Music + Movies + Books

Symmetry, Kubrick-style.

I’m a big fan of symmetry when it comes to designing book covers and taking pictures. If we’ve ever watched a Kubrick movie together, you know it’s not unusual for me to pause the action mid-scene (no matter how dramatic a moment, sorry!) just so I can freak out about the awesome (yet imperfect) symmetry. Kubrick was the master of one-point perspective, and when combined with that slightly-off, not-quite-right imbalanced symmetry he loved so much (think of the Grady twins in The Shining—almost the same, but not quite), you have a forward-moving, focused TENSION that just won’t quit. I love it.

This video compiles some of Kubrick’s best one-point perspective shots into just under two minutes. Fun to watch…


Kubrick // One Point Perspective / edited by kogonada

✚ via Quarrygirl

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21 Comments

  • Reply kelly w August 31, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Beautiful images. I just wish there was a slow-mo option! So fast, and I wanted to savor.

    • Anna @ D16 August 31, 2012 at 12:33 pm

      Haha, I hit pause on the player at least 10 times while I was watching. I’ll never get over that red bathroom…or the milk bar…

  • Reply Liz August 31, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    I love symmetry in design and photography. In cinema one-point perspective and symmetry creates, for me at least, a sense of gravitational pull; it heightens the sense that I’m enveloped by the film. (I can’t see 3D films because of an eye condition and I’ve wondered if this is the effect that 3D seeks to create.)

    This fantastic video reminded me of how great Kubrick was at creating stunning images. And I’m with you on pausing the action mid-screen… doesn’t everyone do this?

  • Reply drewkora August 31, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    i never get tired of scenes from 2001. Visually, perhaps, my favorite movie of all time.

  • Reply Jules August 31, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    That was pretty much amazing.

  • Reply Kellee August 31, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    WOW.

    Thank you for posting that. Stunning.

    Such beautiful photography. I need to watch a Kubrick right now.

  • Reply lau August 31, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    according to my rss reader, you posted this at 11:11. good work. ;>

    • Anna @ D16 August 31, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Are you kidding?! That’s amazing!! hahahaah

  • Reply lau August 31, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    😉 http://recspec.org/anna_1111.jpg

    • Anna @ D16 August 31, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      Love it. I’ll just pretend we’re in the same time zone!!

  • Reply Simone August 31, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    Oh I love Kubrick, but I hadn’t quite clicked on to the fact that his one-point perspective was so strong throughout his work. His work is so enticing. I guess also the scenery and atmosphere was something that I thought more about. But now I see it, I can see that the one-point perspective cleverly draws you in.

  • Reply amy good house August 31, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    I love this video clip. 2001 is just about the most amazing movie I’ve ever seen. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply Mamma Biscuigt August 31, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    I watched this video seven times, it’s so hypnotizing, and a bit chaotic (believe it or not) in an ordered, symmetrical way! The editing on this is pretty great! Love it!

  • Reply carrieolshan September 1, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    this is so cool, i feel a kubrick marathon coming! thanks for sharing

  • Reply Emma W September 3, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    Fantastic! What a great idea for a movie clip video. Those other videos by the same uploader look pretty interesting too.

  • Reply Latrina September 4, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Such a cool video! I know what you mean though, I am a nut when it comes to that type of stuff too. Luckily, my husband is too and so he’s not annoyed whenever I want to pause a movie to admire artist shots. 🙂 I love good film in general — artistic shots always catch my eye!

  • Reply noriko September 4, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    great! and ingenious video!

  • Reply Rox September 5, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    woah that was freaking awesome!

  • Reply David September 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I can’t love this enough! Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply Pam September 11, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    Symmetry is so mesmerizing and calming to look at- but I also think it’s why I love to watch synchonized dancing (which is usually embarrasing to admit, but hey, there’s that OK Go video, right?!)

  • Reply Cortnie September 15, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    I’m about to re-watch 2001 after reading it for the first time and after watching this awesome montage I’m even more excited!

    xo
    cortnie

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