The movie succeeds on every level and is a monument in American cinema.
The Animatic feature is exactly what you would assume, it´s the film broken down through its initial animatic stages set to the film´s score and crossed with the color-scheming used to define the film. A lot of extra footage is included that shows excised footage so you can get a true appreciation of what all goes into the creation of the movie. The extra footage is also narrated by Osborne.
Four additional films by Mark Osborne are included on the DVD, including "Greener," which seems to be a trailer more than a full project (and shows a lot of the rudimentary techniques that are perfected in "More"), "Keen Yellow Planet," which is a music video which never saw wide release. "Juvenilia" is a sampling of Osborne´s early work as a student in the late 80s and early 90s through his demos as a teacher at Calarts.
Finally Osborne gives props to each member of his crew who helped bring "More" to life. Far better than having text to read, and a great companion to the documentary "Making More" if that can be said.
One would think that this set couldn´t possibly contain anymore. Already this six-minute short has produced DVD material that puts the majority of Hollywood studios to shame. However, this is only the end of the first disc. The second disc starts with a selection of bonus shorts including "Twice Daily," a movie about a man with no confidence in a world of people with marshmallows for heads. It´s got an interesting motif and style, but lacks an engaging story or characters. It´s a simple interpretation of greed and the "grass is always greener" maxim. "Mum" is a lot-less polished than its predecessors on these discs but does resonate better as a pure visual story, carrying the emotions one would expect in a very cinematic fashion. "Mum" also contains a commentary from the director, Nicholas Peterson. A second and third commentary also expands on the creation of the movie with the film´s animator, David Candelaria, and composer Jasper Randall, both of whom are essential to the short´s success.
There are also several so-called deleted scenes that are just fully-expanded home-videos of the filming of "More" that was later cut down in the documentary "Making More." There is a wealth of material here that goes far beyond what one could imagine. I´m sure someone just realized that there was a lot of leftover footage that was still useable and would go to waste otherwise and never be seen again. There is also a trailer for "Making More" because it is a journey in and of itself.
The packaging of this DVD is also absolutely beautiful, the discs and case melding into the grey world of the factory surrounded by a slipcase of the "Bliss." Beautiful work.
The only caveat I have as far as these discs go is the menu system. Though beautiful, it seemed a little sluggish to my controls and almost unresponsive at times so that I had to hit enter a couple times to access a feature and there was a second lag between my selection and the cursor moving on screen. Not a big complaint but a peccadillo worth mentioning.
If possible, these extra features gave me a greater respect for "More" while never dulling its emotional resonance as a separate piece. Whenever I watch "Fellowship of the Ring," I get caught up in the minutia of how the films were made and can´t appreciate them as a whole piece of art, but the extras here only enhance the feature.
Film Value
In the time it took me to watch cue up "More" in my DVD player, I knew I was in for a treat. In the time it took me to watch the short, I knew I had just witnessed brilliance. The feature is wonderful, but not worth the price of admission for this disc. But the complete set puts most Hollywood DVDs to shame and the combination of "Making More," the bonus shorts, and wealth of making-of materials makes this a must-own collection for aspiring independent filmmakers and those who enjoy the crafting of a film.
Note: This DVD is only available at GetHappy.com and Despair.com
Four additional films by Mark Osborne are included on the DVD, including "Greener," which seems to be a trailer more than a full project (and shows a lot of the rudimentary techniques that are perfected in "More"), "Keen Yellow Planet," which is a music video which never saw wide release. "Juvenilia" is a sampling of Osborne´s early work as a student in the late 80s and early 90s through his demos as a teacher at Calarts.
Finally Osborne gives props to each member of his crew who helped bring "More" to life. Far better than having text to read, and a great companion to the documentary "Making More" if that can be said.
One would think that this set couldn´t possibly contain anymore. Already this six-minute short has produced DVD material that puts the majority of Hollywood studios to shame. However, this is only the end of the first disc. The second disc starts with a selection of bonus shorts including "Twice Daily," a movie about a man with no confidence in a world of people with marshmallows for heads. It´s got an interesting motif and style, but lacks an engaging story or characters. It´s a simple interpretation of greed and the "grass is always greener" maxim. "Mum" is a lot-less polished than its predecessors on these discs but does resonate better as a pure visual story, carrying the emotions one would expect in a very cinematic fashion. "Mum" also contains a commentary from the director, Nicholas Peterson. A second and third commentary also expands on the creation of the movie with the film´s animator, David Candelaria, and composer Jasper Randall, both of whom are essential to the short´s success.
There are also several so-called deleted scenes that are just fully-expanded home-videos of the filming of "More" that was later cut down in the documentary "Making More." There is a wealth of material here that goes far beyond what one could imagine. I´m sure someone just realized that there was a lot of leftover footage that was still useable and would go to waste otherwise and never be seen again. There is also a trailer for "Making More" because it is a journey in and of itself.
The packaging of this DVD is also absolutely beautiful, the discs and case melding into the grey world of the factory surrounded by a slipcase of the "Bliss." Beautiful work.
The only caveat I have as far as these discs go is the menu system. Though beautiful, it seemed a little sluggish to my controls and almost unresponsive at times so that I had to hit enter a couple times to access a feature and there was a second lag between my selection and the cursor moving on screen. Not a big complaint but a peccadillo worth mentioning.
If possible, these extra features gave me a greater respect for "More" while never dulling its emotional resonance as a separate piece. Whenever I watch "Fellowship of the Ring," I get caught up in the minutia of how the films were made and can´t appreciate them as a whole piece of art, but the extras here only enhance the feature.
Film Value
In the time it took me to watch cue up "More" in my DVD player, I knew I was in for a treat. In the time it took me to watch the short, I knew I had just witnessed brilliance. The feature is wonderful, but not worth the price of admission for this disc. But the complete set puts most Hollywood DVDs to shame and the combination of "Making More," the bonus shorts, and wealth of making-of materials makes this a must-own collection for aspiring independent filmmakers and those who enjoy the crafting of a film.
Note: This DVD is only available at GetHappy.com and Despair.com
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