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‘In the service of cinematographic art’: The History of Cannes Film Festival

‘In the service of cinematographic art’: The History of Cannes Film Festival

Festival de Cannes 2023: Tuesday 16th May-Saturday 27th May We’re in the midst of one of the world’s most iconic and nostalgic film festivals – Festival de Cannes, which approaches its 80th anniversary in 2026, first held in 1946 to mark recognition of artistic achievement in the film industry. This revered ‘rendezvous’ tends to be(…)

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On the horizon for 2023: the most anticipated film releases for the year ahead

On the horizon for 2023: the most anticipated film releases for the year ahead

  This year is set to release a host of high-octane fantasy-action films, many being the next instalments of global franchises. From Sci-Fi staples such as Transformers (‘Rise of the Beasts’), Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantunmania, Guardians of the Galaxy (‘Vol. 3’), to iconic action hits like Indiana Jones (‘and the Dial of Destiny’), Mission: Impossible(…)

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BIFA Awards 2022 – The Nominations

BIFA Awards 2022 – The Nominations

Image via: https://www.bifa.film/news/bifa-2022-nominations/ On 4th December, the 25th annual British Independent Film Awards will be taking place in celebration and support of independent filmmaking and filmmakers in the UK. Since being founded in 1998, BIFA has been a driving force behind reviving and reinforcing independent, British film, and celebrating the very best new innovators and makers(…)

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Pyrotechnics in Film – POW!

Pyrotechnics in Film – POW!

Ahead of Guy Fawkes’ Night celebrations this weekend, we wanted to shed light on one of the most fantastical and technical aspects of many blockbuster films and productions, pyrotechnics. It is sometimes easy to forget that only within the last century have sound itself, let alone colour, dynamic lighting or such special effects as these(…)

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Hauntingly close to home! The ghosts of Shoreditch

Hauntingly close to home! The ghosts of Shoreditch

As that spooky time of year creeps up on us once again, we’ve delved into the haunting history of our local neighborhood…   One of the best and most iconic aspects of our studio hire spaces are the original architectural features – high, textured exposed beams, woodwork and brickwork – of the Victorian zip and suspender(…)

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CHRIS LEVINE: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

CHRIS LEVINE: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

“Light is fundamental to existence and nature and reality as we understand it. […] Working with light as an art form… goes back through the ages.” Chris Levine, interview with Sotheby’s (2019) Following the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing and state funeral, the world has been turning to a multitude of art forms and(…)

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Heat Wave – How films battle the elements

Heat Wave – How films battle the elements

The heat wave has officially arrived. I write this from the studio office- possibly the coolest place in London- in both senses of the word, we’re in E8 after all. Whilst sipping on an iced flat white from our resident coffee man, Ross, I realise that I’ve never been so grateful for these thick old(…)

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37th AOP Awards winners announced

37th AOP Awards winners announced

AOP Awards – The Association of Photographers have revealed the winners of their 37th competition As is customary, the AOP awards recognise photography from a wide range of different disciplines, including some that we are known for here at First Option Studio, namely- fashion, food, and Portrait. let’s take a look at  the winners. Food(…)

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Shoreditch’s Fashion History

Shoreditch’s Fashion History

During the industrial revolution, the formerly rural terrain of Shoreditch became home to the textile capital of the world thanks to the opening of Regent’s Canal in 1820, which allowed for heavy loads to travel down the East End, kick-starting fashion manufacturing.   These days Shoreditch isn’t known so much for its mass production of(…)

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