The Study of Mann Interview

Michael Mann has returned to the interview table for the Directors Guild of America with F.X Feeney, who originally interviewed Mann for his wonderful published book "Michael Mann" published by Taschen (which I own). Mann obviously seems very comfortable talking to Feeney, because Mann's replies to often short questions are some of his most revealing to date. It is for this reason that this interview is a must read, with a wealth of new revelations about Mann's methodology in film and his relationship with the actors and crew he works with.

We have been left very short of Michael Mann information of late, and this occasional Michael Mann blogger has been left dry of "Mann Water" for a long time. It is therefore a tease when he gives more uncertain clues as to what his next major movie project will be. I wonder if the conversation he has with F.X Feeney next week will be made public? Read the end of the interview to see what I am talking about!

Full interview here

In the meantime, I have now bought a new plasma, a Panasonic G30 42" (THX calibration option) in readiness for Luck.

Ali "running" shot

With scant new news on Michael Mann's endeavours (wimper), I came across this fascinating website that uses one of my favourite tunes of the moment: Arcade Fires "We Used to Wait". A website has been set up that has a fascinating use of HTML 5... it is full of brilliant surprises for the visually / musically / artfully minded! Be sure to put in your place of birth or it won't work. What is additionally great, is the superbly stunning opening film. It reminded me immediately of Michael Mann's Ali "running" sequence. A direct influence, possibly! But it looks stunning. So what the heck, I share it here.

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

What do you think?

A Michael Mann tribute challenge

On YouTube there are film shorts made as a tribute to the style of Michael Mann. And I am not referring to a montage of Mann made scenes. Personally shot films in the image of Michael Mann are often city slick night scenes, the noir feel for some reason being most associated with what Mann shoots. Collateral and Heat has much to do with that. But Michael Mann's movies are far more than cool architectural flavours, wet street scenes lit at night, and hypnotising electric music. A film short video maker would do well to put just those aspects together visually and technically successfully.

The core of a Michael Mann film is the story, and the aim to bring that story to the audience with authenticity, both in its physical and emotional connection. To that end, a Mann film is an orchestra for a crew, and a conductor for a director. A Mann film, if you really want to create a tribute, is to not just be stylistic, but to convey a conversation, a look, a glimpse, a conflicted heart... a universe of human condition that is limitless in its complexity, yet focussed on a part of it. Just look at the Amy Winehouse life story. If ever there was a life made out of extreme conflict and tragedy over such a short space of time, hers is one. Many, including myself, felt a depth of sorrow for this damaged life - A life I didn't know much about, but "experienced" whenever I saw her performing, or on the news.

Yes, we have Michael Mann tributes...  agile camera movements and cold minimalism providing the effect. But that is way short of what a Mann film is ultimately giving us.

As we are in the Michael Mann news doldrums, I welcome anyone with a decent film short to have it posted on this blog. I am happy to share your talent, so long as it fits the theme of what makes a Michael Mann movie. I love the visual side, but a challenge would be to see some acting in there too. Post it on YouTube, let me know, and I will post it here if it ticks the Michael Mann ingredients boxes!

To kick things off, here is a piece put together by Andre Rehal. Tell us what you think.

"Grey" An Arri Alexa Short Film from Andre Rehal on Vimeo.

Phil Bloom & Michael Mann's Luck

A day at the races: Canon 7D with Cooke PL primes from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

http://philipbloom.net/2010/03/07/races/

http://philipbloom.net/2010/03/04/shooting-7d-pl-with-cooke-lenses-for-saturdays-la-masterclass/

This blew my mind. Here I was, posting earlier a short by Phil Bloom, which shows the incredible capacity of a DSLR to shoot almost cinema grade imagery with such visual impact and I thought it had nothing to do with Michael Mann, other than perhaps some tenuous shared aesthetic. Suddenly I am discovering a superb short he has done with a Canon 7D on the subject of horse racing no less. Not only that, but some footage comes from the Santa Anita racetrack. It doesn't stop there...  he posted his short film on his blog in March 2010, which is around the time when Michael Mann shot his pilot - which I think commenced shooting in April 2010. It all seems a remarkable coincidence.

It is worth noting that Phil Bloom was invited to George Lucas' famed Skywalker Ranch two years ago, commissioned to show via a short film the cinematic capabilities of DSLR shooting. He met George and other prominent filmmakers, not least Quentin Tarantino who I think just happened to be there. So, Phil Bloom is not beyond the notice of the movie industry's elite.

So what am I surmising? Nothing really, except if there is no link of consequence between Phil Bloom and Michael Mann's Luck, then what this does show is how a shared aesthetic can cosmically collide in time and space.

Since discovering Phil Bloom I am already inspired and looking to rent some DSLR equipment to shoot a short promotional for my work. I am desperate to get back into image making since laying down my large format camera over ten years ago. I ache for it. I am presently a book publisher. Michael Mann continues to push me back into image and story making. For me, images and words are now colliding. So when I found Phil Bloom's site I saw how budget film making came a step closer to fulfilling my heart desire to access this previously elitist world.

So isn't it cosmic that these two influential men almost crossed paths with each other, possibly accidentally, in a stage that I am watching so closely as I seek to find my own path down this road of visual and storytelling artistry.

You see, I feel Phil Bloom's shooting style is a study of character. He has a way of accessing people on the street... Michael Mann is also attentive to character. It is this empathy I pick up, and its so powerful that suddenly I see this crossing of paths. Understanding music is also just as vital, and both are intuitive with this medium too.

See Phil Bloom's horse racing short  - the almost mystical quality of the shots, and the character studies that Mann is now portraying in Luck. See the extraordinary colours in the horse as it is washed. It is all very Mann-esque.

Santa Anita attracts lots of film makers. We know that. And I believe Phil was doing a DSLR workshop at the time. But nevertheless, isn't this amazing? These Bloom shots could be out of "Luck".

So Phil, so Michael... maybe you two ought to hook up?

See Phil's other DSLR films here.

Phil Bloom

Sony F3... yummy.

I accidentally came across Phil bloom as I began to research DSLRs as movie making tools. I now realize he has become an unexpected guru of the DSLR video world. I can understand why... not only does he know his stuff, he actually knows how to create beautiful imagery and meaningful tests that real world people can understand and visually see. To cap it all, he seems remarkably down to earth. I have time and respect for Phil Bloom.

If you saw an earlier post you read I was taking baby steps in looking at the Canon 7D for video. It still looks great for a low budget job. But as we all know, the Canon 5D MK ii is what us mortals dream about... well, that was until I saw the Sony F3! Phil Bloom brilliantly shows us why the F3 is such a gorgeous camera. Even on these web clips you can see the F3 blows away the Sony FS100 and MK ii in quality. It is simply stunning in image quality. Should be at over $20,000 a pop! But is the extra quality worth the extra? Only you, your project and your wallet will know. For me, I can't even afford a Canon 7D. But as a former large format professional landscape photographer, I know quality when I see it.

Check out Phil Bloom's site. It is bloomin good. Would love to do his London workshop this July...

Here is a comparison test Bloom did between the Sony F3, Sony FS100 and Canon 5D Mark ii. The low light tests on his father are stunning.


AF100 vs F3 vs FS100 Part 1: The Real World from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

Another Michael Mann tribute compilation

Found this as a featured YouTube video - yet another Michael Mann tribute - and why not? If I say this video ends (suitably?) with a scene from Heat you will have completely the wrong one in your mind! Watch to the end to find out if you guessed right.

The tribute is poor in picture quality, but actually is well edited to the music (which wouldn't be my choice), though slightly lazy in places, which can be easily forgiven for the sheer length and number of clips. Does tend to focus on the violence aspect. Always fun to pick out favourite scenes.

Canon EOS 7D 24p

First. This has nothing to do with Michael Mann. Second. When I saw this footage I thought it was beautifully shot and put together. Third. The reason I found it was because I am looking for a decent HD camera that shoots 24fps. Can anyone recommend one to me at a budget of your average Joe? I have a BA (hons) Degree in Photography, so the idea of combining a DSLR with HD video shooting 24fps seems good to me! What do you all think out there? On a DSLR, or dedicated cam?

Dublin's People: Canon 7d 24p from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

In looking at frame rates, I also came across this lecture as to why aspiring to 24p is in itself not important... I need help. Hmmmm.

The 24p Conspiracy from Videopia on Vimeo.

Michael Mann's House, the Waiting on Robert Capa deal and other bits.

Here are some random bits of information pulled from the net for your curiosity.

Michael Mann's House (Or so research tells me)

Michael Mann's House (one of them) - I am led to believe this is Michael Mann's house in Fort Lauderdale, but this is as many details I would provide. Location wise, you will need to find that out for yourself. The house is featured on star tours in the area, so the fact isn't well disguised locally. A stunning property... (sighs wistfully, imagining the palms blowing in the wind above him ... not indoors ... obviously)

Pontas Literary and Film Agency (Robert Capa)

Here is a record from the company's blog of a very special day for Pontas Literary and Film agency. The day they met Michael Mann to discuss rights for Waiting for Robert Capa. 

Michael Mann & Anna Soler-Pont

http://www.pontas-agency.com/blog-pontas/index.php?paged=3

Pontas at the American Film Market 2010 November 9th, 2010

The American Film Market 2010

The American Film Market 2010  opened on November 3rd in Los Angeles and Anna Soler-Pont attended on behalf of Pontas in the aim to keep enlarging and strengthening the contacts in the film industry. She had a full schedule of meetings between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, mainly with producers interested in acquiring the film rights of literary properties represented by Pontas or with possible partners for international co-productions.

... the most important meeting took place during a friendly lunch with film director and producer Michael Mann, whose company Forward Pass and Columbia Pictures acquired the film rights of Susana Fortes ’s novel Waiting for Robert Capa from Pontas last year. The screenplay adapting the novel is being written by Jez Butterworth.

Actors researching their role in "Luck"

Nick Nolte researching his role for HBO's "Luck"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhorse_azeri/4547526628/


Dustin Hoffman having a day at the races
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78156584@N00/5163614196/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78156584@N00/5163613730/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78156584@N00/5163611466/

Location, Location! Michael Mann Movie Locations

Whilst browsing around I fell onto the topic of location for Michael Mann movies. Lots of previous posts feature locations, but here are a few for your interest. No doubt over time this post will grow as I add more links. To get you in the mood, see below a CBS news piece on being a location scout... Peter - are you reading this??! Peter, a Facebook friend, perhaps known to other readers, scouted the famous opening scene for Heat, which also is used as a location in Collateral.



Here are a few filming locations. It's a humble list, but a start to whet your appetite, if you are a location buff.


Filming Locations:

Public Enemies:
http://www.itsfilmedthere.com/2010/11/public-enemies.html

http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/p/PublicEnemies.html

Heat:
http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/heat.html

Miami Vice:
One of MannFan's favourite locations
http://www.movielocationsguide.com/Miami_Vice/filming_locations/Safe_House.php

http://madeinatlantis.com/miami_vice/production4.htm

The Insider:
http://www.filminamerica.com/Movies/TheInsider/

http://www.filmaps.com/films/the-insider-ref-1301/

Collateral:
http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/c/collateral.html

Manhunter:
http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/m/Manhunter.html

Michael Mann commissioned new font for Public Enemies

Michael Mann is known for attention to detail, and this goes as far as down to the titling of his movie posters. I can't say for sure whether this is something he personally commissioned, but the poster titles for Public Enemies certainly wasn't created from fonts that come free with Adobe inDesign.

One blog that discusses this with some interesting details can be found here. It is only a short account, some of which is below.

"For his upcoming “Public Enemies”, a crime drama set in the 1930′s, he commissioned Neville Brody to design New Deal, an original display typeface for titling and promotional materials. The face was specifically designed with the imperfections of the period taken into account–as signage was often done by artists who weren’t themselves dedicated type designers–resulting in a quirky, uneven character."

Click here for full article.

According to Creative Review:

"Jeff Knowles and Neville Brody have been working on the project, having previously created the typeface for Heat and The Insider."

For more information about this font and the designers, see the links below:


http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/may/new-deal-typeface

http://www.researchstudios.com/

Michael Mann Entertainment Weekly Omission

I was somewhat taken aback not to see Michael Mann on Entertainment Weekly's top 25 greatest working directors based on, "... the most talented, in-demand filmmakers behind the camera today." Michael Mann didn't feature anywhere. Incredulous. There are numerous other glaring omissions - see if you can spot your favourites missing.  I rather admire Ron Howard actually. Their poor list is as follows:

1. David Fincher
2. Christopher Nolan
3. Steven Spielberg
4. Martin Scorsese
5. Darren Aronofsky
6. Joel and Ethan Coen
7. Quentin Tarantino
8. Terrence Malick
9. Clint Eastwood
10. Pedro Almodovar
11. Paul Thomas Anderson
12. Guillermo del Toro
13. Roman Polanski
14. Danny Boyle
15. Kathryn Bigelow
16. David O. Russell
17. David Lynch
18. James Cameron
19. Peter Jackson
20. Edgar Wright
21. Spike Lee
22. J.J. Abrams
23. Brad Bird
24. Mike Leigh
25. Wes Anderson

Signed: Robert De Niro's character Neil from Michael Mann's Heat

I am not endorsing this product, but I am posting it here for anyone interested! I have no idea if it is authentic or not. Link to product is here. I would prefer a signed one of him in the blue interior house shot by the sea. I don't have any autographs - not even by Mann himself. Does anyone reading this have one? Any story behind it?

Product Description:

Robert DeNiro has personally hand signed this 8x10 Photo with a Silver paint pen. This great action shot is from the movie "Heat". The Black custom wood frame measures 13x15 inches, and includes double matting. Conservation Clear glass was used on this fine piece to protect the autograph from fading due to UltraViolet (UV) Rays, which will fade your autographed collectibles. This custom made frame is ready to hang on the wall, and would look great in any office, bedroom, or man cave! This item comes with a numbered Online Authentics.com authenticity sticker on the autographed photo, which you can verify online once you purchase it. Online Authentics.com is one of the top third party authenticators in the memorabilia industry. This item also comes with a REAL DEAL Memorabilia Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Get The REAL DEAL!


Our Price: $343.95

Supplier: Real Deal Memorabilia

Product usually ships in 4-5 business days.

Michael Mann Blogathon

Check out this Michael Mann blogathon over at:

http://seetimaar.blogspot.com/search/label/Michael%20Mann%20Blogathon

If you have a moment, leave a post there. Closes tomorrow.

Launch of this blog's new Michael Mann social network

Check out my new Michael Mann social network!

www.michaelmann.ning.com

I must be mad. Trying to start a spanking new social network for Michael Mann fans. So why do it? Put simply, I just love hearing all the latest news on Michael Mann and sharing it. It's exciting. I also enjoy reading what everyone else has to say about it too. So I thought, why not let everyone share what they want about Michael Mann in one place, so that we don't all have to cross link, cross post and then search the vast internet to then find it, only to forget where we read it afterwards.

Nope, this social site could be the answer to all our Michael Mann curiosities. This is somewhere for all the Michael Mann fans to keep each other updated on the very latest on what they have read, written, seen and experienced. In one place, where like minded people will love your posts and find it easily.

So, you have another blog or website? Why not just copy some of your best info to the social site, and use your profile to backlink back to your site?

I am just a lone fan doing this, so bear with me while I fill it out with new content. This is where I need you guys! I need to get a certain number of members to see that this is worth my while financing (it costs to run this network), so if you are interested, don't hesitate.

Join now and upload something you want to share (this new site is a team effort!) something that is special to you. Tell us why it is special. I am interested! Is it the directing, the acting, the music, the cinematography, the writing... ?

I am really looking forward to seeing you appear on the member listings and reading your posts (you can upload video, pictures, add a blog and more).

Remember ... to keep this new site viable, I need as many Michael Mann fans as possible! My blog will continue right here. See you over at www.michaelmann.ning.com

Happy Birthday Michael Mann!

Michael Mann planning a robbery

Happy Birthday Michael Mann!

Born February 5th, 1943 in Chicago Illinois.

Thank you for your gift of cinematic wonder, and we raise a toast to you.

Incidentally, another great artist born in February, and a man of large influence on my life is Ansel Adams. Ansel was in some way a father figure of arts to me, holding my hand through the wonder of creation and introducing me (through his writings) to his extraordinary circle of friends, like Steiglitz and Weston. Whilst I cannot sensibly explain how Ansel Adams and Michael Mann can possibly be linked, as a creative and emotional influence on my life, somehow I believe they are. I know Ansel was a concert pianist, and the only theory I can conceive is that Ansel's painfully beautiful photography had a layer of music within it that still resonates with me today – just as Mann's masterpieces are layered with the power of music. It isn't a tangible link, but emotionally I receive the same resonance. As I contemplate this, the use of craft comes to mind. Both Mann and Ansel Adams were renwoned perfectionists, going to great lengths to fulfill their visualization and hit those notes so precisely so to resonate. It was Ansel that then led me on a panoramic journey, taking in Malevich, Kandinsky and photographers such as Rodchenko, Bresson and many the like.

It is a wonderful coincidence therefore that I share the same birth date as Ansel Adams. Except for the year ... of course!

Have a very blessed day Michael, and may your hopes and desires for these years be fulfilled in ever greater measure both at home and at work.

New Commenting System and about this Michael Mann blog

Hey everyone ... this is a note to say that I am changing the commenting system for this Michael Mann blog from Intense Debate to Disqus. I am hoping it will enable a more organic way of sharing great Michael Mann related information. So dive in, and keep sharing some of your own top links to anything new. I hope the change isn't an inconvenience for anyone. Feel free to let me know what you think of it.

Whilst talking about this blog, my plan is to continue providing both up to date and backdated information on Michael Mann. I do my best to respect copyright, as well as enter into the freedom of information sharing the internet offers. I try to balance the two, which is why I don't quote entire articles - mainly excerpts with links to the actual article. The downside of this is that sometimes great links become dud. So apologies if you come across these. It's always sad when a great YouTube clip suddenly disappears.

Finally, a word about privacy. I was amused by a recent YouTube video clip of Dustin Hoffman who was being followed and filmed by some guys with a camera. The camera person shouted to Hoffman as he climbed into his Prius, "What do you hope to accomplish in 2011?" Dustin muttered back "privacy". It was a great response. For the irony, I include the clip below. If you don't know, Hoffman is in Michael Mann's forthcoming TV series "Luck". But on this note on privacy, I do want to state that I have no interest in getting into the domesticity of Michael Mann or the extraordinary talents he employs. I am simply fascinated with the technical and emotional processes undertaken, what makes Mann who he is, what drives Michael Mann to create what he creates, and the mechanisms and people used to achieve this. Nearly all of this is revealed in his extensive interviews and more importantly, in Mann films and TV work. I am not interested in delving unreasonably into his personal life, which is well documented as being fiercely protected. But anything movie related is fair game and behind the scenes exclusives would mean a rush for those of us who so anticipate his work. Such pre-release insights are uncommon, as most professionals and extras no doubt don't want to jeopardize future employment. But I hope those of you out there, including celebrity readers,  that have some great anecdotes, images or footage of Michael Mann at work would contact me and allow them to be shared on this site. I like to think I can be trusted with confidential off the record statements and sources ... I said that because it sounds exciting ... The truth is, I know I will just continue internet crawling for scraps!

Michael Mann playing on Microsoft Kinect

Never thought I would see Oliver Stone and Michael Mann playing against each other on Microsoft Kinect! Well, here they are (I wonder who won?!):





Personally, I like a game of PS3 Call of Duty, but don't tell anybody!

To see who took the video and some other pics, see this link.

Michael Mann at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Michael Mann attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to promote the virtues of Blu-ray. It coincides with the not so long ago released Fox Blu-ray version of Last of the Mohicans.

For those who missed this news, here is a round up of all the relevant links and even a YouTube video of the proceedings. There was some talk about 3D, but Mann as ever wasn't really giving anything away. I can see something like Agincourt in 3D with fight scenes, but a Capa biopic?





http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Baz-Luhrmann-Oliver-Stone-and-Michael-Mann-Talk-Blu-ray.shtml

http://uk.askmen.com/celebs/interview_400/489_michael-mann-interview.html

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Blu-ray/Panasonic/CES_2011/Michael_Mann/Baz_Luhrmann/Oliver_Stone/Blu-ray_Directors_Panel__CES_2011/6124

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/01/10/michael-mann-and-baz-luhrmann-both-considering-3d-projects/

Michael Mann's Top Grossing Movies

Want to know Michael Mann's top grossing films? Here they all are at the-numbers.com.

Unsurprisingly, Collateral comes out top with the pulling power of Tom Cruise and an oscar nominated performance by Jamie Fox boosting sales. Total gross was $100,170,152. Public Enemies came a close second with $97,104,620. The Keep came bottom with just $3,661,757.

The Conversations: Michael Mann

There is an awful lot of information out there about Michael Mann, and views on his films. Here are some ramblings covering most of Mann's movies. I don't agree with all they comment on, but there are some useful comments for those studying Mann. The screenshots are a good touch too.

Here is the link.

Let me know if you want me to cover anything specific, that you haven't yet found on this blog. If anyone reads this blog and has been part of his crew, would be great to hear from you, even if off the record (which I always respect if requested).