Looking for thoughts on project

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

This is one of the first 'film boards' I've seen that isn't populated by geeks, so I thought I'd give this a shot.

Anyway, I'm working on a mock documentary and am looking for some thoughts on the creative.

Some background info:

A lead singer from a really popular punk band (irony intentional) OD'ed a few years ago. Rumors started cropping up that suggested he staged his demise (they spawned from the typical sources - conspiracy theorists and crackpots.) This led to the formation of an internet-based fanclub dedicated to discovering the whereabouts of their long, lost icon.

Anyway, the mockumentary is about the leader of the group, who's been drawn to a small town somewhere in the US on account of a digital image sent to him via e-mail. The picture, taken by a local nerd who's also a member, is of a man who looks similar to, of course, the vocalist thought deceased. So a camera crew follows the kid on a 4-day trek to the middle of nowhere in search of "the truth."

― JesusMaryChain, Sunday, 8 February 2004 07:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Substitute glam for punk and you've got Velvet Goldmine.

― Sean (Sean), Sunday, 8 February 2004 08:20 (twenty-two years ago)

What's sad is I've heard the name, but never knew anything about the film. I imdb'ed it up, and you were right. Thank you.

― JesusMaryChain, Sunday, 8 February 2004 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

It's an interesting idea, but be very careful in mocumentarizing at all; it's inevitable that you'll be compared to Altman, Reiner, or Guest. 24 Hour Party people was pretty neat in injecting its own style into the relatively-mocumentarish genre; and your idea sounds pretty independent.

One word of caution (having seen many, many, low-budget independent mocumentaries) is that you really must avoid condescending or making fun of your subjects. That's the acid test of quality. Often less-experienced filmmakers mimic (i.e.) Waiting for Guffman, but they make the characters into mean-spirited facsimilies of harmless character types. Without exception, this sours the audience on the project.

But it doesn't sound like that's part of your design, so I'm probably preaching to the converted anyway. No matter, the idea is original and bears promise.

― The Second Drummer Drowned (Atila the Honeybun), Friday, 20 February 2004 04:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Often less-experienced filmmakers mimic (i.e.) Waiting for Guffman, but they make the characters into mean-spirited facsimilies of harmless character types. Without exception, this sours the audience on the project.

The first segment of Boys Life 4 fits this pattern to a T.

― Eric H. (Eric H.), Friday, 20 February 2004 05:23 (twenty-two years ago)

It's not original at all--read Sean's post; besides the music genre, it exactly the same as "Velvet Goldmine".

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Friday, 20 February 2004 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

(was trying to be constructive)

― The Second Drummer Drowned (Atila the Honeybun), Friday, 20 February 2004 14:07 (twenty-two years ago)

i know second drummer; only problem comes when he tries to make his film & gets sued.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Friday, 20 February 2004 18:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Ahh... well, I'm all for litigation

― The Second Drummer Drowned (Atila the Honeybun), Saturday, 21 February 2004 06:07 (twenty-two years ago)

LItigation's great! No better free publicity for you film that I can think of! I actually had a film professor who encouraged us to use copywritted material, and then if the film ever got big enough to warrrant attention to the fact, let the bastards sue you for the free press.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Saturday, 21 February 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.