Inspiration

Below is a selection of great short films covering a wide array of genres.

Some are dramas, some are docos, and others are interesting examinations of great filmmakers.

But they are all here to provide visual stimulation, education and inspiration.


PLEASE NOTE: SOME OF THE CONTENT FEATURED CONTAINS CLASSIFIED MATERIAL THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME VIEWERS

First and Final Frames I from Jacob T. Swinney

What can we learn by examining only the first and final shot of a film? This video plays the opening and closing shots of 55 films side-by-side. Some of the opening shots are strikingly similar to the final shots, while others are vastly different--both serving a purpose in communicating various themes. Some show progress, some show decline, and some are simply impactful images used to begin and end a film.


List of films included here

First and Final Frames II from Jacob T. Swinney

This is the sequel to "First and Final Frames". Part II plays the opening and closing shots of 70 films side-by-side. Like the first video, some of the opening shots are strikingly similar to the final shots, while others are vastly different--both serving a purpose in communicating various themes. The side-by-side comparison can communicate an entire story, but also allows us to develop new theories about a given film. So once again, what can we learn from examining the first and final frames of a film?


List of films included here

Tobacco Girl

While Mümine thinks about boys, school and leaving home, her parents have an arranged marriage in mind. Directed by Biljana Garvanlieva.

More on this documentary: goo.gl/SWbtWV

Pouters

Directed by Paul Fegan this doco looks at pigeons and their people, and the very competitive world of doo' fleein'

The Revenant by Tarkovsky

17 scenes of The Revenant in comparison with Andrei Tarkovsky scenes

Zoo

Who's watching who at the zoo? Directed by Bert Haanstra.

Plastic Bags

This short film by American director Ramin Bahrani traces the epic, existential journey of a plastic bag (voiced by Werner Herzog) searching for its lost maker, the woman who took it home from the store and eventually discarded it. Along the way, it encounters strange creatures, experiences love in the sky, grieves the loss of its beloved maker, and tries to grasp its purpose in the world.

The Director Series - Paul Thomas Anderson - The California Chronicles

THE DIRECTORS SERIES is an educational/editorial non-profit collection of video and text essays by filmmaker Cameron Beyl, dedicated to appreciating and deconstructing the work of contemporary and classic film directors. 

3.2: THE CALIFORNIA CHRONICLES is the second installment of THE DIRECTORS SERIES' examination into the films and careers of director Paul Thomas Anderson, covering the pair of sprawling ensemble-based pictures that cemented him as a major new voice in American cinema:

  • BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997)

  • VARIOUS MUSIC VIDEOS (1997-1999)

  • MAGNOLIA (1999)

The Director Series - Stanley Kubrick - The Master Works

THE DIRECTORS SERIES is an educational/editorial non-profit collection of video and text essays by filmmaker Cameron Beyl, dedicated to appreciating and deconstructing the work of contemporary and classic film directors. 

1.4: The MASTER WORKS examines the films and career of director Stanley Kubrick, covering the string of groundbreaking features that solidified his reputation as a master filmmaker:

  • 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)

  • A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)

  • BARRY LYNDON (1975)

  • THE SHINING (1980)

The Director Series - Coen Brothers - The Breakout Classics

THE DIRECTORS SERIES is an educational/editorial non-profit collection of video and text essays by filmmaker Cameron Beyl, dedicated to appreciating and deconstructing the work of contemporary and classic film directors.

4.3: THE BREAKOUT CLASSICS is the third installment of THE DIRECTORS SERIES' examination into the films and careers of directors Joel and Ethan Coen, covering their pair of mainstream breakthrough works in the late 90's:

  • FARGO (1996)

  • THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998)