We Made a Documentary

Hepar

Hepar

New member
As some of you know, I work in video production. A few years ago I helped my brother on his first full-length documentary. It premiered at Tribeca (won an award for being considered one of the best of's) and toured various other film festivals around the world. Unfortunately, the people who funded the film went under (Al Jazeera America) and the company that took their place (Al Jazeera English) decided to stop any marketing for it as well as any showings. Which is too bad, because at the very least it looked like it was bound for Netflix or something.

I know there are some of you with an interest in documentary film. [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] If any of you are interested, shoot me a PM and I'll send you a link to the full film. Would love to hear your thoughts both good and bad!

Here's the trailer:


<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/122108467">In Transit TRAILER</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/lostfoundfilms">Lost&Found</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
 
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Glad to check out out. Thanks.

Can you post a direct link that isn't embedded. My phone doesn't seem to work with the embedded video.

Btw tonight I watched "The Last Man on the Moon" on Netflix. Recommend!
 
Very intriguing concept and looks fantastic! Would definitely watch.

I'd like to hear more about the production if you have time to share. Where did the idea come from? How long did it take to shoot and produce?
 
Frey said:
Very intriguing concept and looks fantastic! Would definitely watch.

I'd like to hear more about the production if you have time to share. Where did the idea come from? How long did it take to shoot and produce?
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For sure! And just to be clear here. When I use the term "we" in the title, it is being used VERY loosely. I was just along for a little bit of help here and there (just enough to get a name in the credits!).

My brother (David) and his film partner Ben had befriended the doc filmmaker Albert Maysles several years back. If you haven't heard or seen any of his stuff, I highly recommend it. He is widely considered the father of documentary film. Check out Grey Gardens or Gimme Shelter. Albert had always been fascinated with trains and them as a mode of passenger transportation. So, they collectively (in addition to another filmmaker Nelson Walker) came up with the idea of doing an observational doc that centered around Amtrak and specifically to one route. If you are unfamiliar with observational docs, it differs from your more traditional doc in that you are not telling a story per se, but filming and then finding stories within what you film. The idea being that it is sort of a lost mode of transportation today. As well as since you are on the train for so long, you end up developing relationships with people who at the beginning were complete strangers.

So, Albert decided he wanted them all to do a doc together and being he was very well known in the doc world, it wasn't too hard to get some funding (double-edged sword in the end).

They took a couple of different lines to scout and decided on the Empire Builder, the line that runs from Chicago to the west coast. They chose that over a line that runs down in the southwest because they felt it was used more as a mode of transportation (especially in the winter when they filmed) as opposed to being used as a means for vacation.

Shooting consisted of three trips on the train from Chicago to either Seattle or Portland (it splits in Spokane, WA) and back to Chicago and then we did a road trip from Chicago to the west coast on foot to get all of the exterior shots. That trip took about 10 days or so. It was also the most, how do you say, interesting part? Think setup in some random location on a train track, wait (sometimes for hours because the train was typically delayed), shoot a passing train for a few seconds and then pack up and chase it down for another shot.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Especially after you see the film. Would love to hear your points of view. And again, please give thoughts both good and bad.

I shot you both a link.
 
Thanks for the link and all the info! I'm a Creative Director at an Ad Agency and shooting/editing video and designing motion graphics is my background, so when I see an interesting project, I enjoy learning about the 'behind the scenes' details. I'll let you know when I watch the full doc. Thanks again!
 
Frey said:
Thanks for the link and all the info! I'm a Creative Director at an Ad Agency and shooting/editing video and designing motion graphics is my background, so when I see an interesting project, I enjoy learning about the 'behind the scenes' details. I'll let you know when I watch the full doc. Thanks again!
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Any links to some of your work? Would love to check some out.
 
I will tell you this much the trailer has me intrigued for sure and would totally watch the full doc. Love the concept, have you considered the opportunity of making it a youtube streaming doc?
 
knowhutimean said:
I will tell you this much the trailer has me intrigued for sure and would totally watch the full doc. Love the concept, have you considered the opportunity of making it a youtube streaming doc?
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Hoping for at least that at some point, but with the current situation, it remains tricky.
 
Ive just started to really get into documentaries lately. Been catching some great ones on Netflix and Amazon. Last one I saw was the Red Pill. Great doc and journey of watching differing viewpoints on a subject transform the filmmakers initial beliefs into something unexpected. Id love to check this out if it hits my streaming service

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
5ontheFloor said:
Ive just started to really get into documentaries lately. Been catching some great ones on Netflix and Amazon. Last one I saw was the Red Pill. Great doc and journey of watching differing viewpoints on a subject transform the filmmakers initial beliefs into something unexpected. Id love to check this out if it hits my streaming service

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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Shot you a PM.
 
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