From the moment the Universal Pictures logo appears on screen before Scott Pilgrim vs. the World begins, you know you’re in for a visual treat. I’m not going to spoil the story, but I wanted to comment on how well the graphic novel style has been incorporated into the film.

While previous movies like Sin City have done a great job borrowing static elements of graphic novel design, this is the first film I’ve seen that makes such fine use of dynamic elements. Speed and impact lines are used to convey energy in many of the battle scenes, sound effects are enhanced with fleeting text and graphic representations to give them more impact, and intangible forces are stunningly visualized as they become devastatingly tangible for the characters involved.

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Filed under: Film

This summer I am fortunate to have two dedicated and hard-working interns working with me in the Public Affairs Department.  The following is a post by Steph Gray, the marketing and promotions intern who is also starting her senior year in Theatre Performance and Arts Administration at Butler University, about her experiences at the Museum this summer.

IMA Summer Intern Steph Gray

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Filed under: Current Events, Marketing

Every year, the people of Indianapolis anxiously await the announcement that means summer is surely right around the corner… the list of movies that will play at Summer Nights!

Without further ado, here is the list!

• June 4 Across the Universe / 2007
• June 11 Rebel Without A Cause / 1955
• June 18 The Usual Suspects / 1995
• June 25 Pee-wee’s Big Adventure / 1985
• July 2 Stella Dallas / 1937
• July 9 North by Northwest / 1959
• July 16 The Rocky Horror Picture Show / 1975 (midnight showing; gates open at 10pm)
• July 23 Monty Python: The Holy Grail / 1975 (midnight showing; gates open at 10pm)
• July 30 The Muppets Take Manhattan / 1984
• August 6 A Fish Called Wanda / 1988
• August 13 Stand By Me / 1986
• August 20 L.A. Confidential / 1997
• August 27 O Brother, Where Art Thou? / 2000

We also have exciting news for members:

• Presale Tickets Beginning April 8, members will have exclusive access to online tickets for all Summer Nights films. This means no waiting in line on the day of the movie!
• Priority Seating Members get the best spots on the terrace! Gates open for members a half-hour earlier than for the public (6 pm).
• Big Savings Members receive tickets for 50% off the public price (Public $10 / Members $5)

I am thrilled we can offer these savings to our most devoted fans. I have attended several Summer Nights films that have sold out, and it’s hard when we have to turn people away.  Become a member and get your (half price!) tickets early.

Also, I will be here for the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show.  I guarantee it is going to be a wicked good time.  Won’t you come join me?

Filed under: Current Events, Film, Local

After being impressed by the computer graphics in Avatar this weekend, I thought that this would be a great time to bring up the concept of the uncanny valley in 3D character animation and discuss some examples from recent films.

Photo by Listen Missy! on Flickr

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Filed under: Film, Technology

One thing we’ve learned from the recession is that movies are now considered “recession proof”.  People need the escape.  This can easily be seen from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which had a $160 million 5-day opening.  It was also the fastest movie to ever reach $350 million world-wide. I was somewhat surprised to find out that this movie would be offering an IMAX 3D experience as well.  Typically I think of the animated movies which can fairly easily crank out a 3D version of themselves.  However, digitally adding 3D scenes to a filmed movie requires a great amount of work from the production companies.  Why do it? Money of course.

Monsters vs. Aliens © Dreamworks Animation

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Filed under: Musings, Technology