5.18 - Fragile Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[tonytr1687]

I must have missed it, I didn't think he was implying that Chloe was a Lesbo. He was just saying that she won't allow herself to get close to anyone. And that she's hard to handle.

His insult was in direct response to her saying "You do anything to hurt Lana, and there will be consequences." So Lex kinda makes a leap and insinuates that Chloe's a lesbian b/c she's so concerned about Lana possibly being with Lex. It was definitely a good burn. I always love it when the writers throw in an in-joke that makes fun of the show or a character in some way (kinda like how they referenced Lex's terrible security).

 

[avidreader]

avid..lol.....

i said that you, serene, pat and trip would probably love to watch TW wag his tail (i.e shake his butt).

LOL! I just watched it again, and yes I get it now and he can wag his tail in front of me any time he likes, I'll even let him bark. I'm glad he's not furry all over though.

 

[avidreader]

His insult was in direct response to her saying "You do anything to hurt Lana, and there will be consequences." So Lex kinda makes a leap and insinuates that Chloe's a lesbian b/c she's so concerned about Lana possibly being with Lex. It was definitely a good burn. I always love it when the writers throw in an in-joke that makes fun of the show or a character in some way (kinda like how they referenced Lex's terrible security).

I didnt pick up on that one. Too funny!

 

[Kaboom]

I dont think we have to worry. Since the writers have now out-and-out shown us that Clark thinks Jor-El is evil, I'm sure we're gonna get an episode soon where he realizes Jor-El is actually the opposite.

heres hoping its in vessel

 

[AgentPat]

Can you explain what that means so I can envision it?

A tracking shot is when the camera is on wheels and rides on a track, like a train, and moves along with the action.

..."rack focus" [is] when focus shifts during a shot.

Yes, this is how it's done. Basically, the camera trucks-in on the subject, usually a person's face, and the focus and zoom pulls to compensate for the change in proximity between the camera and the object in focus, keeping the relative size of the object the same in the frame from start to finish. This results in a major change in depth of field, which makes the background appear to "curl" around the subject. It's wicked eerie and bizarre, and VERY effective at conveying a feeling of panic. It's *exactly* what that scene needed as "mom" looked into the mirror and froze in fear. Folks here complained that it was stupid that she just stood there instead of running. A tracking shot such as the one I just described would have "fixed" that. And it would have looked WAY cool, not to mention could have been done for cheap - no CGI is required for such a shot.

Examples of this technique used at its most effective can be seen in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist, and Spielberg's Jaws.

Did Stray combine a rack focus with a tracking shot to open?

Good question. I'll have to rewatch the ep. I don't recall ever seeing this camera effect used in SV, but that's not to say they've never done it. It's a genre staple.

I know the kind of shot you mean. Tom's direction was understated, but I actually liked that. He went the route of directing an episode of Smallville, not the route of a novice director who wants to prove how many tricks they can pull off.

This isn't about pulling off "tricks." It's about effective direction and conveying the right emotion to an audience who sometimes needs to be hit over the head with overtness. I also don't think he was that understated - the steadycam that dropped to the floor as the girl dove under her bed; the close-ups on her eyes as glass is heard breaking; the fireplace framed perfectly behind the big kiss between Lana and Lex; the ending crane shot rising into a setting sun, complete with lens flare... nah... he wasn't too cliché in places.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

His insult was in direct response to her saying "You do anything to hurt Lana, and there will be consequences." So Lex kinda makes a leap and insinuates that Chloe's a lesbian b/c she's so concerned about Lana possibly being with Lex. It was definitely a good burn. I always love it when the writers throw in an in-joke that makes fun of the show or a character in some way (kinda like how they referenced Lex's terrible security).

lol Lex is the man !

 

[Scooter]

I think Chloe would make a good lesbian...

 

[GothicPowerMix1]

I wonder how long before the Thread

"Is Chloe a lesbian"

Gets made

 

[Super_Ludacris]

I'm working on it right now, I'm just trying to find that picture of Allison Mack with the big ass braces that was posted like a year ago

 

[GothicPowerMix1]

If anyone should be a Lesbian on this Show it is Lana. How many Boyfriends has she had these past 5 Years that simply used her to get to find out about Clark or had Super Secret Alternate Motives ? The only Boyfriend she had that did not use her in any way was Whitney. Heck he spent most of the time on the Show being a mean jerk to Clark

 

[Super_Ludacris]

You sound like Kal-El 8 taking this **** seriously

 

[jas01724]

This isn't about pulling off "tricks."

Pah! Speak for yourself.

It's about effective direction and conveying the right emotion to an audience who sometimes needs to be hit over the head with overtness. I also don't think he was that understated - the steadycam that dropped to the floor as the girl dove under her bed; the close-ups on her eyes as glass is heard breaking; the fireplace framed perfectly behind the big kiss between Lana and Lex; the ending crane shot rising into a setting sun, complete with lens flare... nah... he wasn't too cliché in places.

I was simplifying a little because I'm having trouble getting these posts to go through - my connection is taking a day off, apparently.

I just thought most of what Tom did was par for the Smallville course; it's understated in the sense that it wasn't obviously "Tom Welling Does SV". I didn't really notice any sign of the guest director trying too hard to show what they can do, or to put their own mark on it. I think back to Talisman ... it had very good direction from John Schneider, but it didn't quite look (to me, at least) like most of the other episodes.

 

[GothicPowerMix1]

You sound like Kal-El 8 taking this **** seriously

Techinically your the one taking this seriously if you dont want to see Kristen as a Lesbian

 

[Scooter]

If anyone should be a Lesbian on this Show it is Lana. How many Boyfriends has she had these past 5 Years that simply used her to get to find out about Clark or had Super Secret Alternate Motives ? The only Boyfriend she had that did not use her in any way was Whitney. Heck he spent most of the time on the Show being a mean jerk to Clark

Fine, they can both be lesbians. Sheesh! Some people, eh?

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Techinically your the one taking this seriously if you dont want to see Kristen as a Lesbian

A lesbian Kristin wont do it for me. A bisexual Kristin on the other hand.....

 

[Scooter]

A lesbian Kristin wont do it for me. A bisexual Kristin on the other hand.....

Sweet...

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Holla!

 

[GothicPowerMix1]

I dont think we have to worry. Since the writers have now out-and-out shown us that Clark thinks Jor-El is evil, I'm sure we're gonna get an episode soon where he realizes Jor-El is actually the opposite.

Maybe Clark will learn that in the Finale if the rumor is true that Braniac gives Clark Memories of how he & Zod betrayed Jor El & Krypton. Sure Jor El may be a Tough Bastard but that can not mean he does not have the best intentions in the end.

 

[AgentPat]

Pah! Speak for yourself.

I just thought most of what Tom did was par for the Smallville course; it's understated in the sense that it wasn't obviously "Tom Welling Does SV". I didn't really notice any sign of the guest director trying too hard to show what they can do, or to put their own mark on it. I think back to Talisman ... it had very good direction from John Schneider, but it didn't quite look (to me, at least) like most of the other episodes.

Just so we're on the same page, I LOVED this ep. I thought Tom did an amazing job, juggling his acting duties as well as helming. It's not easy directing yourself. From a story POV, I think Serene hit the nail on the head: it was very sweet. The chemistry between Clark and Maddie was palpable. Everything else in the episode sort of took a back seat for me, which is fine. We all have our preferred "focus" on things.

Okay, so back to the direction... if *anybody* went sick-ola in SV direction, it would have been MM. Memoria was over the top - but it worked. I thought Talisman suffered from what appeared to be poor planning - too many scenes were cut to fit the broadcast window. Now that could have been an issue with editing choices, but Schneider would have had final say in that, I would think. Tom's direction was average in terms of technique, IMHO. But considering his limited experience behind the camera as well as his having to be in front of it for a better part of the ep, he did one helluva job. Schneider had directed before - he even directed the Dukes show finale episode - and I think Welling did a better job. Go figure?

 

[Super_Ludacris]

I still say Clark seeing Johnathan and his surrondings will make him realise he has no choice but to accept it

 

[thebigtree95]

Overall I liked the episode. It didn't advance the season plot any which is too bad with such few episodes remaining on the season, but it was good for the source material and story at hand.

You could tell where Tom created a few shots unique to him, I think he did a fine job.

 

[Kane]

I thought Talisman was waaay better than this sh^t!

 

[Sawyer]

I dont know if this has been asked, but did they do a reminder for Talisman, that John Schnieder directed like they did for this episode?

 

[jas01724]

Tom's direction was average in terms of technique, IMHO. But considering his limited experience behind the camera as well as his having to be in front of it for a better part of the ep, he did one helluva job. Schneider had directed before - he even directed the Dukes show finale episode - and I think Welling did a better job. Go figure?

I'm trying to get my thoughts out as quickly as possible, before my connection freezes ... just so we're clear, I also thought Tom did a good job. I didn't care that much for the episode, but it was nice and sweet.

As I said before, it I hadn't known it was directed by Tom, I wouldn't have had any clue that it wasn't one of the more experienced directors. He did his usual good job in front of the camera, he did a good job behind it, and when all was said and done he turned out a pretty well-directed -- if not well-written -- episode of the show.

I wouldn't complain if he quits acting to hide behind the camera.

 

[triplet]

Yes, this is how it's done. Basically, the camera trucks-in on the subject, usually a person's face, and the focus and zoom pulls to compensate for the change in proximity between the camera and the object in focus, keeping the relative size of the object the same in the frame from start to finish. This results in a major change in depth of field, which makes the background appear to "curl" around the subject. It's wicked eerie and bizarre, and VERY effective at conveying a feeling of panic. It's *exactly* what that scene needed as "mom" looked into the mirror and froze in fear. Folks here complained that it was stupid that she just stood there instead of running. A tracking shot such as the one I just described would have "fixed" that. And it would have looked WAY cool, not to mention could have been done for cheap - no CGI is required for such a shot.

Examples of this technique used at its most effective can be seen in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist, and Spielberg's Jaws.

Oh, I gotcha! Now, I know what you were referring to....

I wasn't visualizing that particular technique from what you said. I've seen that a lot but I don't think I've ever seen it on Smallville. It could be an extremely difficult and time consuming setup to do and thus be cost prohibitive for a TV show.

And I thought when you went forward and back it was a "dolly shot," a "tracking shot" I thought was side to side... in TV land they call both of those something else entirely. *shrug*

Good question. I'll have to rewatch the ep. I don't recall ever seeing this camera effect used in SV, but that's not to say they've never done it. It's a genre staple.

LOL! No, don't bother checking.

I thought you were referring to a shot you'd seen before on that episode for some reason, I was like half awake...

Severe sleep deprivation will be SOP for me as long as I'm working the ayem shift at the station. 4 to 11:30am is going to be killing me until my body clock adjusts, if it ever will.