Ryan McNeil
Betcha thought I was going back to one post a day, didn’t ya? Shortly, though I do still have a glut of movies to see/write about.
For now, I’m thinking about the next episode of The Matineecast…”Matineecast Classic” as it were…no loud cafes…no film directors…no doc-talk. Thus, it’s the return of my feedback segment Come Talk to Me. Here’s this episode’s question-
What did you think of my film festival coverage?
Be honest – good or bad…whether it had you insatiably waiting for the next tidbit or amazingly disinterested since you didn’t see and have never heard of these titles. Leave me a comment and provide me some ammo for this weekend’s episode!
Loved the consistency in posts, the interviews were awesome (but difficult to hear because of background sound). The one downside is, as you mentioned in one of your more recent posts, documentaries just don't get enough love and peak of curiosity. But your great insight always makes the read worth it (+2 brown nosing points?)
Ok, quite honestly I stopped reading after a while…sorry! The problem is that I won't see these films and it is just more interesting to read about films that I have or will watch or at least am thinking about seeing if that makes sense.
I did like that you wrote about the festival and I would have loved to read all the posts if I had been at the same festival.
Looking forward to your "normal" posts again 🙂
Amazingly disinterested, I'm afraid.
Really, I see so few docs as it is, and I'm turned off by reading festival coverage in general, so that was a pretty bad combination.
Though, the next time I do see a doc, there's a healthy chance that I'll have an appetite to read reviews on whatever it is, and will be scouring sites like yours for takes on it. So there's some long-term appeal.
I have to second Fletch, I think. I was saying to myself recently, why haven't I been reading tdotm and then I remembered, oh I have nothing to add…but your dedication was laudable.
PS. Didn't want to post it here, but I don't have your email address…I’m hosting a blog-a-thon on May 30th to commemorate musicals. I’d like if you could write on your favourite musical film – a review, general thoughts, points…your choice…just something musical. You’ve got a few weeks, so hopefully you’ll be able to participate…
(my email is on my profile page for you to respond).
I feel the same way, I'm afraid. I only read about the ones that looked kind of interesting (based on pics posted) or a couple that I had heard of (like the one about the lobbyist… the name is escaping me). However, I loved the Matineecast coverage and the one on ones… that was great.
Personally, I work a lot so when blogs I read post alot, I have a hard time keeping up and since I didn't know alot of the titles or think I'd see many of them, I kinda waited till you were done to check back. I'd say it's a good thing but maybe stick to the audio for coverage. I just got them off i-tunes last nite and listened to all 5 today… they were great!!!
I think it was great that you did it, and it certainly has an audience to appeal to, but I'm just not well versed in the land of documentaries. It's not that I'm opposed to viewing them, I've just never found much to spark my interest there unless it has the word "Cheetah" or something about life in the ocean.
I read a mere handful, but really had no valid input to contribute, and hence I'm happy to hear you've returned to us just in time for the SUMMMAH blockbuster season, which happens to be my favorite.
If the Apocalypse does happen. I'm prepared, just so you know. 🙂
I think it is FANTASTIC that you were showing the documentary world some love — it doesn't get enough. The interviews were great, and you did enough regular posts to keep momentum going. However, you may be fighting the long fight because most people won't see these in theaters anywhere.
Though I'm a bit bummed about the comments you've received (not the quality of it – I love that you are getting very honest feedback from the folks reading), I'm not overly surprised either. I did wall-to-wall coverage as well and I wouldn't exactly say that my hits skyrocketed – nor did I get tons of comments.
I hope it helps to get some recognition of the titles out there though…I understand the reluctance to dive into documentaries, but if you like movies in general there are many, many ones that simply tell really interesting stories with strong characters in engaging ways. Most go far beyond the simple talking head/old photos format. It's a shame that some of these films get saddled with the "documentary" label.
In the end, as long as you listened to the first podcast in Hatter's Hot Docs series, I'm good. B-)