3 Gift ideas for a Cinephile
When you are looking for gifts for someone with a keen interest in a topic, it can sometimes be tricky to find something that they do not already own. Yet for a cinephile, there are plenty of thoughtful gift ideas that will show them that you support their interest and want them to continue doing what makes them happy, even if that makes you a bit of a “movie-widow/er” if you don’t share the same enthusiasm. Here are three gift ideas to consider:
Martin Scorsese Masterclass
Martin Scorsese has an expertise and eloquence that make him a great teacher of his craft. His masterclass is a set of 30 lessons each accompanied by its own workbook. These lessons cover all aspects of directing and ways that individuals can develop their own vision. Most lessons are interviews, with clips from Scorsese’s own films to illustrate the points he makes.
The lessons begin with practical skills, including working with the script, casting and directing actors, locations, production and costume design, cinematography etc. as well as the skills need to be a director from how to develop your own style, work with a crew and promote your film and could suit your cinephile perfectly. If your gift is for a romantic occasion like your anniversary or Valentine’s Day, add a precious keepsake that you can see here as a token of your everlasting devotion and care. There are also theory-based lessons, where Scorsese breaks down scenes from classic films to understand what and how images convey meaning that can be applied to their own work.
Upgraded technology
A new OLED TV
It may be time to update your television that can deliver deep blacks and rich colours with bright highlights, especially in HDR content. On OLED TV will enhance viewing pleasure when watching in a darkened room, as all movies should be. Look for a screen that looks good when you are not only sitting straight in front of it but also looking from the side, where some images do not remain accurate because of the angle.
Cinematic soundbar
A WiFi-connected speaker bar will give crisp theatre sound. Coming with an app, a soundbar can also have a smart late-night function that helps equalise sound so you can turn the volume down without missing dialogue and be sure you will not wake-up the house if the movie has a sudden, unexpected explosion.
Wireless headphones
For times when the cinephile wants uninterrupted enjoyment of the movie look for headphones with powerful bass and the ability to hear the minimal sounds that you hear at the cinema, with a surround sound listening mode. You want headphones that are easy to set up, with the main controls located on the headphones.
Subscriptions
BFI Player Classics
For those who have been consuming BFI content through the organisation’s own DVD and Blu-ray releases and its Sight & Sound magazine, BFI Player Classics is going to be a gift they will love.
Launched in summer 2019, BFI Player classics offers British films on demand to US movie fanatics for the first time via the Roku Channel. Different to the UK’s BFI Player, the BFI Player Classics offers about 140 British or British co-production movies chosen by BFI experts.
Movie magazines
There may be a movie magazine subscription they do not have yet. Choose from Little White Lies for film reviews, features and interviews with cinema’s best directors and actors. Filmmaker that covers the world of independent film from the point of view of the working filmmaker and the independent film enthusiast. Film Comment features reviews and analysis of mainstream, art-house, and avant-garde filmmaking from around the world. MovieMaker focuses on the art and business of making movies. Film Inquiry is a progressive, independent film magazine that aims to redefine film journalism and Film Threat is Hollywood’s voice for both independent and underground cinema.