This isn't a movie about a guy living off Craigslist... Its a movie about a guy who's making a movie living off Craigslist. This CLEARLY changes the outcome of the experiment! When people see the camera and know they are going to be in a documentary, this affects their entire decision making process. Absolutely absurd.
shareno s hit
shareI (somewhat) disagree with the "camera influence". MUCH of Joe's INITIAL Contact is by email or phone. (The Camera is NOT part of that communication experience). One of the (few) times that I can see validity in your point is with the NYC long-haired African American woman.
shareIt seems that he did mention his actions in the initial contact (the ad) though. I remember one woman who mentioned to him that after reading his post, she had to help him, making his post seem more unique than just a ride. This gave me the sense that he did include it in that posting. Maybe he started off without posting his intention, but then started to along the way. But a lot of times when he was meeting people, they seemed to have been looking for the cameraman and expecting him (this also could have been editing leaving out the initial physical introduction in which he tells that he will be filming). However, he sure did meet a lot of notable people who came up "out of the blue." :-P That kid who gave him his bike has an IMBD page with a lot of performances. Maybe they wanted camera time after reading is "unique" posts, haha.
shareI agree with you and think that while I am finding this movie worth watching (I'm not done with it yet, taking a break), it seems to me like a book written by someone who simply took notes on paper as he traveled would have provided a much more accurate picture than a film. Not only because people know they are going to be in a documentary (if not before he arrives, it affects their conduct the instant the camera is on them and their perception of safety in his presence), but because they know he is moving on as part of his documentary so when they invite him to sleep on their floor they know they won't have to worry about him trying to stick around and take advantage of their hospitality. The camera and cameraman add a sense of legitimacy to his enterprise they would not feel if it wasn't there. It warps the behavior of everyone in the the movie to a degree where I don't feel like I can truly trust this as a barometer of human behavior. Not that I don't believe in human kindness, but the movie states as part of its agenda that it is out to prove that there is a web of community that can protect people and bring them together and that evidence is greatly affected by the tools with which the experiment was conducted.
shareThat's how I feel about most documentaries.
shareI totally agree with the OP and that´s why I came her in the first place.
And I also think the camera made it easier for him/them (camera man).
As soon they see a camera and especially when they know they´re gonna be in a documentary they change the way they act and what they do.
I just started the movie but the first guys wouldn´t have given him food, razors and stuff. They did it because they wanted to look even better on camera.
And especially the mechanic: When have you ever seen a mechanic work for free?
If it hasn´t been for the camera he would´ve charged them.
And one more thing:
Joe acts as if he was alone but he couldn´t have done it. He definitely HAD to tell he wasn´t alone. It should´ve been with a hidden camera. He could´ve told everyone and asked them for permission to use it after he was done with them.
Totally agree, this whole thing is about as real as Jersey Shore.
shareAnd especially the mechanic: When have you ever seen a mechanic work for free?
If it hasn´t been for the camera he would´ve charged them.
OP, you nailed it dead on. I suspect he would have spent a LOT more time in coffee shops if the camera was hidden. That camera was serious leverage.
the man wanted some adventure, and wanted to travel the whole North America, but his father did not support him by giving money, so he thought, why not hire just one cameraman and try to travel in free.
well good to him, he succeeded, somewhat, and travelled in free.
and release the video, now even earning from it..
may be he was inspired by Che's Motorcyle Diaries...
so thought why not i give shot, in this way...
[adventure ka adventure, mufte ka mufta]
He's one of the producers of the hangover. I don't think he needs daddy's money...
sharewell to be honest thats something that affects most documentaries the simple fact of observing a phenomenom chages it instantly
shareThe dominatrix named Daisy also appeared in an MTV True Life episode about fetishes. This makes me think that some of his encounters were arranged ahead of time. Maybe I'm off base, but that supposed chance encounter kinda ruined the reality of the doc for me.
shareis it possible they found her because of this?
shareExactly!
Try this with just your cheap personal cam, see how friendly the people really are.
It's not a science experiment. Some people are affected by number of things, like looks, gender, age and race.
share