My field in Telecommunication and Film is in media and film production. Though I never expected to pursue a career in film, I've loved watching and critiquing movies my whole life. I have fond memories growing up, where I would frequent the local movie store (usually Blockbuster) and walk through the aisles of movies, starting with the new releases, and then exploring the rest of the genres with hopes to uncover a classic. In the short history of film making, there are many important and crucial people who serve as foundations and have made Cinema what it is today.
My favorite monolith of American cinema (also a major innovator) is known as being the Master of Suspense. I am talking about none other than Alfred Hitchcock. Having directed over 60 movies, as well as the Htichcock Hour and Hitchcock Presents he was without a doubt a very accomplished director, and helped set in stone his reign over the Suspense genre. To name only a few of my favorites, he has thrilled and frightened the world with masterpieces such as a Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Strangers on a Train, and Rear Window. What makes him great was not the eerie storyline or morbid subject title, but how he used the camera movements and angles to create a feeling of angst and suspense to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, wondering what's around the next corner, sweaty palms and all. He is also know for mastering the technique known as the "vertigo effect" given its name from the title of the movie that made it popular. Today, it is a camera trick that many filmmakers try to emulate, and perfect in order to get just the right effect for their scene.
A great innovator of modern day American cinema has a lot fewer films directed than Sir Hitchcock. However, he has reinvented the American independent film using cinematic dynamite. Quentin Tarantino is known for making films of questionable moral nature, brutality, crime/drugs/profanity, and all around great original entertainment! Under his belt he has cult classics such as Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Inglorious Basterds, and a few more that'll make you want to create your own independent shocker! He doesn't care what critics think, he just wants to create quality cinema and bring the idea in his head to life. I love his quote directed towards big budget, high grossing blockbusters churned out by glossy, computerized Hollywood: "This CGI bullsh** is the death knell of cinema. If I’d wanted all that computer game bullsh**, I’d have stuck my d*** in a Nintendo." This defines his style, though. Vulgar, comical, and striving to produce something great that'll push the envelop. Tarantino is know for making the viewer feel uneasy using dialogue, subject matter, visual images, and camera movement, and in doing so has become an innovator to up and coming directors. My favorite angle he made popular in a few of his films was used 2 years earlier by Martin Scorsese in Goodfellas, and copied 4 years later by Robert Rodriguez in From Dusk Til Dawn. If you are familiar with these movies, you have probably noticed the same "camera in the car trunk looking out" shot. Tarantino will be the first to admit he steals everything he does, but at least he's honest about his success!
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