For Visual Parallels, Sati
chooses two movies (or occasionally, a TV show) and compares them with
a series of still shots from each. Previous Visual Parallels include the
similarly themed Rosemary’s Baby and Repulsion, or films as varied as Mulholland Dr.
and Young Adult. Know what they all have in common? They are universally
remarkable. (Look at all of them here.)
Today’s Visual Parallels is especially rewarding, as Sati
has compared Sofia Coppola’s masterful film, Somewhere, with my own short film, Earrings. The result left me speechless.
Earrings was
released nearly one year ago, and Sati’s post is a uniquely gratifying look
back. Many thanks to Sati for taking the time to put this together, I can’t
imagine how difficult these post must be.
View Sati’s Visual Parallels: Somewhere + Earrings
Watch Earrings
I just saw that post. It's amazing of the similarities that was shown but I'm sort of not surprised considering that it's obvious that you're influenced by Sofia Coppola. I am myself as if it wasn't for her approach to writing Somewhere, I wouldn't have finished the script that I written more than a year ago though I've been unable to get it copyrighted due to financial reasons.
ReplyDeleteShe's such a big influence over my work, and I think it's awesome that she helps motivate your work as well. Hope you can get the money together to make some of your films. Sounds like you have some really compelling material.
DeleteAs I said over at Cinematic Corner, it's interesting that Somewhere wasn't a conscious inspiration, but a subconscious influence(that you became aware of post-Earrings)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this happens for other filmmakers too, how have watched a lot of movies.
It really is a strange thing, the subconscious. Another Twitter friend brought comparisons to Soderbergh's Solaris to my attention. I rewatched it and it's so clear that movie snuck its way into Earrings as well. Crazy.
DeleteThanks so much for recommending to Sati that she do the post!
Congrats, Alex! What a ingenious post and fabulous tribute to Earrings so close to its one year anniversary. Your film's visual style and thematic content continue to impress me. And this is just the beginning of your film directing career. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie :)
DeleteI really appreciate your kind words about the film! They mean the world to me.
I love the visual style of both films, and Sati did a fantastic job of highlighting the similarities. I definitely need to give both of them another look. Congrats man!
ReplyDeleteThanks dude! Sati did great work here, as usual. Thanks for the kind words about Earrings!
DeleteAwesome! Now I need to watch Somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about Earrings quite a bit the other day -- I forget what sparked it. It's quite a tribute to your work on that film that we're all still thinking and talking about it.
When you consider how scattered I am these days, and that I am sometimes hard pressed to remember which movies I watched last week, you'll appreciate that even more. Ha ha! Kudos to you (and Margaret, of course -- she's magnificent).
Aww wow, what a nice thing to say. Thanks Steph! :)
DeleteI really think you'd like Somewhere. It seems like the kind of film you and I would definitely agree on.
Really impressive work Alex. Earrings has incredible cinematography, editing and acting in this feature. I loved how Sati compares a lot of key shots with Somewhere and shows how similar they are. If I ever write a movie I would have you for sure shoot it.
ReplyDeleteWow man, what a kind comment. Thanks for this, you really just made my day!
DeleteI myself gave your work a recommendation in my finalized best of the year list (Yes, I finally got it done...). Earrings was one of the primary reasons for me investing in a 7D last month. Thus far only learning the settings and functions of it, just trying to get the hang of it, but I like what I've seen so far. Great job again Alex with the piece, starting work on your follow-up?
ReplyDeleteJeff, you've said some nice things on my blog before, but this comment really does mean a lot to me. I'm so happy that I motivated you to purchase a 7D. What kind of lenses do you have for it? Lenses are key. I'm still learning cool stuff about that camera. I love it to death.
DeleteI wrote a new script in January, and Catherine and I have been in the early stages of pre production for the past few months. It's a much larger film than Earrings. Bigger cast, more speaking parts, more locations, so we're mapping it out thoroughly. I'm going to start blogging about it soon, but I hope to have it finished by the end of the year!
Thanks again for this comment man, it truly made my day.
Thus far I have a dedicated 50mm f1.4 lens, 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses to work with. I have the extension tubes for extreme close-ups as well. Looking for nice deals on 85mm and 20mm dedicated lenses.
DeleteThat's awesome that you and Catherine are working together again, man I would give anything to give you help, in any capacity. Can't wait to hear more about, please do keep us all appraised. I love that it is more of an ensamble piece this time around, lots of interesting beats you can hit with a larger cast. Thank you for your support on my own site, that helps me just as much if not more so than I do here.
Those are great lenses. I shot most of Earrings on the prime Sigma 50mm 1.4. Great lens. My go-to. Used the prime Canon 20 mm for the outdoor scenes, and the prime fisheye for some other scenes. If you ever want to just play around with a lens, I highly recommend LensRentals.com, easy to use and cheap as well.
DeleteAs for helping with the next film, send me an email sometime if you want. I'm always looking for new talent in all areas of filmmaking. (PS, I thought you were joining the Peace Corps... hope all is well with that.) My email is withrowag@gmail.com
Good to know that I got the right lens, yeah the PC thing... let's just say that it fell through at the 11th hour, don't ever deal with the government my friend, ever. So now that I have some free time on my hands, I'll be sending you a message soon then. Looking for anything specific? Been on indie shoots before, helped around with a lot of duties. I'll need to find a steady Job soon though, that might hamper the amount I can help out, but we'll see. Thanks Alex.
DeleteAhh sorry to hear about the PC. Fuckin' government, man. Yeah, send me a message and we'll go from there. Not entirely sure what I'll need just yet, but it'd be cool to involve you if I can!
DeleteOnce again it was a real pleasure to do this one, hopefully the post got at least few more people to see your movie!
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely do one for your next movie too, I'm sure there will be great influences there as well!
Thanks again, Sati! I do think your post drove some people to watch the movie for the first time, which is great.
DeleteAnd you're already committing to doing another one for my next flick?! Wow, I'm honored.
Awesome! Most of the posts I write are to get people to watch stuff :)
DeleteOh, it's really not a big deal. It's so hard to come up with ideas for those, usually I just have one ahead, the next one will be Game of Thrones/Rome. It's much easier with the movies, because it's easier to remember images from 90 minute-long movie comparing to 10/20 episodes.
Oh damn, I can't imagine how difficult the GoT/Rome one will be. Still, can't wait to see it!
DeleteI practically know GoT by heart so I was taking screencaps as I was rewatching Rome, I already have like 20 parallels :)
DeleteIt's much easier when I do one for something I know very well and I'm rewatching the other and just hit the "take a screenshot" button.
Yeah that makes sense. Still though, I'm a very visual person, and I don't think I could do that at all. Lot of dedication on your part.
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