The Best of 2015

By Cory Sekine-Pettite

As the staff of Markee continues to plan our 2016 editorial, we can't help but reflect on the articles we published last year. There were so many great projects covered and interesting perspectives revealed. So naturally, we wanted to share a few of our favorites with you again. Enjoy!

After Post Afterglow

Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas from Screen Novelties.

At the beginning of the year, we featured a collection of articles geared toward independent filmmakers that demonstrated the "Business of Film"—from what to do with dailies to cloud-based storage options to following your passions. If you've already read this collection, it is worth reviewing again, but if you didn't catch it at the beginning of last year, I encourage you to read it now. There are many great lessons to be learned.

Changing The Soundscape

Frank Morrone at work doing a mix at Technicolor Studios.

In the spring of last year, we interviewed MPSE President Frank Morrone about how sound editing and production has changed during his illustrious career. "The big changes now are just in workflow because our track counts are getting bigger, and our budgets are getting smaller, and our times are getting shorter. That’s been the biggest change,” says Morrone, who has mixed sound for high-profile TV shows and movies, including The Strain, Boss, Sleepy Hollow, and the Oscar-winning When We Were Kings.

Lighting Up The Hunger Games

Julianne Moore from The Hunger Games. (Photo: Murray Close)

Last summer, we had the chance to speak with DP Jo Willems SBC about his work on The Hunger Games franchise. It was a rare opportunity for us to take readers behind the camera of one of the most successful series of films in movie history. Willems and his crew described for us in detail all of the lighting tools, equipment, and techniques they used for The Hunger Games. Budding filmmakers will want to read this article throughly—and take notes. Willems and his team have a great deal of knowledge to share.

Monsters Under The Bed

A model bridge—a bigature—goes up in flames and flying debris for a scene in The Lone Ranger.

In a world where digital effects reign, there still are talented professionals creating practical effects for movies and even some television programs. Last fall, we profiled 32TEN Studios, which has worked on practical effects for such features as The Lone Ranger, Pacific Rim, and Tomorrowland. "As you can see, our practical elements are always used in conjunction with CG to create the imagery the production desires. But without the practical, the virtual would be less believable in this age of digital excitement on the screen," says 32TEN CEO Tim Partridge.

1,000 Feet To Victory

A student from PS 57 competing in the the annual Soapbox Derby in Akron, Ohio.

Last, but certainly not least, we recently featured a documentary film that followed the students and teachers from a New York school system (PS 57) as they traversed the country to compete in a soapbox derby. Photojournalist Steve Eisen followed the soapbox kids as they not only had a great time racing, but learned valuable lessons in science, math, engineering, and technology. It's a great story that you really must check out. “As a photojournalist, working for all of the major networks for more than 20 years, I’ve covered the darker side of neighborhoods such as the one the kids were growing up in,” Eisen notes. “And I’ve also covered how competitive sports can make a big difference in their lives."