Get Closer to the Action with Documentaries About Making Ofs

Dec. 27, 2022

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a film, a TV show or other media such as comics? Do you want to get closer to the magic and mystery of production? If so, a documentary about making ofs is just what you need. These films take an in-depth look at the creative process that goes into making a piece of art. They’re often full of fascinating stories and insights that can give you an entirely new perspective on your favorite piece of media. Let’s dive into why documentaries about making ofs are so great!

 

Unique Perspectives

A building seen from a bottom-up perspective through a hole

Documentaries about making ofs offer us unique perspectives on films and shows we love. Not only do they provide us with interesting stories from those involved in production, but they also allow us to see how different elements come together to make something great. We get to see how writers work with actors, directors strategize with cinematographers, etc. It’s a window into the creative process that we would otherwise never have access to.

 

Insightful Commentary

A woman holding a crafted figure of an eye

Making-of documentaries don’t just tell us what happened during production—they also allow us to understand why certain decisions were made and how certain elements affected the final product. This commentary frequently comes from those who worked closely on set (directors, producers, actors) as well as from experts in various fields (film historians, critics). It helps provide valuable context for the film or show we love so much and can even help shape our opinions on it.

 

Deeper Appreciation

A woman with a heart ring holding her chest

Finally, documentaries about making ofs often make us appreciate our favorite pieces of art even more than before. By offering us an inside look at production process and introducing us to some key players involved in creating it, these films can help deepen our connection with whatever piece of art we’re watching them for. It gives us a better understanding of what went into creating something special - and that appreciation can last a lifetime!  

 

Which documentaries about making ofs can I watch right now?

 

Dear Mr. Watterson

A man in a shirt looking to the camera

Filmmaker Joel Allen Schroeder ventures into a personal journey to talk about America's most famous comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, and its creator Bill Watterson. The most striking aspect of this pedagogical and light-hearted documentary has to be the impressive group of historians and cartoonists that filmmaker Joel Allen Schroeder invites to contemplate on the influence of the popular comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. Created by the renowned cartoonist Bill Watterson, these characters - a boy and a talking tiger - shaped an entire generation of children between 1985 and 1995.

 

The Making of “Star Wars”

George Lucas and Mark Hamill in a plain desert

The documentary The Making Of Star Wars was released in 1977 as a promotional tool for the original Star Wars movie. The film takes viewers behind-the-scenes with interviews from cast and crew members, as well as footage from on-set filming. It also features exclusive interviews with George Lucas himself talking about his vision for the project and how he brought it to life. This documentary is one of the oldest in this genre, but it's still incredibly insightful and entertaining to watch today.

 

Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse

Francis Ford Coppola passionately giving directions in his movie

This documentary is about the making of Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 classic Apocalypse Now. It follows Coppola during filming as he struggled with production delays, budget overruns, and other setbacks that threatened to derail his ambitious project. While it's primarily focused on Coppola's struggles, Hearts Of Darkness also provides an interesting look into what goes into making a movie like Apocalypse Now - from casting choices to shooting locations to post-production work - giving viewers an inside glimpse at filmmaking that most people don't get to experience firsthand.

 

Back In Time

Michael J. Fox looking to the camera

With the spotlight centred on the testimonies of creators such as Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg and Michael J. Fox, this documentary explores how the Back To The Future trilogy was created and its legacy in the world's popular imaginary. Independently made, this film is what so many fans of Robert Zemeckis' trilogy have been waiting for years. Back In Time may be the latest documentary to revisit the phenomenon of the Back To The Future trilogy. In this documentary, fans of the time-travel adventures of Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown will be able to learn immediate anecdotes and never-before-known details from the making of the films. In addition, Back In Time presents a detailed analysis on the impact that the saga continues to have on popular culture.


Jodorowsky's Dune

Alejandro Jodorowsky holding a copy of Dune by Frank Herbert

Jodorowsky's Dune is a 2013 documentary directed by Frank Pavich which tells the story of Alejandro Jodorowsky's failed attempt to adapt Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune into a feature film in 1974. While Jodorowsky's vision was ultimately never realized due to financial issues, he assembled an incredible team consisting of artists H.R Giger and Chris Foss as well as musicians Pink Floyd and Magma for his project. This documentary explores their work together while also discussing Jodorowsky’s unique approach to filmmaking - offering insight into his creativity as well as his passion for storytelling through film.

 

Happy Too

An old man leaning in a young boy's shoulder

In 2002 filmmaker Thomas Imbach directed the film Happiness is a Warm Gun, which premiered at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. The film, which mixes archive, documentary and fiction footage, observes the incredible story of two lovers and their intense love affair. Side-by-side to the shooting of the film, this behind-the-scenes documentary was being created. Happy Too is a look at the creative process between the two actors and the movie's director.

 

Time to Get Closer to the Action!

A director holding a camera

Documentaries about making ofs are a great way for any film lover to gain insight into their favorite movies or TV shows. They offer unique perspectives on production processes while providing thoughtful commentary from those involved in its creation. Best of all, they can help deepen our appreciation for whatever art we are watching them for - giving us a newfound admiration and connection with it that lasts forever! So if you want to go beyond surface level enjoyment – start watching documentaries about making ofs today!

 

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