Research on film makers (BDM 311).

Critique on the Hotel Budapest ( 2014 ) Wes Anderson.

The beginning sets the story with an explanation.

Tracking shots and side way shots (wide).

Anderson also includes tilting the camera to focus on a certain object.

Usage no CGI and the look of cardboard sets giving its own charm.

Again production values simple but effective. The voice over is great. Bath house set is amazing, again travelling camera. 

My impression with Wes Anderson is that he wants his audience to work. My eyes go all over the screen and his composing of images gets you too look. The story takes a twist with a character telling the real story of the Hotel. 

Interesting shot and a lot of movement all around exchanged wilt scenes that are smaller and intimate. Use of framing the screen is …….. different. 

From Wide

 To "blocked"

The production design is just staggeringly beautiful does he work with someone in particular? Reminds me a lot of the French film makers Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Same colour pallet and eye for detail.Like a painting from Bruegel (the colour pallet).

When he is in prison he does a sermon like he does in the hotel. Featuring a great shot (framing) with the other prisoners next to him. People are always the centre of focus, mid framing.

Again great framing.

More framing examples

The Carousel scene is great as you only see the framing of the Carousel. But the production design might only be just the framing.

The framing of the images is also great with dead space to the left (3) and depth of field (2). One scene starts with a wide shot (1) and then moves to the individual characters (2 & 3) in the shot. 

With the open door as a depth of field reference, I love this way of visual storytelling.  I was wondering do these shots move in this order on occasions?? 

The death of one of the characters is a visual reference to Carl Dryer's Vampyr (1932) ?? The lighting and set up ?!

The chase is Alfred Hitchcock inspired and one shot reminded me of one of is earlier silent films The Lodger (1927). The chase ends with a couple of fingers being cut off which add some Grand Guignol. 

 

 Note: Framing.

Note: Reflection of the glasses

Framing and so many images are incredibly well executed.

The film is in parts and the announcement each for another part is greatly executed. Most original and reminds me a lot of the silents film era. Anderson does this in most of his films.

The actors are all excellent but Ralph Fiennes really shines in the title role. The film is a great visual feast but the characters are the power !!

The viewing of this film and "The Darjeeling Limited (2007) it opened my eyes towards Wes Anderson and the acknowledgement as an author. Highly original but maybe not for everyone. It has a great aesthetic and charm of the older Hollywood movies. Screwball comes to mind and some of the French caper and Fanthomas films. The music accompanies it greatly and got an (deserved) Oscar for it. 

Would I use any references from what Anderson shows in my own film (short). The framing does speak to me but the way of story telling is too quick for my taste.  

Blog out.