Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River (1998) User Reviews

Useful for film students, enjoyable for all.

[Hyphenated · 10/10 · 13 June 2005]

If you enjoy the bonus features on DVD's, then you'll enjoy this entire DVD--including the movie itself! Since it is a film about filmmakers and film-making, producer-director D. P. Carlson quite appropriately lets us see some of the process. For example, he's not shy about letting us see other cameras in multi-camera setups or including comments about process by the participants. For example, John Landis, on the deck of a boat going down the Chicago River, interrupts his own expounding to stare at a beautiful scene on the riverbank and blurt, "How can you not be shooting that!" And Carlson thereupon lets him know he shot it earlier for a cutaway--and cuts to it to show us that he wasn't kidding.

There's a good assortment of personalities here, all of them interesting. They range from A-listers to the virtually unknown. They all have worthwhile comments to make and stories to share. Carlson correctly anticipates that many of those watching his film will be film students wanting to learn how it's done--and provides useful insights in his commentary track.

I love the innovative 3-D glasses included in the DVD case! It's a process I've never seen before, and it works--without detracting from the experience of watching the movie without the glasses. A tutorial on how to use the glasses is included in the bonus features.

I'm sure I'll watch this film again. Highly recommended for anyone interested in producing, directing, shooting, writing, or acting. And pretty entertaining even for anyone who isn't.

A Marvelous & Unique Journey into the Creative Heart

[bulldogdirects · 10/10 · 22 February 2005]

'Chicago Filmmakers On The Chicago River' By the fine and gifted director D.P. Carlson is such a joy to behold, especially when one considers that listening to a bunch of movie directors talking has many times in the past

on screen turned into a crashing bore, or ego fest. I also feel calling this film a 'documentary' is a disservice to it. Like everything else in society, categories must be overtly stated, instead of a given work just

just being purely itself without imposition - 'Chicago Filmmakers' is a picture really in its own category. This film is a sweeping pictorial into what is very elusive to visually present; movies alive in the heart of the people who lived with them, loved them, sometimes hated them, but always were devoted to them - and in the main only on their terms. Carlson obviously made this film on his own terms, thank God - because what we get is a filmmaker's vision of the hearts of other filmmakers within a framework of Chicago (the original 'Hollywood') which is so vivid and pulsing, the movie feels alive as one absorbs it. This film, like all great works will never become dated, the reason for this to my mind is simple; when the filmmakers featured here are all lost to us by time, others will take their place with that longing heart, feeling and love to create cinema, just as those featured here were the next links for the visions that came before them; a lifeblood of continuing evolution. This work ranks with to other

indispensable tomes concerning the cinema; Wim Wenders' 'Lightnig Over Water', and the book 'Hitchcock/(by)Truffaut. Again - Timeless. Thank You Mr. Carlson!

Film illegally uses my music content

[TomKrolMusicAndSound · 1/10 · 1 October 2021]

While perhaps interesting dialogs, David P Carlson created this film with horrible and predatory professional ethics.

David P Carlson used my music content for his film, custom music that took me hundreds of hours in my studio to create to his liking, without any proper compensation.

I never received royalties, favors, or any compensation whatsoever for my soundtrack mix of this film.

I have proof of my copyright ownership of both content and sound recording of all my music appearing in this film from the Library of Congress, entered in January, 2004.

DMCA takedowns are being requested.

Outstanding and thought provoking

[interprod1 · 10/10 · 22 February 2005]

Not only is the Chicago River a geographic icon as a film set back drop, this documentary makes use of the river as a metaphor for the film-making process. D.P. Carlson enforces and promotes this concept by utilizing individuals working in all aspects and disciplines of the industry. Once again one is reminded of the depth of talent that resides in the Midwest. Chicago's reputation in the theater is well established. This film demonstrates that a reputation in film-making is not far behind. This film also allows the viewer the opportunity to have some old fashion fun thru the use of 3D glasses provided with the DVD. I would recommend this film for anyone interested in the motion picture arts and sciences. Barbara Schueren

A superb documentary about screenwriters

[delharvey · 10/10 · 20 February 2005]

I teach screen writing at Columbia College Chicago and have used Mr. Carlson's film in several classes. It offers a rare glimpse into the creative thought processes screenwriters - and filmmakers - must go through. By placing his subjects on a variety of boats, and then interviewing them on the historic Chicago River, Mr. Carlson has juxtaposed the fluid qualities of these talented individuals with the elusive nature of their business. In his documentary, Mr. Carlson has offered the public a wide variety of writers and filmmakers who open up to Mr. Carlson's camera with thought-provoking insights into just how challenging their work is. I recommend this film to anyone interested in screen writing, film-making, or the numerous talents to have emerged from this great city.

Best $20 I ever spend on a DVD!

[weberm_429 · 10/10 · 21 February 2005]

Ah Chicago film-making!! A true Chicagoan not only talked to the "hollywood" types but also prominent directors who DARED to stay in Chicago. Seeing the city/shoreline as a moving backdrop- while on the river - is a very unique feeling that gave the film even more a sense of exploring. Hilarious tidbits about well known movies you wouldn't see on any other documentary. The DVD is jam-packet with extras, though you have to travel up & down the river(the cool DVD menus)to find these morsels. Even the ability to watch the film in 3D with glasses included!! If only more documentaries were like this gem. Look for the great siskel/ebert thumb-war, that almost happened.

Damn Good Documentary about the Art of Film-making

[dukemeegan · 10/10 · 20 February 2005]

D.P. Carlson hits the nail on the head with this truly powerful feature documentary. Carlson brings out the best in an eclectic range of filmmakers who weigh in on the art of movie-making while on board a fleet of different boats cruising up and down the Chicago River. If you want to see first class film-making, buy Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River DVD. It's an essential tool of the filmmaker's trade.

This film provides a unique peek into the art of indy film-making, with Carlson directing one insightful interview after another with Chicago-bred directors, film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and other Chicago film aficionados. It's refreshing to hear directors openly reveal stories about their craft. From Hollywood hot-shot directors like Michael Mann, Harold Ramis, Andrew Davis and John Landis to lesser known but equally talented director Haskel Wexler, Carlson delivers the goods. Then there's the real meat of this movie...interviews with some of the most talented and driven indy directors in the world...artists like Tom Palazzollo, Gordon Quinn, Michael Dawson, Jim Sikora, and Louis Antonelli.

There's really no other documentary on film-making quite like this original masterpiece.

Carlson has taken prominent filmmakers up the Chicago river with a paddle

[rlgibbselm · 10/10 · 22 February 2005]

D.P. Carlson's "Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River" is a film which offers a unique and creative insight into the many aspects of film-making not only in Chicago but anywhere movies are being shot. It is a gritty look at cinema that demythologizes but also affirms what individuals and their teams must do to get their vision made into a film reality. As a film teacher who had Carlson as a student, I have always admired his integrity with all of his projects - but especially this one. Dave was able to coax top filmmakers to speak honestly and often amusingly about their labor of love. Carlson has added the whimsical element of shooting his subjects in boats on the Chicago river that help to define their character and bring out their insights into film-making in a relaxing way for them and the viewer.