The company I'm writing these DVD sleeves info for has asked me if it would be an idea to supply audio commentaries for the SA films I know best. I know a lot of people who get bored listening to these, but I'm not one of them.
Yay or nay to them? :smile:
A definite... maybe.
I love commentaries from directors and producers, who can tell me something about how the film came to be made (casting issues, location stories, what was rewritten and why, etc), about the other people who worked on the film and interesting things about the production which I would never have known ("We filmed that exterior on the first day, but the interior on the last day" or "John actually did that scene with a broken leg." or "That grass was actually green and we made it depressing and brown in post-production.") That stuff fascinates me.
Actors as a rule, not so interesting. Though they are the most visible, their involvement in the making of a film is a very small percentage and they just don't know that much about what happened. The actor can tell me he was really cold that day because he had to pretend it was noon in midsummer when it was really 3 am in November. The director can tell me why they did that.
A film buff/historian... I'm not sure. In lieu of commentary from someone on the production, somebody who might provide the kind of tidbits that a producer would, that might be a nice thing.
What kind of extra info would you be able to provide?
Quote from: schmendrik on August 28, 2008, 10:16:54 AM
A definite... maybe.
I love commentaries from directors and producers, who can tell me something about how the film came to be made (casting issues, location stories, what was rewritten and why, etc), about the other people who worked on the film and interesting things about the production which I would never have known ("We filmed that exterior on the first day, but the interior on the last day" or "John actually did that scene with a broken leg." or "That grass was actually green and we made it depressing and brown in post-production.") That stuff fascinates me.
Actors as a rule, not so interesting. Though they are the most visible, their involvement in the making of a film is a very small percentage and they just don't know that much about what happened. The actor can tell me he was really cold that day because he had to pretend it was noon in midsummer when it was really 3 am in November. The director can tell me why they did that.
A film buff/historian... I'm not sure. In lieu of commentary from someone on the production, somebody who might provide the kind of tidbits that a producer would, that might be a nice thing.
What kind of extra info would you be able to provide?
I'm a film archivist and I work with these films every day so I don't think I'll bore anyone listening to it and I'm also a bit of a film historian as well, so there won't be anyone snoring, or at least I hope not. :buggedout:
I asked the films' rights holders to get hold of the people who worked on these films many years ago (those that are still with us) and it would be great for us to chat about the films, with me providing views on how I see the films (all South African) and they can talk about the production. That's oral history for you right there. :smile:
Ding Dong... uh, Ninja Underpants... uh, Trevor... if there's no one else to do these commentaries, I think you have an obligation to do them. Facts about these historic films could be lost. It would also be a fantastic line on your resume, and a great honor.
OK, I'm changing my vote from "definite maybe" to "go for it"
Yes, no reason to keep the info from the world :), and definitely look for anyone else still living who worked on the thing who wants to talk along with you, the SE commentary for "On the Waterfront" only has these two historians talking when there were still a whole bunch of actors and crew still kickin'.
Yeah. Even if I knew nothing about a film I would still go for it, you actually have something to contribute. As I would say if you were at a total crossroads do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it
I vote a hearty YES!
My only advice: don't attempt to impersonate the actors'/directors' voices when quoting them.
Unless you're quoting yourself - then feel free to impersonate yourself.
Quote from: Raffine on August 28, 2008, 05:22:55 PM
Unless you're quoting yourself - then feel free to impersonate yourself.
:teddyr: :teddyr:
Yes to commentaries, they are interesting and informative and give you more for your money
As long as it's interesting and no dry as mummy farts I'll say yes.
Quote from: CheezeFlixz on September 02, 2008, 08:25:52 AM
As long as it's interesting and no dry as mummy farts I'll say yes.
THE HORROR! THE HORROR! Trevor will be speaking on the audio commentaries! :buggedout: :buggedout: :buggedout: :wink:
Do it, your knowledge of SA films and culture, as demonstrated on this board, would be a major addition to any DVD release. I've heard good and bad commentaries, from directors, actors, and commentators/historians/scholars.
Insight and entertainment can come from all kinds of sources. One of the best commentaries I've ever heard about filmmaking came from a lousy movie: Fred Olen Ray for his film Active Stealth.
The commentary for Master of the Flying Guillotine featuring two film scholars was a great mix of insight into the production, cultural cliches and differences , facts about the lives and careers of the stars, the influence of the film, and even some film criticism of problems with the film all with great affection for a well-loved classic of the genre.
This weekend I watched Royal Flash with a commentary by star Malcolm McDowell and a film historian discussing the film. It elevated the film a bit and even provided some insight into why the film wasn't as good as it could have been.
One of the worst commentaries I've ever heard is from Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes on Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. Mewes is drunk and walks out for part of the film and is incoherent for the rest. Smith mostly namedrops his friends who play extras, points out lame injokes in the scenes, and explains plot points that don't need explanation.
Quote from: Yaddo 42 on September 02, 2008, 11:32:39 PM
Do it, your knowledge of SA films and culture, as demonstrated on this board, would be a major addition to any DVD release. I've heard good and bad commentaries, from directors, actors, and commentators/historians/scholars.
Thanks for that, Yaddo: karma for you. :teddyr:
The only thing that bugs me about doing the audio commentaries is that peoples' ears might start bleeding when I start talking. :buggedout: :buggedout: :wink:
I like to listen to audio commentaries now and then. I usually don't listen to them on movies but I usually listen to them on TV shows since I find it easier to follow.
Quote from: Yaddo 42 on September 02, 2008, 11:32:39 PM
One of the worst commentaries I've ever heard is from Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes on Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. Mewes is drunk and walks out for part of the film and is incoherent for the rest. Smith mostly namedrops his friends who play extras, points out lame injokes in the scenes, and explains plot points that don't need explanation.
:bouncegiggle: :teddyr:
The funniest AC I've ever heard is for
The Recruit where Colin Farrell and director Roger Donaldson are chatting about the film. At one point, Colin's character in the film flushes the toilet and Roger, seeing that Colin isn't paying attention, asks "Did you flush the toilet? What's going on?" to which Colin says "Who flushed the toilet? I didn't." :teddyr:
Quote from: CheezeFlixz on September 02, 2008, 08:25:52 AM
As long as it's interesting and no dry as mummy farts I'll say yes.
Couldn't have said it more thoughtfully and/or eloquently myself. :thumbup: :teddyr: