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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: PT 623 Second Mission ride-along
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Well guys, I have spent several days getting started filming the second ride-along mission on-board PT 623. Now after the first project, I had some suggestions about a night mission and maybe one with no music. So I'm looking for some additional thoughts for this one. A small spoiler alert here is that this mission is going to be a "twilight" attack and it will be loud. If I try to do a full night mission much of the subject matter will go unseen. So the attempt will be to create a twilight effect. Now this one I'm stuck on. Color or black and white? Again with the twilight effect and the night battle, tracers, explosions etc, I think color would work the best. After all, there was color film more available during the time as the professional cameras that shot black and white were pretty scarce I have been told. And finally we have the music issue. I have selected some great background music to fit the different moods during the evenings run but those engines and gunfire are also pretty deep.

So please post some thoughts that would stimulate my imagination once I finally sit down and start putting it all together. I fear the editing on this one is going to be a nightmare.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Oct 12, 2013 - 7:33pm
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm

Ahoy there.

Many times I feel that background music DETRACTS from a following sce e. That's because the music eliminates the quiet tension filled time prior to contact and battle. I'm one who prefers the suspence that silence can bring.

In my opinion the sound of the boat idling along as the crew searches for the enemy is music enough.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder2 | Posted on: Oct 12, 2013 - 9:41pm
Total Posts: 204 | Joined: Dec 8, 2012 - 6:03pm

Take the time to watch "They Were Expendable", which uses music background to full advantage. Music is a great build up to any scene, but can get drowned out in War time fighting. You can try using music in the piece, but bring it in for dramatic effect, yet let the guns do the talking. As most of us, with the exception of PT-109 have grown up seeing most of our favorite War films in Black & White, I think this would make for a real war time feel to it. Try filming several shots this way, and then do the same in color, to see how it looks. I can't speak for everyone, but the movie "They were Expendable" to me at least was a classic B/W movie, and I prefered it that way to the colorized version. I did a piece once that featured both color and B/W through the film, which I thought was cool, so you might try that as well. GOOD LUCK............

Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Oct 13, 2013 - 2:53am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am

I'm looking forward to the new production Bob!

I'd prefer color, with Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries leading up to the attack.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Oct 15, 2013 - 6:28am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

That's funny Jeff. I have something a bit more dramatic for the attack approach. I'll leave the other one for the helicopters.

Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Oct 15, 2013 - 7:40am
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm