The Biggest Little Movie Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nick Gapp
The Biggest Little Movie Podcast is focused on young, and the young-at-heart, film enthusiasts and professionals who are carving their way into the industry. This podcast is for the filmmaker who wants to learn more and hear other experiences on what it takes become an influencer of the craft.
We discuss the malleable, yet fascinating concept of "Film Juxtaposition."
Short Film Suggestions:
- Ryan Tune - Troops by Kevin Rubio
- Josh Larson - This is Normal
- Nick Gapp - The Wormhole - Timelapse 4K Created by Michael Shainblum
Other Links from the discussion...
Examples of great film juxtaposition:
- 500 days of Summer (Expectations VS Reality)
Example of an ugly set of cuts that don't communicate the action clearly:
- James Bond - Quantum of solace opening
To clarify my point (Nick), all shots technically create contrast if you think in very binary terms, but to better communicate my interpretation of it I would say there are two sub-types, complementary juxtaposition and contrasting juxtaposition. Complementary refers to two or more shots that are building on an idea. Contrast refers to when the idea finally shifts. I think one of the best examples of this is seen in the movie John Wick.
It's a great action scene with exceptional juxtaposition in terms of color, cuts, music and performances. There is a constant forward motion with this scene that is perfectly juggling complementary elements with contrast and opposing forces.
- John Wick Club Scene
SPOILERS
We analyze what worked and didn't work in 1917.
Behind the Scenes
Our guests on this episode are Nick Gapp, Ryan Tune, and Josh Larson.
Follow Nick Gapp
- https://www.instagram.com/nickgapp/
- https://twitter.com/Nickgapp
- https://letterboxd.com/nickgapp/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_B20hM3eOa7cCti3oYzKw
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_B20hM3eOa7cCti3oYzKw
Short Film Recommendations
Nick Gapp - R’Ha, directed by Kaleb Lechowski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgm_4WRcGRo
Ryan Tune - GUARDSMAN - Directed by Richard Boylan | Written by Boman Modine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bgi5STRe8E
Josh Larson - Palimpsest - Directed by Michael Tyburski | Written by Ben Nabors & Michael Tyburski - https://vimeo.com/86033985
Follow Nick Gapp
- https://www.instagram.com/nickgapp/
- https://twitter.com/Nickgapp
- https://letterboxd.com/nickgapp/
Follow Angel Alvarado
- https://www.facebook.com/angel.alvarado.9235
- https://www.instagram.com/angelalvarado.10/
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9928396/
We analyze what worked and didn't work in Avengers: Endgame Spoilers. Ours guests on this episode are Nick Gapp, Ryan Tune, Josh Larson, and Angel Alvarado.
Poem mentioned by Paul Sean Ward. The formatting may be off in this description, for proper reading go here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47558/i-too
I, Too
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
Langston Hughes, “I, Too” from Collected Poems. Copyright © 1994 by The Estate of Langston Hughes. Reprinted with the permission of Harold Ober Associates Incorporated.
Source: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (Vintage Books, 2004)
Structure According to Blake Snyder from Save the Cat (Not a sponsor, but check out his book for yourself!)
- Opening Image (1)
- Theme Stated (5)
- Set Up (1-10)
- Catalyst (12)
- Debate (12-25)
- Break Into Two (25)
- B Story (30)
- Fun and Games (30-55)
- Midpoint (55)
- Bad Guys Close In (55-75)
- Dark Night of the Soul (75-85)
- Break Into Three (85)
- Finale (85-110)
- Final Image (110)
More details here - https://timstout.wordpress.com/story-structure/blake-snyders-beat-sheet/
Short Film Recommendations
Nick Gapp - The Valley - Written & directed by Olivier Wright. Starring Thom Lefèvre - https://vimeo.com/277325686
Ryan Tune - PAPERS, PLEASE - Written by Nikita Ordynskiy, Liliya Tkach and Lucas Pope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFHHGETsxkE&t=
Mike Grimm - The Crimson Permanent Assurance - Terry Gilliam short played before Monty Python's Meaning of Life - https://vimeo.com/111458975
Grimm's comic "Apoca Clips" - http://www.grimmcomics.com/
Bonus - Who Killed Markiplier? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoSrocwNYjA
Austin, Nevada - http://austinnevada.com/austin-nevada-rich-history/
Check out the trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7pYhpJaJW8
Learn more about the performance capture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YBRj3BEkEc
For more podcast episodes and short films go to - https://biggestlittlemoviepodcast.com/
Check out some of Darius' work so far:
Ressurection of Nikoli: https://youtu.be/icHHnnMODPk
Again and Again: https://youtu.be/8gmkEkfJZy8
Russian Roulette: https://youtu.be/F78UcrHrNJc
Fuckboi: https://youtu.be/9uWKCEgfwbI
At Ease- https://youtu.be/e0H1WIudq-4
Snacks for the Ride- https://vimeo.com/233761528
Schrodinger's Nostalgia- https://youtu.be/eZph2IZHwKA
Follow Darius Here:
- whose_darius44 - https://www.snapchat.com/add/whose_darius44
- Instagram: thedevinemango44
- Facebook & Twitter: Darius J. Devine
Follow Nick Here:
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/nickgapp
- Twitter and Letterboxd - Nick Gapp
Film Suggestions
Nick
Twitter.com/Nickgapp | Letterboxd.com/NickGapp
- Lights Out by David Sandberg - https://vimeo.com/82920243
- Whisper by Julian Terry - https://vimeo.com/242312383
Ryan Tune
- Italian Spiderman by Dariotown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zen_zRmbKaM
Josh Larson
- FTL by Adam Stern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIUIh7dxlnI&t=
I interview Brad Vance, a writer with a unique voice for storytelling. Join us as we delve into what makes him tick.
Below are some of the film education books recommended by Brad.
Directing:
Directing Actors, by Judith Weston. If you only get one book on this list, it’s this one. Most everything technical you can learn on the job, but connecting with your actors on their level, understanding their craft, you need this book. A classic.
My First Movie, edited by Stephen Lowenstein.
If only I’d read this before doing my first short! Interviews with art house directors about how they got their first film made. You’d be surprised how many modern auteurs went on to their sets the first day terrified, ignorant, and lost. The key secret: Never let the crew see you scared. Inspirational and reassuring.
Storyboarding Essentials, Rousseau/Phillips.
Invaluable lessons on how to design shots, in advance, saving you tons of time during shooting.
Making Movies, by Sidney Lumet. How I Did It by a master craftsman.
De Niro, by Shawn Levy. Not only will you learn how great actors prepare, but you’ll be awed and inspired by the man’s dedication to the craft of filmmaking.
Screenwriting:
DO NOT read Save the Cat or Story by McKee first. If you do read them read them last. They’ll ruin your creative impulses. Syd Field’s Screenplay is useful, but again, he’ll tell you your first act has to end on page 37 ½ and other rules that are meant to be broken.
DO read Crafty Screenwriting by Alex Epstein. The very best book on how to write a screenplay that will actually be read by the industry.
You have to have The Screenwriter’s Bible, if only as a reference book for proper formatting.
Remember that most books about screenwriting are like books about how to decorate your house – they’ll teach you how someone else wants your house to look.
Editing:
Must reads are Walter Murch’s In The Blink of an Eye and his Conversations with Michael Ondaatje. There are tons of practical textbooks on editing, but all of that can be learned on your own. Murch was the editor of The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, Godfather Trilogy, and many more. These books teach the art of editing for story and impact.
History:
Neil Gabler’s An Empire of Their Own is the epic story of the founding of Hollywood and the moguls who ran it. Your film education is incomplete without this book.
Inspiration:
If you pick one, make it Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. Also strongly recommended, Independent Ed by Ed Burns, Stanley Kubrick by Vincent LoBrutto, Like Brothers by the Duplass brothers.
This is a new bonus series called "Creator Profiles" where I interview unknown creatives in the community and find out what makes that tick and grind through the world of entertainment. We interview a great actor named Paul Sean Ward. He's a chameleon actor, who seems to find a way to fit so well is so many roles. Now he's taking the next big step and moving to LA.
We break down and rant about films that may be boring, dumb, or outright terrible. Spoiler Warning.
We analyze the latest film in the Wizarding World, with perspectives from fans and non-fans. Spoiler Warning.
A special episode discussing the choice to go to LA versus, staying where you are a making something of your location.
We discuss what it takes to make a film with little resources and a low budget, and the elements to consider to make it successful.