Some of you may have heard of this movie, most probably haven't. It was made by a group of first-timers on a budget of around $8000, and won Sundance last year. I just got the dvd, and it's real interesting. It's a pretty amazing accomplishment in its own right, plus the fact that it was written, directed, edited, and scored by a first timer (who also acts in the co-lead role). Filmed in super 16mm, using short-ends, expired stock, etc. Mostly used natural light, except for some fluorescent banks bought at home depot. Gives inspiration to indies everywhere. Check it out at primermovie.com.
Primer
- Thread starter Kennedy
- Start date
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
It's out on DVD already?
Not Yet!!
04-19-05 is the release date. Next Tuesday!!
Kennedy may have picked up an advance / promo copy somewhere. Or he may have downloaded it. It can be found in *the usual* spots on the internet already!!
I will definately be getting it on Tuesday though. :thumbsup:
http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=138868
~reservoir~
04-19-05 is the release date. Next Tuesday!!
Kennedy may have picked up an advance / promo copy somewhere. Or he may have downloaded it. It can be found in *the usual* spots on the internet already!!
I will definately be getting it on Tuesday though. :thumbsup:
http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=138868
~reservoir~
smkoch
Well-known member
WTF.... This must literly be a first! I can't see how it's not out in the states yet?????? I see it listed for next week as a release date on joblo..... but it's been out for for almost 3 weeks in Canada.... Weird
http://www.blockbuster.ca/movies/detail.aspx?ID=3886
Anyway's I rented it when it hit DVD and wow what a great concept, I mean an absolute character peice with a limited amount of actors ( it just goes to show what a great script and dedicated team can pull off), As you can see from reading the credit's pretty much everyone who acted was also a member of the crew....
http://www.blockbuster.ca/movies/detail.aspx?ID=3886
Anyway's I rented it when it hit DVD and wow what a great concept, I mean an absolute character peice with a limited amount of actors ( it just goes to show what a great script and dedicated team can pull off), As you can see from reading the credit's pretty much everyone who acted was also a member of the crew....
Staven
Well-known member
Saw it a couple weeks ago... This movie is great inspiration for indie filmmakers. Basically Shane Carruth(director/everything guy) is just like you and me, regular guy trying to make his way into the film industry.
He came up with an original script that he wrote around useable locations. Cut and scored it on his own pc by himself.
The movie itself... you need to watch it numerous times to get an understanding of the information you receive. It's been described as the smartest science fiction movie to come out in 20 years, that's cuz you need to be a genius to understand it(and apparently it gets better the more you understand). I watched it twice and can only piece bits of it together, but I am definitely not a genius, so I may need to own it to one day be able to appreciate it.
The director commentary is good, especially for us filmmakers, he goes through the exact same **** we do, it's a nice reminder that anything is possible and that it is possible to "make it'.
He came up with an original script that he wrote around useable locations. Cut and scored it on his own pc by himself.
The movie itself... you need to watch it numerous times to get an understanding of the information you receive. It's been described as the smartest science fiction movie to come out in 20 years, that's cuz you need to be a genius to understand it(and apparently it gets better the more you understand). I watched it twice and can only piece bits of it together, but I am definitely not a genius, so I may need to own it to one day be able to appreciate it.
The director commentary is good, especially for us filmmakers, he goes through the exact same **** we do, it's a nice reminder that anything is possible and that it is possible to "make it'.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Stabb_Films said:
That leaves all of us out; except Barry.
francheezie
Active member
How do we get the Primer look?
How do we get the Primer look?
I'm getting my own DVX this week, and just watched Primer. Wow, my head really hurts, pretty amazing cinematography. I was wondering how one would replicate this Super 16 look with the Magic Bullet Editors? Which I believe is coming with my camera.
Or if there's some other way to do it, please let a brother know. Thanks, Franch.
www.tudestudios.com
How do we get the Primer look?
I'm getting my own DVX this week, and just watched Primer. Wow, my head really hurts, pretty amazing cinematography. I was wondering how one would replicate this Super 16 look with the Magic Bullet Editors? Which I believe is coming with my camera.
Or if there's some other way to do it, please let a brother know. Thanks, Franch.
www.tudestudios.com
smkoch
Well-known member
I was just on the primer site and they have a forum, the writer/director/actor of the film often logs on to talk about it.... A big note is that he say's no one on the film has yet to make any money from it.... he's pretty optimistic about a cheque at some point in the near future from dvd sales.... but really; despite that he show's a great gratitude for the film going places and from hearing from all the people that they enjoyed a work that he put so much time and effort into....
It's also interesting to read about all of the work-arounds he had to do, especially for crappy sound on location. Also, he edited on a SLOW PC using a crappy version of Adobe. And he won Sundance. Just goes to show again, it's the story and the story teller-- not the equipment.Nick Adams said:
DinosaurInc
Active member
Rented last night.....loved it. Everything (the story, the original music, the look, the cinematography) was great. I'm going out to buy it today. It's such a mind-f#@$. I've only been through it one time, and I followed it for about half of the film, but then it got REALLY complicated. If nothing else, watch the movie out of curiousity and help support an indie filmmaker!
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
I watched this last night. I'll start by saying; what a great story for filmmakers. I remember following this film right around sundance and reading through Shanes boards and his mighty $30.00 Light kit. It doesn't get any better than this and I wonder what the future has in store for this young man.
That being said; It was alright; maybe I had this hyped up (or Sundance did) but it was just alright to me. Personally, I found it somewhat boring to watch. I love the 'Lack of CGI and big effects' and that it has a traditional Sci-Fi Vibe going; but really I found it to be "Blah blah blah blah..." throughout. I kept waiting for something to happen. I don't know; something cool ya know? And nothing really does.
Admittedly, I got somewhat lost at the 3/4 Mark and if anyone can tell me "What the fock just happended..." I could see things a little clearer; but...
That really isn't going to have a bearing on my overall feelings for the film. Even the end scene (Shotgun) I felt was done so 'Boringly' and 'Uneventful'. I was asking myself "That's it?" It felt like some Music Video Montage minus the music.
The cinemaotgraphy was pleasant; definatley above average although at times it did get to a point whereas I thought he was being a bit too clever with the camera (The inverted sleeping in bed at night shot for example) but for the most part; I thought the choice of comps refreshing and there were some very smooth dolly work.
The $30.00 Light kit worked for me; I love the imagery (16mm) that so reminded me of our DVX100 and I liked the premise of the film; I just felt it was lacking that "WHAM!" ya know? It just didnt do it for me and ended on a somber note. Again, I was asking "What? That's it?"
I loved the score and it's nice to know he scored like we do; using loops.
From an indie filmmkaers POV I say watch it and get inspired; from a cinematic standpoint I say "Possibly one of the most overrated films I have ever watched." In fact, Sundance has kind of been doing that over the years; OPEN WATER, PRIMER, EL MARIACHI; interesting indie films to watch but let's not launch them into the Cinematic STratosphere already.
That being said; It was alright; maybe I had this hyped up (or Sundance did) but it was just alright to me. Personally, I found it somewhat boring to watch. I love the 'Lack of CGI and big effects' and that it has a traditional Sci-Fi Vibe going; but really I found it to be "Blah blah blah blah..." throughout. I kept waiting for something to happen. I don't know; something cool ya know? And nothing really does.
Admittedly, I got somewhat lost at the 3/4 Mark and if anyone can tell me "What the fock just happended..." I could see things a little clearer; but...
That really isn't going to have a bearing on my overall feelings for the film. Even the end scene (Shotgun) I felt was done so 'Boringly' and 'Uneventful'. I was asking myself "That's it?" It felt like some Music Video Montage minus the music.
The cinemaotgraphy was pleasant; definatley above average although at times it did get to a point whereas I thought he was being a bit too clever with the camera (The inverted sleeping in bed at night shot for example) but for the most part; I thought the choice of comps refreshing and there were some very smooth dolly work.
The $30.00 Light kit worked for me; I love the imagery (16mm) that so reminded me of our DVX100 and I liked the premise of the film; I just felt it was lacking that "WHAM!" ya know? It just didnt do it for me and ended on a somber note. Again, I was asking "What? That's it?"
I loved the score and it's nice to know he scored like we do; using loops.
From an indie filmmkaers POV I say watch it and get inspired; from a cinematic standpoint I say "Possibly one of the most overrated films I have ever watched." In fact, Sundance has kind of been doing that over the years; OPEN WATER, PRIMER, EL MARIACHI; interesting indie films to watch but let's not launch them into the Cinematic STratosphere already.
John, I agree to an extent. No one should rent it thinking "I am about to watch a movie that won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize the and that has been described as the headiest Sci-fi movie since Kubrick's 2001."
For me, what made it enjoyable was going into it knowing (1) the production budget was $7,500; (2) no one on the crew (of 5) had any experience; (3) 80% of the dialogue had to be dubbed; (4) everyone worked for free in their spare time; and (5) Shane Carrruth determined what the settings on the movie camera should be by shooting regular 35mm stills at a fixed shutter speed using tungsten slide film, and writing down the exposure requirements. All film used with the Arri SR2 was short ends or given-away stock. Every shot of the movie had only one take.
I'll also say that the film was MUCH more enjoyable the second time I saw it, in part because I wasn't struggling so hard to follow every word of dialogue, and was able to get more of a bird's eye view of the movie. The first time, I was struggling so hard to figure out the time lines that a lot of the tension-building (through scenes and music) went past me.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
For me, what made it enjoyable was going into it knowing (1) the production budget was $7,500; (2) no one on the crew (of 5) had any experience; (3) 80% of the dialogue had to be dubbed; (4) everyone worked for free in their spare time; and (5) Shane Carrruth determined what the settings on the movie camera should be by shooting regular 35mm stills at a fixed shutter speed using tungsten slide film, and writing down the exposure requirements. All film used with the Arri SR2 was short ends or given-away stock. Every shot of the movie had only one take.
I'll also say that the film was MUCH more enjoyable the second time I saw it, in part because I wasn't struggling so hard to follow every word of dialogue, and was able to get more of a bird's eye view of the movie. The first time, I was struggling so hard to figure out the time lines that a lot of the tension-building (through scenes and music) went past me.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
I'm digging it Kennedy and can agree on those points; I did enjoy it on some other levels; the one's you point out. If anything, this film made me think "Yeah, I can do that." which is the difference between Shane and myself; HE DID IT.
I appreciate it for what is is and it does inspire
I appreciate it for what is is and it does inspire
krestofre
Knight of the Holy Order
The film is so deep and so layered. I agree that it demands repeat viewings. The plot is so well constructed and all of the answers are there, you just have to find them.
"She thinks there are birds in the attic." This first time I understood what that line meant the film totally blew my mind. Primer is one of the best films I've seen in recent years and a breath of freash air from all of the Jimmy Fallon movies and Will Smith remakes.
Still, I can certainly see why the film isn't for everyone. It intentionally plays everything low key, and even when you get to the most "dramatic" plot point, it's handled almost as an afterthought. Certainly not what one expects from a film, but something that I found refreashing.
Chris
"She thinks there are birds in the attic." This first time I understood what that line meant the film totally blew my mind. Primer is one of the best films I've seen in recent years and a breath of freash air from all of the Jimmy Fallon movies and Will Smith remakes.
Still, I can certainly see why the film isn't for everyone. It intentionally plays everything low key, and even when you get to the most "dramatic" plot point, it's handled almost as an afterthought. Certainly not what one expects from a film, but something that I found refreashing.
Chris