MovieChat Forums > The River (2012) Discussion > In a show that already unrealistic...

In a show that already unrealistic...

posted 11 years ago by bellapeligrosa
7 replies | jump to latest

I love supernatural shows, but it's supposed to be a 'documentary' style concept, which means that there are a number of cameras conveniently positioned up trees. We never see anyone position these cameras, or skinny up different trees trying to get the perfect angle. Even when Emmett is on his own, there are a couple of 'tree vision' shots, and a number of different camera angles when he is around the campfire after being abandoned by Rabbit. Shaking with exhaustion and hunger, barely able to hold his phone, in the middle of the jungle and about to die, yet sets up two different cameras?! Does he even have more than one camera?! And a shot of him up the tree getting mangoes. These cameras also use very little power and last forever, and always in perfect focus. They must be magic cameras.

There's also way too many cameras around the boat, eating up energy and power. To have them in the crew cabins is pervy, creepy and idiotic.

I don't see any reason this couldn't have been a normal show instead of jumping on the 'found-footage' bandwagon. It detracts from what started out as a decent concept and turns it into a farce.

It's too cerebral! We're trying to make a movie here, not a film!

[–] BrunoAntony 11 years ago

The style saves money on the cost of a full set as well as special fx

[–] profweetos 11 years ago

In the same ideas : when they are in the research facilities, Kurt is leading the way with his rifle BUT a camera is shooting him up from...
How stupid, unrealistic and lame is that...???

[–] bellapeligrosa 11 years ago

Oh yeah, the research facility didn't even occur to me. I'm not sure why they'd have running cameras there - was the power even still on?! And then who went and collected all the footage afterwards? Shame really, as I did quite like the concept of the show and a few tweaks would have made it something quite unique.

It's too cerebral! We're trying to make a movie here, not a film!

[–] Morgana0 11 years ago

I've only just started watching The River, but I agree with you. It is unrealistic to have all those cameras around. On a different note, does it seem okay the way the woman insists on going on and on even though a man has already been killed? I found that very unrealistic also.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Morgana0x

[–] abaxter84 10 years ago

So you're complaining about the logistics of camera placement (even though AJ mentions always hiking double to setup and retrieve cameras) in a show about magic and the supernatural? Dr Cole walks on water, ghosts are attacking people, Jonas was dead 6 months with zero medical signs or decomposition, etc, etc, and you found it all ruined because they didn't waste screen time showing camera setup? I understand it wasn't air tight but still.. I thought the show was great.

[–] essex9999 9 years ago

I thought the show was great, too; also, remember it was co-created by Oren Peli of Paranormal Activity fame. This is what found footage movies (and, apparently TV shows) do. Either there are more cameras than is realistic or people keep filming even at times when any real-life person would have thrown down the camera and run for his life. Or, as in the case of The River, both. It's a trope of the genre.

At least we saw people occasionally actually watch the recordings and get a clue about what was going on. That's a real novelty in found footage. :-)

[–] pritch636 8 years ago

I fell asleep half way through the pilot.

The camera work was diabolical.
Clearly no-one had researched filming on the move.
They should have watched some Michael Palin.

This show looked like a Hollywood interpretation of a travel show.

Shaky cams, silly close ups, multiple cameras in ridiculous places.

Deeply average plot setup in the pilot. No drama, no finesse in story telling.