Victoria Castellano medp160 blog

The tour that my group and I had participated in focused on the early stages of moving images. We observed Zoetropes and Thaumatropes and how this was the basis of early film. Something specific that was of interest to me was the use of spinning motion and strobe lights to create an optical illusion. Gregory Barsamian’s 3D zoetrope was a large example of how mathematics and precision made up a work of moving art. Initially it was unclear as to what to make out of it, for it was simply spinning was several details too quick to make out with the naked eye. Once the lights changed into a dark flickering strobe however, the physical animation was clear. This modern piece was transformed directly from what started it all; the simple zoetrope model. In Barsamian’s piece, it was had begun with a faucet releasing a liquid that had formed into a bomb. The bomb was then graced through a human hand which squished it into a paper airplane. It was creative and unusual. Our tour guide ha...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuntz3KDIAk Amélie (2001) In the film Amélie, there are several different camera movements and perspectives that take place in order for the viewer to understand the plot. In this particular scene, the viewer becomes transformed as if he or she is walking with the main character. The scene begins with a low angle shot of the character as she walks alone. The camera angle and the character’s facial expression gives the viewer a sense that she feels superior and committed. The camera then, still with a motivated camera movement, begins to turn around the main character’s head, as if she now leads the way. It gives the viewer a sense of we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Similarly, z-angle shots are given to show depth of the city street. When Amélie notices a blind man, the camera zooms into her face, creating an extreme closeup. This implies that she is focused and ready to make a move. As she walks off and grabs his arm, the camer...