Burr and Burton Academy
Student Portfolio:
Jonathan Saunders
About Me
Why did you join this class?
Many people I've talked to have said great things about this class and have suggested that I join it. In freshman year, my friend helped to organize the cinematography club, which I joined, and which became much bigger the next year (although I wasn't as active then..). Beyond that, the art of cinematography is almost mysterious and intriguing to me - at the end of every great film is a long list of everyone who contributed, and it's hard to believe it took the efforts of this many people to make this film a reality for me to enjoy. I want to know what these people do.
What do you hope to gain from taking this class?
A better understanding of the process (as above).
One or several films that I can be proud to show people and say I helped make.
Also, a Gawlik? : )
What do you know about cinematography?
A director tells actors what to do, makeup and lighting make the actors look good, someone on the camera records the scene, someone spends a long time editing, and eventually a film has been created.
What do you want to know about cinematography?
What camera shots are used/to use in films and why. What I can do to make a video on any topic into an enjoyable viewing experience. How to best design important but non-obvious visual and verbal details. How to use manual camera settings to make a shot look best. How to use video editing software.
What type of films would you like to make?
In terms of genre, I can be diverse. My favorite films to watch always have intricate plots and carefully planned details, so that I can watch them again and again and keep seeing something new every time. Obviously, in the one or two-minute timeframe of films in this class, recreating this is very hard if not impossible to do, but my end goal in filmmaking would be to create something that people want to watch again for reasons other than "it's funny".
What are three of your favorite movies?-embed trailers or screen shots and explain why you enjoy these films.
Favorite film of all time - The Big Lebowski
Some others - Pulp Fiction, No Country For Old Men, Reservoir Dogs, O Brother Where Art Thou, Grand Budapest Hotel, My Cousin Vinny, Back To The Future
"The Big Lebowski" (by my favorite directors, the Coen Brothers) is my favorite film mostly because I feel that not a single word in the script is wasted, every line is quotable and enjoyable; the dialogue is unlike any other film I know, and the comedy from this is awesome. Every character is cast perfectly and they all fit and interact with each other in the best way. Some quotes, for example:
- "I'm not Mr. Lebowski, you're Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dude!... so that's what you call me. That, or 'His Dudeness', 'Duder', or, .. 'El Duderino', if you know, you're not into the whole brevity thing."
- "Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man."
- "This isn't 'Nam, this is bowling! There are rules here! ... MARK IT ZERO."
- "...say what you want about the tenants of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos."
"The Dude abides"
I also included trailers for Pulp Fiction and No Country For Old Men. Both of these are actually different from Lebowski in that they aren't comedies, but they are similar in the power of their plot and characters. Pulp Fiction is very popular for its nonlinear organization and Tarantino's crazy style. No Country For Old Men is actually a film I didn't like and thought was weird at first, but really appreciated after watching it again - it's really well put together. All three movies do a really good job with music.
What is your favorite movie genre?
I always used to like action/adventure, but who doesn't? I appreciate films of many genres and styles, as you know from above; actually, the more unique the genre, the better, as long as thought was put into it.
What motivates you to work hard?
I am usually not very motivated (the least motivated) when doing homework for myself, and/or when it's late and I'm tired. I probably work the hardest and best when I'm working to help someone when they need me, or (thinking about writing, for example) when I'm happy about an idea or topic and want to keep expanding it.
What are some concerns that you have now in your life?
Getting into and especially, paying for college.
Didn't do well last semester at school, need to do better this year.
What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
Last year, I took the Model UN class and the first semester especially was my favorite class experience so far. In terms of core classes, I always used to like math/science because of the logical consistency and because I was good at it, but now I don't have any strong feelings one way or another.
What are the three words that best describe you?
Biggest Character turn-off for you? (ex. I hate when people are late)
I don't like to interact with self-centered/self-important people.