Computer Animation Arts

New series on BBC4... catch up now on iPlayer HERE - Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema. Kermode examines the techniques and conventions behind classic movie genres, beginning in episode one with Romantic Comedy.

As Kong: Skull Island roars onto cinema screens everywhere, a timely reminder of the enduring appeal of a certain over-sized gorilla and his kin... 1933 1949 1961 1962 1967 1976 1986 1998 2005 2017

A fascinating look at the rise and rise of the cinematic lens flare...

A masterclass in physical comedy from Donald O'Connor from the 1952 musical, Singing In The Rain .   In terms of animation reference alone, this is gold-dust; watch O'Connor's facial expressions - and the comic timing... Breathtaking stuff.  Take a moment to enjoy it.

Following today's screening of Hitchcock's strange and wonderful The Birds, and last week's Psycho , enjoy these short, smart synopses of the techniques of cinema's 'Master of Suspense'.  Enjoy!

There's no greater statement of a director's prowess than a long shot in a single take. And these are 12 of the most masterful. FYI Year 2: No cuts involved in these long shots (well allegedly).

Fascinating stuff... and suddenly you realise just how young the VFX industry is, begging the question 'what next!?'

Another CAA Cinema, another top ten, another showcase of physicality in film!

The CAA Cinema slot continues its theme on the contribution of practical effects to cinema - and their especial qualities in terms of making us believe the impossible.

Director John Carpenter has had a patchy career since his heyday in the late seventies and early eighties.  That said, this interview with Carpenter about his more celebrated films ( Halloween , The Fog , Big Trouble In Little China ) is fascinating.  Enjoy!

Okay - so the 'Beach Scene' from Jaws (1975) is one of the most analysed of scenes in terms of construction - but this deconstruction is fascinating and comprehensive and well worth a bit more of your precious time!

The Criterion Collection have become well known for being a beacon of hope for many movie fans, a faithful lover of the movies that matter. They have restored, redesigned, repackaged and carefully remastered some of the greatest films in history. Recently, Gizmodo documented some of the efforts that go into this process.  For every film Criterion tackles, the end result is a beautifully packaged ode to movies. For a company that has to constantly reinvent its process to accommodate changing technology—remember, Laserdiscs—they have a firm grasp on how to make each look and sound the absolute best it can. Check out the video up top for a closer look. GIZMODO - How Criterion Collection Brings Movies Back From the Dead from Gizmodo on Vimeo . Read more here... GIZMODO

Martin Scorsese has always been an extraordinary man, not only due to his own directorial achievements, but also because of his huge knowledge and love for the history of cinema. Scorsese has not only marked his name in the time line of the art form, but also spent countless hours discussing, preserving and  documenting the history that he is now a part of. Video Essay: "The Martin Scorsese Film School" from Flavorwire on Vimeo . This recent video essay by Flavorwire discusses some of the films that make up a brief history of cinema. You can find out more at www.nofilmschool.com or visit www.fastcocreate.com for a list of the films. (Ignore their utterly stupid, hyperbolic titles and the comments section.)