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topic: Documentary Primer |
underdog
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post #1
on January 19, 2004 - 10:26 AM PST
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We just love docs here at GreenCine, can't you tell? From our "Best Documentaries" list (under GreenCine suggests... to the left) to the recent article on 2003's hot year for docs, and now... we have presented you with a primer on documentary film. Its author Mark Kitchell made Berkeley in the 60s, and keeping in spirit with open and free speech, welcomes your comments, ideas, suggestions for further reading and viewing, and so on... here.
Thanks!
Craig Phillips
GreenCine Associate Editor |
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hamano
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post #2
on January 19, 2004 - 2:42 PM PST
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| This is certainly one of the best primers to date, and the only thing I can fault is the lack of a "rent all" button at the end. Unfortunately, the primer is also an indicator that what's available on DVD only scratches the surface. Les Blank, a great American documentarian, is mentioned, but none of his films are available on DVD. |
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underdog
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post #3
on January 20, 2004 - 8:57 AM PST
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> On January 19, 2004 - 2:42 PM PST hamano wrote:
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> This is certainly one of the best primers to date, and the only thing I can fault is the lack of a "rent all" button at the end. Unfortunately, the primer is also an indicator that what's available on DVD only scratches the surface. Les Blank, a great American documentarian, is mentioned, but none of his films are available on DVD.
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Thanks! Glad you liked it.
We're looking into ways to add a 'rent all' button to primers but unfortunately, as they are currently text-based jsp documents it's rather difficult to do. For now, what I will do is make the primer's picks into a "member list" -- that'll do it.
And, I know, it's very sad, how few docs are out on DVD. Mark K makes mention of this in his primer. I don't quite understand why none of Blank's films are available, that seems really odd. You'd think someone would step in, but so far, naught.
Anyway, thanks.
C
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dpowers
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post #4
on January 20, 2004 - 10:17 AM PST
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[gossip]
i have it on good authority that les blank is a very strong-minded person. i wouldn't put it past him, as he was described to me, to decide for or against making his stuff available in a particular format, all at once, or not at all. i don't know what the real issue is but until then, any delay fits with what i've heard.
[/gossip] |
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dpowers
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post #5
on January 20, 2004 - 10:24 AM PST
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| according to amazon j'ai été au bal is available on R1 DVD. |
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underdog
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post #6
on January 20, 2004 - 3:54 PM PST
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> On January 20, 2004 - 10:24 AM PST dpowers wrote:
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> according to amazon j'ai été au bal is available on R1 DVD.
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Great! I just put in a request to our ordering Sisyphus here, to see if we can't rustle up some copies. I'll go over to Mr. Blank's house myself to beg and plead if that's what it takes to get Burden of Dreams on DVD.
Thanks,
C |
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hamano
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post #7
on January 20, 2004 - 4:18 PM PST
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> On January 20, 2004 - 3:54 PM PST underdog wrote:
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> I'll go over to Mr. Blank's house myself to beg and plead if that's what it takes to get Burden of Dreams on DVD.
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Gradalis said once that he's got a friend who's a friend of Blank, Jr. or something. |
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hamano
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post #8
on January 20, 2004 - 4:22 PM PST
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> On January 20, 2004 - 10:24 AM PST dpowers wrote:
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> according to amazon j'ai ét au bal is available on R1 DVD.
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Oh, and here it is in the GC catalog. That was fast! |
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oldkingcole
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post #9
on January 20, 2004 - 4:45 PM PST
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Nice work on the Docs primer. One correction, though. Hertzog's documentary about his relationship with Kinski is actually entitled My Best Fiend (in German, "Mein liebster Feind"). I too have erroneously called it "My Best Friend", since that seems to make more sense contextually. But given the stormy relationship these to men had, "fiend" (no "r") is probably just as appropriate.
The primer mentioned some of my favorite docs, including The Thin Blue Line and Genghis Blues. I'd add Dark Days to the list of outstanding/thought-provoking docs too.
Keep these primers comin'!
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oldkingcole
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post #10
on January 20, 2004 - 4:46 PM PST
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> On January 20, 2004 - 4:45 PM PST oldkingcole wrote:
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> Nice work on the Docs primer. One correction, though. Hertzog's
Argh. That should be "Herzog" (no "t"). I'm correcting my correction; how lame is that? :-) |
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underdog
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post #11
on January 20, 2004 - 4:57 PM PST
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> On January 20, 2004 - 4:45 PM PST oldkingcole wrote:
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> Nice work on the Docs primer. One correction, though. Hertzog's documentary about his relationship with Kinski is actually entitled My Best Fiend (in German, "Mein liebster Feind"). I too have erroneously called it "My Best Friend", since that seems to make more sense contextually. But given the stormy relationship these to men had, "fiend" (no "r") is probably just as appropriate.
Whoa, thanks! I *knew* it was called "My Best Fiend" too -- I think it was just an eyeballin' thing. After you've stared at something long enough you can miss a few details that need correcting, because your eyes have glazed over. Anyway, I'll fix that now!
Yep, our Sisyphus works fast, already have that Blank film on order. (er, that sounds weird... "blank film...")
C |
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IWhitney
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underdog
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post #13
on January 26, 2004 - 6:10 PM PST
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> On January 22, 2004 - 9:18 AM PST IWhitney wrote:
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> A good article on animated documentaries is on Wired today.
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That's really interesting. What sounds like an oxymoron actually exists! Thanks for the link.
C |
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