Live Cinema and Its Techniques

Experience the excitement of the North American Premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis at this year's festival.

Presented by one of the masters of twentieth-century cinema, Live Cinema and Its Techniques is an essential and entertaining introduction to a new form of moviemaking that can be enjoyed by both movie buffs and those unfamiliar with the form.

Over the last 25 years, digital tools have revolutionized practically every aspect of cinema. Francis Ford Coppola is convinced that this same transformation will profoundly alter the way films are conceived and directed, bringing about changes as significant as those brought about by the transition from silent film to talkies." Advanced digital technology and multiple cameras filming at once have already produced live sporting events of extraordinary sophistication that are regularly viewed on television screens thanks to advanced digital technology. It demonstrates that the time will not be far away when a director or a collaborative team of filmmakers will produce "live" movies that will be sent instantly via satellite to viewers throughout the world.

Even though live sporting events are impressive, their creative demands pale in comparison to those of "cinematic authors," who are inspired by great directors like Serge Eisenstein, Max Ophuls, and Alfred Hitchcock. As daunting as the challenge is, the process of integrating the highest artistic standards of previous generations into the medium of "live cinema" can, Coppola explains, be achieved, thus creating an entirely new art form for the so-called "screen." 

When actors are retrained and a multitude of cameras are used, a film can become as energetic as a live event. Coppola's "proof-of-concept workshops" at Oklahoma City Community College and UCLA have created a valuable resource for students and teachers alike. Rehearsing actors, selecting scenery and locations, and overcoming technical and theatrical obstacles are discussed in this book. This film illustrates how spontaneity can ultimately lead to an unprecedented era of creativity for a new genre.

This book contains chapters on:

A Short History of Film and Television

The Actors, Acting, and Rehearsal

The Question of Style in the Cinema

Obstacles and Other Thoughts on Live Cinema No Matter What They May Be

Equipment: Now and in the Near Future