Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
If you hadn't known, the film Sunrise from 1927 is one of the best silent films of the era.
I just rented the DVD and discovered a WONDERFUL commentary track by John Bailey, ASC. He discusses the shot design and cinematography at great length. The director, a German, brings wonderful expressionistic qualities to the film.
They mess with perspective using false horizons, painted floor boards, shrinking sets and the use of 'little people' extras. Not to mention long 3 min takes (at that time the longest you could have) on dollies, ceiling tracks, and cranes. The SPFX work is topnotch and this film won the first academy award for Cinematography.
After listening to the commentary, it pains me how much filmmakers in 1927 were thinking and doing impressive shot design, in comparison to many studio films of today.... although I'm sure there was garbage coming out of hollywood in 1927 as well. My point is that our least common denominator should be able to hold its own with cinema of 1927, but it doesn't.
My last comment is that the very middle of the film is kinda slow to 'rebuild' the protagonists relationship. It seems to be sandwiched between the overwhelmingly better beginning and ending.
Check it out!
I just rented the DVD and discovered a WONDERFUL commentary track by John Bailey, ASC. He discusses the shot design and cinematography at great length. The director, a German, brings wonderful expressionistic qualities to the film.
They mess with perspective using false horizons, painted floor boards, shrinking sets and the use of 'little people' extras. Not to mention long 3 min takes (at that time the longest you could have) on dollies, ceiling tracks, and cranes. The SPFX work is topnotch and this film won the first academy award for Cinematography.
After listening to the commentary, it pains me how much filmmakers in 1927 were thinking and doing impressive shot design, in comparison to many studio films of today.... although I'm sure there was garbage coming out of hollywood in 1927 as well. My point is that our least common denominator should be able to hold its own with cinema of 1927, but it doesn't.
My last comment is that the very middle of the film is kinda slow to 'rebuild' the protagonists relationship. It seems to be sandwiched between the overwhelmingly better beginning and ending.
Check it out!
