I'm ruined, will I ever be able to watch a movie again? at DVinfo.net

John Gaspain · February 24th, 2004, 02:19 AM

Since ive been hanging around here learning more about film making more than the average guy should know. Ive learned about DOF, Lighting, Sound, Rigging and a ton more, Its to the point where I cant sit down and enjoy a movie like I used to, I always end up picking the movie apart in scenes, effects, segways and just all together breaking it down to the miniscule elements, to the point that I have to watch a movie twice now to get the plot! I've become a reverse engineering maniac disecting directors actions and cinematographers methods, then I think about how I could do it better, by the time my slow brain engages with an answer I end up missing all the little moments that are important to making a movie enjoyable. A 2 hour movie just became a 4 four hour event.

Thats my way of saying: Thanks :)
John

Ken Tanaka · February 24th, 2004, 02:43 AM

John,
You're in good, albeit somewhat miserable, company. But wait, it gets worse. If you've not already done so just wait unti you actually shoot and edit a dramatic piece. This is what really did it for my wife (who helped me with a film) and me. We now share your critical eye and movie watching for us has become less fantasy entertainment and more spectator sport. (She has a particularly keen eye for continuity gaffes.)

Sorry. Watching a movie will never be the same for you.

Rob Lohman · February 24th, 2004, 06:10 AM

The odd thing is that I don't have this at all. I've always been
pretty "submerged" into a film and this still happens. It's even
so worse that sometimes I'm putting in a DVD to watch a certain
scene for lighting for example. When I'm watching that scene
and it's done I already forgot that I was not just watching it. I
have to go back (sometimes several times) to actually see it.

So basically at least the first viewing for me usually drags me into
the movie. Only on repeat viewings do I start looking for how
things were done and thinking about what I'm seeing (technically)

Federico Dib · February 24th, 2004, 06:53 AM

For a few years, while studying at filmschool, I was becoming like that in a rather compulsive way...
I was scared to be transformed on the bitter old critic-teacher that has never been able to make a movie, or that doesn´t like anything done after 1960...
Someday I heard a few fellow students talking about some movie.. and when I realized I could become like that, I then snapped out of it...
I have a mental switch I change from "critique-learn" to "Just Enjoy". (It works better on Movie Theatres... DVD´s slow motion and Directors comments are too tempting, but I don´t use those until I´ve seen the first pass nonstop).

I mean, is good to watch and learn, and dissect... it´s good to critique (positively), but If I can´t enjoy a movie for what it is then I´m missing what got me here in the first place.

It happened to me also when I started playing guitar in a Rock Band many years ago... When I heard any song I was only able to listen to riffs, and solos, and what fx they used, etc... Luckily I snapped out of it... The good thing is that after that, I was composing much better music, not just fot the guitar but for the whole band´s sound in general.

Imran Zaidi · February 24th, 2004, 08:14 AM

I find that when I'm getting like that, I go see a really brainless movie. For example, I've been shooting a short film, and it's making me unable to enjoy watching other films. So what did I do? I just went and saw that Eurotrip movie.

It was actually surprisingly good. Most importantly, it allowed me to stop taking myself so seriously for a little while.

I find that occasionally going to see a silly movie in the theater helps me quite a bit.

John Locke · February 24th, 2004, 08:19 AM

Remember the scene in "Cast Away" where Tom Hanks climbs to the highest peak and then spins around and surveys the whole island? After seeing how that was created...put together piece by piece... I almost wore out my remote control hitting the rewind/play buttons.

Maybe we should start a support group... "Film Dissectors Anonymous."

Andreas Fernbrant · February 24th, 2004, 09:56 AM

I've never been like that eiter. I can always submerge myself into what's showing to watch it as everyone else. I've always been afraid of what you talk about but I as Fredrico have an on and off switch so I always leave it att off the first time I watch a flick. If I liked the flick I rewatch it a few days later with my switch set to on...

The fact that I know how the scene was made does not make me less impressed about it or it in some way spoils it for me. I can even watch my own piece and disregard that I've made it and just follows what happends like any other person would.

Intresting thread though!

Rafal Krolik · February 24th, 2004, 08:07 PM

.....Maybe we should start a support group... "Film Dissectors Anonymous."

John, I think FDA already exists.....oh no, wait, that's Food And Drug Abomination...never mind :-)

Patrick MCMurray · February 25th, 2004, 03:56 PM

but food and drugs go great with movies!

Rafal Krolik · February 25th, 2004, 04:09 PM

Yes, fatty foods and lots of Lipitor

Alex Taylor · February 25th, 2004, 06:34 PM

I find I get this a lot as well.. first it was framing and composition, then editing, now lighting. On the whole it usually enriches my experience of the movie, but there's the odd time where I get caught up in watching the technical details and miss an imporant line/scene.

This just made me think of an idea for the most self-reflexive film ever: emotional scene with high production values where the dialogue goes something like this:

LUCY
But Jack, what lies outside?

JACK
It's obvious, Lucy, can't you see?! Two HMIs pushing through the windowblinds! I can understand you not noticing the small kicker behind you, but the key light is shining right on your face!

LUCY
Oh, Jack, you look so lovely with those eyelights.. Jump cut to us making love!

Christopher C. Murphy · February 25th, 2004, 09:34 PM

This is hilarous...I also have the on and off switch!

Does anyone else connect a "feeling" to a movie you saw when you were a kid? Just knowing I'm about to watch Indiana Jones or Star Wars gives me the willies - when I hear John Williams music it strikes a chord. (John Williams is the greatest movie composer of all time - period.) I'm always picking apart movies, but some I can intentionally "shut off" the techie side and enjoy the show...with popcorn!

Movies are the only art form besides music that makes me "feel" something.

Murph

Rob Lohman · February 26th, 2004, 05:34 AM

I definitely have the thing where music and movies touch me
the most. I'm not sure if I have something from when I was a
kid. I gradually got "into" movies. It wasn't a one defining moment.
Although I was quite hooked on Star Trek The Next Generation
when it was first on TV here.

John Hudson · February 26th, 2004, 11:51 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : This is hilarous...I also have the on and off switch!

Does anyone else connect a "feeling" to a movie you saw when you were a kid? Just knowing I'm about to watch Indiana Jones or Star Wars gives me the willies - when I hear John Williams music it strikes a chord. (John Williams is the greatest movie composer of all time - period.) I'm always picking apart movies, but some I can intentionally "shut off" the techie side and enjoy the show...with popcorn!

Movies are the only art form besides music that makes me "feel" something.

Murph -->>>

Yes! Once again we agree!

My mom took me to see JAWS at the Drive-in when I was 6 years old. Wow! And Raiders I saw when in the theatre and was like "Wow!". As studios as I am when watching a film, I can study and enjoy the films!

Keith Loh · February 26th, 2004, 12:57 PM

I've never had it so bad that I couldn't enjoy a movie because I was always analyzing it. That's because I always look at the story first and everything else second.

February 24th, 2004, 02:19 AM	#1
John Gaspain Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WA-USA Posts: 371	Im ruined, will I ever be able to Watch a movie again? Since ive been hanging around here learning more about film making more than the average guy should know. Ive learned about DOF, Lighting, Sound, Rigging and a ton more, Its to the point where I cant sit down and enjoy a movie like I used to, I always end up picking the movie apart in scenes, effects, segways and just all together breaking it down to the miniscule elements, to the point that I have to watch a movie twice now to get the plot! I've become a reverse engineering maniac disecting directors actions and cinematographers methods, then I think about how I could do it better, by the time my slow brain engages with an answer I end up missing all the little moments that are important to making a movie enjoyable. A 2 hour movie just became a 4 four hour event. Thats my way of saying: Thanks :) John __________________ The glory of the World passes by.

February 24th, 2004, 02:43 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	John, You're in good, albeit somewhat miserable, company. But wait, it gets worse. If you've not already done so just wait unti you actually shoot and edit a dramatic piece. This is what really did it for my wife (who helped me with a film) and me. We now share your critical eye and movie watching for us has become less fantasy entertainment and more spectator sport. (She has a particularly keen eye for continuity gaffes.) Sorry. Watching a movie will never be the same for you. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 24th, 2004, 06:10 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	The odd thing is that I don't have this at all. I've always been pretty "submerged" into a film and this still happens. It's even so worse that sometimes I'm putting in a DVD to watch a certain scene for lighting for example. When I'm watching that scene and it's done I already forgot that I was not just watching it. I have to go back (sometimes several times) to actually see it. So basically at least the first viewing for me usually drags me into the movie. Only on repeat viewings do I start looking for how things were done and thinking about what I'm seeing (technically) __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 24th, 2004, 06:53 AM	#4
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	For a few years, while studying at filmschool, I was becoming like that in a rather compulsive way... I was scared to be transformed on the bitter old critic-teacher that has never been able to make a movie, or that doesn´t like anything done after 1960... Someday I heard a few fellow students talking about some movie.. and when I realized I could become like that, I then snapped out of it... I have a mental switch I change from "critique-learn" to "Just Enjoy". (It works better on Movie Theatres... DVD´s slow motion and Directors comments are too tempting, but I don´t use those until I´ve seen the first pass nonstop). I mean, is good to watch and learn, and dissect... it´s good to critique (positively), but If I can´t enjoy a movie for what it is then I´m missing what got me here in the first place. It happened to me also when I started playing guitar in a Rock Band many years ago... When I heard any song I was only able to listen to riffs, and solos, and what fx they used, etc... Luckily I snapped out of it... The good thing is that after that, I was composing much better music, not just fot the guitar but for the whole band´s sound in general. __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

February 24th, 2004, 08:19 AM	#6
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Remember the scene in "Cast Away" where Tom Hanks climbs to the highest peak and then spins around and surveys the whole island? After seeing how that was created...put together piece by piece... I almost wore out my remote control hitting the rewind/play buttons. Maybe we should start a support group... "Film Dissectors Anonymous." __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

February 24th, 2004, 08:14 AM	#5
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	I find that when I'm getting like that, I go see a really brainless movie. For example, I've been shooting a short film, and it's making me unable to enjoy watching other films. So what did I do? I just went and saw that Eurotrip movie. It was actually surprisingly good. Most importantly, it allowed me to stop taking myself so seriously for a little while. I find that occasionally going to see a silly movie in the theater helps me quite a bit.

February 24th, 2004, 09:56 AM	#7
Andreas Fernbrant Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sweden - Helsingborg Posts: 283	I've never been like that eiter. I can always submerge myself into what's showing to watch it as everyone else. I've always been afraid of what you talk about but I as Fredrico have an on and off switch so I always leave it att off the first time I watch a flick. If I liked the flick I rewatch it a few days later with my switch set to on... The fact that I know how the scene was made does not make me less impressed about it or it in some way spoils it for me. I can even watch my own piece and disregard that I've made it and just follows what happends like any other person would. Intresting thread though!

February 24th, 2004, 08:07 PM	#8
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	.....Maybe we should start a support group... "Film Dissectors Anonymous." John, I think FDA already exists.....oh no, wait, that's Food And Drug Abomination...never mind :-)

February 25th, 2004, 03:56 PM	#9
Patrick MCMurray Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 66	but food and drugs go great with movies! __________________ Remember, Tuesdays are Soylent Green days!

February 25th, 2004, 04:09 PM	#10
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	Yes, fatty foods and lots of Lipitor

February 25th, 2004, 06:34 PM	#11
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	I find I get this a lot as well.. first it was framing and composition, then editing, now lighting. On the whole it usually enriches my experience of the movie, but there's the odd time where I get caught up in watching the technical details and miss an imporant line/scene. This just made me think of an idea for the most self-reflexive film ever: emotional scene with high production values where the dialogue goes something like this: LUCY But Jack, what lies outside? JACK It's obvious, Lucy, can't you see?! Two HMIs pushing through the windowblinds! I can understand you not noticing the small kicker behind you, but the key light is shining right on your face! LUCY Oh, Jack, you look so lovely with those eyelights.. Jump cut to us making love! __________________ alextaylor.org

February 25th, 2004, 09:34 PM	#12
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	This is hilarous...I also have the on and off switch! Does anyone else connect a "feeling" to a movie you saw when you were a kid? Just knowing I'm about to watch Indiana Jones or Star Wars gives me the willies - when I hear John Williams music it strikes a chord. (John Williams is the greatest movie composer of all time - period.) I'm always picking apart movies, but some I can intentionally "shut off" the techie side and enjoy the show...with popcorn! Movies are the only art form besides music that makes me "feel" something. Murph __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

February 26th, 2004, 05:34 AM	#13
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I definitely have the thing where music and movies touch me the most. I'm not sure if I have something from when I was a kid. I gradually got "into" movies. It wasn't a one defining moment. Although I was quite hooked on Star Trek The Next Generation when it was first on TV here. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 26th, 2004, 11:51 AM	#14
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : This is hilarous...I also have the on and off switch! Does anyone else connect a "feeling" to a movie you saw when you were a kid? Just knowing I'm about to watch Indiana Jones or Star Wars gives me the willies - when I hear John Williams music it strikes a chord. (John Williams is the greatest movie composer of all time - period.) I'm always picking apart movies, but some I can intentionally "shut off" the techie side and enjoy the show...with popcorn! Movies are the only art form besides music that makes me "feel" something. Murph -->>> Yes! Once again we agree! My mom took me to see JAWS at the Drive-in when I was 6 years old. Wow! And Raiders I saw when in the theatre and was like "Wow!". As studios as I am when watching a film, I can study and enjoy the films!

February 26th, 2004, 12:57 PM	#15
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I've never had it so bad that I couldn't enjoy a movie because I was always analyzing it. That's because I always look at the story first and everything else second. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery