The Lost Art of the Film Overture

A re-emerging art or a forgotten relic? Inspired by the visuals of classic films, this cinematic video essay is a personal interpretation of the concept with an exploration of its history and traditional use. However, ultimately asking the question, what relevance does the cinematic overture have today?

equipment i use:

music i use:

sources:
The Nearly Extinct Movie Tradition Filmmakers Should Bring Back

Italian Overture - Stephen C. Fisher

The List of Films with Overtures

"Overture" - The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians

[georgecastl]

Minor correction but I mispronounce Brady Corbet’s surname. Hope you can forgive me!

[raphaelbruder]

You could have just stayed in your room and talked about overtures from there with a cheap camera and microphone, but instead you created an overture of your own. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, and this is a perfect example of that. Not only is this an insightful analysis, it is also a breathtakingly beautiful piece of film.

[olliemartinelli]

I agree, there's nothing I love more than sitting down to watch a Hollywood classic and revelling for a moment in the beauty of the musical overtures of a lot of those films. Sort of gets you exited for what's about to come as well. I'm also a big fan of the reintroduction of the intermission, especially in longer films as it not only gives you a moment to go to the toilet but it's also a nice way of reflecting for a moment on the story you're watching, have a quick chat with whoever you're watching it with. Imo all things that can only improve the cinema experience.

[MysteriousPerson]

This channel has 1.44k subscribers, but has the production value of a big budget film. Impeccable.

[aryamansinghgaharwar]

i don't know how but you've managed to make the video look like a masterfully done restoration of an old 35 mm movie

[dpixvid]

I miss overtures and even intermissions… kinda like classic anamorphic lenses in classic cinematography… but there are so many previews before the feature these days… even I might be frustrated. Bjork had an animated abstract in the beginning of Dancer in the Dark years back…it was beautiful.

[LU_Taita]

One of my favorite modern examples of this is the first few minutes of Liz and the Blue Bird. Beautiful sequence in a beautiful movie.

[hughleigh]

Seeing the production value and then seeing you only have a few thousand views just blew my mind. Make more videos of this quality and you'll blow up!

[paulagal]

This was like the re-set in the visual pace we all need in order to reflect more in our thinking when watching. You guided the edit so softly and gracefully. Hope this gets traction because I want to see more of it.

[thecanonlesskrach]

Absolutely breathtaking piece, loved how you treated the topic with the same solemn tranquillity that characterized those introductions. Plus the cinematography was exquisite, as someone who adores snow but barely gets to see any, I was in awe for the whole duration and on top of that, this being shot in Northern Italy, dressed by those colossal mountain ranges, brought to mind old westerns such as Il Grande Silenzio.

I've been checking your channel after watching this and realized your videos are very similar to what I enjoy creating myself, so I'm already subscribing; but if you keep on bringing this type of essay and alternate between them and the cinematic pieces you are already putting out, you'll be on the road towards being one of my favourite recently discovered artists.

Keep up the good work, my friend.

[cmorellato]

im so glad youtube algorithm brought me your video. been fighting against the rush we’re bound to live in. perfect example! masterfully exhibited!

[PrinzOdal]

The styling, framing, pacing, music choices, it's all so well done here. I believe if you continue creating works such as this with enough smart decisions and hard work, you could carve a name for yourself on this site.

[huntrrams]

I adore Overtures and Intermissions in old movies, especially those from Hollywood musicals!

[hatenate]

Wow wow wow holy crap this was amazing, so well put together, such eye for camerawork, the editing, the voiceover work, the script, the way you’re emulating the style as you talk about it, I can tell that so much effort and passion went into this and it really did pay off, keep making things that you really want to make!

[Varlden]

Overtures need to return, although not in all forms of cinema. I think the epics would definitely suit it. I remeber the first time I watched Dr Zhivago, the overture went for almost 10 minutes, and then there was the mid film overture. The pause in the story was something I was not expecting but I loved it.

[filippobalestrini]

I live in northen Italy and these are the most beautiful and stunning shots that i've ever seen. True congratulationa from my heart, an impressive work.

[ainsleylucky]

"Lost Art"? Correct!
Audiences today, regrettably lack patience.
A road show is meant to unfold, in connective stages.
Consider if you will, the brilliant walk-in orchestration and Intermission Overture in Stanley Kramer's "Judgement At Nuremberg"(1961); Kubrick's "Spartacus"; Goldwyn's "Ben Hur"; Shaeffer's "Patton";" My Fair Lady"; Robert Wise's "Westside Story, and The Sound of Music".
In those days, an epic's presentation had CLASS.
Nowadays, people sadly resort to their mobiles during the running o 7:00 f the film, muchless for the Overture.
How the times have changed and with the dreaded demise of the cinema, only to be replaced by advent of streaming...there is always the "fast-forward" button.
It was Arduous Huxley who said:-
"Texhnology is the means of going backwards faster".

[isaaclockwood]

Incredibly beautiful shots, composition and music. Thanks!

[petersolomon]

A fine essay by George Castle on one of the losses in contemporary cinema. There are many other losses of course. In any case, at least the mini series can on occasion introduce a thoughtful opening title sequence, that should the viewer not skip it, musically stands in as an overture.

[lilymcculloch]

one of the most beautifully shot videos i've seen!