November 22, 2006

• Though it's hardly shocking, I was still shocked when I first heard the news. My very first thought was, "Damn. No more Altman films to look forward to. Ever." And then I felt very sad. Senses of Cinema profile on Altman.
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• I'll add mine: . Was a bit surprised no one posted this yesterday
• /whistles like Hawkeye in M*A*S*H*
• >Was a bit surprised no one posted this yesterday i noted it in a comment somewhere > No more Altman films to look forward to. Ever. Yes, that's sad. He had a long and productive life, but I hate the finality of "No more... Ever."
• His technique of recording audio was interesting. I think for most scenes where there are multiple actors talking, in the old days, he used several omni-directional mics & one or two 8-track recorders. Later on, he used a type of mic, which name I forget, which has a hyper omni-d diaphragm, or multiple diaphragms in one capsule, & you record from all directions onto multitrack tape - I think there's a different track for each signal source. I worked with one once, but I forget what they're called. Hugely expensive. Not sure if I'm convinced that technique of capturing the multilayers of group conversation is valid/viable for movies, however. Perhaps that's why Altman used a favorite ensemble of actors, those he could be sure would improvise something valuable. Personally, I'd shoot the scene then add dialogue in ADR, then mix it. Perhaps that's missing what he was trying to achieve.
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• Perhaps that's missing what he was trying to achieve. I think it is. He put a lot of stock in "in-the-moment" performance, which relies on actors immersing themselves into a time and place. I don't think the quality of the performance would be the same in a recording studio. Hi squidranch.
• Ah, sad. We knew it wouldn't be long, but still. "Gosford Park" is one of those movies I've been watching regularly for years, seeing something new each time. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
• Holy shit it's squidranch!
• "Gosford Park" is one of those movies I've been watching regularly for years, seeing something new each time Oddly enough, I've had the same experience with "Popeye". There's probably something deeply wrong with me, but damn, I love that movie.
• His technique of recording audio was interesting The whole people-talking-at-the-same-time thing is why my mother-in-law doesn't like his films. The way it's staged, though, it's never really difficult to know where you're supposed to be focusing your attention. I really enjoyed his last film, A Prairie Home Companion, and I'm glad he got the Lifetime Achievement Oscar in time. He'll be missed, but so many good movies to watch!
• There's probably something deeply wrong with me, but damn, I love that movie. Critic's opinions on that film have changed recently, or so Mr. Koko tells me. I saw it when it came out, but haven't seen it since, because I remember being traumatised by the awfulness.
• "it's never really difficult to know where you're supposed to be focusing your attention." It's very subtle mixing. We studied some of his scenes from different movies when I was in audio school. They very subtley bring out the important stuff by slight adjustments to volume & EQ. None of it is 'as is' - the artistry is in how it seems natural, but it isn't. It's like how adverts sound louder than the tv show you're watching. Frequencies, baby, frequencies. Put more top-end in there, just by 3db, & bang.
• Nerd.
• Altman films = pickled herring with onions to me. Sometimes I'm in the mood for 'em and really like 'em, sometimes even the thought sickens me.
• Hey guys. It's not like I died or anything. I just don't check in as much as I used to. And, not to be a sour-puss, but most of the links have become less and less interesting to me. I don't know it that is a comment on my short attention span (it's hard as hell to shock me anymore), or that this thing that was "our cool playground" has become homogenized. Probably a bit of both. But I still enjoy the give and take of mofi and even if I don't post that much, I still read what you guys put up from time to time. And feel free to write me if anybody is going to be coming to LA and wants to hook up. Especially independently wealthy women of childbearing age.
• To clarify, by this thing that was "our cool playground" I didn't mean mofi, but the net in general.
• It's cos you had your throat scraped. That was the part of you that liked MoFi.
• It's true: MoFi is just another variant of strep.
• . he will be missed...
• . There's probably something deeply wrong with me, but damn, I love that movie. You're not alone, man. Saw it as a kid, and although I didn't know quite what to make of it, every frame stayed with me. Now, it's simply glorious. My Altman-trauma came at the hands of 'Three Women'. Man, was that ever twisted -- I really should see that one again. And a lot of people didn't think much of Prairie Home, but I couldn't get enough of it. Typical Altman, with every shot slightly moving, mirrors everywhere, story that kinda ends but not really... Godspeed, old man. You will be missed.
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