"Escape from Tomorrow" guerilla film shot inside WDW

[Bairstow]

Yay, it showcases Buzz... one of the lamest possible rides. Then again, maybe that's the point, some sort of artistic statement, or whatever.

I would imagine it would be because the ride vehicle design on Space Ranger Spin allows the occupants of one car to easily film the occupants of the car behind them.

 

[ChrisM]

After reading about this film and seeing the few clips, I'm desperate to watch this film. It hits so many points of interest for me: Lynchian aesthetic, black-and-white cinematography in a contemporary setting, a descent-into-madness story, and Walt Disney World itself.

How about the Disney-Princesses-as-high-class-hookers angle? Is that a point of interest for you?

 

[71jason]

and we wont even get into the costumed people I saw walking around tonight.

I'm sure you didn't get close enough to ask questions--I wouldn't have--but was there any sort of hint of an explanation how they got in? Other than clueless new security hires?

 

[71jason]

As someone who works in production, I am fascinated that this guy was able to get so much done on property.

I think that element is what takes what would have been "just another weird little indie movie" and has made it the hot topic of the week on the interwebs. He probably could have paid a nomial fee to, say, Fun Spot and filmed it there but actually being Disney I imagine gives it a visceral thrill. Questions of morality and legality aside, it's a really clever gimmick.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Was Dian Fossey in it?

Ive no clue whats being talked about but feel it only appropriate I make intense meaningful comment just to sow how serious my view is, especially about something I dont really know.

 

[zjer]

The people he mocked in his original comment found the scene disgusting because it depicts the father ogling two underage characters. "

Similar to Kevin Spacey's character in American Beauty. His character was a father that became obsessed with a High School girl and I believe it won 5 academy awards (including best actor). While the actual subject matter can be offensive, the portrayal can add value to a movie.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I can tell you there is not much to ogle at WDW it's almost an ogle free world.

I don't know, have you seen the Princesses these days?

 

[rct247]

Is there just one clip out there for public viewing or are there more? If so, I'd love to see more than just the poolside clip.

 

[Timekeeper]

Men shouldn't ogle underage girls anywhere... it's odd you would even think that's amusing.

Whether it's "right" or "wrong," as a story element, lest we not forget about the success and critical acclaim of American Beauty.

 

[midwest_mice]

Still don't know how it couldn't be obvious that a film was being shot? Low budget or not, it would be a red flag unless they just winged it and did everything on one take. Having been in a handful of films, I can't recall any that we did just one take.

 

[Timekeeper]

Still don't know how it couldn't be obvious that a film was being shot? Low budget or not, it would be a red flag unless they just winged it and did everything on one take. Having been in a handful of films, I can't recall any that we did just one take.

It was obvious that filming was being done. Video recording is something done by virtually every guest in the World, and so there's no reason to "hide" it.

It was not obvious what the filming was being done for. Unless there was a crew wearing credentials on lanyards, they would have looked like you or me filming our family and friends.

 

[GrumpyFan]

It was obvious that filming was being done. Video recording is something done by virtually every guest in the World, and so there's no reason to "hide" it.

It was not obvious what the filming was being done for. Unless there was a crew wearing credentials on lanyards, they would have looked like you or me filming our family and friends.

From what I've read in the various links and searches, there was not a "traditional crew", and it was all filmed as the title of the thread states, "guerilla style".

The cinematographer and AD conducted intensive location scouting, with every shot exhaustively planned and blocked in advance. They even charted the position of the sun weeks in advance for each shot of the movie to make up for the lack of lighting equipment. Sound was recorded without an on-set sound mixer, sometimes using smart phones, and sometimes using digital recorders taped to each actor, which would record an entire day’s worth of audio, which editors had to sort through afterward…

 

[George]

From a PR perspective, I think Disney should ignore this. The only way this film has a chance of becoming a big deal is if they try and crush it.

How about the Disney-Princesses-as-high-class-hookers angle? Is that a point of interest for you?

Hells yeah. *Wait.....did I just think or type that?*

 

[Timekeeper]

From what I've read in the various links and searches, there was not a "traditional crew", and it was all filmed as the title of the thread states, "guerilla style".

Exactly. Available light, hidden mics, one camera, etc.

Not to mention that everyone and their mother now brings a DSLR camera to the World, even though most of them probably don't know how to properly operate one. They (DSLR camears) simply don't stand out as "professional gear" anymore.

 

[juniorthomas]

I think that element is what takes what would have been "just another weird little indie movie" and has made it the hot topic of the week on the interwebs. He probably could have paid a nomial fee to, say, Fun Spot and filmed it there but actually being Disney I imagine gives it a visceral thrill. Questions of morality and legality aside, it's a really clever gimmick.

True - but does the gimmick lead to a good story or does the gimmick attempt to distract from the lack of one.

 

[danlb_2000]

Still don't know how it couldn't be obvious that a film was being shot? Low budget or not, it would be a red flag unless they just winged it and did everything on one take. Having been in a handful of films, I can't recall any that we did just one take.

They could have easily done multiple takes at different times and no one would ever have known. There are just so many people in the parks and some much going on all the time I don't have a hard time at all believing that something like this could have been done without drawing un-due attention.

 

[Timekeeper]

They could have easily done multiple takes at different times and no one would ever have known. There are just so many people in the parks and some much going on all the time I don't have a hard time at all believing that something like this could have been done without drawing un-due attention.

Not only that, but the CMs that notice would also have to care.

How many times have we seen CMs notice something like a smoker in an undesignated area and fail to instruct that guest as to the park policy and direct them to a designated area? As discussed in other threads, a ton of CMs are college students who either don't care, or possibly too shy to approach, etc.

And even if CMs were to approach and inquire, the guests (filmmakers) could simply state that their intentions are that of personal use ...and who would Disney be to challenge that?

Contrary to fanboy paranoia, top level executives and security are not "always watching." Guests are filming literally every second of every day in the parks, for whatever reasons are unique to them. Without obvious signs indicating that something that is clearly "commercial," where would Disney draw the line? Ban all photography and recording because it might end up online or in a narrative? Approach all guests with good quality cameras? Require that all guests remain stoic and show no form of emotion that could be confused for "acting"? It's quite a ridiculous proposition...

 

[ShookieJones]

I don't know how this conversation spiraled out of control in the other thread...although I fear it's teetering on it now...
Sad, really.

I will state what I stated before - I would love to see this movie. Forget the subject matter,
(although the "descent into madness" has always been a favorite of mine) I'm a fan of filmaking. I'm intrigued to see what he did, how he did it and the end result.

 

[Skyway]

From a PR perspective, I think Disney should ignore this.

I agree.

The only reason to address it would be to deter other professional filmmakers. But it sounds like no future film could be as detrimental to the company's image than this one (this film appears to demonstrate the reason why they don't allow unauthorized commercial projects) Plus, no other professional would want to be viewed as a copycat within the film community for repeating what has already been done.

As for deterring amateur filmmakers, that's why they banned that urban explorer guy for life.

 

[George]

I agree.

The only reason to address it would be to deter other professional filmmakers. But it sounds like no future film could be as detrimental to the company's image than this one (this film appears to demonstrate the reason why they don't allow unauthorized commercial projects) Plus, no other professional would want to be viewed as a copycat within the film community for repeating what has already been done.

As for deterring amateur filmmakers, that's why they banned that urban explorer guy for life.

Yep. Plus, I can't imagine that the resort will be over run with folks filming movies for distribution on the sly. I tried shooting my action/sci-fi epic on Main Street but the robots and whatnot alerted Disney that something was up.