THX 1138: Low Budget Eye Candy
Posted on July 12, 2010 in Effects and Stunts, Production Design | 17 Comments
How to create the future using the real word, sound and picture editing and zero cgi.
VIA: Steven Boone
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17 Comments
This is a great piece, inspiring.
Every filmmaker and wannabe should see this. I watch and read a lot of stuff trying to learn the art and craft. I got more from this 10 minutes than many hours spent in other places. Thanks!
I’m going to have to agree… the technical aspect of this piece is so simple it appears complicated! Awesome dynamics!
I’m going to have to take considerable issue with the viewpoints of this video.
First off, when they say “low budget” – they mean “low budget” in Hollywood terms. It would still take at least a million plus to create something like that even with today’s technology.
The cars, the closing of the tunnel, the stunt work, the locations, the barbershop bills to shave everyone’s head – it still adds up to $$$
Secondly, this style is low budget work from 1971. Almost 40 years have past since then – including Lucas’s first three Star Wars which I think everyone will at agree are high up on the list in terms of storytelling and action directing.
There’s a lot of stylistic progress that today’s audiences come to expect.
Lament all you want about how today’s film crams the frame full of such and such, but that’s what people today like.
You can go against the grain, but you’ve got to make sure you OWN the style you make – not just say you’re copying a student film from the early 70s.
@Gospel_John I think you are missing the point. Yes, THX was a studio film and it had a fairly large budget for the time. We only think of it as a small budget film because it failed at the box office and is now a cult movie.
And yes, you shouldn’t copy another style, although if you are good enough to steal, go for it.
The point of this video is to look at the world around you with new eyes. Almost everything in that clip was taken from moder day, but when looked at with the right eye it becomes futuristic.
Having fresh eyes can extend far beyond just the scifi genre. If you can bring a fresh perspective you can turn any normal day activity into something interesting.
Well then, the title is extremely misleading.
No, it’s just your perception that is misleading. Looking at things from a fresh perspective doesn’t cost you anything and saves you money by seeing the opportunities around you.
You must start seeing our article titles with fresh eyes. :P
I did see a video where the author lamented about the loss of the “ability to build sequences in this spare seductive way” and “cram the frame and the soundtrack… a surfeit of eye and ear candy promoting sensory overload, sabotaging the drama, the suspense, the emotional impact, the ideas” and stating “this is what mainstream American cinema has lost”
Really?
Have you seen the new Star Wars films?
No, how were they?
They lack the “ability to build sequences in this spare seductive way” and “cram the frame and the soundtrack… a surfeit of eye and ear candy promoting sensory overload, sabotaging the drama, the suspense, the emotional impact, the ideas” and are a example of “what mainstream American cinema has lost.”
Ah… now I understand.
He draws this conclusion about a culture from 3 lackluster films.
And uses a 40 year old lackluster film to prove his point.
I only watch George Lucas films.
I’ll have to wait till I get home to watch this. The way you guys are snarking on it – now I have to.
Hey, some of you guys are taking things way too seriously. I think the piece is great because it points out some things that had psychological impact but I hadn’t made the conscious connection to technique. That doesn’t mean anyone should rush right out and copy it. Besides, I saw this first-run in the theater when I was in high school. It was pretty good stuff back then.
I think you are right about the video.
As far as my conversations with John “seriously” is a term that should never be used to describe them.
A great analysis of that sequence. A favorite film, but I had not understood the brilliance underlying the techniques used. For the longest time, I was under the impression that a stunt man was killed in that last motorcycle crash – not sure where that rumor came from. Good to know Duffy Hambleton survived — that stunt sure looks like it went out of control.