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ROCKY FILM SERIES (DIRECTION AND CINEMATOGRAPHY)

Directed by Sylvester Stallone, Ryan Coogler, John G. Avildsen, Cinematography by James Crabe (Rocky), Bill Butler (Rocky II–IV), Steven B. Poster (Rocky V) and J. Clark Mathis (Rocky Balboa).

 

I chose to focus on the Rocky Movies as, although they are boxing films a lot of the training routines and dietary needs are similar to a body builder. By analysing the cinematography in the films, this would give me ideas on new shoots focusing around progress, training and diet. 

I chose the rocky films because of Stallone’s character and the focus on his personal life as well as the training. I feel these movies connect with my theme of power because of the stories behind them are about mental and physical strength. Throughout the 6 films the cinematography varies quite a lot however it's all very effective. One thing that stays the same in each movie is that there's a montage of Rocky's training routines before a fight. The scenes range from his diet to his cardio and weight lifting and the idea of these montages are overcoming something. Rocky 3 was a fantastic example of this, his training with character Apollo Creed was depicted as training that pushed him past limits and achieving things he never thought to achieve. Although this was physically pushing the character it was also a mental challenge. I believe this is something I need to portray in my future shoots; to highlight the mental power needed and portray emotions and breaking boundaries and the mental impact it has on the bodybuilder. 

Something I was interested in was how some scenes were shot of Rocky's cardio. Often these were early morning runs, with a sunrise background and the camera allowing a panned view of Stallone's character running from an angle which manipulates lighting to make him look like a silhouette. I feel this is very effective as it almost shows loneliness and sacrifice, a description on how some bodybuilders feel their training can be.

 

 

PUMPING IRON - ROBERT FIORE
 

Pumping Iron is the documentary based around Arnold Schwarzenegger's career in bodybuilding. I have chosen to focus on cinematography and the stills from this documentary instead of a particular photographer or shoot because of the spectrum of emotions and the struggle that Schwarzenegger portrays. This, like my project, is almost a case study following the struggle and achievements of a bodybuilder - my aim is to record my case study in the same way and for an audience to view my photoshoots in the same way as a person would view this documentary - chronologically seeing the struggle, achievements, progress and power behind bodybuilding. I also chose to study this to capture how the cinematography/photography is used when Arnie is doing his posing and routines for a show. I feel the cinematography catches Schwarzenegger is an unconventional way - a more personal way to how body builders are usually perceived. I found this film was quite comic at times too and focused on the reality behind photoshoots and interviews and the press and fame that followed him. Because of this 'behind the scenes' sort of outlook, I found it more interesting and easier to relate it to my case study - as if I was doing the same kind of project on a case study however my project was simply photography based, not cinema based. Because this was such a relatable idea, showing progress leading to a show, I was able to relate to it more, and so was my model after he has seen this documentary. 

 

One thing I took from the film was the focus on Schwarznegger's body. Although his lifestyle was a small part of it (not as much as in the Rocky series), everything was about his body. Before, during and after workouts, he would check his physique in the mirror, pull skin to feel how much body fat he had and almost come across as slightly vain (unintentionally). I found this is how Josh would act sometimes too. This is something I plan to document in future shoots. Although, I don't believe the bodybuilding is about vanity, or showing off, this was something I felt was a theme in not only 'Pumping Iron' but the 'Rocky' film series too and this is a point I felt I had to get across in my photography. 

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