Errol Morris' "First Person" - Thesis Research
Errol Morris' "First Person" TV series begins with a provocative fast paced INTRO sequence. Many of the images feature eyeballs, typewriter components, optical devises, film and recording equipment. The rapid-fire visual candy appropriately evokes themes of point of view, research, and filmmaking. I’m considering a similar aesthetic, with different visual icons, for the “Technophiles Anonymous” introductory segment.
Morris typically shoots his primary interview with 4-6 cameras including head on (the “Interrotron”), camera left, camera right, Birdseye, and below eye level. The final edit for this show contains more than the average number of cuts per minute, greatly increasing the energy of the subject. In addition, Errol’s interview with the “Mob Lawyer” utilized a three panel clear amber screen to color saturate the background. The advantage to this technique is that it uses fewer lights, is easy to transport, color saturates the background, and avoids heavy spill on the subject.