The Grip of Film: Richard Ayoade

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Another Ayoade book! So exciting! Except….wait. This is barely Ayoade. Yes, he wrote it, and yes, he does some narration- “some” being the key word in this situation. The Grip of Film is a fake book written by a fake person (written by Ayoade, naturally). The fake person is Gordy LaSure; a longtime Hollywood vagrant and alleged screenwriter. Satirizes action movies, and American culture in general, by pretending to take them very seriously. I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Hearing Ayoade himself as well as Jon Korkes, which is excellent as Gordy, gives the book a lift, and in the duller parts you can appreciate their voices if nothing else. And this kind of ass is something far bigger than the ‘arses’ I grew up with in Glasgow (and that’s saying something). Cos an ‘arse’ is just a coupla cheeks and a syphon system.

The Grip of Film and Ayoade on Top By Richard Ayoade 2 Books

I find this to be a bit of a shame, I really liked A Cinematic Odyssey by Ayoade and I also really dig his movies, I really don't know what he was trying to do with this book, it's all over the place and is a complete mess. I thought this might be cheering after the sadness of The Silence of the Girls, but apparently wasn’t in the right mood for its sense of humour. I normally find Ayodade much funnier. ‘The Grip of Film’ is an A to Z of film, written in the voice of Gordy LaSure, who strongly reminded me of Bob the Zooniverse boss in The Mighty Boosh. He lists and attempts to explain cinematic cliches. Actually, the humour has dated somewhat due to the MeToo movement uncovering appalling abusive behaviour endemic in Hollywood. Thus misogyny and light-hearted discussion of rape threats are harder to smile at. It can also get a bit repetitive and Ayodade’s editorial interjections in his own voice don’t really add much. Nonetheless, ‘The Grip of Film’ is certainly perceptive about Hollywood bullshit and there are plenty of entertaining comments, such as: Danny DeVito on his own is goddam magnificent. Schwarzenegger solo ain’t too shabby. But put them together and what you got? What is a bicycle pump?’ Plato would have said. ‘Not the imperfect one I’m pointlessly pummeling – this is but a shadow. A work of shimmering, glimmering genius" - Stephen Fry Gordy LaSure’s passionate about film. He eats film, he drinks film, and sometimes he’ll even watch a film. But most of all he loves talking to people about whether a comely student with low confidence and a father complex, a Studio "development' exec who doesn’t trust his own judgement, or the countless people Gordy LaSure’s encountered in his capacity as the web moderator on an Excessive Sweating Discussion Forum. Gordy LaSure’s always talking about films and how they’d be a shit ton better if only people would pull their asses out of their ears and listen to Gordy LaSure.A grip uses some tools typically used by mechanics and construction workers. As in those vocations, grips need hand tools at the ready.(Tools such as ratchet straps, wedges and a normal tool box) We instinctively understand Dalton’s ass to be something important, and yet we know that this particular ass – like all ass – does not exist in its own right. Dalton’s ass is not something separate from the rest of Dalton; it is not a severable component. The G/E crew, as managed by the Gaffer and/or Best Boy Electric, position and focus all the actual lights, run cables, and ensure the safety of everyone on set. So I've tried to make this book as dense as possible, like a neutron star. And if you think I came up with that simile by googling 'What stuff is most dense?', you'd be wrong. I already knew neutron stars were maybe dense before I googled it to make sure.” Apple box — Different sized (quarter, half, full, pancake) wooden boxes used for a variety of purposes.

The Grip of Film | Faber

Gordy is a (purposefully) contemptible character; he has the bravado of The Kid Stays in the Picture with a fraction of the success and (at least) four times the casual misogyny. He has been tasked with writing this book by Ayoade, who decided that a two-book-deal was too many books to write. Cameraman and dolly grip filming The Alamo (2004) Statue of a boom operator on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong Tools [ edit ] Should I go to jail because I don’t trust Caucasians to do valet parking? Apparently, yes. And I have. Best boy grip or second company grip: this is the key grip's right-hand person. He or she will act on behalf of the key grip in areas such as booking crew and equipment rental. First of all, I just want to say that I am not a prude and I'm not easily offended in the slightest, in fact, I actually really like offensive things, in particular, offensive humour.

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Triple Header Junior – A piece of equipment mounted on a light stand which allows several light fixtures to be hung on a single stand with junior receivers. Dance Floor – Not to be confused with a traditional dance floor used for weddings or special events. A production dance floor generally refers to putting down a double layer of 3/4 inch plywood with the seams offset, topped with Masonite, to allow a camera dolly to ride smoothly in any direction. This process usually occurs when a floor or surface area is not level. Mafer Clamp – Featuring one flat and one v-notched jaw, both with padded grip surfaces, the clamp is used to attach equipment to an array of irregular surface, such as furniture. Now that we've covered "what does a Grip do," let's talk more specifically about the essential Film Grip tools and equipment. It helps to know some of the basics of the job before you get to the set. So, let’s look at the gear you’ll be using the most. FILM GRIP SET LIFE Know your Film Grip equipment list

The Grip of Film (Audio Download): Richard Ayoade, Richard

If someone describes a movie as a CHARACTER STUDY, we all know what they mean: ‘This thing’s gonna be slow as shit.’ This is ostensibly written by Scottish ex-pat Gordy LaSure, and edited with many a footnote by comedian/actor/TV presenter/film director Richard Ayoade (who will always be Ned Smanks from Nathan Barley to me). It's Gordy's own take on what makes a good movie. Now living in LA and holding forth on movies to anyone who'll listen, Gordy has tried to put his many failed marriages behind him. C-Stand – Originally known as a century-stand, it is designed to take up very little space and is generally made up of four parts, including the base, a vertical leg with multiple stands, a gobo head and a gobo arm. One of the most common pieces of equipment on a film set, it can hold a variety of reflectors, lights, show cards or boom microphones. Any Film Grip equipment list starts with protecting your hands. You’ll want a well-fitting pair of leather Film Grip gloves that both enhance your grip and protect you from injury. Become a Faber Member for free and receive curated book recommendations, special competitions and exclusive discounts.

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Junior – A 2,000 watt light fixture that usually includes a one and 1⁄ 8-inch pin and is mounted into a female receiver on a stand. And what about Citizen Kane? If they‘d wanted to gross some dollar, they should‘ve called it Dude, Where‘s My Sled?” See Faber authors in conversation and hear readings from their work at Faber Members events, literary festivals and at book shops across the UK. Grips are also responsible for safety on the set as it relates to the force of gravity. Insofar as stands, ladders, scaffolds, and overhead rigs are properly installed, grips are charged with making them safe because the other crew members must climb on, walk around, or otherwise negotiate the different grip set-ups. The key grip may even be held responsible for injuries that happen on set, especially if the injury is caused by a falling lighting instrument.

The Grip of Film by Richard Ayoade | Goodreads

This venture transcends mere studio revival,” he continues. “It’s a renaissance of passion, tribute to a rich legacy, and a testament to indie cinema’s prowess.” The title In the Grip of Terror was generously shared with me by Sergei Subotsky, derived from a list of potential titles his late father, Milton Subotsky, had curated decades ago. It feels profoundly fitting that we’re expanding upon the imaginative groundwork set by such a visionary. What’s even more fascinating is that three of the four stories we’re adapting were suggested by Milton’s widow and Sergei’s mother, Dr. Fiona Subotsky.'” One of the reasons The Avengers is among the highest-grossing films of all time is that it’s filled with people who act for a living. They don’t care whether the dialogue makes any sense! For the correct fee, they’ll pretend it does!” And let’s not forget cable pullers, who trail the camera crew and keep the camera/dolly path clear for a smooth shot. So, what’s it like to work as a Grip for film? Let’s discuss that next. Movie Grip Job Description Film Grip tools and tips for success Many myths involve a character being changed into an animal, such as a frog. Because being a frog is totally limiting. Sure, it might be nice to hope a little better, but you can't get a restaurant reservation. You can't even get a driver's license!"Woof!” Nobody knows why we say this — probably because it doesn’t sound like any other instructions — but this is how the Key or Gaffer indicates that you’ve hit the exact spot they’re asking for.