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These are the ones that seem to lengthen out the ceremonies and the general public is fuzzy on what they are.
Best Art Direction
The art director over sees all the set and design aspects of a film. They maintain the budget, maintain quality control of the production, and assigning personal to the various departments among other things. Everything you see on the screen from the sets to the costumes to the make-up is under their control. They are in control of making the world you see on the screen.
This year we have four historical dramas and one contemporary. The Changeling takes place in the 1920s and 1930s in Los Angeles. Revolutionary Road is set in the 1950s in suburban Connecticut and New York City of the time. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button takes place over a long span of time from 1918 to 2003 mostly in New Orleans but also in Russia and New York. The Duchess takes place in the late 18th century and depicts the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Then there is the "contemporary" film which is the Dark Knight. It is the re-creation of Gotham City and its denizens which is a little harder to do than recreate a time period that we have lived through.
This one is a bit of a toss up for me. I could see the Oscar going to any of the historical dramas. I don't think that Dark Knight has a chance because the members can wrap their brains around the visuals. I think it will go to Benjamin Button but I won't be surprised if it goes to the Duchess.
Best Cinematography
The Cinematographer is in charge of the lighting and the camera choices so they make what the Art Director does come to life. The choosing of what kind of cameras to use and what to use with them is an art form in itself. You have to make it look good through the lens. Lighting has a lot to do with it too. Lighting can be a challenge since you need to make the set or location look the same through many takes and set-ups.
This year we have three historical and two contemporary (well sort of contemporary). We have The Changeling, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the Reader for the historical. The Dark Knight and Slumdog Millionaire for the contemporary.
I think Slumdog Millionaire should get it. Dark Knight was, honestly, too dark for me. I am betting that Button will get it.
Best Film Editing
So you have shot miles and miles of film which is great. Now you need someone who can put the story together for you in the best way possible and you turn to the film editor to make sense of all that film. Again it is an art form that I don't think gets enough credit in the final product.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was very strong visually for most of the film. It had some bumps and odd cuts but over all it was very well edited. The Dark Knight might take it because of how the film was put together but it loses my vote because it got murky towards the end as to where we were when and the story meandered. Frost/Nixon was tight and sleek. There was no more nor no less than needed to tell the story. I think this one deserves it out of these nominations but I don't think it is going to get it which is too bad. Milk is good but as great as some of the other nominations. Slumdog Millionaire was right up there with Frost/Nixon in my books. As confusing as the beginning of the film is, by the end you know exactly what happened and that was an achievement in itself. However I think that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is going to get it.
I am grateful that I had so much fun in the city yesterday. (Yes I went to Toy Fair)
Best Art Direction
The art director over sees all the set and design aspects of a film. They maintain the budget, maintain quality control of the production, and assigning personal to the various departments among other things. Everything you see on the screen from the sets to the costumes to the make-up is under their control. They are in control of making the world you see on the screen.
This year we have four historical dramas and one contemporary. The Changeling takes place in the 1920s and 1930s in Los Angeles. Revolutionary Road is set in the 1950s in suburban Connecticut and New York City of the time. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button takes place over a long span of time from 1918 to 2003 mostly in New Orleans but also in Russia and New York. The Duchess takes place in the late 18th century and depicts the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Then there is the "contemporary" film which is the Dark Knight. It is the re-creation of Gotham City and its denizens which is a little harder to do than recreate a time period that we have lived through.
This one is a bit of a toss up for me. I could see the Oscar going to any of the historical dramas. I don't think that Dark Knight has a chance because the members can wrap their brains around the visuals. I think it will go to Benjamin Button but I won't be surprised if it goes to the Duchess.
Best Cinematography
The Cinematographer is in charge of the lighting and the camera choices so they make what the Art Director does come to life. The choosing of what kind of cameras to use and what to use with them is an art form in itself. You have to make it look good through the lens. Lighting has a lot to do with it too. Lighting can be a challenge since you need to make the set or location look the same through many takes and set-ups.
This year we have three historical and two contemporary (well sort of contemporary). We have The Changeling, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the Reader for the historical. The Dark Knight and Slumdog Millionaire for the contemporary.
I think Slumdog Millionaire should get it. Dark Knight was, honestly, too dark for me. I am betting that Button will get it.
Best Film Editing
So you have shot miles and miles of film which is great. Now you need someone who can put the story together for you in the best way possible and you turn to the film editor to make sense of all that film. Again it is an art form that I don't think gets enough credit in the final product.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was very strong visually for most of the film. It had some bumps and odd cuts but over all it was very well edited. The Dark Knight might take it because of how the film was put together but it loses my vote because it got murky towards the end as to where we were when and the story meandered. Frost/Nixon was tight and sleek. There was no more nor no less than needed to tell the story. I think this one deserves it out of these nominations but I don't think it is going to get it which is too bad. Milk is good but as great as some of the other nominations. Slumdog Millionaire was right up there with Frost/Nixon in my books. As confusing as the beginning of the film is, by the end you know exactly what happened and that was an achievement in itself. However I think that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is going to get it.
I am grateful that I had so much fun in the city yesterday. (Yes I went to Toy Fair)
