"Director`s" commentary.

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Ken Wilson

"Director`s" commentary.

Post by Ken Wilson »

Hi all.
I am a bit of a fan from time to time, of watching DVDs with the "Directors
commentary" playing. Of course, this is a real boon for film enthusiasts,
but you have to be a bit careful that you don`t spoil a favourite film by
watching it too many times and once with a commentary in one more playing.
However, the point here is my thought that amateurs could also do this with
their own movies, explaining the thought processes behind their scenes/ film.
It gives additional life to an older film and it would fascinate many amateur
film makers, I think. The down side is that our films are so much shorter
(though of course we could add a pause/ freeze frame) and we may be seen
as being a touch pretentious. However, this method is not far removed from
what many of us do when we give a show to a club, except that this could
be done when we cannot be there in person. What do you think?
Ken.
Ian Gardner

Re: "Director`s" commentary.

Post by Ian Gardner »

"Ken Wilson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:
Hi all.
I am a bit of a fan from time to time, of watching DVDs with the "Directors
commentary" playing. Of course, this is a real boon for film enthusiasts...........
Great Idea. When I buy a film on DVD, I watch the film and then I have to
watch it again with the Directors Commentary. With DVD being so simple to
put our `Home Made` films onto and also to put on different audio tracks
then it`s a good idea.
I would also go a stage further. Most of us make films to put in competitions
for our video clubs. These films normally have to be a certain length and
fit in with competition rules. Now with DVD, we could do an Unedited Version
or a Directors Edition! You could do a version with subtitles, or for the
Deaf you could SHOUT a bit louder!

Ian (just an ideas man) Gardner.
Fraught

Re: "Director`s" commentary.

Post by Fraught »

Funny you should mention this...i'm currently doing 'Directors Cuts' as we
speak... its nice to go back to an old film, with fresh eyes, and new editing
equipment etc...

As much as i would like to do a Director's Commentary... anyone know of some
software that will allow you to do it?


"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
"Ken Wilson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Hi all.
I am a bit of a fan from time to time, of watching DVDs with the "Directors
commentary" playing. Of course, this is a real boon for film enthusiasts...........

Great Idea. When I buy a film on DVD, I watch the film and then I have to
watch it again with the Directors Commentary. With DVD being so simple to
put our `Home Made` films onto and also to put on different audio tracks
then it`s a good idea.
I would also go a stage further. Most of us make films to put in competitions
for our video clubs. These films normally have to be a certain length and
fit in with competition rules. Now with DVD, we could do an Unedited Version
or a Directors Edition! You could do a version with subtitles, or for the
Deaf you could SHOUT a bit louder!

Ian (just an ideas man) Gardner.
Guest

Re: "Director`s" commentary.

Post by Guest »

"Fraught" <fraught@fraught.com> wrote:
Funny you should mention this...i'm currently doing 'Directors Cuts' as
we
speak... its nice to go back to an old film, with fresh eyes, and new editing
equipment etc...

As much as i would like to do a Director's Commentary... anyone know of
some
software that will allow you to do it?
I would think this is very simple to do in fact.
Set up a mini disc recorder,tape recorder or even your camera with an extention
mike plugged in.(Easy to take the sound straight into the editing programme
as normal from a mini DV for example.)
Play your film, (on tape or DVD) on the TV with the sound turned down.
Record your commentary as you view your film. Perhaps do a few takes until
you get it as you want it, or do an edited version of several takes in the
(Premiere) programme.
Lay this new sound over your original film and balance the tracks to get
the commentary predominant.
Add this version on to the same tape or DVD as your original film.
You now have the two versions available for others to watch.

No high-tech software required.

Ken.
Dave Watterson

Re: "Director`s commentary."

Post by Dave Watterson »

Ken's right that you don't need special software etc since our films tend
to be short and there is plenty of room on a tape or DVD to store two versions.

Many of the DVD authoring programs allow you to add tracks in other languages
and one of those can be used as the commentary track. In that case the mic
is usually set up so that you can hear the original soundtrack of the film
playing in the background while the director talks over the top.

May I make a plea though?

Think about and plan your commentary before you record it. I hate those
professional DVD commentaries which just have people saying "Oh, oh I love
this bit!" all the time. Once or twice is fine but I want more hard info.
I think the best ones I know are by Ridley Scott who lectures about film
as well as making it. You need a mix of spontaneous enthusiasm and recollection
with anecdotes like "That's really a fancy salt-cellar in Uhura's ear." Or
"We had to use the long lens because some idot forgot to pack the rest so
we got this weird foreshortening on every short and had to make it a stylistic
feature."

I can also imagine in some cases having an interview with director and cast
as a "Special Feature". Why not?

Dave
Fraught

Re: "Director`s commentary."

Post by Fraught »

You know what... i never thought about that... about having two versions of
the film, 1 with original sound and 1 with an Audio Commentary... I'm going
to have to give it a go! :-)

I agree on the comments about the 'comments'... i once watched a DVD (can't
remember which) and it pretty much had the entire cast on the audio so it
was just full of "Oh! I love this bit!" sort of thing...

Right! I'm off to sort my audio commentary out! :-)

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:
Ken's right that you don't need special software etc since our films tend
to be short and there is plenty of room on a tape or DVD to store two versions.

Many of the DVD authoring programs allow you to add tracks in other languages
and one of those can be used as the commentary track. In that case the mic
is usually set up so that you can hear the original soundtrack of the film
playing in the background while the director talks over the top.

May I make a plea though?

Think about and plan your commentary before you record it. I hate those
professional DVD commentaries which just have people saying "Oh, oh I love
this bit!" all the time. Once or twice is fine but I want more hard info.
I think the best ones I know are by Ridley Scott who lectures about film
as well as making it. You need a mix of spontaneous enthusiasm and recollection
with anecdotes like "That's really a fancy salt-cellar in Uhura's ear."
Or
"We had to use the long lens because some idot forgot to pack the rest so
we got this weird foreshortening on every short and had to make it a stylistic
feature."

I can also imagine in some cases having an interview with director and cast
as a "Special Feature". Why not?

Dave
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fraught
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Post by fraught »

Just thought i'd let you know... i did this... and it worked a treat! :D
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stingman
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Post by stingman »

Thanks for letting us know! You seem to be catching up on alot of stuff! Way back to 2006 in fact!

Stingman
Ian Gardner
Film Maker
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fraught
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Post by fraught »

Been busy! Having a mini revival at the moment... so thought i'd come back and pester everyone here! ;-)
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stingman
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Post by stingman »

That`s good! It`s nice of you to remember us. I didn`t get your postcard. It must have got lost in the post.
Welcome back.

Be good

Stingman
Ian Gardner
Film Maker
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