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COMMENT(S): Sending out an SoS
Published: December 03, 2009
Author: JohnnyMac | (report inappropriate content) |
| DVDs (in both NTSC and PAL) can be ordered from me, the filmmaker, by emailing john@mcdonaldproductions.com. I'll then send you info on how to pay by credit card, PayPal or check. -- John McDonald |
Published: December 02, 2009
Author: gramps | (report inappropriate content) |
| Can someone give me a heads up as to where I can purchase a copy of this film here in Canada or the U.S.? |
Published: December 01, 2009
Author: JamieDE | (report inappropriate content) |
| Ok let me rephrase myself......I thought it was boring. I was more entertained about the portly Indian kid at the Todd this year who stood up and sang the chorus to Black Eyed Peas "I've got a feeling" everytime it came on. I'm sorry but I like my documentries to have a level of excitment in them. Tis all. |
Published: November 29, 2009
Author: JanetteMontague | (report inappropriate content) |
| Just got round to watching the DVD and found it fascinating from beginning till after the credits. Loved seeing those glimpses of people in their working lives, and how they manage to feed their commitment to piping around busy lives. Loved the personalities that shone through from the drummers. Wished pipers would tune practice chanters. Agree that in many many ways, those musicians are highly professional and skilled, but still wish they would pay more attention to the PM, and when he says 'cut' the playing stops immediately instead of some people drifting on for another phrase before stopping. Also, listen when the PM is speaking. I liked the smiling faces in the clips of individuals at the end, as during it, I was beginning to wonder why everybody looked so serious and tense - I guess that's called focus or concentration. Somewhere during it I found myself wondering whether the competition system is introducing unecessary stress and strain into music-making for esp young people. Loved the clips of those golden oldies in the US with Alas. Gillies. Thought the DVD was really well done and was aware of how much time effort and work had gone into it, so that came across. Felt glad to have contributed to it --- until the joke at the end after the credits. That left a bad taste with me, and I questioned (only then) having donated. But that's probably because I've worked a lot with 'bad boys' and believe me, it's no joke. |
Published: November 26, 2009
Author: Lawrie | (report inappropriate content) |
| JamieDE, I think the whole idea of this film was, in fact, to highlight the struggle to get a band assembled, despite the calibre of players. The ethics of all this are for another forum, but I would say it was a case of ‘why wouldn’t we do it?’, not ‘why would we do it?’ even though these highly regarded players all stood to be a laughing stock at the same time because of the expectations versus lead-up and prep time. Normally, they’d be on the sidelines at this contest. A week to put anything together, regardless of the talent on-hand, is a risky and monumental task in itself. I think the film captured this well. Yes, other bands work all year and sometimes life can appear unfair when, in actual fact, some people are just better than others at what they do. Two thumbs up for effort and the end product is enjoyable and paints enough of the picture. The band’s music was also touched-on enough IMHO.
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Published: November 24, 2009
Author: JamieDE | (report inappropriate content) |
| Ummm, I can see what you are getting at, by how it takes dedicated plaerys to make a good band, but! this is hardly the way you go about making a good band. I believe most of the big ones spent years building themselves up to the level they are at now, and not just gobbling up anyone with a gold medal, and practicing a week. Like I said, it was well done, just didn't go into the band as much as it did the individuals themselves. I think the public would have been interested in the construction of the medley (or at least music types would have). Either way, I still can't take credit away from the idea to even take this on. |
Published: November 08, 2009
Author: Lawrie | (report inappropriate content) |
| JamieDE, I disagree with you on this one. Most members of the "general public" who I've shown this to are impressed and better informed at the end of it. But that's not really the market for a first-up product like this. There may be others, but this had to hit the established market first. You're opinion is noted, but I felt the presentation went far enough to highlight the elite levels that are required without becoming self-indulgent and overly technical and detailed. This show was never going to reveal the 'secret formula' to success because there isn't one other than what you saw - i.e. dedicated, experienced and intelligent people doing what they love doing. This is a common trait with successful people and organisations the world over. The average punter already knows this. A number of assumptions have to be made with such productions because of time, production techniques, costs and the segmented structure of it. I didn't see a need to spell out every detail like you did, and felt the product was entertaining, informative and slick. I just wonder how the profits will be shared amongst those who bankrolled it......(tongue in cheek)......just maybe a case of 'publicise loss/risk and privatise profit'. |
Published: October 30, 2009
Author: JamieDE | (report inappropriate content) |
| I bought it at the Piping Centre this summer, and couldn't wait to watch it. I was disappointed. While the work it self was good quality, I found it to be very boring, and not insightful enough. Was hoping this kind of film could help show the general public what really great players are and how you go about creating a good band and the music. Would have lie to see more behind the music selections. I think if you are general public you won't really get it, because you have know idea who these people are. I appreciate the time and effort though. it had to take someone with a lot of dedication to take on such a project, and I say good on you for that. |
Published: October 27, 2009
Author: Teddy | (report inappropriate content) |
| Great review! I visited the On the Day website and I can't find where to buy this DVD. Anybody know where to get it? Thanks! |
Published: October 26, 2009
Author: Batman | (report inappropriate content) |
| My wife brought On The Day home from Stone Mountain and we watched it last week. Iain's review is spot on. Very entertaining and informative flim. Great camera work, and great sound. I don't think you have to be a piper or drummer to like it, but if you happen to be blessed and in the fraternity, it's still fresh and enjoyable from beginning to end. | |
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