Joe Cianciotto: Amazing Modern Female Architects

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Joe Cianciotto: Iconic Women in Architecture Today

According Joe Cianciotto, women have made their mark in architecture. Today, he pays tribute to two icons of the industry -- Yvonne Farrell and Shelle McNamara.

Farrell and McNamara took the spotlight in the most prestigious award in architecture - the Pritzker Prize. In 2020, co-founders Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Irish firm Grafton Architects became the laureates of what is dubbed architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.  

By winning the Pritzker Prize 2020, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara became the fourth and fifth female architects to win the award. The jury saw them as pioneers in a field that is traditionally a male-dominated profession. Both women have also been hailed as beacons to other women as they forged their own exemplary and professional paths. Past female architects who won the Pritzker Prize include Zaha Hadid in 2004, Kazuyo Sejima in 2010, and Carme Pigem in 2017. 

Joe Cianciotto also notes that Yvonne Farrell (1951) and Shelley McNamara (1952), along with three others, founded Grafton Architects in Dublin in 1978. The firm was named after a street of their original office to focus on the significance of a place instead of individuals. Significant projects in their home country of Ireland include the North King Street Housing (Dublin, 2000); Urban Institute of Ireland, University College Dublin (Dublin, 2002); Solstice Arts Centre (Navan, 2007); and many others. 

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Grafton Architects also had projects abroad, such as the Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan (Milan, Italy 2008), which took the World Building of the Year award at the 2008 inaugural World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, Spain. Since then, more international projects came in and were equally cited by the architectural community, like the University Campus UTEC Lima (Lima, Peru 2015) - awarded the RIBA International Prize 2016 by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). 

According to Joe Cianciotto, recently completed projects include Institut Mines Télécom (Paris, France 2019) and Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, School of Economics (Toulouse, France 2019).

Joe Cianciotto's Favorite Trilogies of All Time

 

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Joe Cianciotto Reveals His Most Iconic Trilogies

A trilogy can be made in different ways. In its purest sense, a trilogy is planned from the beginning as a three-part story. It starts with the first film, which introduces the characters, their world, and the overall plot. There are numerous plot complications and heavy drama in the second movie. Finally, the finale wraps up the entire story with an ending that reminds the audience of everything that came before. That said, there are also great trilogies where a solo flick was so good and successful that the filmmakers decided to add two more to continue and finish the tale. With that in mind, here are Joe Cianciotto's most iconic trilogies.

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Perhaps the greatest example of one story divided into three parts, The Lord of the Rings is the best example of a "pure" trilogy, according to Joe Cianciotto. Many have tried to copy its formula, but nothing comes close to J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy, retold on the big screen by Peter Jackson. There's no better way to do it: to plan, write and prep three movies in advance and then film them all at once. The result was a combination of excellent production design, costumes, cinematography, visual effects, music, acting, and more. The films have a level of consistency so perfect that no other saga comes close.

Joe Cianciotto says that there is no limit to the pop cultural touchstone that is the Star Wars trilogy. The first three films in the franchise are undoubtedly the most popular film trilogy of all time. Nobody even made trilogies before Star Wars came along. In 1977, no one could have predicted how Star Wars would change movies and pop culture forever. Can you picture a world without Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo, or Princess Leia in it?

Joe Cianciotto: Why Movie Theaters Are Still Around

 

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Joe Cianciotto on the Eternal Appeal of Movie Theaters

Many establishments, including movie theaters, have started to operate fully after three years of uncertainty. While it still might be a valid reaction for some to stay away from cinemas and watch films at home instead, Joe Cianciotto says that this shouldn't be the case. Theaters will always be the best places to experience movies, and that's a fact. 

Today, Joe Cianciotto talks about three reasons people should still consider watching the films they've been waiting for in theaters. 

First, and this is a big deal -- there are almost zero spoilers.

Since films released in movie theaters generally come out the earliest, there is a low chance that people who watch in theaters will suffer through spoilers spewed by inconsiderate people online. Considering the many people who think they're important enough to post plot twists of highly anticipated films on social media, the only way to get around them is to watch in cinemas. Waiting for movies to be released online increases the risk of a film being spoiled. 

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Next, there's an unmatched atmosphere when watching films in a movie theater.

According to Joe Cianciotto, while today's laptops and home theaters have excellent resolution, which is perhaps at par or maybe better than movie theater projectors, they still pale in comparison to cinemas when the ambiance is involved. For example, a horror film isn't as scary on a small screen, and a hard-hitting, edge-of-your-seat action movie isn't quite as thrilling as it would be on a giant screen.  

Finally, and this is a big deal -- you get to appreciate a film with strangers. True movie buffs would enjoy a viewing experience surrounded by fans, even if those fans are strangers. Seeing other people react to epic moments is fantastic, especially with films that bring along a massive fandom. Some movies bring people together. It's like watching a concert, and people are going wild.

Joe Cianciotto: The Greatest Oscar Best Picture Winners

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Joe Cianciotto's List of Oscar Best Picture Winners

One thing that Joe Cianciotto is passionate about is the cinema. Today, he shares his pick of the greatest Best Picture recipients of the Academy Award.
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump tells the story of a simple, extraordinary man. The titular character, Forrest Gump, is shown to have been unknowingly present at many important events of the '60s and '70s in America. It is an excellent blend of comedy, romance, tragedy, and drama.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
According to Joe Cianciotto, bringing The Lord of the Rings trilogy to an epic conclusion wasn't an easy task, but The Return of the King was able to pull it off. As a result, it earns its place among the best of the 21st century's Best Picture winners. In many ways, it outdoes the other two films in the acclaimed trilogy.
The Godfather: Part II 

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Joe Cianciotto says that sequels winning Best Picture does not happen often. This makes The Godfather: Part II stand out. It builds on the first film brilliantly. It takes the new boss of the family, Michael Corleone, down a dark path. It also features flashbacks of how Vito Corleone established his crime family. The Godfather: Part II is considered one of the best sequels in film history.
Schindler's List

A haunting drama shot in black and white, Schindler's List is not an easy watch. It tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a greedy industrialist who used his resources to save more than 1000 Jewish lives during World War Two. It's an honest depiction of the atrocities of Nazi death camps that finds a shred of hope and humanity within a horrific historical period. It's a powerful and important film and arguably Steven Speilberg's best.

The Godfather (1972) 

As beloved as The Godfather: Part II is, it can't top the first film. There are a lot of great crime movies in the history of cinema, but it's The Godfather that redefined what the genre could do. It tells a crime-related story on a much larger scale than had been done before. As Joe Cianciotto notes, it's a near-perfect film that is beautiful, emotional, and gritty. It's one of the few Best Picture winners that deserves all the accolades.

Joe Cianciotto: Filmmaking with Limited Funding

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Movie Production on a Budget with Joe Cianciotto

According to Joe Cianciotto, everyone flirts with the idea of making a movie at one point or another. However, they drop it after realizing that producing and shooting a film needs money. If you had your filmmaking dreams dashed by this challenge, the good news is that being tech-savvy and having a lot of creativity will allow you to make your first feature without the hefty price tag.

First, you'll have to start with a minimalist story in a single setting. The cost of shooting a film rises if you add many locations. You can cut costs by setting up in one place and doing all your work there. A good single-setting story can save you money and effort. It can also potentially give its future audience something engaging.

Once you have your story and setting, you should draft a budget of what you'll need to realize your cinematic vision. Don't put prices on each item on this list yet. Instead, eliminate the things you have and what you can borrow and pencil in costs if you can't avoid paying for them.

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Finally, Joe Cianciotto says that you'll need to fire up your brain and embrace your creative problem-solving.

Yes, money can solve many problems, but since you're out of cash, try going for solutions that don't cost money. You don't have an actress? Try asking an amateur model if they are up to it. If you need props, you can always borrow from someone you know.

When you use your creativity, Joe Cianciotto says there's always a solution for everything, and it does not have to boil down to the dollar signs.

Filmmaking is a passion that can be very rewarding. You should try it now, even if you don't have money. A simple script, the support of friends and family, and your creativity can set you on your way.

Joe Cianciotto on Walkable Cities and Building Them

 

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Learn About Walkable Cities with Joe Cianciotto

According to Joe Cianciotto, the term walkability is for planning concepts. This is best understood by the mixed-use of amenities, especially in neighborhoods with many residents. If these places are walkable, people can access said amenities on foot. 

Walkability is based on the idea that urban roads should be more than just transport corridors for vehicle use. It should also be a completely livable space. The space should serve a variety of uses, users, and transportation. It should also reduce the need for cars for travel.

A walkable city or neighborhood encourages people to walk, explains Joe Cianciotto. It creates conditions for everyone to navigate the area on foot. This area includes physically enticing, safe, compact roads and streets. As a result, these places become lively. They offer great socialization and allow people to exercise. 

According to Joe Cianciotto, architecture plays an important role here. 

First, it introduces coherence. Cities have clear and organized sidewalks. The sidewalks and streets connect points of interest with activity. They also provide simple yet useful signage and clean lines of sight. 

Second, architectural design shapes the space. An excellent urban design offers a sense of safety that encourages comfortable walking. It also takes away the hassles. It gets the planning and execution right for people to walk in nearly any climate, Joe Cianciotto adds.

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Third, landscape architecture makes the environment inviting for pedestrians. Landscape interventions of different kinds can help make routes functional and safe. It also makes going around the city on foot appealing. Including well-designed pocket parks also contribute to overall walkability. Architects make sure their placement and distances are carefully considered. 

Finally, architecture pays good attention to safety and comfort. According to Joe Cianciotto, good design provides pedestrian protection from cars and bicycles. It promotes physical interactions in the community. It keeps humans safely separated from fast-moving vehicles. There are also enough signals at crossroads. 

Do you live in a walkable city? What's it like?

Joe Cianciotto: Hidden Sci-Fi Gems from Netflix

 

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Joe Cianciotto's List of Underrated Netflix Sci-Fi Movies

As everyone knows, Netflix is today's go-to streaming service for all sorts of movies and TV shows. However, Joe Cianciotto says that it would not be as popular if it weren't for the site's dedication to providing well-produced titles.  

Sure, there are many so-so movies on the site, so we'd instead focus on the ones that are worth your popcorn bingeing. In this blog post, Joe Cianciotto shares some must-see sci-fi movies on the streaming site.

Okja (2017)

Okja is a modern masterpiece by Oscar-winning Korean director Boong Joon-ho. The film is a unique take and commentary on age-old issues regarding animal cruelty and the meat market.  

The director took this concept to new heights with this surreal, hilarious, and ultimately tragic story of a gallant and gigantic pig. We don't want to spoil it, but the plight of Okja and Mija will haunt you long after you finish the film.

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Annihilation (2018)

This movie is based on the bestselling book by author Jeff VanderMeer. Annihilation follows the story of a team of female biologists who venture into a territory called Area X. Their goal is to unlock the secrets behind disappearances and medical anomalies resulting from previous expeditions.  

It's a compelling plot, directed by renowned sci-fi director Alex Garland of Ex Machina. Its stellar cast includes Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

ARQ (2016)

This film proves that directors and producers need not have massive budgets and Hollywood superstars to shine. Director Tony Elliott claims that the film worked with a budget of just $2 million. In any case, ARQ is a refreshing take on the genre set in a dystopian future, with the plot revolving around a mysterious device (the ARQ) that allows time to loop.  

What about you? What are your favorite sci-fi films that Netflix produced? Feel free to recommend these titles to Joe Cianciotto
in the comments below.

Thank you.