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A 'Camp Casserole' Movie Review and Trailer
Friday, May 6, 2011 at 4:45PM “Camp Casserole” is a behind-the-scenes documentary by Anthony Pedone that chronicles the making of “The Casserole Club,” which is a movie that one of the VISIONFEST directors calls Steve Balderson’s “best work to date.”
Forget about what you saw on those featurettes that filmmakers add to the special features section of their DVDs. “Camp Casserole” is nothing like that stuff and based on this alone, movie lovers and filmmakers alike should be thankful.
The opening credit sequence is so attention grabbing, viewers may start to wonder if they are either high on some type of drug or in a really tripped out dream. Nothing is off limits in this movie, which includes spontaneous marriage proposals, random sketch comedy skits on the set, breastfeeding, commentary on how Steve Balderson is a force to be reckoned with and thoughts on the state of the film industry by veteran Caltech professor, Eric Sherman and a glimpse into what independent filmmaking at it's best looks like.
The cast and crew become roommates while making "The Casserole Club" in Palm Springs, creating that summer camp experience combined with a little film production workshop....maybe, but without all of the drama, poison ivy, egos and mosquito bites. Leave your entourage, VIP cards and Hollywood baggage at the door because it's all about a group effort in this movie. Imagine attending a summer camp sprinkled with drinks, comedy, lots of love and a wild family reunion....this is what you get in “Camp Casserole.”
The filmmaking scenes appear to be casual with a laid back feeling on set and good rapport between Balderson and his cast and crew. One moment they are playing golf and the next, Balderson is getting some exterior shots of Kevin Richardson (yes, the former Backstreet Boys member) for the movie. Later, actress Starina Johnson is screaming in the mountains and the documentary reveals what the deal is behind this moment. Here is a hint: If that's not guerrilla filmmaking, then somebody tell me what is.
Balderson may be the only young filmmaker in the country right now who can actually get work done in such a relaxed atmosphere. Maybe Joe Swanberg (Hanna Takes the Stairs) would be the only other director to match this in terms of a casual production set, but Balderson is someone with a clear plan of action. His vision, talent and discipline is reflected in the amount of respect that “The Casserole Club” cast has for him, so much that they deliver on the performances necessary to make the story come to life. The quality results are not accident because Balderson chooses actors carefully during the casting process.
Some of the scenes in “Camp Casserole” remind me of old black and white home movies from the 50s or 60s that capture family vacations but not like any tapes from “Capturing the Friedmans”.....it’s more like the “The Wonder Years” TV show or something of the sort.....happy and fun!
The soundtrack in this documentary is also groovy as scenes change from candid interviews about the movie characters or inspiration for the story to still photographs and then to production set coverage that show how fun movie making can be without the need for makeup/hair trailers and several hundred people on site. Developing and maintaining a high level of comradery is among the biggest lessons that independent filmmakers can learn from watching “Camp Casserole.”
The documentary is a valuable companion to “The Casserole Club” and could be more entertaining than many making-of movies that were previously released for other Hollywood and independent films.
“Camp Casserole” is scheduled to be released June 1, 2011. You Can Request a Download or Streaming Copy of this movie HERE.
Watch the Trailer:
The premiere screening of “Casserole Club” is set to take place between June 22 and June 26, 2011 in New York during VISIONFEST 11: The Other Festival (VF11).
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Reader Comments (1)
Documentaries are my fave type of films to watch. This looks like it's a good one!