces and their instruments. The editing of the video is simple: fingers, instruments, faces and the picture in whole with turning - and repeating. But it's done to help as not to concentrate on the video, but on the music. Anyway, if you want to listen to calm music, a part of history - welcome!

Monday 12 November 2012

Frankenweenie. Part 2.

Hello!
Do you remember my previous post about the exhibition The Art of Frankenweenie? Very well. So, now I want to show you some pictures from this exhibition. Enjoy!
 

 
Some notebooks and student books on the table. You can't believe that they are so little before you see them in real! Furthermore, they are full of text, so it makes us feel that creators just make them little. Imagine: you can read the text in these books, but it's very small, so it will be difficult to do. But, in fact, you can.
 


 
An interesting character and his work. All things are sticked by creators not to be moved because of a mistake. The lamp is working like an ordinary lamp, the diffrence only that this lamp is only some centimeters high.
 

 
Victors's paper is unique too, but it's open on the same page as others students' books.
 

 
Victor's parents, the models.


 
Guess, whose are they! The script and glasses can make the atmosphere so real, that you think, that Tim Burton has only gone out and will be here in a minute.
 

 
My favourite one. Please note that Victor's room is very unusual too and has got a lot of tiny papers, pens and pictures. Tim Burton has done a big work, because he wants the story to be real. Not only emotions and gestures of the characters are important, but some trifles too, such as rubbish or newspapers.
 

 
Some models of the monsters.
 

 
Pictures by Tim Burton - originals! Very similar to the movie.
 

 
The classroom again. Now we've got not only Victor, but his friend too. Do you see? The tables are different. The pen is lying on the table, but it seems like the girl just put it away and now she is listening to the teacher.
 It's very interesting and amazing how Tim Burton represents life in his films. He always has got a confrontation of reality and fairytale, something unbelievable and obvious. Frankenweenie is a good example of it. Everything is seems like it was shrunked, but people are from another world, they are too grotesque. And the cemetry is like from a cartoon, but in whole everything combines with music, scenes and world. Yes, this is definitely Tim Burton's world.
 

 
Newspapers. As the books they are readable.
 

 
Some scetches. Know, that this is not so important, but I love the idea of guides to scatter pencils and filings.


 
Yes. The lamp is working, like others lamps in this "house". On the left you can find some photos, which shows us that Sparky is the only friend of Victor. The door is open, so we are able to watch through it if we want. Makes you feel as Alice in Wonderland when she grows up.
 

Sunday 11 November 2012

Homework. Manipulation and photos.

Today I'm going to observe a photo. Which one? This one:


"After publishing photos of two deceased United States soldiers, the Associated Press retracted the photos after learning that one of the photos was digitally altered. In the photo shown at the link at left, the body of the soldier on the left is copied from the soldier on the right. The photos were released by the U.S. Army at Fort Stewart in Georgia."

The subjects of both photos are men. The photos are very similar to each other, because the most part of the first one was copied from the second. So, let's analyzed them.
The content is the USA flag and American heroes. The photos were made in official way, they are serious and severe. The connotation is to show people that they are heroes and patriots, that they were killed in a war (probably in Iraq, and the photos are new). The men are calm and serious, the second man has got kind face – so it’s a lot to make people feel sorry about them. These are official documentary photos, such as photos for passports. The photographer is a man, who is doing photos like these every day to retain soldier’s faces for documents; he has got 100% of control over the photos. The photos are colour, reserved and patriotic, not very bright. They shouldn’t be editing after taking, because they are official.
But the first photo has been manipulated: the head of the man was added to the second photo, replacing the head of the second man. The photo was done some work, the colours were made brighter and the name was changed. Moreover, the T-shirt was changed too. But the manipulating is bad, we can distinctly see that the colours of the head are too bright and there is too much white colour, there isn’t any shadow between the head and the collar.
Why has it been done? I think to show that black men were protecting USA too. Or maybe nobody has got a photo of the first man in uniform, so somebody has done it to prove that this person was in the Army. But the photo doesn’t change the history a lot, if it didn’t replace the second one. It was just added to the collection of deceased soldiers.
By whom it has been done? An interesting question. If it has been done to prove that black people were soldiers too - this is USA government handwork. But if it has been done for memory or there weren’t any photos with this man in uniform – it can be done by a friend or by somebody from the family. I can suggest a mad idea too: the photo can be changed by the government or the Army to help themselves to show that they can calculate a falsification.
If this has been done to remember the man, it’s good. If he was protecting the country, why his family can’t have a photo with him in a uniform, even if it’s changed? But if the photo is manipulated to prove something, and this has been done for government – it’s awful, because the photo touches upon death. You can’t joke like this with so dark theme only to get success.

Sunday 4 November 2012

Frankenweenie

Hello!
Today I want to tell you about two beautiful days, that I'd spent. The first one was in London, and the second one - in Brighton. But both of them are connected with my favourite film director, Tim Burton, who has just received a BFI fellowship at London Film Festival awards. Yes, he was in London! What a surprise. Moreover there was an exhibition The Art of Frankenweenie. And this is what I want to tell you about.
It was fascinating, this exhibition. Walking near dolls, pictures and little room-exhibits - everything for free and started each half an hour! You could watch little videos about how the film was made, some interviews, trailers. The last one you could watch in 3D. Furthermore there was a little cinema, where you could watch some extra information about Frankenweenie.
Oh, I'm talking about the film and the exhibition, but, maybe, you don't even know what is it! In this case I'll tell you. Frankenweenie is a homage for old cinema, for films like Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula and, strictly speaking, Frankenstein. This black-and-white film tells us a story about a little boy, who wants to reanimate his beloved dog. So, it was what I was watching on my second beautiful day. And I loved it! And I still don't know how Tim Burton and others made this miracle, because - listen! - the film is a stop motion one. Unbelievable! Every second was made with incredible labor and consist of 24 frames. Everything is made by hand, there are a lot of trifles, like rubbish in a trash can, books on the floor, sockets. When you see the classroom, you can mention that every student table is different, and everybody has got an open book with TEXT. Furthermore, each newspaper has got text in it, which you can read, and it doesn't matter, that these newspapers, books and sockets are always far away from the forefront - trifles are important. Because of this you feel that the films is alive. You don't see dolls, you see real people. And this is wonderful. Furthermore, each doll is made with patience and love, so they are alive too. This is breathtaking beautiful.

 

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Homework. News

It's time for homework.
We've got: write some notes about how your country is represented in UK news.
OK. After googling I learnt that the affair isn't good. Look:
1) Russian anger at Turkey over Syria plane interception http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19912532
2) Stony-faced Tanya Jones arrives in LA... as another picture emerges of husband Vinnie Jones arm-in-arm with a Russian blonde http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2218493/Tanya-Jones-appears-stoney-faced-arrives-LA--Vinnie-Jones-seen-arm-arm-SECOND-Russian-beauty.html
3) Vladimir Putin hails Russian local election victory http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/15/vladimir-putin-hails-russia-election
4) Syria plane carried radar parts, not weapons - Russia (the same as the first one) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19928139
So, everything is bad, and I'm surprised. Because if I have a look at Russian sites, I'll see some good information, while here...
However, it doesn't matter. Bad news are always more important for "society", isn't it? Who will watch a video about happy family, successful school and clever friends? Nobody, except some of us. Because it's not interesting. That is the reason why the case with the plane is uploaded more than twice. What a pity.

Jeremy Brett and his Sherlock Holmes.

Hello. I beg your pardon for waiting and my apology will be this video. I love it.

Jeremy Brett has a marvelous and beautiful voice. Beautiful - the word, that I use very rare, but it's very suits him.
As you see, this is a peace of the film about Sherlock Holmes. There are a lot of screen versions of the book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but, I suppose, this is the best one, the one, which is so close to the book. Honestly, while I'm reading the book, I always see Jeremy Brett as Sherlock. Sometimes I think, he had come from the pages of "Sherlock Holmes".
As for me, I think, that the voice, hands and eyes are most important for the perfect actor. Brett had all. If you've watched the films, you know, that he is the actor, whose work with eyes is brilliant. Yes, he can move very good, yes, his voice is accurate as well as possible, but the eyes show us all his thoughts and the work of his brain. All his feelings and emotions are in his eyes and don't tell me, that Sherlock Holmes doesn't have any! He has.
This talented actor was acting when he was ill, he was working when he was dying. I think, only this can tell us, that he had got a strong power inside.

If you are not impressed with it, I'll tell you, that there are a lot of funny moments in the films, that aren't in the book. "Sherlock Holmes" 1984 by Granada Television is a breathtaking film with an odor of Great Britain.
It's
   elegant
      graceful
         genius.

_________________________________________________________________

Of course, I'll continue talking about Sherlock Holmes, but it will be later.

Sunday 7 October 2012

The Magus.

Hello!
Firstly I want to show you some extra photos. They are made by me.





This is just for fun.

So, let's start. Which topic I'm going to choose? We've got a video and a short film, therefore, now I'll show you a book.
It's a very rare book, you know. It's so rare and so strange, that all my friends don't know it. If you do, I'll shake your hand.
The name of this miracle is The Magus. Very suitable name for one of the best books for ever, isn't it? What? Why is it so good? Heh, because John Fowles (the author of this novel, just in case, he is British) made not just a book, but a story of life, seasoning with good lessons. You don't like lessons? Wait, this lessons aren't like: "you should be good, not bad". They will show you how to live and be... independent, happy and CLEVER. There are a lot of events and characters, are revealed some interesting psycho, moreover, you can find the meaning of life in it! It's not a joke, because this is one of the most amazing and shocking books I've ever read. The funniest thing is that when you will begin to read, you'll be thinking: "What's the hell? Why I'm reading this drivel?" You should be careful, patien and don't pass anything, because everything is important, each word in this novel. After reading you'll be in shock for about one or two days (I was for about one night - I'd read it in the late evening). During this time you'll be thinking about it. And then... There will be a comprehension.
P.S. Oh, yes. Please, don't even try to find the short retelling of The Magus. In this case, you'll have two ways: you won't find it or you'll find it and understand nothing. Because you should read it slowly, you should live with the main character. If you try to read something in the end - there will be a disappointment. But if you read it carefully, you will get one of the best prizes. You will smile after it. Why I said "smile"? You'll understand it after reading.


To conclude I want to say something. I'm honestly and deeply busy.
I've got a lot of work now, so I'm not sure that I'll post anything tomorrow.
See you! 

Saturday 6 October 2012

Tim Burton's film: Vincent.

 I want to show you one of the first films by an artist, filmmaker and genius, Tim Burton.


I love it so much that can watch it again and again and again. This fascinating and talented stop-motion short film was made in 1982, when Tim Burton was only 23-24 years old. The text is read by Vincent Price, and his voice made the film one of the best. You can feel the atmosphere of this picture from the beginning. I'm sure, this duet, Burton and Price, is as good as Burton and Depp.
 
 
 
There is the text of the poem (taken from http://www.timburtoncollective.com): 
 
Vincent Malloy is seven years old
He’s always polite and does what he’s told
For a boy his age, he’s considerate and nice
But he wants to be just like Vincent Price


He doesn’t mind living with his sister, dog and cats
Though he’d rather share a home with spiders and bats
There he could reflect on the horrors he’s invented
And wander dark hallways, alone and tormented


Vincent is nice when his aunt comes to see him
But imagines dipping her in wax for his wax museum


He likes to experiment on his dog Abercrombie
In the hopes of creating a horrible zombie
So he and his horrible zombie dog
Could go searching for victims in the London fog


His thoughts, though, aren’t only of ghoulish crimes
He likes to paint and read to pass some of the times
While other kids read books like Go, Jane, Go!
Vincent’s favourite author is Edgar Allen Poe


One night, while reading a gruesome tale
He read a passage that made him turn pale


Such horrible news he could not survive
For his beautiful wife had been buried alive!
He dug out her grave to make sure she was dead
Unaware that her grave was his mother’s flower bed


His mother sent Vincent off to his room
He knew he’d been banished to the tower of doom
Where he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life
Alone with the portrait of his beautiful wife


While alone and insane encased in his tomb
Vincent’s mother burst suddenly into the room
She said: “If you want to, you can go out and play
It’s sunny outside, and a beautiful day”


Vincent tried to talk, but he just couldn’t speak
The years of isolation had made him quite weak
So he took out some paper and scrawled with a pen:
“I am possessed by this house, and can never leave it again”
His mother said: “You’re not possessed, and you’re not almost dead
These games that you play are all in your head
You’re not Vincent Price, you’re Vincent Malloy
You’re not tormented or insane, you’re just a young boy
You’re seven years old and you are my son
I want you to get outside and have some real fun.”


Her anger now spent, she walked out through the hall
And while Vincent backed slowly against the wall
The room started to swell, to shiver and creak
His horrid insanity had reached its peak


He saw Abercrombie, his zombie slave
And heard his wife call from beyond the grave
She spoke from her coffin and made ghoulish demands
While, through cracking walls, reached skeleton hands


Every horror in his life that had crept through his dreams
Swept his mad laughter to terrified screams!
To escape the madness, he reached for the door
But fell limp and lifeless down on the floor


His voice was soft and very slow
As he quoted The Raven from Edgar Allen Poe:


“and my soul from out that shadow
that lies floating on the floor
shall be lifted?
Nevermore…”



What can I say? It's not a sad story, the boy is still in his dreams. He loves them, he wants to live with them, and he just can't be an ordinary child as his mother wants. I believe that the end doesn't show us that he becomes mad, furthermore, he chooses his way and life, while other children only live, going with the stream. He is doing what he wants and this is perfect.
So, how do you think, what is implied in the end? Think a little, and you'll find your own answer. Because everybody sees different picture.
 
P.S. The music is wonderful. Please, listen to it. Listen to Vincent Price's voice. Drink the picture, not just watch it. And you'll see another world, the world by a little boy from an ordinary street, who is so boring of simple houses and people, that he creates others.


The photos.

Good evening. Today I want to share with you some photos by me. These are still life and background pictures. Here we are.





 
 

Friday 5 October 2012

Semiotics of the Kitchen

Today I've got a curious video.
Martha Rosler's Semiotics of the Kitchen - 1975 


How do you think, what is it about?
I think, this is a feminist film. We can see that this woman is really bored about beeing in the kitchen, working all day. She is tired, moreover, she is angry! This time women couldn't have a choice to be or not to be housewives, they just were. This woman is acting abruptly, she is like a robot without any feeling in the beginning. but she is getting them during the film. So, in the end she is really scary, showing us her opinion about cooking.
Well, what is the word "semiotics" mean? Clever Google will display us the Wiki page first, but we don't look only for basic information, we want to go deeper, so we are going to next pages.
So, "semiotics" is a science, which working with signs and symbols.
 A sign has both a signifier and a signified.
 Signifier is a physical sign, like "orange".















Sighified is a concept/idea/abstract, like pictures in your head. There isn't any logical connection between them, but, if they are together, they'll create a sign.

________________________________________________________

What about tomorrow, I'm going to show you some of my photos. I hope, you'll enjoy them. Plus there is going to be a short film. See you.

Introduction

Hello.
Welcome to my site.
Firstly, I'm going to show you what is it about.
But in the beginning I want to ask you: what is science of observation? As for me, this is a science about everything, that we see, so, it's about media. "Media?" - will ask me you. Precisely. But I'm not going to waste your time, speaking about newspaper and news, TV shows and other things. I want to give you a free trip to the world.
Most of you are going out every day to work/school/university. Just walk. You don't see anything: people, nature, animals, air and other things that are around us. When you're watching a film, reading a book, listening to music - you are relaxing. Or not?
I don't. I'm trying to OBSERVE it. If you are doing the same, want to do or just looking for something interesting - welcome to my site. Sit down and watch. Because the curtain is raising.