Bored in Quarantine? Take Self Portraits at Home in Just 4 Easy Steps!

At this point, we’re all struggling in quarantine, whether it be the stress of working from home, not seeing our friends, or just being plain bored. As I’ve been stuck at home, I’ve found that taking pictures is really therapeutic for me, and fun too! Here is what I’ve done to take cool pictures without leaving my house. If I can do them, you can too!

1. Pick your location!

Location can make or break a photo. My best advice is to stick to natural light if you can. Find a big window and use the light and shadows from it to your advantage. If you don’t have a large window accessible, set up a lamp at a 45* angle from the front of your face to make a beautiful Rembrandt shadow to shape your face.

I ended up supplementing my window light with an LED because there wasn’t enough direct light coming through my window.

2. Diffuse it!

Is your light too harsh? Is it leaving sharp shadows on your face in an unflattering way? Diffuse it! If you have a diffuser or bounce-board, these can be very helpful, but you can also just use a white bedsheet or poster board. Place it either in front of the light source to get rid of some of the intensity, or place it opposite the light source so the light reflects and illuminates the darker side of your face.

I used a diffuser to help stretch the light across my face smoothly without leaving any harsh shadows.

3. Get creative!

Use what you have to your advantage. Got a mirror? Test out different angles and creative poses to get a unique look. Have a colander? Place it in front of an intense light source like the sun to get a cool dotted effect. Have some flowers or plants? Try holding them in different places to frame the photo or your face.

This may not be a self portrait, but it definitely could be! This is the colander effect in use. I used a wide open aperture on a 50mm lens with direct sunlight for the most intense shadows.

4. Set up your camera and get shooting!

Set your camera/phone on a tripod, or a chair and some books. After you have the settings and focus set how you want them, snap away! The timer is there for a reason. It might take a few tries to get it right, but don’t give up!

I’m really happy with how this one turned out!

With these tips, you’re bound to get some beautiful pictures you’ll be proud to share on the ‘Gram or just to keep for yourself. If you decide to try any of these, let me know! Message me on instagram @taylor.shoots!

Waititi’s ‘Jojo Rabbit’ Brings a Childlike Joy to Audiences Everywhere

I will forever praise Taika Waititi for how he’s able to infuse his witty, unique humor into almost any situation, and Jojo Rabbit is no exception. This time he’s managed to use a pro-nazi ten year old to show adults how absolutely childish they are when it comes to just about everything, especially politics.

This satire shines brightly in a sea of dark dramas that plague the modern cinematic experience. As a fun watch with optimistic themes, and a new perspective on WWII movies, I can’t recommend it enough. 

Synopsis (Spoiler Alert!)

Jojo Rabbit follows a ten year old boy, Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), who is absolutely obsessed with Hitler, nazis, and all things related to the Third Reich; so much so that his imaginary friend Adolf (Taika Waititi) pops up now and then, encouraging Jojo to be a good German boy in between his unicorn dinners.

Jojo’s journey starts as he goes to Hitler Youth camp and begins to realize that this ideology is more serious than he thought, but that certainly doesn’t deter him.

He soon meets Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie), a Jewish girl his mother hid in his attic. After months of antagonizing her, he begins to realize that she, and other Jewish folk, might not be that bad. Just as he starts to question the flaws in the system he believed in so fervently, his mother, Rosey (Scarlett Johansson), gets caught and hung for being a part of the resistance.

As his world comes crashing down, he finds solace in Elsa and their friendship grows stronger. When the Allied Powers finally win the war, he kicks imaginary Adolf out of his life, and he and Elsa dance for their freedom as the story comes to a bittersweet end.

All throughout, the movie displays a childlike innocence, some dark humor, and an overall playful and positive message. 

Best Parts of the Film

• If you like Waititi’s prior work, this will be no exception. The witty humor, and bold risks are staples of the Waititi experience.

• The wonderful acting from everyone involved, including breakout performances from young actors Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie.

• The cinematography by Mihai Mălaimare Jr. is to die for. The saturated jewel tones and impactful composition make this film a joy to look at.

Questionable Aspects

• Tonal shifts midway make for an interesting shift in pace that may not appeal to all.

• When dealing with a dark satire about nazis, there will certainly be some who are rubbed the wrong way.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought this film did an excellent job holding the playful, optimistic tone of the film up high, while also keeping the serious nature of WWII in check. Waititi’s creativity paves the way over some incredibly rough terrain to bring the joyful message of spreading acceptance to everyone, and that it’s okay to admit when you’re wrong.

I highly recommend that everyone watches Jojo Rabbit at their fastest convenience, because the message of spreading love, not hate, is one that the world needs a little more of right now.

Nolan’s “Tenet” Release Date Pushed Back Again: Smart or Sabotage?

For fans of Christopher Nolan and observers of the changing movie industry alike, the long-awaited release of his newest sci-fi film, Tenet, has been an object of debate and uncertainty. Tenet’s release date was originally slated to premiere in theaters on July 17, 2020, but as public health officials made it clear that this wasn’t going to be possible Warner Bros pushed the release date back twice, landing on August 12, a decision that shocked many.

Most had assumed it would be pushed much further back like Wonder Woman 1984, of which the release date was pushed from August 14 to October 2, but this was not the case. Warner Bros has announced that their plan for releasing this film will be very different than their plans for blockbusters of the past. “In this moment what we need to be is flexible, and we are not treating this as a traditional movie release. We are choosing to open the movie mid-week to allow audiences to discover the film in their own time, and we plan to play longer, over an extended play period far beyond the norm, to develop a very different yet successful release strategy.”

The question now is whether this is a smart decision to try and revive the theatre experience or if it’s sabotaging the potential viewership of the film by not going straight to a home-viewing platform. 

Ever since the successful at-home release of Trolls World Tour which grossed over 95 million dollars in its’ first three weeks of on-demand rentals, many have hoped that other films would make the same leap to on-demand. Unfortunately for them, Warner Bros made a statement saying they are, “committed to bringing Tenet to audiences in theaters, on the big screen.”

I believe pushing off the release date only slightly and insisting on a theatrical release in the current state of the country regarding COVID-19 isn’t going to be smart in the long run. Eventually, movie theaters and the experience they provide will come back, but until this pandemic is completely under control, a new form of movie consumption needs to be embraced. My hypothesis is that if Tenet is released in theaters as currently slated, the box office numbers, even long term will be much lower than if it were to be released on-demand with a high rental price while the hype for the movie is still high. 

Regardless of box office numbers, the number one concern for everyone currently should be the health and safety of those around them, and having a wide theatrical release is not taking this kind of concern into account. Perhaps if they pushed the film release back many months to accommodate the pandemic, while also keeping the grandiose nature of the Nolan blockbuster in theaters, I would understand, but releasing it in August seems far too rushed.  

While I’ve been a huge Christopher Nolan fan for years and am very excited for his new film, I won’t be watching until it’s available for me to stream from the comfort and safety of my own home. 

My Top Three: Filmmakers on Twitter

Filmmaking is no easy feat. From script to screen, there’s a million and one things filmmakers must do to be successful. But something that many moviegoers overlook is the importance of garnering a fanbase for more than just the film itself. Having an authentic and entertaining social media presence is key to building a relationship with the audience. It’s a big part of what keeps people coming back for more from their favorite filmmakers. Here are three of the most successful twitter presences in the film industry. 

Taika Waititi @TaikaWaititi

Taika Waititi strikes the perfect balance between comedy, self-promotion, and spreading awareness about issues he believes in. Much like his films, his imaginative humor shines through even his more serious tweets.

Jordan Peele @JordanPeele

Jordan Peele’s twitter is full of enlightening tweets surrounding social justice. His films tackle tough topics like racism and inequality and his twitter is no different. His feed is populated by articles, information, and opinions on how to make the world a better place for everyone.

Patty Jenkins @PattyJenks

Patty Jenkins is a ray on sunshine in the dark sea of Twitter. Her uplifting and supportive tweets are always something to look forward to. She often shares her and her colleagues work and encourages others to support them. She also promotes social justice and awareness around current events and issues. 

The Beginning of Me

The quiet beep before the flash went off,  the repeated thud of a needle being pushed through a thin piece of fabric, and the loud clank of keys clicking away as I typed on my family’s clunky desktop are the sounds that I treasure most from my childhood. 

As a kid, like most children, I had an infinite number of hobbies. Whether it was spending my afternoon sewing clothes for my dolls, taking pictures with my family’s point and shoot, or writing short stories and plays, I was always occupied doing something creative. 

My mom has always been one of my biggest supporters, and she’s undoubtedly the one that set me on my path towards pursuing film. Every time I did something I loved she would come up to me and tell me to “remember how you feel right now.” Little did I know the joy and passion I got from doing these silly childish activities would lead me to realize that film and photography is what I want to do with my life. 

Since then, I’ve spent my time learning more about each craft. I started to pursue film in middle school, researching techniques, editing skills, and storytelling. In high school I continued this search and I bought my first camera. This opened up my eyes to photography, and I learned that sometimes a still picture can be just as powerful as a scene. 

By senior year I had become comfortable in my photography skills and began to take photos for others so that they might also have images they can keep as a memory of an exciting time in their lives. College brought me back to my film roots, and I’m currently focusing on developing my cinematography skills at Central Washington University.

Cinematography is my biggest passion. Using light to shape how people feel is a magical thing, and I never want to stop learning and growing in this field. I want to make stories beautiful and meaningful, and to inspire other little girls that they can do anything so long as they put their mind to it, just like my mom encouraged me.

Please contact me to inquire about a shoot or video work.

taylorhopeamble@gmail.com