In Box readers' letters

Mr. York, regarding your Viewfinder column in the July 2008 issue over the use of the word footage. I have been reading Videomaker for 10 years or so and have been in the video business for 9 years. Sometimes meanings may not fit the word according to the dictionary (foot vs. bit), and sometimes there is a tradition to a meaning. For instance: as the late George Carlin would say: "Why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?" So, it is with the word footage. Even to someone outside the business, it is understood. While bittage may be more accurate, would it be universally understood? .. FOOTAGE IT IS!
Darrel L. Morley
DMVideo

Regarding the July 08 tutorial Getting that Film Look, there were a few misinformative facts in the article that I must point out:

1. 400' mag of 35mm film is approximately 6.5min at 24fps - not 25min. 25min would be a dream.
2. You cannot buy Panavision cameras. It's rental only and the camera bodies all start at a value of $500,000 or more if you could buy them.

The main error, though is the 25min 400mag.
Norm Li

I was shocked to learn a 400-foot roll of 35mm film now lasts 25 minutes. Where can I buy this amazing film? The last time I shot 35mm film at standard 24fps I used 90 feet-per-minute and a 400-foot roll yielded four minutes and 26 seconds max. A thousand-foot magazine runs barely eleven minutes. A 100-minute feature film production shot at a ratio of ten feet shot-to-one foot used requires 90,000 feet of film before editing starts. A 400-foot roll of pro8mm film lasts 25 minutes; perhaps that is the comparison Mr Peterson had in mind.

And the last time I checked, you still could not own a Panavision camera, only rent one. Last I heard Panavision camera #0001 was still in use as a rental with inside components regularly updated.

I couldn't resist writing but I enjoyed Mr Peterson's article. Thanks!
Ed Winters

You're right Norm and Ed, Panavision cameras are used on big Hollywood productions, but neither the production company hired to produce the movie nor the camera operator using the camera are ever allowed to own them. These cameras are available for rent only. As for the film footage error, we stand corrected. There is quite a big difference between 6 minutes and 25 when it comes to running out of film. Thanks for pointing that out. One of the many benefits to videotape: tape is cheap!
-The Editors

I, for one, appreciated your article on Michael Moore. Too bad it struck a sour note with some of your other readers, none of whom could be bothered to actually specify what it is about Moore's films they disliked, (Videomaker In Box, July 2008).

To hold up Ken Burns as a "real film maker" in alleged contrast to Moore (as reader David Zappardino did on your letters page) is specious reasoning at its worst. First of all, Burns isn't an advocate filmmaker and his work is hardly beyond reproach - his Jazz doc, for example, was TRASHED by music critic Harvey Pekar for emphasizing popular artists while neglecting more experimental and influential figures.

But Zappardino's temper tantrum pales in comparison to reader Lawrence Deleski whose only criticism of Moore is a string of slurs and a demand to cancel his subscription. How pathetic. And what of reader Leonard Thygesen, who made his own film about the closing of the Buick Motor Division in Flint, Michigan? Moore obviously thought enough of his work to approach him about using it. I'd love to see this film. Unfortunately, I can't find it anywhere.

I appreciate your reply to these letters which stated the obvious - what constitutes a documentary is not so easily defined. Frankly, I'm grateful for filmmakers like Moore, Spurlock, et al., who are willing to challenge powerful individuals and institutions and give us something to think about. I have faith in the viewing audience to make up their own minds about what rings true and what doesn't. Best wishes (and don't ever cancel my subscription).
Eric Rife
San Diego, CA