Enemy At The Gates (DVD) Review

For all the critical broad recognition that surrounded the opening scene of saving Private Ryan (who is portrayed D-Day invasion of Normandy landing), little is said about opening scenes of Enemy at the gate. Just as realistic and, of course, as, if not more, important, the enemy at the gates of paint vivid pictures of Battle of Stalingrad.
As Nazi forces besiege the city, Russian peasants are sent across the river by boat unprotected. As Luftwaffe swoop down from the sky and rain of bullets on men below, only in mountainous bodies overturn on top of people could save him from himself shot. Those who survive and make it to shore, armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle - but not everyone, only every other person In the men charged with unarmed people with weapons, and when he killed to collect the weapons himself and fight with the enemy courageously.
Sharp malfunctions farm boy Vasily Zaitsev (Jude Law) finds himself in this sense a bloody environment. As part of the initial wave of Russian advance, he had to play hide among the dead and mangled body of his countrymen, when the Germans to destroy the Russian offensive. Using bodies as cover, he puts his sniper skills to work, and not against animals, he used to shoot for food, but also against the German officers exposed his crosshairs. Vasily in brilliant talents, immediately recognized Commisar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), which ends up befriending a man.
As powerful figure in the Communist propaganda machine, Danilov uses his skills and communication Vasily transformed into larger than life hero, giving the impression that he is capable of defeating the German army all by himself. This Danilov hopes that by creating a recognizable face for military purposes, he can raise the morale of the Russian armed forces and reverse against advancing German armies.
But relations between the two men was compounded when Vasily Danilov and fall in love with the same woman, a woman soldier named Tanya Chernova (Rachel Weisz). Will Danilov, in turn, envy him against his friend? The man who made Vasily certainly capable of tearing it down, and the Soviet Union, no one is above the anger Vasily Stalin& 39;s problems is compounded announced the arrival of his German counterpart, Major Konig (Ed Harris), winner of the Iron Cross and the most celebrated sniper in the history of Germany.
Based true stories about real life, two soldiers, Zaitsev and Konig, the enemy at the gates sticks closely with the historical record concerning the maps between these noted personalities during the war. Are they simply creations propaganda? Or is it the individual battles century? Only history can make that distinction. Meanwhile, the enemy at the gates of doing for themselves a place among the great wars, tragedies of our era. A well-cultivated scenario, coupled with unprecedented visual display of destructive war, makes this must-see. film - both for its educational and historical value, as well as its edge of his seat excitement.



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Auditioning for Voice Actors In The New Era - The Best Way To Ensure More Bookings

If you follow the trends, one can say that the voice-over business Casting turns to online sources. At least, she becomes the most economical way for new talent to enter the market and get heard. Many of these talents in the venture market with home made everything; demos, packaging, web sites, commercial copy, studio facilities and the list goes on. They referred to the House made a CD, they have made their homes in the studio, with symbols of their homeland and made labels and develop in their home and made web sites. Do not frown on this, because this is the path that virtually anyone can get started. The problem now ... Everyone wants to be a voice guy or girl, which means the talent pool, or somewhat stagnant water, however, was very muddy get their demo and after a demonstration after demonstration in the market with talent after talent after talent .. You get my point I guess.
A many of these guys and girls are filtered through the cost of doing business, and many are hampered after several attempts to get a job, and they too fall from the wayside. This is good for all of us that choose on a daily basis to stay in the game and continue to deal with rejection and other headaches that come with business. What he does leave this myakina those who moved on to greener pastures. Producer of the shelves and continue to be lined with demo tapes and CD.
I & 39; ve in a large number of agencies and it almost laughable that some people will send to agents trying to drum activity. All have to do is watch the new season of American Idol observe how people throw half the heart attempts to get to big leagues. At times we all guilty of it. I noticed while back that I myself get a little lazy " & quot; listening to the process. After 10 years, you tend to develop a routine where you do all the same. I sat back and took a good look at how I was physically placed on the Internet, when submitting auditions. There I was on the panel in the studio, sitting at the microphone, I usually use for training, feedback, ISDN and stand recording sessions.
The microphone stand, as it turns out, was installed at a low level, I was slumped over in my chair, with the right bit, and do little more than muttering my way through auditions. Then, with little concern, I would like to make some major changes in the file and send it to leave. I have had over time has stopped putting the right amount of effort to auditions. I continue doing a good job. The question is, I was doing the best job I could. The answer was no. I could do, certainly much better. I began with the redeployment of the microphone so I had to stand on its use. No more of this meeting down and fire them off as not important. I stand on all other production I do, then why should not I put just as much effort in auditions? It& 39;s quite easy to answer one ... Auditioning is tiresome and boring. The only thing that makes it tolerable is the idea you can land is part of the transaction. And your spirit confident that receives every time you make again.
Auditioning is also one of those things we must do to get any work, so after a while it becomes like taking out trash. If we do not do it no one will - and until no one is watching, we can inform him pile for a while. What happens after he sits there while? It begins at a foul smell. Much the same way our auditions do after we begin to see them as a chore, or something ", under us & quot;, because we did so long enough, and we know what we are doing.
What poor attitude to have. Each audition is a new opportunity to be reborn. We can stand, sit directly activities (or in my case, stand) and go after new working to bring some real gusto. I have to reach some auditions in the studio for the last month or so, where you can tell that the talent simply do not care, or thought their work was under for some reason. So why even use? If you are not going to give it your all, why even take the time? Some of them were auditions mix with younger talents that are trying too hard to sound " Cool ".
You can hear it in every aspect of audio they sent over. Voltages tone and pushing themselves, who knows what. One thing they fulfil this sound like anyone but themselves. But compared with experienced talent that " by telephone & quot; them to read, two demonstration sound surprisingly familiar with each other. How do you ask? They were simply wrong. Of the 100 or so submissions I received, nearly half of them hit the round file (garbage) because of the sound quality alone. If they wanted to send spam, that in trying to get gigabytes of what nightmares would have to deal with me if I had them make their own audio in the studio? Of the other 60% or so, some of them nailed him. Just nailed it old. They have been doing, they got to vote, and they received interpretation. He made it difficult to decide whom to choose.
Then there were Shatners of the bunch - Here is a self-deprecating Shatner I have in mind. They just pushed too hard, or tried to do something that was totally outside their circle or experimental. Evenings should never be " Experimental & quot;. At times it was just a little question of what could be ignored if there was not anyone else of your choice, but in this case there are other talents that hit nail on the head. At other times he was bright, some talents chose to put their own words in the script, because they did not like how it was written, there were English professors, who pledged to correct us as if we were writers copy. I am referring to the fact they took the time to read them start to say: " Yes, and incidentally is not a correct use of words & quot; and " scenario this part really needs some work. & Quot; Absolutely not with us. I do not care who you .. Words on a page speech customer wants to hear. You never get a job, if you think can withdraw from scorning people who wrote the script. At least, we used to hire you. This does not mean if someone tact call and start with " I have some concerns about copying & quot;. they will be turned away never to hear from us again.
At least, then, the producer or client may be willing to listen. Sometimes, talents have already indicated some really good things, and they get thanked for it. But those who think they can stand on the mountain top, as a sort of Shakespearean power and dictate to customers and manufacturers, that is, and has no right is another thing coming. Hopefully, this habit of not too many people .. Needless to say, that their demo hit the round file too.
Then there were those that made you laugh. Once again, I think American Idol ... Mommy evening when the kitchen on her notebook computer with a $ 5 microphone and little Johnny is riding his Big Wheels around the linoleum on the floor and little Jenny is yelling at Johnny in the background. In the middle of it read, mommy turns around to shoosh her children " You all quiet down, mommy to try to do something here .. " I have a child you do not, in fact, it left that part of listening.
This will " myakina & quot; I mentioned earlier. Just people who have no business even trying, but they still try anyway. There were some of these auditions. They are wonderful! This is the only time I was a client tears rolling around on my floor studio, and if you were in the studio, you know, there is not enough to roll around. (One quick note to all those who submitted to your demo studio last month: This article is not inspired any of your work. She was referring to no demos, submitted to the people actually auditioning for the work we have done. Just wanted to let you know Thank you ..)
The time I try to do it this way: There are a lot of competition for voice work there. Some of the best talents in the world to apply for work as the rest of us do. How to make as some of the worst. We must find a way to make sure that we do not resemble the latter while we strive to become better, we can be. New and old talent is equally responsible for their delivery, not better foot forward on the occasion. It is in these cases, good VO sound bad, and that in turn makes the bad VO sound better, or at least not as bad as the worst. The only way we can fight our natural tendency to grow complacent is a way to switch the work we are doing things.
Also realize, only those people who survive in this business are those willing to scratch and claw their way back to top. Indeed hungry, those who refused to take no for an answer are those who are going to outlast a lot of rejection.
Rejection is just part of the game. Voice over acting. This is acting as the acting itself. The only difference is in today& 39;s market there is a very rare audience voice actor. When you& 39;ve had to go to the studio all the time to work in business there has always been a kind of audience. Even if it was only the producer and engineer. In New York, almost every audition you will go into the audience. That is the beauty trend I mentioned at the outset; slowly but surely, the need to leave home listening to disappear away. I doubt it will never disappear completely. Large companies are not known for letting talents with their own studio to run with wild projects for major advertisers. Nevertheless, if your studio is good enough and your reputation is such that the producer feels confident in the product that you intend to deliver, you will find that very few " Do-It & quot; type productions are possible.
That so I can not emphasize enough the need for you to listen for your bones skills, and make sure you send clients is the best it can be.
Take look around, see if there are ways to improve their product.
Have you spent much time meeting for your auditions? Well then stand.
Have you& 39;ve done a lot of fast editing pass on your reading?
Then begin to spend more time on them, or try reading each scenario three times and choosing the best of the bunch.
Maybe you do not know what the best .. Drop studio note, we tell you the difference.
Family could be a big problem. They not only noisy, but you can not feel comfortable reading aloud with them in earshot. Many times family can be a real killer. If they do not fully understand your desire, they are responsible for the bug you about it, or give you hard, making fun of you or nasmehayas read or vote you tried to comply. They do not realize the impact they have on you. This same thing about dieting. If you start losing a little weight and turn to the functions of the family, in the same breath member of the family uses to compliment you for your achievements, they say the word " Here are a piece of cake & quot;. or " Anyone for pizza & quot;? I have heard several people liken it to a family member, being subconsciously jealous of you, and makes things to disrupt or sabotage your efforts. Without this episode turns into a Ph.D., you or me to go to his family, just know this:
For any reason, family members or people in the house are going to run the vacuum or to re-tile the kitchen 2 minutes after you sit down read. They are only going to do this, and they will do so again and again. Until you understand them. You have to sit them down and talk with them. You have to get through however you can, what you are trying to make one of the hardest, most un-natural things in the world, and you& 39;re trying to make a living on it. You need them to understand how their abandonment or disregard for what you& 39;re trying to do is make it impossible for you to do so. Once they understood with a little practice and several reminders, most family members will receive a little more understanding, and may even eventually turn into your biggest supporters.
If they still obstructionists, after you tried to talk with them, then I think this gives some merit in the whole jealousy thing. If you find that the presence of family members in the house makes it hard for you to really get into what you do, you& 39;re not alone. They concern me too. That is why most private place where you can find it better. If there is no personal life, and you may have someone afraid to hear you, you just have to get over it. This performance art rather than an actor ever got famous performing for his showerhead. You will have to learn to belt this thing, even if someone might hear over you.
While we are on the family theme: Have you started reading your scripts while Johnny and Jenny claim to have WWF cage match in the background? If so, exercises the demons of them, giving them books to read on the other side of the house or something. Ah .. One more thing .. Please include your child monitor, if you keep it in " Studio ". We have succeeded in those too few. You will not believe some of the things people send ... American Idol all again.
Take look at your surroundings in the studio. Anything that makes noise on your site to be sensitive ears when you send it. People who are listening to your work meetings, usually less than four feet from $ 1000 per dollar (speakers to all of you American Idol fans and WWF), and they can hear your toenails grow. Sound isolation good hobby, to study or at least get information on it, if you want to land additional work.
Take serious look at your audio chain. What is (or not) in the way of your signal? Do you have the most modest of plants, or you have every piece of equipment known to man linked to your microphone. Towers burning equipment rack in the face of your studio postponed ton of heat and noise. Look for them in different rooms, or even better to disable them and put them on Ebay. More often than not, producers are looking for a good, clean, dry sound. No effects, no processing, no nothing. Now I know you " Radio Gods & quot; will dispute the fact that you have a valid point. Many producers are looking for a set of images is fully prepared to vote, audio, and you need something to do your work. Many talents to produce their own audio, which is not in turn make them good producers. Manufacturing skills learned either from the hard way or mentor (years trying to get it right in its sole discretion).
Beware views audiophiles in the world. Although they have many good moments, when it comes to true fidelity music, in relation to commercial voice work, a large number of audio products you with your setup $ 20000 went to $ 2 dollar made Chinese speaker. Knowing the difference is real trick. What brings me to another way, you can Polish your product. Know what is the average went. If you were hired to vote and to make reading Web site, there is no point in creating a masterpiece of a lot better suited for THX and Skywalker Sound. The file will not play in the cinema, he goes to it withdraws from someone& 39;s computer speakers at work. I have actually witnessed audio rumble of Dell tinny little speakers to leave their service before .. There is no need.
I & 39; ve known in several VO, who likes to think of themselves (and only about yourself a lot of time) as " Audiophiles ". Some of them in the not too distant past. They were very talented people with the production of very good ears. Unfortunately, their talent was overshadowed by only their own arrogance as to what qualifies as " good sounding audio & quot;. Many of them will paint itself into esoteric little corners, where the only production they will do so at the Boss Jock where debris AM and FM dial. Of course, this is good work if you get enough of it. But it forces you to voice talent? Maybe .. But what kind of voice talent? One is one trick pony and hardly well-anything else? More than likely.
Sorry break the news to you, radio voice imaging is not over. That part of it. But this is not the real deal. This radio. Being able to say, " The best hit of all music in Barbados & quot; not quite the same as with the 2 - hour story on the history Channel, the U.S. military, and E or Discovery " & quot;. , , , " " " " , $ 150 , $ 750 $ 1500 10 . ?
Auditions " Announcers" " , ".
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The , , " ", " ". , , , . , . tooting . . http://www.michaelminetree.com . . , , , , . . .
As , - , ....
Michael Minetree



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Script Breakdown - Character Analysis

In the last article, I talked about the first, and most important, part of a Director s job - understanding the script: what the story is about; the themes; the story points; and the characters. In this article, I will focus on Character Development and Analysis.
After reading the script and working through the script structure and scene analysis, it s time to figure out the development and objectives of the characters.
1) Character Functions
Each character has at least one function (or role) in any story, such as:

a) protagonist
b) antagonist
c) best friend
d) love interest
e) confidante
f) partner
g) catalyst
h) mentor
i) comic relief

There are many more, but this is a basic list for you to start with.
2) Character Emotions
Here are the three main character emotions:

a) Sympathy - the audience IDENTIFIES with the character s problems and triumphs
b) Empathy - the audience UNDERSTANDS the emotions that drive the character
c) Antipathy - the audience wants the character to "GET WHAT THEY DESERVE"

3) Character Components
These are the Internal and External factors that shape each character:

a) Interior - form character
b) Exterior - reveal character

4) Character Background

a) where is the character from (background)
b) what was he doing just before this scene
c) what does the writer say about this character
d) what do others say about this character
e) what does the character say about himself

5) Character Objectives (Most Important!)
These are the main needs and wants of a character (what people want out of life)

a) SUPER OBJECTIVE (example: "Power over People")
- what is the primal motivation of the character
- what are the main needs of the character

b) OBJECTIVES (example: "Wants to Dominate Character A")
- what does the character want (motives)
- what are the active choices to achieve the Super Objective

c) MAIN ACTIONS (example: "What they DO to Character A")
- what the character DOES...
- to get what he WANTS...
- to fulfill his NEEDS

NOTES ON OBJECTIVES:

a) there can only be one objective per character - per scene
b) the simpler the objective, the easier it is for an actor to play it
c) objectives rise out of the character s needs and feelings
d) objectives help actors react to each other - rather than just "say the lines"
e) an objective should be an active choice for an actor
f) an actor should always play their objective in every scene

When coming up with character objectives, ask yourself: what does each Character want in this story - in this scene?

a) look at the character s behavior (what he does)
b) look at what the character talks about (what he says)
c) remember: Motive (inner life ) Determines Behavior (outer life)!

6) Character Breakdown

Go through your script and write down all the characters. You should list the main characters first and the secondary characters last and then assign them a function. Your first character should be the main character - or the protagonist.
NOTE: if you are doing a TV Series, the main characters will already be established for you. They are usually numbered "1,2,3..." on any call sheet.
7) Script Breakdown (Per Character)
Answer these question about how each character fits in the story:

a) what is the story function of this Character
b) what is their Super-Objective
c) what is their Main Objective (in the story)

8) Scene Breakdown (Per Character)
Answer these questions about how each character fits in every scene:

a) what is the character objective in this scene
b) what are the character s main actions in this scene
c) what are the results of their actions in this scene

9) Character Dialogue

I am a firm believer in the rule " Less is more!" As the Director, it is your responsibility to take a written document (The Script) and translate it into a visual format (Film or Video). This means that we can sometimes use visuals instead of dialogue to make a story point or to show what an actor is thinking.
After you have done all your homework on Script, Scene and Character Analysis, make another pass at the script to see what dialogue can be omitted by using visuals to get the point across. It is always better to SHOW the audience what a character is thinking, than have them talk about it. (Motion Pictures!)
WARNING: on a TV series, the producers are usually the writers and they are, for the most part, very hesitant to have any dialogue removed. If you have done your homework (Scene and Character Breakdowns) and can show them that your idea will make the scene better, go for it - they can only say no.



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Filmmaking - What Is A Pro?

The word " Professional " is often hear of indy filmmakers, and I& 39;ve heard and read many things that I do not expect a " Pro " to say if the person writing or say, she claims to be. Time for a definition of terms.
Question: What qualifies a person to a Pro?
Answer: Paycheck.
That is the short answer, but only slightly longer ornamentation. It is one thing to make films. It is a totally different animal to someone to cut a good control for the work you have done.
Paycheck is more important than anything to a professional, because you have to eat and pay, or you can not work anymore, much less pleasing art.
Question: How does a person become a Pro?
Answer: By adopting a pro attitude. The pro-bearing " I work in the film business. I have done a good job, and I have paid for it. " This is regardless of the budget of his current project, whether it is high or low.
Some not a pro until many paychecks, but you can on a pro attitude right now, even if you never pay off your art. If you adopt the pro-attitude now, multiply your effectiveness many times, and shorten the time until the paychecks come
A person with a pro attitude has been to his brain cells and unconscious mind, so that every action and thinking is geared to an outcome - to pay for his work, his work was worth it. This has many advantages, especially the quality of his work.
You can take years until a pro-attitude, or you can use it immediately. I recommend you read a book with a funny name by Stuart Lichtman, an expert on the human brain from MIT. http://snurl.com/brdr
Another great book on the development of a pro-attitude is Napoleon Hill & 39; " classic Think and Grow Rich, " free in your library or get it online . http://snurl.com/hlk4
They are both good books. Stuart & 39; s is like a series of games, so that it almost effortlessly, and it will improve every aspect of your life. & 39; Napoleon& 39;s classic book takes a while, and you have to muscle it through willpower, but it is great.
Once you have adjusted your attitude, your unconscious mind steer your every action and memory, every skill you have, and those that you need to learn to deliver what you have to do your job, and pay your paycheck.
Once you, your natural love your art has a chance not met. Until you do this, you& 39;re just floundering.
You May not agree with my brutal bottom-line assessment of what a professional. You may feel a Pro is not defined by a paycheck. To give you a pro could only one person with a lot of experience in a particular area or a person with a natural talent.
Well, " Professional " is defined,
" FES Pro * * al " mission, n. A person who prosecute something professionally, or for the livelihood, and not on the character of Amateur and a professional worker. " - Here is the dictionary, 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Unless he has a paycheck, his " " lot of experience makes it a hobby. By definition, a hobby is not a professional nothing. There is nothing wrong with a hobby, or an amateur " " (which means that you do something for love " "), but in general, amateur quality is not up to a per-standard.
It & 39;-together say: " You have so much talent, you& 39;re a real pro ", but also natural talent, practiced and refined, are not Pro to a quality of work is good enough another to motivate him to pay.
While skill and / or talent are certainly important, the definition of quality of a Professional is the payment.
Think " paycheck. " May you deserve a lot of big ones.



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