Visual Intonation

"My films are collective works in which everyone takes an active part." - Safi Faye 

Born in Dakar, Senegal in 1943, Safi Faye went on to become one of the most prominent African female filmmakers of her time. She is widely recognized as the first Sub-Saharan African woman to make a feature-length film and has been an inspiration for generations of African filmmakers.

In this podcast, we'll take a closer look at the life and career of Safi Faye. We'll delve into her early years growing up in Senegal and the impact that her upbringing had on her later work. We'll also explore her groundbreaking films, including "Kaddu Beykat" (1975), which was the first feature-length film directed by an African woman to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

Furthermore, we'll also discuss the themes and messages in Faye's films, which often centered around issues of gender, culture, and identity in post-colonial Africa. Likewise, we'll explore her unique storytelling style and the ways in which she used film to challenge stereotypes and present a more nuanced portrayal of African life.

Join us as we celebrate the life and work of this remarkable filmmaker and examine her impact on African cinema and beyond. Whether you're a fan of Safi Faye's films or just interested in learning more about the contributions of African women in film, this podcast is not to be missed.

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

Today we'll be speaking on the life and death of the great director Oscar Micheaux.

Born in 1884 in Metropolis, Illinois, Oscar Micheaux went on to become one of the most important figures in early African American cinema. He directed over 40 films throughout his career, many of which were groundbreaking in their portrayal of African American life and culture.

Despite facing racism and discrimination throughout his life, Micheaux persevered and became a pioneer of independent cinema. He founded his own film company, the Micheaux Film Corporation, and used it to create films that were often rejected by mainstream Hollywood studios. His films tackled controversial topics such as interracial relationships and lynching, and showcased the lives and struggles of African Americans in a way that had never been seen before.

In this podcast episode, we'll explore Micheaux's early life, his journey to becoming a filmmaker, and the impact his films had on African American representation in cinema. We'll also discuss the challenges he faced as an independent filmmaker and the legacy he left behind.

Sadly, Micheaux passed away in 1951, but his influence on cinema can still be felt today. Join us as we dive into the life and death of this great director and celebrate his contributions to the art of filmmaking.

Key Talking Points of the Episode: 

[00:53] Who is Oscar Micheaux and what role did he plan in the black history? 

[02:17] Oscar working as a homesteader in South Dakota 

[05:25] Understanding the Jim Crow Era 

[07:29] How Micheaux  designed his films to reach beyond the limitations 

[10:23] Oscar's return after a long pause 

[12:01] Oscar's impact on society 

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

In this podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with acclaimed director Sheldon Candis, known for his work on feature films such as "LUV" and "Baltimore Boys."

We dug deep into Sheldon's creative process and talked about his influences for his work. We discussed how he got his start in the film industry, working with prominent actors and producers, and the hurdles he's experienced as a director.

Sheldon opened up about his personal experiences that have influenced his art during the interview. He discussed how his upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, a city with a complicated history of race and poverty, influenced his work and fueled his desire to tell stories that shed light on important social issues. 

Sheldon also discussed his passion for mentoring young filmmakers and the importance of giving underrepresented voices in the film industry opportunities. 

His enthusiasm for filmmaking was palpable throughout the conversation. He spoke about the excitement of working with a talented crew and seeing his vision come to life on the big screen.

Sheldon gave some important insights on what it takes to make a great film, such as the value of collaboration, storytelling, and being loyal to your vision.

We also talked about his next projects and what fans may look forward to from him in the future. This talk with Sheldon Candis is not to be missed if you're a director or simply a fan of great movies.
 

Listen in to hear more from Sheldon. 

Key Talking Points of the Episode: 

[01:25] Sheldon’s experience growing up in Baltimore 

[04:37] Sheldon’s first role as a producer 

[07:18] The first film Sheldon made and how he raised the money 

[09:26] The biggest challenge Sheldon experienced directing his first film 

[10:58] Sheldon’s experience in Los Angeles 

 [13:57] Sheldon’s favorite class in school 

[17:02] Sheldon’s life after graduation 

[22:38] How Sheldon started working with the film "LUV" 

[24:14] The spiral of rewriting 

[25:55] Sheldon’s most challenging moments in the movie, in love and how he dealt with them 

[32:10] Did Sheldon envision being as successful as he is today? 

Magical Quotes from the Episode: 

“Film production and film production is the most competitive and most challenging film major of all the majors.” 

“A director’s job before they even make the film is the casting.” 

“Our greatest responsibility as human beings to be in service of others.”  

Connect with Sheldon: 

Sheldon Candis’ Website: https://www.sheldoncandis.com/ 

Sheldon Candis’ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheldon.candis

Sheldon Candis’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheldoncandis/

Sheldon Candis’ Twitter: https://bit.ly/3IMq2Dv

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

Hito Steyerl's Defense of the Poor Image

Hito Steyerl was born in 1966 and quickly became prominent in Germany's filmmaking circles. She's interested in how images and motifs are spread worldwide due to globalization, militarization, and surveillance migration. Steyerl's work defies convention by layering metaphors on top of metaphors and painting satire over serious subjects. One clear thing throughout Steyerl's work is that she wants the audience to think about the topic as much as she did.

In this episode, I share Steyerl's concept of a poor image. According to Steyerl, a poor image symbolizes this democratization and is a way to resist image commodification. A bad image is an image that has been degraded through technological reproduction. The degradation is a loss of quality and integrity in the image.

Listen to this episode and learn Steyerl's definitions of a poor image, how it can be used to exploit vulnerable communities, market cheap products, the significance of poor image in media, and the value of a poor image.

Key Talking Points of the Episode:

[02:14] How to transform an image

[04:03] High versus low resolution images

[08:07] Valid arguments against the poor image 

[10:12] How poor image can be used to exploit vulnerable communities

[12:06] The significance of a poor image

[14:01] The value of a poor image

Magical Quotes from the Episode:

"A poor image is any image that has been distributed or viewed through digital technology, posted on the Internet or shared on social media."

"A high-resolution image is more immersive, visually appealing and of higher quality than a low-resolution image."

"A bad image is only created as a result of being viewed, distributed, modified, and circulated in a digital landscape."

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

 Films and Cinematography Review for 2022 

What was your favorite film for 2022? 

Do you think black films did better in 2022? 

For sure, last year, the film industry performed exceptionally well. We saw many notable black films, whose diversity is something we can’t afford to overlook. 

In this episode, Mike Augustine joins me on the show for a review of the 2022’s films. We will share what stood out for us and the films we loved the most. Also, we share what we are looking forward to seeing in 2023. 

Listen in to this episode...

Key talking Points of the Episode: 

[00:51] Top films for 2022  

[02:51] Top actors for 2022 

[04:11] Top cinematography for 2022 

[09:56] Top performances for 2022 

[10:59] Top documentaries for 2022 

[14:17] Top directors in 2022 

[15:18] Top music videos in 2022 

[16:38] What we are looking forward to in 2023 

Get in touch in the comments below, or head to...

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

Meet Joel Adrian Harris, a talented and experienced Atlanta-based director of photography. He's had an incredible year of filmmaking, working on a variety of projects and collaborating with some of the industry's most exciting and innovative filmmakers and companies. 

Joel brings a unique and artistic vision to every project, whether he is shooting documentary work or commercial spots. His attention to detail, technical expertise, and ability to capture stunning and evocative imagery have made him a sought-after collaborator for regional directors and producers. 

Joel has worked on a wide range of projects in the last year, including Apple, HBO, VOX, VICE News, and Bloomberg, and has received critical acclaim for his work. He is constantly pushing the boundaries of cinematography and looking for new and exciting challenges to take on. 

So, if you're a filmmaker looking for a talented and visionary director of photography, Joel is the man to call. He is the ideal collaborator for bringing your vision to life on the big screen. 

 Key Talking Points of the Episode:

[02:27] Joel's experience shooting for big companies

[04:01] The differences between videographers and cinematographers

[05:51] Joel's first experience with a camera

[07:59] Joel's experience in the military

[10:44] How Joel's family took his musician

[12:11] Joel's shinning point in his career

[13:07] The influence Joel's upbringing in South Carolina had on his career

[14:53] Joel's first music video

[19:39] The trials and tribulations in the film industry

[21:37] Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art?

[25:52] How Joel shaped his identity

[27:31] Tips and tricks for a young cinematographer to succeed

[30:55] Joel's dream projects

[32:19] Joel's experience running a filmmaking business

[38:25] Advice to a young DP trying to get into the game

Magical Quotes from the Episode:

"If you want it to look the way you want it to look, you have to give direction the right way."

"The number one thing I learned in the military is being able to stick through something even when it's uncomfortable."

"I will tell any new cinematographer to try everything and see what sticks."

"If you want a beautiful film, you have to surround yourself with other talented people who know more than you."

"I think surrounding yourself with people better than you in different areas is probably the fastest way to grow."

Get in touch in the comments below, or head to... 

Joel’s Website: https://www.joeladrian.com/ 

Joel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeladrianfilms/ 

 

Vante's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/ 

Vante's Website: https://www.vantegregory.com/ 

 

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations 

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation 

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@directedbyvante 

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

By far, the most significant impact of capitalism on the filmmaking industry is the presence of studio systems.

A film studio system is a business model in which a film studio produces and distributes films, often through subsidiaries. This system has its roots in the early days of Hollywood, when film studios dominated the industry and controlled all aspects of film production, distribution, and exhibition.

Capitalism is an economic system in which private individuals and businesses own the means of production and distribution, and operate for profit. In the film industry, capitalism plays a significant role in how studios produce and distribute films. Studios are driven by the profit motive, and they make decisions about what films to produce and release based on what they believe will be most financially successful.

The relationship between film studio systems and capitalism is complex, and there are differing views on how these systems have shaped the film industry. Some argue that the film studio system has helped to create a more stable and efficient industry, while others argue that it has contributed to the homogenization of film and the marginalization of certain voices and perspectives.

Listen in. 

Like, comment, share, and subscribe. 

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

A.I. can be a scary term.

In the film industry, artificial intelligence (AI) has been used for a variety of purposes, including content creation, special effects, and audience analysis. AI algorithms, for example, can be trained to create new video content, such as original film scenes or dialogue. In terms of special effects, AI can be used to improve or automate the creation of visual effects, making high-quality visuals easier and faster to produce. Furthermore, AI can be used to analyze audience data to assist filmmakers in better understanding their target audience and tailor their content accordingly. Overall, artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the film industry by making it more efficient and effective.

Competent Artificial Intelligence was once regarded to be something out of a science fiction plot. Self-driving cars and conversational robots were wonderful plot devices, but they felt too far-fetched for reality. As humans, we prefer to believe that a machine will never be able to recreate the twists, turns, and creative force of our minds - yet we have always been fascinated by the possibility that it might be achievable one day. It's no surprise that imaginative depictions of AI technology have been dancing across cinema screens for nearly a century. Star Wars, Star Trek, I Robot, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Iron Man are just a few examples. Intelligent robots have become legendary in film history, and this tendency is expected to continue.

Listen in and see how these effects can shape the filmmaking community.

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

Piracy is one of the most significant challenges in the film industry. Almost a quarter of all internet bandwidth is devoted just to online piracy. People visited piracy websites around 130 billion times in 2020. There isn’t any format that has avoided piracy grasp. People can pirate anything digital, whether a book, a film, a television show, or cutting-edge computer software. 

One of the most significant shortcomings of piracy is the loss of revenue. Unfortunately, it doesn’t only affect the filmmakers, but also the cinema impacts creators and artists in the media industry. A sad statistic shows that more than 200,000 people are made redundant in the United States due to piracy each year. That said, if we leverage piracy, it can be an amazing marketing tool. I will see how best I can do it with a film I will release next year.

The freedom that comes with piracy is one thing that makes it attractive to people. Imagine having an opportunity to access something you do not have to pay for, a film or software from back in the days that are not available elsewhere, or accessing films that may be banned in your country. Isn’t that FREEDOM?

In this episode, I want to share the nitty-gritty of what pirating has done to the film industry. I look at the pros and cons of piracy, why people love it, and the relationship between piracy and censorship.

Listen in to hear more.

Key Talking Points of the Episode:

[01:56] Effects of piracy on the film industry

[04:08] Can piracy be a form of advertising?

[07:55] What is the connection between piracy and censorship?

[10:01] Why do people love piracy?

Magical Quotes from the Episode:

“Piracy creates a small amount of online freedom for people wanting to browse content outside the scope of censorship.”

“One thing that is undeniably true in the age of the internet, piracy is here to stay. If firmer consequences were introduced for torrenting films, this wouldn’t make pirates disappear. It would just make them learn to be sneakier.”

"A large part of the allure of piracy is finding access to films that aren’t available on legal platforms, whether they just aren’t available yet or because they’re on a platform that you don’t currently pay for."

"An undeniable facet of internet piracy is making video media accessible for people who genuinely cannot afford a streaming platform subscription or purchasing films whenever they would like to watch them."

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation

Slow cinema aesthetics are becoming more popular in mainstream cinema, not only the art house or festival circuit. People are looking for ways to get away from the quick pace of modern life and our continual connectivity. Why not look for it in the stillness, in the static images of landscapes, in the experience of ordinary people living ordinary lives? 

Slow Cinema is a formal trend that has gradually gained popularity in modern cinema since its inception after the Second World War. Slow cinema is an art or experimental film model that portrays several distinct characteristics. Flanagan (2012) explained that slow cinema was characterized by the application of the long take, a tendency toward realist or hyperrealist representation, an undramatic narrative or non-narrative structure, stillness in composition, and visual content. Slowness in cinema has prompted the rise of questions that have gained critical and theoretical discussions over the past decade (De Luca, 2016). A review of the slow cinema style based on stillness, long durations, and silence makes it unsuitable for domestic film viewing. The fragmented and distracted modes of spectatorial interaction with miniaturized screens are only attainable in film theaters. 

There are several films that have helped to popularize slow cinema and have promoted the idea of searching for meaning in the everyday in ordinary life, including but not limited to Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt", Béla Tarr's "Sátántangó", Abbas Kiarostami's "Ten", Lav Diaz's "Fallen Angels", Michael Snow's "La Région Centrale", Apichatpong Weerasethakul's "Mit Klang", Chantal Akerman's "No Home Movie" and Abbas Kiarostami's "Like Someone In Love". 

Ideally, slow cinema was primarily interested in how the passage of time can be felt within a film. The idea was to ensure duration became a filmic element, similar to editing or cinematography (Flanagan, 2012). To achieve the duration ideology, films leaned towards longer takes, minimal editing, and naturalistic performances, which made the films alienating and bizarre. The focus on time and duration involved, making films to be agonizingly slowly paced. For instance, the films would have 20-minute sequences during which a man walked while holding a candle. As the focus on time in Cinema intensified, there was minimal narrative and more time spent building tone in Poetics of Slow Cinema (Çaglayan, 2018). Sound design is also minimal, and the camera is seen to move but slowly. Previously, Cinema was established to be a narrative art form that slow Cinema has drastically changed. Slow Cinema is argued to test patience, hooking the viewer by making them wait, expecting a pay-off that sometimes never arrives. Talented slow cinema directors have greatly mastered the art of keeping their audience waiting for the entire length of their films. Slow cinema films have significantly gained popularity and are reported to leave a lasting impact on viewers immersed in a slowly moving world. 

A slow film is one that does not move. This could include a lack of narrative, contemplative cinema, aesthetic sensibility, or philosophical insights. The length of a shot. Slow cinema is distinguished by the use of static shots, long duration shots, pans, tracking shots, and a narrative focus on the more mundane aspects of life. There is an emphasis on the mundane - the small, seemingly insig

Support the show

Visual Intonation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualintonation/

Vante Gregory's Website: vantegregory.com
Vante Gregory's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantegregory/

To support me on Patreon (thank you): patreon.com/visualintonations

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@visualintonation