You make it far too easy - "Collateral" 2004...Jamie Foxx & Tom Cruise take a brief moment of ma, to watch a wolf cross the road - with no dialogue. "Sexy Beast" 2000...Sir Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone take a brief moment of ma, to watch a goat cross the road - yet we do not see the goat, we only hear it.
Wonderful video go ahead keep making these beauties and please make a video on hayao miyzaki in director's playbook . And kindly make both director's chair & director's playbook video on both Edward yang and Theodoros "Theo" Angelopoulos.
If you post comment judging the output of another it tells others nothing about their subjective experience of the output you're judging and only how judgey you yourself can be.
@@s_____3913 yeah... It's a play on a quote from the narrator of this video, mixed with joke about a director who is known for his non-stop action. So uh... sorry to have offended you lol?
Ironically, Michael Bay's latest Film of Ambulance has clear instances of breathing space where the characters can be developed, other plots, processed, or have the audience relax (probably with comedy in some scenes)
A Miyazaki film transports you to another world... A Miyazaki evokes a sense of hope, of happiness, a chance to dream of adventure.. A Miyazaki film is something you recommend to a friend who hates anime because a Miyazaki film stays in your memory.. forever.. 😄🤗
Miyazaki's writing skill is insane. In Whisper of the Heart, a grounded movie that he wrote but didn't direct, I found it to be one of the best written movies I had ever seen. It wasn't until later that I found out he wrote it, and I realized the insane range of ability, because it was nothing like his other movies.
He's made only 11 movies so far and yet he's made such an impact on audiences outside of Japan. I feel like composer and Miyazaki's longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi deserves 50% of the credit. I have yet to see another director and composer who can create such power, emotion, complexity and interaction in scenes where nothing really happens.
Quentin Tarantino's films also keep "ma" moments, like having long funny conversations between two characters before the start of gruesome fighting scenes. Similarly, In Coen Brothers movies like Fargo, David Fincher's the fight club, Michael mann' the collateral, I found many "ma" moments in everything everywhere, all at once.
@@manart6506yeah, I agree with you. Tarantino's emphasis on character is meticulous. He incorporates many ideas to enrich the character building in his movies. Even with funny conversations, there would always be an aspect of underlying theme, be it in inglorious basterds, or Django unchained. There is a lot going on during the conversation. To me , 'ma' is a moment where you would add an element of emptiness to the progress of the story. Quentin's movies do not incorporate ma moments in its entirety, as his movies are not all about actions, as is Miyazaki's films. Ma moment can be realized in it's TRUE sense in action movies when there is very contrast between two moments . I thing QT does include an aspect of 'ma' in his movies, though it can be realized in its entirety. For instance, that scene from pulp fiction, two characters talking about how tasty the Berger is before gunning down the other guys.
I never knew that word "ma" before, and it makes perfect sense. These "ma" moments are so strong, making the world and characters even more real to the audience. As a scriptwriter, it must be intimidating to fill a page with stuff that doesn't advance the story. Yet often, that's exactly what the characters and the audience need. No wonder Miyazaki's movies connect so much with people.
I wouldn't say that the moments of ma are where nothing happens, I would say that they are moments where we get to know the characters better (e.g. Mei is inquisitive and restless, while Satsuki is patient and protective of her little sister). It's also where we can relate to the characters and share/remember parts of growing up, such as lying on the grass looking up at the sky. As noted with the train scene in Spirited Away, by not voicing Chihiro's throughts, it allows the audience to contemplate them with her and put the pieces together, thus giving a greater connection with the character -- in other words, you can see her worry but also her determinism, so you don't need to tell it or spell it out to the audience. Another great scene in My Neighbour Totoro is where the family arrive at the house and the children are running around and playing. This moment helps make them more real and alive, gving you (the audience) time to connect with them so that what happens later has more weight. It is like how in good twist stories they take some time before the reveal to let the audience catch on and have that a-ha moment. Even if that is flashbacks of some key scenes, or the shots of the police wall in The Usual Suspects interlaced with previous dialog. That then makes the reveal all the more satisfying.
I think he literally meant a pause from moving the plot forward.. it's why these moments often happen during travel, something usually skipped over for sake of pacing, the trip implied rather than shown.. Miyazaki uses the travel time for some character development, planning, or reflection.. 🤷♂️✌️
Hayao Miyazaki is one of my favorite directors of all time. I don't know why others would compare him to more recent directors. There is no director like Miyazaki.
He truly know the art of evoking emotions through his storytelling and his characters and I think nostalgia is his most powerful weapon which he uses to connect audience to his stories.
Yes! Our best Japanese film director (and animator) of our time. His story telling is truly amazing. Thank you Studio Binder for analyzing his works. “Ma (間) is an important aspect which not only is utilized in story telling but in comedy, as well as in our daily conversations, here in Japan.
These videos deserve way more attention. Studiobinder is providing us with amazingly helpful and educational filmmaking content for free. That's insane and it's something I'm extremely grateful for. The production quality is sublime as well, so props to the people working on the visuals, audio, editing and everything else.
A Miyazaki film is an experience like no other. It is just so balance. You feel like you are in the movie and the very next minute you are outside. Overall Mr Miyazaki is a maestro at work!
I think it's important for Chihiro that she isn't crying on that train. She isn't the petulant and self-absorbed child she was at the beginning, and that moment gives us the time to realise that.
Most of the movie “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood” is ma. There’s so many long scenes of life just driving. I think it was a perfect choice by Tarantino because the characters are just enjoying the 60’s.
FOR ME HE IS LIKE STANELY KUBRICK IN ANIMATION. He is master of every genre even in ANIMATION Hard to believe But True. And yet his movies are so rooted in Japanese culture Unlike Disney
This very quality of 'ma' is what hooked me into anime many years ago, without knowing what it was. The marvelous action sequences were amazing to behold, but those pensive, quiet, reflective moments executed so well by some directors/animators/musicians are magical like nothing else in all of media, for me.
@@StudioBinder I unequivocally agree. Also allow me to compliment the channel for such pitch perfect narration. Subscribed instantly. If you're ever doing another Japanese director, please do Mikio Naruse.
An underrated moment of 'Ma' that I adore is, I believe, in "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix". We're only in this scene for less than a minute but it does wonders for the story and characters when you think about it; Harry, Ron, and the rest of the boys dormitory are sitting around on their first night back, and they're playing with different magical items. There's not really any dialogue, just the boys hanging out & laughing. This scene shows us Harry's love of Hogwarts without saying a word of his love of it, and why he loves the wizarding world. As the movie goes along, and everything starts crashing around him, the scene becomes a moment we wish we could go back too. You could easily cut it out of the movie and it'd still be a strong movie, but I think the scene really added to the world in a very simple way that leaves a bigger impact the more you think about it,
There's no filmmaker like Miyazaki in the whole wide world because the way he captures emotions and tells story in such artistic way, One needs to be Hayao Miyazaki to nail that. I just love his films especially Spirited Away 🤌🏻❤️
My favorite moment of "ma" is one you actually showed near the end of the video. The rock scene from Everything Everywhere All at Once. Until that scene, EEAaO has been filled to the brim with maximalist absurd action. Then, we move to a scene that is very minimalist. No character voices, no visual cues. Just two rocks talking to each other via subtitles. Complete silence. Something about that massive distinction from the rest of the film made the moment so emotional. Seeing that scene in theaters with people suddenly being dead quiet after laughing for most of the movie was a once in a lifetime experience.
To me those "Ma" moments in Miyazaki sensei's films are Zen experience in the form of Cinematography and Animation. Thank you for this video essay StudioBinder.
It's beautiful. Always maked me got goosebumps. Moment when Chihiro sitting in train after all that exhausting,... scary,... mysterious events... is the best!
Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. You Brilliantly explain what makes Hayao Miyazaki one of the Greatest Filmmaker of All Time. The Art of Silence is what defines the Magic of Cinema and what makes Movie Scenes without Dialogues more Powerful. Fantastic!
The fact that he himself writes his own films is one of the most impressive things to me. Cuz in literally all of his movies: I see a kid, I buy him as a kid. I see a desperate person, I buy him as a desperate person. Everything and everyone is written so realistically.
You know, I've watched Miyazaki since I was little kid. And the fact is,that there are moments I could just never forget. These spaces between chihiros journey. I could never. I could forget other moments throughout the movie,but not this. Chihiro coming up the stairs. Chhihiro riding this little boat. Or the moment where in Howl's moving castle they all sit down to eat. And the music? It can onyl make me cry. Who wouldn't surrender to that music?
Although I didn't know the term "Ma", this technique of Miyazaki's is my favorite part of his films, and he is the biggest influence in my own writing, along with Clive Barker and George RR Martin. The way this technique draws you into his movies is absolute magic. Thank you for this, I agree 100%.
A wonderful look at Miyazaki's films! The moments of "ma" also make the words feel more real, like they're not simply sets that exist for the story and action. They exist outside of all this, like they're real places.
I think it's a good use of contrast. Every good art knows how to use light and dark effectively, both literally and figuratively. As an artist himself, I am pretty sure he is aware of it.
A few years ago I watched a youtube essay on Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli and specifically it touched on the compositions and establishing shots of Miyazaki and how he often starts with wide, to mid and ends up in a close up. It used Howl's as a reference among others. For the life of me I can't find it. Hours of googling, my watch history etc so I'm just hoping someone else remembers this and I'm not crazy!
I learned in public speaking the art of pause or in Arabic فن الوقفات from my mentor, Dr. Tareq Al-Suwaidan. It's very powerful tip. And when Studio Binder is explaining it with Hayao Miyazaki's directing style, it's another level.
I think my favorite Ma moment, outside of Miyazaki's films, is in Mary Poppins. It's the scene where the banker, Mr. Banks, goes from his house, to the his workplace, knowing he'll be fired for the commotion his kids caused earlier in the film. No dialogue. All we see is Banks, exiting his house, walking through the park and the streets of London, passing by the stairs of the cathedral (which has a vey emotional context from another scene in the film, given the score in this scene), and than reaching the bank. It has nothing to do with Mary Poppins, or the wonder that's evident in the film's iconic scenes, but it does let us share a moment with a person who always defined himself by his class and job. And now, as he's about to lose them both, he gets to experience his surroundings in a different perspective, realizing how much weight these places he goes by carry (which is funny, considering that said "weight" was noticeable in these places, throughout the film). Quite somber, but very fascinating Ma moment.
Thank you Studio Binder for showing us how great Miyazaki and making me realize the true “power” of the emptiness in his film, like the moment chihiro boarding the train in spirited away
Great analysis. One scene that springs to mind, particularly considering that scene from My Neighbour Totoro, is the opening sequence of Once upon a Time in the West, when the three thugs are waiting for the train before the gunfight. Dripping water, buzzing fly, the sound of the windmill....
@@StudioBinder And Leone was the master, of course, the final shoot out in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly being THE classic staredown gunfight scene. He owes some credit to Shane and other such films, though The final shootout in Shane is a great scene.
I've been waiting for this forever, as a huge fan of studio ghibli i'm very happy with this. Thanks studio binder I hope we get to see more videos on anime directors, especially on satoshi kon and mamoru hosoda films
Hayao's movies are very memorable. I remember, when I first saw My Neighbor Totoro, I was literally lost in his fantasy world. When the film ended, I could not differentiate between the real world and its imaginary world. It's so nostalgic. I am requesting you to make a video on Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) film because that film has created a different place in my heart. I am also a filmmaker and love to see your breakdown video on that film. Thank you @studiobinder. Love from India.❤️🙏
NHK World's website has 4x45 minute documentaries on Miyazaki and Ghibli, while they made PONYO, TALES FROM EARTHSEA, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL & THE WIND RISES. A real insight into his creative process and mindset. Completely free to watch and with subtitles. I don't know if it might be geoblocked in some locations, though.
@@StudioBinder studio ghibli's international success i believe was helped by the fact that they chose disney as their international distributor years ago. disney's reach just allowed everyone to discover their genius. toshio suzuki is basically brilliant with the business and admin side of things.
i loved this ma moment when it come to movie, it feels like i was doing some work and just took a break. i love watching anime , and i have seen this ma moment in animes many times. i am indian and there is a movie called "zindagi na milegi dobara" , there was a scene where protagonist just came out of fear of underwater sea. and on that scene there was just a pause. and from background poem starts describing the moment, just that moment.
Hayao Miyazaki he is a True Da Vinci of animations Creates Masterfull arts of kindness and Beauty there is a Hint of scenery That awes the Watchers at every corner in his work that he puts alot of hours and pours his heart into them and it truly shows
Hayao Miyazaki is indeed the best ! Yes, I have seen ma in some movies that are not Miyazaki's. On top of my head I can think of the movie called Sir. It's an Indian movie, available on Netflix.
I see this in David Lynches work, most beautifully in The Straight Story. Time to breathe is also notable in music. The song Villanova Junction that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock mirrors this concept for me. I’ve never seen Miyazaki’s work, but now I plan to make the time to do so.
I have read about him this morning and plan to watch some of his films tonight ! Or maybe one to take in the full experience and not rush. Does anyone have a favorite they can suggest?
Great video as always. I think every great director know how to inserts at least one 'ma' moment to vary the peace of the narration. One of my favourite is in Sam Mendez 1917 when a soldier sings a song just before the attack. It does not move forward the story but is wonderful. It is almost a timelapse moment in real time.
Take your like, because such beautiful video deserve my tear. I don't know how often you talk of animation, not so much i think. But glad you did it over one of my favorite filmmakers ever. Miyasaki is not just a filmmaker, he creates worlds i would love to live in. Keep bringing more Ma of Masterpieces like this.
I never thought like this before, although I have always enjoyed when story pauses for a few minutes to give me a breather and prepare for the next big event in the story. "Immersive experience" is like ASMR. Right? I will definitely make good careful use of ma in my next project..
I bet it's possible to use this in novel writing, too. You could replicate it, maybe, by skillfully describing the sounds and sights the character is immersed in. The wind teasing their hair, the way rain sounds like a thousand tiny grains of rice rattling and sifting in a pan, the way the setting sun casts a warm, nostalgic glow on Sophie while her arm weaves in and out with her sewing... I watched this to find out what made these moments so compelling, and most of it is beautiful scenery, but also scenery that makes good use of the play of shadow, light, and wind on the subject. Even a simple scene without a beautiful background or lighting, like the girl eating noodles, is compelling because you can see the texture and the steam, plus the expression on her face, so you can still "feel" everything and place yourself there.
this is great! Directing lessons from Ghibli so inspiring! you guys should totally do more video guides with animation examples 🤩 can’t wait to see what’s next
Nice video! A special quality of studio ghibli films is how much they truly make me feel like I’m in their world or I want to be. The ma and “pointless” scenes do exactly that!
Best moment of Ma is in the classical introspective film by Sacha Baron Cohen, where the character, having spent moments reflecting on the wonders of galactic bodies of the cosmos amidst a campfire, says "It makes you think of all the hot guys in the world"... -Bruno
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to the films of Hayao Miyazaki
00:51 - Miyazaki describes 'Ma'
02:40 - Chapter 1: Underlining Themes
04:25 - Chapter 2: Immersive Experience
06:02 - Chapter 3: Pacing
07:47 - Final Thoughts/Takeaways
Teach me how to draw anime.
You make it far too easy -
"Collateral" 2004...Jamie Foxx & Tom Cruise take a brief moment of ma, to watch a wolf cross the road - with no dialogue.
"Sexy Beast" 2000...Sir Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone take a brief moment of ma, to watch a goat cross the road - yet we do not see the goat, we only hear it.
Wonderful video go ahead keep making these beauties and please make a video on hayao miyzaki in director's playbook . And kindly make both director's chair & director's playbook video on both Edward yang and Theodoros "Theo" Angelopoulos.
ua-cam.com/users/shortsIK8nBg7DZJw?feature=share watch this
"If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it's just a Michael Bay film"
If you post comment judging the output of another it tells others nothing about their subjective experience of the output you're judging and only how judgey you yourself can be.
Or any other marvel (MCU) movies
@@s_____3913 yeah... It's a play on a quote from the narrator of this video, mixed with joke about a director who is known for his non-stop action. So uh... sorry to have offended you lol?
Ironically, Michael Bay's latest Film of Ambulance has clear instances of breathing space where the characters can be developed, other plots, processed, or have the audience relax (probably with comedy in some scenes)
@@johnpijano4786 that's good news. I'll have to check it out.
These “ma” moments are actually my favourite moments in Hayao Miyazaki’s films. They just add some much immersion and realism.
such a treat to experience it
Agreed. They are what make his films so stunning and moving to me.
@@phedreBiOn ITs not just the ma, its something more.
@@frozzytango9927 🙏
A Miyazaki film transports you to another world... A Miyazaki evokes a sense of hope, of happiness, a chance to dream of adventure.. A Miyazaki film is something you recommend to a friend who hates anime because a Miyazaki film stays in your memory.. forever.. 😄🤗
he's a gem
He is seriously one of the best directors, wish we get more of it
He’s working on one more film called “How I Live Now”
@@taylo2079 yess have to see how it will be
@@taylo2079 you mean "How do you live"?
@@taylo2079 or is it the same thing
@@koppii2 Yes that was it sorry
Miyazaki's writing skill is insane. In Whisper of the Heart, a grounded movie that he wrote but didn't direct, I found it to be one of the best written movies I had ever seen. It wasn't until later that I found out he wrote it, and I realized the insane range of ability, because it was nothing like his other movies.
he's incredibly versatile
He's made only 11 movies so far and yet he's made such an impact on audiences outside of Japan.
I feel like composer and Miyazaki's longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi deserves 50% of the credit. I have yet to see another director and composer who can create such power, emotion, complexity and interaction in scenes where nothing really happens.
Quentin Tarantino's films also keep "ma" moments, like having long funny conversations between two characters before the start of gruesome fighting scenes. Similarly, In Coen Brothers movies like Fargo, David Fincher's the fight club, Michael mann' the collateral, I found many "ma" moments in everything everywhere, all at once.
Yup, it's well-used
I’m not sure if that’s Ma, in Tarantino’s conversation scenes are in a sense full of action and tension. There is a lot going on in those.
@@manart6506yeah, I agree with you. Tarantino's emphasis on character is meticulous. He incorporates many ideas to enrich the character building in his movies. Even with funny conversations, there would always be an aspect of underlying theme, be it in inglorious basterds, or Django unchained. There is a lot going on during the conversation. To me , 'ma' is a moment where you would add an element of emptiness to the progress of the story. Quentin's movies do not incorporate ma moments in its entirety, as his movies are not all about actions, as is Miyazaki's films. Ma moment can be realized in it's TRUE sense in action movies when there is very contrast between two moments . I thing QT does include an aspect of 'ma' in his movies, though it can be realized in its entirety. For instance, that scene from pulp fiction, two characters talking about how tasty the Berger is before gunning down the other guys.
There is no comparison between Miyazaki and Tarantino, etc.
I never knew that word "ma" before, and it makes perfect sense. These "ma" moments are so strong, making the world and characters even more real to the audience. As a scriptwriter, it must be intimidating to fill a page with stuff that doesn't advance the story. Yet often, that's exactly what the characters and the audience need. No wonder Miyazaki's movies connect so much with people.
I wouldn't say that the moments of ma are where nothing happens, I would say that they are moments where we get to know the characters better (e.g. Mei is inquisitive and restless, while Satsuki is patient and protective of her little sister). It's also where we can relate to the characters and share/remember parts of growing up, such as lying on the grass looking up at the sky. As noted with the train scene in Spirited Away, by not voicing Chihiro's throughts, it allows the audience to contemplate them with her and put the pieces together, thus giving a greater connection with the character -- in other words, you can see her worry but also her determinism, so you don't need to tell it or spell it out to the audience.
Another great scene in My Neighbour Totoro is where the family arrive at the house and the children are running around and playing. This moment helps make them more real and alive, gving you (the audience) time to connect with them so that what happens later has more weight.
It is like how in good twist stories they take some time before the reveal to let the audience catch on and have that a-ha moment. Even if that is flashbacks of some key scenes, or the shots of the police wall in The Usual Suspects interlaced with previous dialog. That then makes the reveal all the more satisfying.
👌
I think he literally meant a pause from moving the plot forward.. it's why these moments often happen during travel, something usually skipped over for sake of pacing, the trip implied rather than shown.. Miyazaki uses the travel time for some character development, planning, or reflection.. 🤷♂️✌️
Hayao Miyazaki is one of my favorite directors of all time. I don't know why others would compare him to more recent directors. There is no director like Miyazaki.
I think its more like other directors are being compared to him, he set the standard!
He truly know the art of evoking emotions through his storytelling and his characters and I think nostalgia is his most powerful weapon which he uses to connect audience to his stories.
amazing he doesn't even write scripts for his films
@@StudioBinder Actually he does
Even before Miyazaki, the idea of slowing things down can be seen in Kurosawa's films. Hell, this IS integral to the films of Ozu too.
the ma effect
Yes! Our best Japanese film director (and animator) of our time. His story telling is truly amazing. Thank you Studio Binder for analyzing his works. “Ma (間) is an important aspect which not only is utilized in story telling but in comedy, as well as in our daily conversations, here in Japan.
It's a great concept!
These videos deserve way more attention. Studiobinder is providing us with amazingly helpful and educational filmmaking content for free. That's insane and it's something I'm extremely grateful for. The production quality is sublime as well, so props to the people working on the visuals, audio, editing and everything else.
We appreciate it!
Please Studio Binder, never stop making these videos. And may God give the narrator long life, he's simply the best
No plans to stop ;)
It's wonderful how Studio Ghibli gives us nostalgia for a place we've never been.
A Miyazaki film is an experience like no other. It is just so balance. You feel like you are in the movie and the very next minute you are outside. Overall Mr Miyazaki is a maestro at work!
Are you people spying on me, I've been on a Ghibli film marathon over the past couple of weeks😆 this video is perfect
Right on time :)
I think it's important for Chihiro that she isn't crying on that train. She isn't the petulant and self-absorbed child she was at the beginning, and that moment gives us the time to realise that.
does show how much she matured
Most of the movie “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood” is ma. There’s so many long scenes of life just driving. I think it was a perfect choice by Tarantino because the characters are just enjoying the 60’s.
Great modern example
FOR ME HE IS LIKE STANELY KUBRICK IN ANIMATION. He is master of every genre even in ANIMATION
Hard to believe
But True.
And yet his movies are so rooted in Japanese culture
Unlike Disney
he is the best
the only difference is that Kubrick's movies suck ass
Well yeah Disney (was) rooted in America and European culture, arguably more so the latter (you know, with all the adaptations of European folktales?)
@@RakastanPorkkanakakkua it can be.
It depends how many time you have seen his movies.
In kubrick case
Less is not more
This very quality of 'ma' is what hooked me into anime many years ago, without knowing what it was. The marvelous action sequences were amazing to behold, but those pensive, quiet, reflective moments executed so well by some directors/animators/musicians are magical like nothing else in all of media, for me.
has it all
this is by far the best assessment + breakdown i have ever seen
Cheers!
A true master of the ART.
For sure
Man's love for serenity literally birthed an entire art/music movement and I'm here for it.
incredible filmmaker
@@StudioBinder I unequivocally agree. Also allow me to compliment the channel for such pitch perfect narration. Subscribed instantly. If you're ever doing another Japanese director, please do Mikio Naruse.
Neil Gaiman said that the "raindrops on stones" moment from Princess Mononoke was what convinced him to work on the adaptation
nice trivia!
That train scene in Spirited Away always gets me choked up, I'm not even sure I could accurately pinpoint why it has that effect on me.
the ma effect
An underrated moment of 'Ma' that I adore is, I believe, in "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix". We're only in this scene for less than a minute but it does wonders for the story and characters when you think about it; Harry, Ron, and the rest of the boys dormitory are sitting around on their first night back, and they're playing with different magical items. There's not really any dialogue, just the boys hanging out & laughing. This scene shows us Harry's love of Hogwarts without saying a word of his love of it, and why he loves the wizarding world. As the movie goes along, and everything starts crashing around him, the scene becomes a moment we wish we could go back too.
You could easily cut it out of the movie and it'd still be a strong movie, but I think the scene really added to the world in a very simple way that leaves a bigger impact the more you think about it,
There's no filmmaker like Miyazaki in the whole wide world because the way he captures emotions and tells story in such artistic way, One needs to be Hayao Miyazaki to nail that. I just love his films especially Spirited Away 🤌🏻❤️
his films are all gems
My favorite moment of "ma" is one you actually showed near the end of the video. The rock scene from Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Until that scene, EEAaO has been filled to the brim with maximalist absurd action. Then, we move to a scene that is very minimalist. No character voices, no visual cues. Just two rocks talking to each other via subtitles. Complete silence.
Something about that massive distinction from the rest of the film made the moment so emotional.
Seeing that scene in theaters with people suddenly being dead quiet after laughing for most of the movie was a once in a lifetime experience.
Excellent use of the concept
To me those "Ma" moments in Miyazaki sensei's films are Zen experience in the form of Cinematography and Animation. Thank you for this video essay StudioBinder.
Interesting comparison
It's beautiful. Always maked me got goosebumps. Moment when Chihiro sitting in train after all that exhausting,... scary,... mysterious events... is the best!
iconic scene
Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. You Brilliantly explain what makes Hayao Miyazaki one of the Greatest Filmmaker of All Time. The Art of Silence is what defines the Magic of Cinema and what makes Movie Scenes without Dialogues more Powerful. Fantastic!
Thanks For Watching!
One Picture, Thousand Words.
The fact that he himself writes his own films is one of the most impressive things to me. Cuz in literally all of his movies: I see a kid, I buy him as a kid. I see a desperate person, I buy him as a desperate person. Everything and everyone is written so realistically.
Miyazaki's film's perfectly inhibit pure childhood imagination, unfiltered and unexplained
kind of like Spielberg
I want the narrator to read bedtime stories for me
we all do
One of my favorite moments of Ma is in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. When Ricky and Hec are halfway through their journey.
Nice pick!
Finally the wait is over ❤️
Few months back I've requested to make on Miyazaki
many people have!
Hayao Miyazaki is one of a kind.
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the greats in storytelling and animation. I should definitely try this ‘ma’ sometime. No joke.
You know, I've watched Miyazaki since I was little kid. And the fact is,that there are moments I could just never forget. These spaces between chihiros journey. I could never. I could forget other moments throughout the movie,but not this. Chihiro coming up the stairs. Chhihiro riding this little boat. Or the moment where in Howl's moving castle they all sit down to eat.
And the music? It can onyl make me cry. Who wouldn't surrender to that music?
There Will Be Blood. That was the first time I realized how much I appreciated ma moments.
Great example
Although I didn't know the term "Ma", this technique of Miyazaki's is my favorite part of his films, and he is the biggest influence in my own writing, along with Clive Barker and George RR Martin. The way this technique draws you into his movies is absolute magic. Thank you for this, I agree 100%.
Glad you liked it!
I wouldn't compare Miyazaki's "ma" moments to any other director's moments. Miyazaki is in a category all his own.
Many great directors do it, but they have their own way of doing it
A wonderful look at Miyazaki's films! The moments of "ma" also make the words feel more real, like they're not simply sets that exist for the story and action. They exist outside of all this, like they're real places.
definitely more immersive
Silence is the best tool for a filmmaker imo.
takes guts to use
I think it's a good use of contrast. Every good art knows how to use light and dark effectively, both literally and figuratively. As an artist himself, I am pretty sure he is aware of it.
I wanna study this a lot more, I love the moments when the film just gets calm and shows things off visually.
his filmography is waiting haha
A few years ago I watched a youtube essay on Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli and specifically it touched on the compositions and establishing shots of Miyazaki and how he often starts with wide, to mid and ends up in a close up. It used Howl's as a reference among others.
For the life of me I can't find it. Hours of googling, my watch history etc so I'm just hoping someone else remembers this and I'm not crazy!
I learned in public speaking the art of pause or in Arabic فن الوقفات from my mentor, Dr. Tareq Al-Suwaidan. It's very powerful tip. And when Studio Binder is explaining it with Hayao Miyazaki's directing style, it's another level.
haha it's a powerful tool for life!
@@StudioBinder definitely it is.
Please make videos on:
1.Woody Allen
2.Charlie Chaplin
3.Jean-Luc Godard
4.John Ford
5.Ingmar Bergman
6.Andrei Tarkovsky
7.Clint Eastwood
8.Sergio Leaon
9.Richard Linklater
10.Fritz Lang
11.Roman Polanski
12.Orson Wells
13.Terrance Malick
14.Frank Capra
15.Frederico Fellini
16.Guillermo Del Toro
17.Brian De Palma
18.Werner Herzog
19.David Lean
Love Your Videos☺️☺️
Howard Hawks, Leo McCarey, William Wyler and Billy Wilder as well.
@@TheBietorres Yes!
Thanks for the suggestion!
I think my favorite Ma moment, outside of Miyazaki's films, is in Mary Poppins.
It's the scene where the banker, Mr. Banks, goes from his house, to the his workplace, knowing he'll be fired for the commotion his kids caused earlier in the film. No dialogue. All we see is Banks, exiting his house, walking through the park and the streets of London, passing by the stairs of the cathedral (which has a vey emotional context from another scene in the film, given the score in this scene), and than reaching the bank.
It has nothing to do with Mary Poppins, or the wonder that's evident in the film's iconic scenes, but it does let us share a moment with a person who always defined himself by his class and job. And now, as he's about to lose them both, he gets to experience his surroundings in a different perspective, realizing how much weight these places he goes by carry (which is funny, considering that said "weight" was noticeable in these places, throughout the film). Quite somber, but very fascinating Ma moment.
Thank you Studio Binder for showing us how great Miyazaki and making me realize the true “power” of the emptiness in his film, like the moment chihiro boarding the train in spirited away
Happy to help
Love how ma being used.. ilove Hayao Miyazaki creation ..wish spirited away would have a part 2..😢
The best of the best animation directors!
Great analysis. One scene that springs to mind, particularly considering that scene from My Neighbour Totoro, is the opening sequence of Once upon a Time in the West, when the three thugs are waiting for the train before the gunfight. Dripping water, buzzing fly, the sound of the windmill....
Great westerns get this, the staredowns and silence before a shootout
@@StudioBinder And Leone was the master, of course, the final shoot out in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly being THE classic staredown gunfight scene. He owes some credit to Shane and other such films, though The final shootout in Shane is a great scene.
I've been waiting for this forever, as a huge fan of studio ghibli i'm very happy with this. Thanks studio binder I hope we get to see more videos on anime directors, especially on satoshi kon and mamoru hosoda films
more on the way!
Just like in life, we need moments of silence and stillness.
Hayao's movies are very memorable. I remember, when I first saw My Neighbor Totoro, I was literally lost in his fantasy world. When the film ended, I could not differentiate between the real world and its imaginary world. It's so nostalgic.
I am requesting you to make a video on Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) film because that film has created a different place in my heart. I am also a filmmaker and love to see your breakdown video on that film.
Thank you @studiobinder.
Love from India.❤️🙏
Thanks for the suggestion!
.One of the best videos on the site. This is journalism and art and journalistic art
NHK World's website has 4x45 minute documentaries on Miyazaki and Ghibli, while they made PONYO, TALES FROM EARTHSEA, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL & THE WIND RISES. A real insight into his creative process and mindset. Completely free to watch and with subtitles. I don't know if it might be geoblocked in some locations, though.
great content
As much as I like miyazaki, I wish people knew other great japanese animation directors exist
i think people are aware, but miyazaki just happens to be up there on top, or at least among the top ones. his movies are quite untouchable.
They sure do, just haven't had the global influence that Miyazaki has
@@StudioBinder
studio ghibli's international success i believe was helped by the fact that they chose disney as their international distributor years ago. disney's reach just allowed everyone to discover their genius. toshio suzuki is basically brilliant with the business and admin side of things.
*"When there is no quiet, there can be no loud."*
_- audio engineer Matt Mayfield_
i loved this ma moment when it come to movie, it feels like i was doing some work and just took a break. i love watching anime , and i have seen this ma moment in animes many times. i am indian and there is a movie called "zindagi na milegi dobara" , there was a scene where protagonist just came out of fear of underwater sea. and on that scene there was just a pause. and from background poem starts describing the moment, just that moment.
Hayao Miyazaki he is a True Da Vinci of animations Creates Masterfull arts of kindness and Beauty there is a Hint of scenery That awes the Watchers at every corner in his work that he puts alot of hours and pours his heart into them and it truly shows
Action, emotion, action, emotion, action, emotion...
it all comes together
Hayao Miyazaki is indeed the best ! Yes, I have seen ma in some movies that are not Miyazaki's. On top of my head I can think of the movie called Sir. It's an Indian movie, available on Netflix.
I see this in David Lynches work, most beautifully in The Straight Story. Time to breathe is also notable in music. The song Villanova Junction that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock mirrors this concept for me.
I’ve never seen Miyazaki’s work, but now I plan to make the time to do so.
Miyazaki's work is some of the most beautiful scenes ever put to film
Happy viewings
I have read about him this morning and plan to watch some of his films tonight ! Or maybe one to take in the full experience and not rush.
Does anyone have a favorite they can suggest?
@@vibesmom my favorite Miyazaki movie is definitely Spirited Away, followed by Hawl's moving castle.
@@vibesmom you can’t go wrong with my favorite: Kiki’s Delivery Service. Its loaded with quiet moments and small perfect scenes.
One of my all time favorites
ours too
Great video from my favorite channel
Glad you liked it :)
This vid alone lowered my anxiety levels.
Thank you for making this video. I love that studio's movies.
we do too :)
I'm currently working on a Miyazaki retrospective in my language, so this video fits so well with my researches. Great.
Good luck!
I always felt that Ghibli studio is the best animation makers
It's the OG animation studio
Aah, my favorite UA-cam channel shares about my favorite director, now I can sleep peacefully ❤️❤️❤️
watch first haha
Great video as always. I think every great director know how to inserts at least one 'ma' moment to vary the peace of the narration. One of my favourite is in Sam Mendez 1917 when a soldier sings a song just before the attack. It does not move forward the story but is wonderful. It is almost a timelapse moment in real time.
That is a great example
@@StudioBinder tnx
Take your like, because such beautiful video deserve my tear.
I don't know how often you talk of animation, not so much i think. But glad you did it over one of my favorite filmmakers ever. Miyasaki is not just a filmmaker, he creates worlds i would love to live in. Keep bringing more Ma of Masterpieces like this.
We're planning on covering more!
@@StudioBinder more miyasaki or more animation?
@@StudioBinder this message here is the real you?
These pause are really relaxing ☺️
Love them
Thanks a lot for showcasing Mr Hayao Miyazaki's works
This is arguably the best video on youtube
Hayao Miyazaki = 🐐
the best!
Talk about learning..As always, thank you StudioBinder!
I love Richard Linklater's movies and think many of them powerfully use and explore 'ma'
Agreed
This made me tear-up several times idky
I never thought like this before, although I have always enjoyed when story pauses for a few minutes to give me a breather and prepare for the next big event in the story. "Immersive experience" is like ASMR. Right? I will definitely make good careful use of ma in my next project..
good luck!
やっぱ宮崎さんの画は落ち着いて綺麗だな…
Thanks for watching!
I bet it's possible to use this in novel writing, too. You could replicate it, maybe, by skillfully describing the sounds and sights the character is immersed in. The wind teasing their hair, the way rain sounds like a thousand tiny grains of rice rattling and sifting in a pan, the way the setting sun casts a warm, nostalgic glow on Sophie while her arm weaves in and out with her sewing... I watched this to find out what made these moments so compelling, and most of it is beautiful scenery, but also scenery that makes good use of the play of shadow, light, and wind on the subject. Even a simple scene without a beautiful background or lighting, like the girl eating noodles, is compelling because you can see the texture and the steam, plus the expression on her face, so you can still "feel" everything and place yourself there.
this is great! Directing lessons from Ghibli so inspiring! you guys should totally do more video guides with animation examples 🤩 can’t wait to see what’s next
more on the way
I litterally JUST went to a studio ghibli movie festival at my local theater last night!
those are great
Nice video! A special quality of studio ghibli films is how much they truly make me feel like I’m in their world or I want to be. The ma and “pointless” scenes do exactly that!
Awesome video! Makes me wanna binge watch Miyazaki films!
no time like the present haha
about to present my slides on spirited away tomorrow and this came out at the right time!
Good luck!
I do love Miyazaki's storytelling. I think his MAs are just about the best there is. Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai has a few reflective moments.
he's a special artist
BRAVO STUDIO BINDER!
Cheers!
Ma is everything. Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu is bae, for life!
got to have Ma
probably my favorite episode so far. :D
Best moment of Ma is in the classical introspective film by Sacha Baron Cohen, where the character, having spent moments reflecting on the wonders of galactic bodies of the cosmos amidst a campfire, says "It makes you think of all the hot guys in the world"... -Bruno
Good call
I really liked the way cersie Lannister drinks wine in silence after burning the septor. In GoT.
Sweet
Amazing human being.