The Cinema Museum London

So today I went to the Cinema Museum hidden away in Kennington.

We were booked in for an hour and a half guided tour but ended up staying there for almost two and a half hours and were given a short film screening at the end in their little cinema.

It was such an amazing place. Even from a graphic design perspective there were so many signs from old cinemas with absolutely beautiful typography.

There was about six rooms purely dedicated to archiving print material - everything from magazines and books to photographs and film. It really was an Aladdin's den of cinema memoribilia. The tour guide told us that in one room they had images from about 75% of the films ever made!

Just when we thought the tour was about to end we were led up a flight of stairs and shown to the fairly recently acquired upstairs floor which is the chapel from the old workhouse. Boy, was it stunning. The space is available to rent out and is where they host events with actors and those in the film industry. Around the room there is so much cinema memoribilia - everything from sets of cinema seats to old film cameras.

Opening in April, which we got to get a sneak preview of, is a new part of the exhibition of the outfits the cinema ushers have worn throughout history. A majority were in a very military style which I never knew about and they had been preserved so well.

I would urge anyone to book on the guided tour you really won't be disappointed!

Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is a poetic masterpiece that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the ears.

Stunning visuals guide you through multiple worlds from our past, present and our future.
Some of the spoken language is so beautifully poetic it is just like listening to a reading of a book and paired with the visuals this film takes on something new - a heightened sensibility that in most films is shot down by the need to provide an action fuelled narrative. Questions about our own mortaility, what do we as humans live for and what is love rise to the surface.

It frustrates me that many people argue that they can't understand it; I think with this film you've just got to run with it. Don't ask too many questions and just accept the different worlds for the way they are.

I would also urge anyone to download the soundtrack to this film. The Cloud Atlas sextet is hauntingly beautiful.

You can't deny the amazing acting that takes place as one actor takes on many roles. In many occasions you are left wondering who played that particular person. The make-up is just so well done.

I think a second watch is definitely in order to have a closer look at the ways all the disparate stories are connected.

The only downside I would point out if one particular character I couldn't seem to believe as much as the rest which was the Vinnie Jones-eque gangster turned author played by Tom Hanks. I just felt his character was a little overdone perhaps.

Also the language spoken by the civilisation from the furthest future away was very confusing to understand and perhaps this hindered my ability to fully comprehend the story.

Other than these small factors I would urge people to watch Cloud Atlas. From the minute I left the cinema I could not stop thinking about it. It is a fresh break away from a conventional narrative and I strongly admire the directors for not being afraid to attempt something different and pull off, what in my opinion is, one of the best films I have encountered in a long time.

BUG: Bjork at the BFI

Last week I went to the BFI to see a screening from BUG also known as 'the evolution of the music video' which was presented by Adam Buxton.

Adam was a really funny and entertaining host - taking you through Bjork's vast range of music videos in an inviting way. He also explored Bjork's new album app and looked at some of the hilarious comments people leave on her music videos on youtube!

Here are some of my favourite videos of hers they showed from the night:

This one you can only describe as the cat video.



This one I could just watch over n over n over.




 This one - love the song - also the video reminds me of the film Brazil.

 

 And this one is one of Bjork's latest videos directed by Michel Gondry - this song is really starting to grow on me.

 

Technology Light Play

So this is my final outcome for a project I've been working on called Biographies.

Everyone in our class was randomly assigned a famous and interesting person including designers, chefs, cartoon characters, thinkers and so on.

I was given Oskar Fischinger.

I had never heard of him before but I really loved his animations he made; he was just so ahead of his time.

Aside from his animations he also made a machine called a lumigraph.

When a button was pressed, this caused a particular coloured light to shine.

When multiple buttons were pressed this made patterns that would move around.

I became interested in how in everyday live we are constantly pushing buttons on technology and subsequently are making things light up, flash and move without even realising it.

My final piece is more a collection of experiments from filming this lights; playing with the sound, speed, rhythm and making patterns out of the shapes.

I really feel this is something I would be interested in pursuing further -  one week just wasn't long enough.

Pentax Pictures

So I've been pretty busy working - saving up some money for the new term... But I've been taking some snaps on my Pentax ME Super which I've been trying to get to grips with!

portobello road/notting hill

nick frost and simon pegg at regent street apple store

the view from my halld window - the shard under construction