Behind the Scenes opinions

[thartley]

I had the semi-opportunity a while back to shoot some behind-the-scenes footage on a short I was working on. I could only shoot really when I had free time, and I was working my tail off most of the time. If I had it to do over, I would either have done one or the other, but not tried to do both. As a result, my footage isnt very thought out and its a challenge to put it together.

My question is, what do you guys think a good BTS piece consists of? What do you like to see in it? Do you try to interview cast/crew? What kind of shots or footage do you consider essential and make a point to get (from an editing standpoint)? What do you feel makes a great BTS?

Maybe someone else out there with an opportunity like I had will gleen some useful info from this post. :)

Thanks!

[BLUESPIDER]

For reference, you can check out DVD's with behind the scenes features. There’s so much you can learn from watching those DVD's.

;D

[alveraz]

I can only speak from my experience with our last bts/still photograper. She had some interesting perspectives. I was all hyped about getting interviews up front, and she explained that it would be more true to the film if she did the interviews at the end, so the cast & crew had experienced the process. She was right, and she plans to do it next week I believe.

She also took stills either just before slate or right after the shot. I held the cast for a moment here and there. She said, the story is in the shot, which rang true for still photography. She tried to capture the shot, not just a pose. I wasn't that familiar with the bts, and still shot arena, I'm glad I got a first hand look from an experienced member. Her shots of bts were candid and expressed the moment, which was important.

Not sure if this helped, but it's definately an artform, one that I always took for granted.

[Kirk Gillock]

Good suggestions alveraz.

If you have access to a consumer model miniDV then give it to the cast members and have them take some shots and record their friends doing stuff. When they have down time. I know it's very wedding-esque (disposable cameras) but it really is great to see what other people capture. And it cuts down on your work!

Try and capture the creative process from start to finish. A shot of the script, setting up the lights and camera, blocking, run thru's, and then maybe the finished scene. Not a long scene, just a short take and how much work goes into a few seconds of dialogue.

The Magnolia DVD has a great BTS with Paul Anderson. It shows EVERYTHING; writing, casting, shooting, editing, promoting, and, finally, receiving awards. The BTS is too long, but it's a must see if you're interested in making movies or a Behind-the-Scenes. Seriously, check it out, even if you didn't like the movie.

Good luck thartley!

[kappa22]

In my experience, the thing people like to see most is funny stuff...

[BLUESPIDER]

In my experience, the thing people like to see most is funny stuff...

That's right humor! it's the cure for sadness. ;D

[kappa22]

Hey, BLUESPIDER, how long do you reckon you're going to have to have those cameras go at it before they manage to cross-breed?

[thartley]

PK- I do indeed have the Magnolia DVD, so I will check that out in a little while. I love all the BTS on dvd's. They are all different. The one on Starsky and Hutch was hysterical to me making fun of the director, seemingly without his knowledge, like he was the only one not in on the joke during interviews. In the one on the Identity dvd, I remember an interview with (I think it was) the DP when he said water was almost like a living character in the movie. Unfortunatley, the footage I got was just not that inspirational! heh!

Blue-your avatar is hilarious! Can I have one from the first litter? ;D