The Grand Budapest Hotel

16:05


After Ellen Rodger's lecture on Friday and seeing all the different mediums from which she draws inspiration; from video games to films, I made an effort to expand the pool from which I find inspiration. Films was my obvious genre, and Wes Anderson's films in particular are so considered, you could pause the film at any time and it appears as each individual shot was composed as a single still image or painting.

Auteur- A filmmaker whose personal influence and artistic control over a film are so great that the director is regarded as the author. 

The aesthetic, full of pinks and blues, the bright purple uniforms of the cast become part of the set. Every single aspect of the film was made with purpose, every graphic, newspaper, map, was authentic and exact. After researching into the film further, I have a much greater appreciation for the production and set up; the graphic designers and camera work; Anderson is a big fan of long tracking shots, he enjoys seeing actors play the scene through and pushing them, building the tension. These may take ten or twenty takes, and each take may need new props, all identical. The tiniest details are present; even those the camera may not see for more than half a second, they help to build an authentic set for the actors and directors to work around.


Andersons signature use of symmetry is present throughout, this article talks about the science behind why we instinctively fall in love with Anderson's films, and the secret is symmetry. We all have an innate reaction to symmetry, from research demonstrating children as young as four months old recognising symmetry, to adults finding someone attractive because they have a symmetrical face. 
Symmetry creates a point of interest, adds humour, and makes for a more interesting portrait. 









Frame within a frame was another key compositional technique Anderson used to fit more within the small square aspect ratio used in the 1930's based part of the film, using aspect ratio of 1.37:1, the 1960's ratio of 2.35:1 and 1980's 1.85:1 fitting with the current cinematography of the time period.





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