The Fashionistas was an exciting film to watch. One of the things that caught my attention when rewatching it with the commentary though was John Stagliano's comment at one point that if he could do it over he would use more zoomed in shots (or close ups--I forget his exact language). But to this I would like to reply Mr. Stagliano, I thought you did a fantastic job. And I loved the shots you took in this flick. I appreciated and commend you on choosing to do wide-angle whole body shots as much as you did. I think it helped make the picture as good as it is. I think too many directors fail to use this powerful directing technique. so if you use more close ups, just don't forget about the whole body shot.
mr. Stagliano if you could go back, you should film it in widescreen ;0)
Oh, it wasn't meant for human beings. Just for snakes... and funerals.
Fritz Lang, Le Mépris (1963)
Edited by - red rover on 3/3/2004 1:41:35 PM
[Link]
mefisto66 Deactivated User
Buenos Aires, Argentina 154 Posts 2/03
Posted - Mar 3 2004 : 1:45PM
Well, i think that Stagliano have an obsession with the butt close ups (is not a complaint, i like them too), that was what made him what he is, a real Buttman, and the hero to the ass lovers like me. Stagliano make the best extreme butthole close ups, and that made me love his movies since the first time i saw a buttman's movie, so those close ups are like a signature of his style. I think that was what he make reference when he say that if he could do it over he would use more close ups, but i agree with you when you say that he made a fantastic job with "The Fashionistas", is one of my favourite porn movies, and i think that is great to see John Stagliano doing whole body shots too. I hope to see more movies like "The Fashionistas" and with the characteristic "Stagliano" butthole close ups in the future.
Patience is a virtue, but who wants to be virtuous? 4283 Posts 4/00
Posted - Mar 7 2004 : 11:52PM
Actually, John and I have talked about widescreen for porn features a lot.
We haven't come to any permanent decisions, but a factor to consider (based on your post), is that if you like full-body shots, unless it's missionary position or 69 or completely horizontal positions throughout the whole sex scene, you'd have to zoom out a lot further to get a full vertical body shot in widescreen than in full screen.
Well actually, if I'm allowed to express my "concerns", I think that the eroticism of a scene comes from a whole lot more details than the physical interaction.
Personally, I prefer full body shots to close-up shots, because I feel it better reflects the heat of a scene. But, on an even larger scale, I think that the success of a scene also depends on much more than the intercourse. It's not just the deepness of penetrations, but it's also not just the connection between the two bodies. It is a combination of the great bodies, the sex, and the set. That all combine to create the tone of the scene.
The girls in an Andrew Blake film look beautiful because they screw in a high-tech, classy environment too. I've still not watched Fashionistas yet, however I've seen stills of a scene, where the characters wear flashy fetish outfits in front of a black background with empty painting frames hung over the place. No doubt that working on widescreen would allow to even more carefully include the talent within the settings and enhance the erotic experience. The director could position the bodies not just in function of each other, but also in a closer relation with the display of the set. That would make one additional level on which to build a shot. Well, I'm sure Stagliano is very good at what he does, so he must already have done some of that, but using widescreen would definitely highlight that aspect of direction.
With more space, you are pushed towards more structured images. It would create a richer graphic environment surrounding the sex, and do nothing but a better justice to the efforts that go into the sets and production values of quality pornography.
For once, it would really be a bit like a real painting when the position of each character has an impact on the global image. Plus there is a visual rule saying that a human being pays more attention to what occurs, not exactly in the middle of his sight, but more towards the edges. It would perfectly fit the widescreen experience, and it's logical because the 16/9 format is actually closer to the original human visual perception.
IAFD, supporters of beastiality. Just say no. 7564 Posts 11/02
Posted - Mar 8 2004 : 12:33PM
Why? You don't get more space, you get 'different' space. In case I am misunderstanding you, could you explain what you mean by "more structured images"?
Edited:
Where did you read this?
cobalt60 said: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
The only close up I like is where the camera gets behind and underneath so that you get a closeup of the cock going in and out of the girls pussy but at the same time you can see the impression on the girls face after every thrust, that's a great shot. Close ups are also good for some tease type ass shots, but overall I prefer the full body shots. I think filming in widescreen would be a mistake. There just isn't enough room vertically to fit the images without sacrificing certain angles and distances.
Widescreen RULES! While not in terms of quantity, certainly quality. The wider shots in the FASHIONISTAS is the main reason it ranks as my favorite title & I'm so happy Stagliano skipped more of the zoomed in shots in favor of wide frames. It gave the scenes an artistic (and even more erotic) vibe. Those are the shots that I wish more directors would break the barriers & try. I think scenes are best filmed when the shots include both the intercourse & the hardcore reactions from the performers without having to choose between the two.
I like the Axel Braun & Brandon Iron style most. They tend to use wider shots but from the closet frame possible so the viewer is offered the footage from a close view but can still see all that the scene has to offer. Most camera operators seem to film wide shots so far back, it almost appears the performers are in a different room, and close-ups so close that all interaction between the performers is missed. I prefer directors who meet those shots in the middle to film one excellent shot. The images of the performers are so much more profound & sexy.
The only close-up angle that I really enjoy watching is one that shot from below, filming up. Although I can imagine the physical hardship on the cameraman, I've noticed that this shot is used a little more since the FASHIONISTAS was released. It allows the viewer to see the hottest action from a close view fading up to what is above it. I especially enjoy oral & cum shots filmed from this angle.
Posted - Mar 3 2004 : 10:06AM