Cinema Exploration
As part of my passion for everything cinematic, I’ve developed a knack for observing, analyzing, critiquing and educating about the history, content, and style of film. For me, exploring the subject of cinema is like opening a treasure chest of endless knowledge. From the earliest films of the 1880s, to today’s current releases, cinema raises our consciousness and fills our imagination.
Cinema Exploration Portfolio
Beginnings of Cinema, 1878 - 1910
This is a class curriculum I developed highlighting the earliest days of cinema. From the first prototypes of the moving image, to the earliest narrative features, this project shares the innovations and techniques film pioneers invented to bring together this wonderful art called film.
A Brief History of Canadian Animation
This is a class curriculum I created for a possible cinema studies class. I was delighted to discover that Canada has a rich history in the field of animation. Many of their animated shorts have been nominated for Academy Awards.
Cinema’s Silent Era, 1910 - 1928
This is a class curriculum I wrote that highlights the silent era of cinema. In this project, I discuss the significant contributors to the field and what made them stand out among their peers. From Mack Sennett to Mary Pickford, the class studies innovations and contributions to this early period in American cinema.
Don Bluth: The Man Who Saved High Quality Animation
This is a class curriculum I put together highlighting the career of animator Don Bluth. For those of you who don’t know Bluth, he has made some of your favorite animated movies. These include: An American Tail, The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go To Heaven, and Anastasia to name a few. In addition, he served as much needed competition for Disney, as well as a wake up call for animation studios to step up their game and push them into a golden age of animation in the 90s.
every oscar for best original song (1934-2016)
This is a timeline video I did highlighting films that have won the Oscar for Best Original Song. At the time I’m posting this explanation, the video has so far received over 196,000 views. Honestly, I was very surprised that it was viewed that many times. It’s fun to view any time, but especially during the awards season.
every oscar for best production design
This was a subsequent compilation I made to my hit “Every Oscar for Best Original Song” tribute. This time, as the title suggests, the montage shows the chronology of all the films that have won the Oscar for Best Production Design. I continue to be amazed at the creativity of the production design talent over the years. This video has gone on to receive over 10,000 views.
tribute to the movies
This is one of my favorite video projects. In essence, it tracks the history of cinema from 1876 to the present day, with the soundtrack to “An American Tail” in the background. Some of the highlights include the silent era, the introduction of sound to film, German Expressionism, musicals from Hollywood’s golden age, innovations in animation, and blockbuster hits. It shows both my passion and love for this wonderful art we call the cinema, as well as showcasing various iconic moments from various movies.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Arnold Schwarzenegger
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passions in filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over work/impersonations. In this episode, I discussed with “Arnold Schwarzenegger” the film “Jurassic World” and how it became an unexpected success both critically and commercially.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Marvin The Martian
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passions in filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over work/impersonations. In this episode, I talked with “Marvin The Martian” about Chuck Jones and his method of combining both humor and sentimentality in his cartoons.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Mr. Sulu
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passions in filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over work/impersonations. In this episode, I discussed with “Mr. Sulu” the style and influence of 70s Sci-Fi film and television.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Sean Connery
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passions in filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over work/impersonations. In this episode, I talked with “Sean Connery” about his take on the 2015 film “Spy” with Melissa Mccarthy.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Stewie Griffin
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passions in filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over work/impersonations. In this episode, I talked with “Stewie Griffin” to discuss Disney and it’s approach towards standing out among competition.
2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk - Alfred Hitchcock
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passion for filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over/impersonations. In this episode I discussed with “Alfred Hitchcock” the difference between David Fincher and Michael Bay movies.
2 minute celebrity movie talk - michael york
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passion for filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over/impersonations. In this episode I discussed with “Michael York” How Disney competes with other studios.
2 minute celebrity moive talk - latke
This is an episode from an 8 part web series I wrote, directed, voiced, edited and starred in called “2 Minute Celebrity Movie Talk.” This project allowed me to utilize my passion for filmmaking, cinema exploration, and voice over/impersonations. In this episode I discussed with “Latke” from Taxi about Wes Anderson movies and their distinct style.
THE films of terry gilliam
This is a video tribute I made to one of my favorite directors: Terry Gilliam. Over the years, Terry Gilliam has taken us to wondrous worlds, showing both the beauty and chaos of the human race. From "Miracle Of Flight" to "The Fisher King," to "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.” The song I used in the background is “Mr. Blue Sky” by The Electric Light Orchestra.
Song and dance in classic movies
Here is another compilation video I made that pays tribute to song and dance in classic cinema. The song I used to synch with the video was “It’s Oh So Quiet,” by Bjork.
The FILMS OF BUSTER KEATON - "Do It Anyway"
Here's a tribute video I've been waiting a long time to do. Buster Keaton really is someone I look up to as a performer. He really is able to take a chance in life and hardly ever loses his cool. I never get tired of watching his movies. The song is "Do It Anyway" by Ben Folds.
man with a movie camera - “Money For Nothing”
This is another favorite of my video tributes. It’s a series of clips from Dziga Vertov’s 1929 film “Man With A Movie Camera” synched with the song “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits. Both the energy and hyperactivity of these two works are very much the same for me. I’d thought I’d give it a try.
Directors Critiques: Tim Burton - The OutCast
This is a video from a series of visual critiques I did awhile back. The subject, as its name suggests, is my own critique on the styles and tones various directors have on their work. They display my ability to observe and analyze how filmmakers visually showcase their work in their own unique way.
every oscar for best documentary short (1941-2019)
Here is yet another compilation video I made. This time around, I’m honoring every film that has won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short. The category and subject matter is large and diverse, with each short chronicling a fascinating part of our world that speaks to a certain audience. The song used is “A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics” from the movie “A Beautiful Mind.”
