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The audio quality is surprisingly good, considering all of the different conditions in which the movie was filmed. Throughout the film, the dialogue is clear and understandable, and the audio levels are even. Wilton used the onboard camera mic in some shots and a basic boom mic in other shots to record the audio.
While using the camera mic is something we strongly and repeatedly warn against, occasionally a documentary will show up that is a rare exception. Camera mics have a very limited range (usually right in front of the camera), record the sound of the camera’s operation, and don’t handle competing noises very well (such as loud music or several people talking simultaneously). However, documentaries tend to focus more on individuals instead of on a larger scene, and, because the camera and mic are closer to the actors, they can record the dialogue better than if they were farther away. (With that said, in the history of our magazine, we’ve only had two exceptions to our shotgun mic rule and they’ve both been documentaries, so this is hardly a ringing endorsement of this dangerous way to record audio. For best practices, even if you’re shooting a documentary, it’s always better to at least attach a dedicated shotgun mic to the camera, as cleaner audio will result and the mic mount will normally keep the shotgun from recording the sound of the camera operating.)
The score and soundtrack for the film are excellent. The music is well-chosen, and helps enhance the feel of the various scenes without overwhelming them.
Like most microcinema films, the cast and crew of Behind the Scenes were all volunteers and the equipment was borrowed. All of the extensive post-production work (animation, sound design, etc.) was done pro bono, as well. Access to unique locations was acquired by the director’s connections within the community. All in all, the entirety of the ₤1,000 ($2,000) budget was spent on food and transportation for the cast and crew. Not bad at all.
Anyone who has been involved in microcinema filmmaking long enough has at some point encountered the madness and chaos depicted in this film: the egotistical, irrational director, the poor planning, the cast/crew walkoffs, the financial missteps, the multitude of production mishaps, the drama among the cast and crew, etc. These situations would seem almost farcical if they didn’t actually happen on a repeated basis!
Although this movie is about filmmaking, it is geared toward a general audience. Much like The Office or Office Space, the audience doesn’t have to be familiar with the environment to appreciate the humor, because it is self-evident. Because of this, the film has a wider appeal, and is one I’d recommend to several of my friends, even ones that are not in the filmmaking community.
Behind the Scenes of Total Hell is a very well-made mockumentary. The good acting, crafty directing, excellent editing, and artistic visuals create a hilarious film that can be appreciated by filmmakers and general audiences alike. I recommend that every low-budget filmmaker whose already made a film (or is about to make a film) pick up a copy of this film. If nothing else, it's humorous tale can help you avoid pitfalls tha happen to often. (And, if you've already made these pitfalls, then the film will allow you to laugh at yourself. As Jimmy Buffett said, "If not for laughter, we'd all go insane!")
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Content |
9.0 |
Visual
Look |
8.5 |
Use
of Audio |
9.0 |
Use
of Budget |
9.0 |
Lasting
Appeal |
8.5 |
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8.8 |
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A
powerhouse in management, Kari
Ann Morgan successfully produced a feature length film before
coming to work at Microfilmmaker as Assistant Editor. In addition
to writing for the magazine, she's been successfully working with
various distributors to get microfilmmakers the chance for theatrical
distribution. |
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