SPONTANEOUS! Fun, unconventional and unexpected describes my creative style. I cannot however, take all the credit for my style. Various movies, television, music, music videos and photos all have influenced my development; either as things to do or things not to do. Kind of like Shakespeare… “ To be or not be…” my translation,“ To create or not create…”
To pick only a few people out of the thousands who have influenced me is quite a challenge; yet, I think I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites. Oliver Stone entranced me with his 1994 film, Natural Born Killers. Stone’s application of contrast in this film as well as trailer constantly creates chaos as it transforms from black and white shots to color and then to even color filters of blood red. In the trailer the contrast of photos along with the changing of color shots creates even more confusion and horror to the film. The affinity style that Stone uses in the trailer is the opening with the American flag upside down and at the end flag still upside down with the title, Natural Born Killers on it.
Personally, though the trailer is very intriguing it does not do justice for this film. Not only does the film cover the black and white film and color film, but also Stone uses standard movie film, animated cartoon and even sitcom parody television film style. Stone has overall influenced me by throwing out the rules of standard filming and creating an epic unique movie roller coaster!
Have to say Schindler’s List was extremely depressing but equally amazing! Steven Spielberg in this particular film has impacted my creative style in many ways. The main influence is to remember the importance of symbolism and the usage of make scenes objective and subjective at the same time. When the little girl in the red coat is wandering around the Jewish camp, the most memorable scene, Spielberg incorporates the use of both objective and subjective. From the objective stand point; Spielberg is representing history of the massacre that happened to many innocent people in the Jewish community. Showing a line up of people being slaughtered, and having a little girl walking past oblivious to what was going on created an eerie feeling to the already haunting shot. The subjective part of this scene comes from Schindler, who is watching this bloodbath from on top of a hill. Ignorant and thinking only like a businessman was what Schindler was in the beginning; then when he witnesses the true events, it was if his eyes were opened. This was the turning point in the movie where viewers can imply Schindler’s ignorance was “murdered” at the same the Jews were being killed.
Guillermo del Toro director and writer of the film Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy I and Hellboy II are by far my favorite screenwriter. Pan’s Labyrinth is usually a “hit or a miss” with viewers because of Spanish and English subtitles; as for myself it is one of my favorite foreign films. Toro’s application of tension and release is perfect during a monstrous dinner scene. Ofelia, a curious girl who has been assigned tasks to accomplish so she can return to her kingdom as a princess, enters a mysterious room through a door drawn on her wall. Before she enters, she has read specific instructions. Rule one, you have to get out of the room before the time runs out and rule two, not to eat any of the food when in this room for if she does a children eating monster shall awake. However, her curiosity gets the best of her. Tension begins to build as she eyes the table of delectable cuisine laid out in front of her. As her fairy friend keep trying to warn her to stay away from the food, she just simply shoos them away. Pluck goes a grape and into her mouth. While she is enjoying herself, behind her the monster is waking up. Talk about a tension builder! As the monster begins to come after her, Ofelia begins to run to the door. Toro’s shot at this point shows the hourglass is just running out of time and the door is shut as Ofelia is still stuck inside. Ofelia struggles to get her chalk out to draw another door and the monster gets closer and closer. Finally, she draws the door and barely escapes a gruesome death. Once she shuts the door and the door itself seems to be sealing itself forever, release is given to the audience. WHEW! CLOSE ONE!!! The way Toro writes is something that inspires my creative style greatly. Reminds me to keep the element of surprise and suspense going!
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