Wow, another Aussie story made into a movie, no wonder Hollywood loves us. But hang on, the waters weren't 'shark infested' and even if they were our sharks are trained not to eat the tourists.

Bob.

P.S. joking about the sharks, they do eat the tourists, that's if the police don't shoot them first (the tourists not the sharks, they're protected).

Funny, I met and interviewed both Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky who directed Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. Spent a couple of hours with them in New York and Berlinger hates DV video (although I was shooting with an XL1, and he seemed pretty impressed). Anyway, he talked about how much he loved film and his love for DV-style hand held camera even during interviews.

Anyway, these guys are awesome filmmakers. DV, Super 8, IMAX -- it don't matter, these dudes can make a good film out of smoke signals. If you haven't seen their films treat yourself to:

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
and the classic, Brother's Keeper

As I was leaving Berlinger's place he gave me VHS's of the "Paradise Lost" docs, which I have to admit had not seen. Unbelievable documentaries -- rent them if you can, they were done for HBO, but not sure how easy they are to get a hold of.

If anyone is interested, I can go over my interview tapes and post some quick notes on this thread about documentary techniques they use. I've got about 1.5 -hours with them discussing how they make films.



MB

Yes, I would be very intristed in how they make their videos :)

proving even further that filming anything "metallica" is a waste even if it's digital video.

Who on earth would spend the cash to see this glop of crap in a theatre (mush less even rent it)? They sucked when they first came out - and they really suck now.

I like Berlinger's and Sinofsky's movies. Thanks for reminding me about the Metallica movie. I have some time now to catch a few movies and I wanted to see that one. A friend of mine told me it's hysterical.

First on the list, however, is a new 35 mm print of Serpico that's being shown at a local revival house

specifically re: Paradise Lost, I saw it originally on HBO, and was very moved. Any idea where I can buy the original? The sequel is avaiable to buy, but I have never found a source for the first one. I've told many people about that documentary but have never been able to show it - any ideas?

thanks,
David

I saw Open Water this afternoon with my 17-year-old son. About 10 minutes into the movie he said "Dad, what's wrong with the camera in this movie?” He has no interest in videography, film, or photography.......this was just an observation of a movie that was of such inferior quality that even a 17 year old boy with a learning disability could see it. Much of the movie had a very soft, almost blurred look to it. Most of the close ups looked pretty good, but the wide, panoramic views were very soft. Even the good close ups were compromised when the director insisted on using the popular technique of quick camera movements to give a sense of motion and drama to the film. Neither one of us liked that technique.

I did like the fact that most of the open water shots were take right at the water level, sometimes even dipping under the water and then back up again. It gave you a real sense of being in the water with the divers. He also did a good job of building tension and anxiety as the plot developed. Overall we enjoyed the film. Moreover, the audience comments I heard as we left the theater were generally positive.

Haze

I just rented Paradise Lost 2: Revelations on Netflix. I could not find The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.

I saw the movie last night. I read that it cost $100k to make. I wonder how much they saved by using just miniDV? Anyone know what cams they used? The production photos look like small consumer cams. I liked the movie alot. Great ending.

Amazon has the video tape for sale. It may be that the first movie never made it to DVD.
If you can see the first one before the sequel, you should do it.

HBO shows it ever now and again.

There was book about the case that came out a while ago. There is a website put up by supporters of the teenagers if you want to find out more info.

Thanks for the info, I just picked up the VHS at my neighborhood video store. (Netflix is killing them :^(

I'll go through my original camera tape and give you guys a few point form notes on what Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofskythey said, one cool thing they do, when ever they shoot in public places, they put up a big sign saying "Filming here" warning folks that they are shooting and if accidentaly someone appears on camera apparently if you have a sign and a permit, you don't need a release.

Also, they never stop an interview, so if he they have 20 questions they just asks while maintaining a very casual conversation, like talking to a friend, When I was at Berlinger's house he showed me a documentary he had just finished on The Who, lots of camera movement, shot on video and very casual subject interviews.

They also mentioned that they get heavily involved with all their subjects at a personal level and keep in touch long after their film is done.

What else? They count a lot on their DP, picking DPs that are kind of cameraman/directors. As thet use a lot of handheld camera work they count on their DP to get important shots or do interesting moves when a subject reveals or does something interesting. They kind of trust the cameraman to do his/her job without too much interferenc.

Anyway, those are from the top of my head. I'll go through the tape and list more.

In regards where to get the Paradise Lost series, I'm not sure especially the first one. But do yourself a treat and watch the first followed by the second. As I said, Berlinger gave me a VHS copy of the docs none of my local video stores had them.

Sorry for typos/spelling, I'm writing quickly.


MB

I'm assuming it looks just like 28 Days Later did when it was projected in the theatres. MiniDV is not meant to be projected on a screen that large, thats why it looks the way it looks. Nonetheless, the image quality means NOTHING if there is a a good story to the film; IMHO.

I saw 28 Days later on TV and liked the look. Anthony Dod Mantle who shot it, has been celebrated for his cinematography. From what I have read, I would think the look of 28 Days is far and away better looking than Open Water.