Taking Things Too Seriously

[CameronSmith]

To be honest, I find that a lot of people 'over analyze' certain pieces of cinematography or story telling. For example, I had a film professor go off into this whole dialog about how the director of 'Night of the Living Dead' made such a brilliant statement and must have had profound forethought to cast a black man as the lead actor. She went on and on until one of the class pointed out that it was just because they casted real people and, he was really just the best actor for the role.

So, do you ever have someone come up to you and lecture you on the deeper meaning behind some of your shots. Don't get me wrong, you have some wonderful, deep, storytelling shots, but does anyone ever surprise you with how much they have thought about your work?

Not trying to have you tread on people's toes. Just curious.

[Roger]

I like to have a lot of prep and 'thinking time' on every film but, when push comes to shove, just about everything I do is instinctual.

[Nikolas Jaeger]

For example, I had a film professor go off into this whole dialog about how the director of 'Night of the Living Dead' made such a brilliant statement and must have had profound forethought to cast a black man as the lead actor. She went on and on until one of the class pointed out that it was just because they casted real people and, he was really just the best actor for the role.

I'd honestly have to be on the professor's side. It's really interesting to read the film from that angle, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. I'd hate to see somebody cut off a worthwhile discussion for the sake of being overly factual.

[Alex Hill]

I reckon I'd be on the professor's side, too. Surely one of the main points of 'Night of the Living Dead' is that the main character is black? If you see that film and then the follow-up and look at them within the context of the time (from what I know of that period) then there is a lot of social critique in them. I also wholeheartedly agree with Nikolas on the point that just because something isn't perhaps intentional, doesn't mean it isn't present...

[CameronSmith]

Perhaps that was a bad example. My point was mostly just that there is really a difference between knowing what you are talking about and doing it.