Age of The Nerd
Welcome to Weekend Watch, where we highlight some of the best nerd-related videos released throughout the week. Whether it be short films, behind the scenes videos, or video essays, the only requirement is that they are about–in some shape or form–our favorite movies and TV shows!
In this edition of Weekend Watch, we take an in-depth looks at the award-winning editing of Dunkirk, the award-winning production design behind The Shape of Water, and the award-winning visual effects of Blade Runner 2049. Plus, we have a really great video that features legendary actor Mark Hamill giving his acceptance speech for his star on the hollywood walk of fame, as well as a fascinating video of Jennifer Lawrence taking a polygraph test. So, without further adieu, let’s get right into the Weekend Watch!
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/K6Jbf0LmtIs”]
Up first, we have a great video with Oscar-winning editor Lee Smith explaining the editing process through his lens. Using his most recent work, Dunkirk as an example, Smith walks us through the process of editing a feature film. What makes Smith so different from modern editors is that he is one of the few people who actually edit on film, as opposed to digitally. Overall, this video gives great insight into the editor’s process, along with some insight on how Smith works with his long-time collaborator, Christopher Nolan.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/lvfNx-LFqmo”]
This video showcases this year’s BAFTA and Oscar winner Paul Austerberry discussing the arduous production design behind The Shape of Water. As one of the multiple production designers on the project, Austerberry was primarily responsible for every piece of set dressing that comes in front of camera, all while at the same time coordinating future PD items further along in the shooting schedule. Ultimately, this video shows what it takes to production design a feature film, but also showcases the thought and care that went into the PD for this film.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/gQ8noORAJuc”] [su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/4L_FgTPVE2A”]
Next, we have two nifty Blade Runner 2049 VFX Breakdowns, which showcase this year’s Best Visual Effects winner at the Academy awards. The first comes from Framestore, the second from Double Negative–but both VFX breakdowns showcase the massive amounts of invisible effects that the film employs. Based on these breakdowns, it’s hard to deny all of the awards love that the film got in this category.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/_wehU2l7jcs”]
Did you know that Mark Hamill finally got his star on the Hollywood walk of fame? Although fans had been petitioning for years, Hamill was finally recognized for his contribution to film over the past 40 years, as both an actor and voice actor. Now that the actual ceremony has passed, video of Hamill’s speech has made it’s way online for all to see. It’s always really great to see under-appreciated actors like Hamill finally get their due, and this is certainly no exception to that idea.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/5LoBGoQPUNc”]
Finally, we have a very, very interesting video by Vanity Fair that shows Jennifer Lawrence taking a lie-detector test on camera. Lawrence has gained a reputation for never taking herself too seriously, and this video is a great example of that. In the video, the interviewer asks a variety of questions, from her professional to her personal life, along with even throwing some philosophy in there. Some might say that she’s putting herself out there too much by taking a polygraph on camera like this, but I absolutely love the fact that Lawrence had the balls to even agree to this in the first place, let alone follow through and be a great sport about the whole thing.
