“Exit through the Gift Shop” is a good example of a documentary film. It is a film about Thierry who likes to film and sets out to make a documentary about street art, and in turn Banksy, one of the subjects, ends up making a film about him instead.
In the film its subject is Thierry and his exploration of street art. The film continuously shows scenes and people that relate to street art. Real life is a very important part of a documentary, and this film does a good job of portraying real life. As Thierry said, he would just bring his camera with him and film, capturing people, and events, as they are and as they happen. The infamous “voice of God” throughout the film represents an often seen trait of a documentary. Commentary by Rhys Ifans is used to emphasize action or other important events that need further explanation. This film definitely exposes the world of street art and the inner workings of it. By introducing artists like Shepard Fairey, and Invader we really get to understand the life and process of street art and street artists. Because this film was done by one person, Banksy, we see the film in the way he wants to tell it, from his point of view. Though most of the footage is from Thierry, we see how Banksy in a way manipulates the footage so we see the film how he saw it happen.
Though in documentary film the events are not always completely candid, this film does a good job in showing actual people and their stories involving street art. Also, we see the footage Banksy wants us to see, but it is portraying real events. This film is a very well done documentary that shows many of the key characteristics of a documentary film. One thing I do not get about this film is the title and how it relates to the actual film.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" exemplifies documentary film. The film is about Los Angeles frenchman Thierry Guetta and his passion for capturing life with his camera. Thierry decides to film street artists creating their work and in turn becomes a street artist himself.
The film is shot from Thierry's POV at first and focuses on street artists. Thierry follows his cousin Space Invader during his graffiti escapades and the viewer instantly sees the reality of street art. The camera takes you through the whole process of planting a "tag" including scaling buildings laden with supplies. Theirry then moves on to shepard Fairey, another infamous graffiti artist. We see Shepard at Kinkos printing parts of his art and the commentary helps to explain the work put into the art besides just painting it. the commentary also helps to solidify the relationships between Theirry and the artists.
A key aspect in documentary is the Point of view in which it is shot. The POV changes throughtout the film from Thierry, who is just filming like he always has to Bansky, one of the most well known artists in the world. To me This switch in perspective changes the film completely. It starts through the eyes of thierry viewing the street artists to Bansky and how he is viewing thierry's rise toward a graffiti artist.
I think this film has aspects of direct cinema and cinema verite and overall is authentic to real life. It portrays perfectly elements of documentary film about a very new and popular art form.
“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is a film about a man named Thierry that had an obsession with street art. Thierry fist lived in Los Angeles with his family and owned a vintage clothing shop that was very prosperous. Thierry had a passion to film and did so constantly. Thierry decided to quit his clothing business and set out to film the world of street art. Thierry first starts out by filming his cousin Space Invader, who has does street art in the form of mosaics. Next, Thierry met Shepard Fairey, who had a unique street art style of pasting altered photographs to important areas of the city. There was a street artist that was very well known named Banksy. Bansky did very unique and creative street art that was highly criminal and aimed to attack social issues. After Thierry finally meets Banksy and is allowed to film him, Thierry begins to make his own street art, which is art based on popular icons. His art suprisingly turned out to be highly successful. This film is a perfect example of modern documentary and pop art. It focuses on the story in the point of view of both Banksy and Thierry. Thierry constantly has a camera and succeeds to show what street art is all about. At the end, unexpectedly, Banksy reveals the truths about Thierry and how he basically cheated his way to the top.
“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is a film about a man named Thierry that had an obsession with street art. Thierry fist lived in Los Angeles with his family and owned a vintage clothing shop that was very prosperous. Thierry had a passion to film and did so constantly. Thierry decided to quit his clothing business and set out to film the world of street art. Thierry first starts out by filming his cousin Space Invader, who has does street art in the form of mosaics. Next, Thierry met Shepard Fairey, who had a unique street art style of pasting altered photographs to important areas of the city. There was a street artist that was very well known named Banksy. Bansky did very unique and creative street art that was highly criminal and aimed to attack social issues. After Thierry finally meets Banksy and is allowed to film him, Thierry begins to make his own street art, which is art based on popular icons. His art suprisingly turned out to be highly successful. This film is a perfect example of modern documentary and pop art. It uses the "voice of god" technique using Thierrys' voice as well as a narrator. It focuses on the story in the point of view of both Banksy and Thierry. Their commentary further explains their posed ideas. Thierry constantly has a camera and succeeds to show what street art is all about. At the end, unexpectedly, Banksy reveals the truths about Thierry and how he basically cheated his way to the top.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" is a prime example of a documentary film. The film is about Thierry Guetta capturing everything in his life with a camera, then that turning into an obsession with capturing street art on film.
The film starts off mostly about Thierry's everyday life, shot from his point of view. It quickly turned into him following around his street artist cousin Space Invader and Thierry quickly became obsessed with the art form. He would travel with the artists he is filming doing whatever they did and more just to get the shot. He starts following a well known street artist named Shepard Fairey and learns how to shoot without attracting attention. With Space Invader and Shepard Fairey we see the process of how the street artists leave their mark, Invader's being mosaic pieces while Fairey's is his signature "Obey" piece. We see the interaction between Director and Artists and it brings the reality to the film.
After we meet Banksy and he he encourages Thierry to do his own show the point of view switches to a third party, following Thierry on his new journey to becoming a street artist himself.
I agree, Thierry cheated his way to the top. The way the focus changes from the street artists to the camera man himself =, in my opinion, was done purposely just to show how easily people bought into the hype of a "street artist" who made art for the money (dubbing himself Mr. Brainwash), not respecting the struggle and feats of the street artists who do what they do because they have a sincere passion for it (such as Space Invader, Banksy, and Shepard Fairey).
All that aside, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was an interesting documentary, which stayed true to the format of documentaries as you noted with the omniscient narration etc.
Exit through the Gift Shop is a documentary that focuses on two key people, Thierry Guetta and Banksy as they each attempt to put on their own art shows. It begans with Guetta and his video camera filming everyday life. After his cousin Invader visits him in the U.S. and introduces him to Shepard Fairey, he begins to film Fairey in his street art activities and tells him he plans to make a documentary.
After failed attempts, he meets up with Banksy, a street artist from England, and becomes his tour guide while in LA. Banksy recruits him to film the preparation of his new art show and Guetta complies. When Banksy sees his final edit of the show, it is very amateur. Banksy suggest that Guetta produces his own art show so that he can take a turn at film making himself. Although Banksy and his crew question Guetta's artistic ability, the show becomes a success.
The film meets the requirements for a documentary because it focuses on a particular subject, in this case street art. The film also represented today's documentary as they used digital cameras that are lighter and portable making filming easier. Overall I liked the film, it gave a look into the world of street art which was fascinating to see.
“Exit through the Gift Shop” is a good example of a documentary film. It is a film about Thierry who likes to film and sets out to make a documentary about street art, and in turn Banksy, one of the subjects, ends up making a film about him instead.
ReplyDeleteIn the film its subject is Thierry and his exploration of street art. The film continuously shows scenes and people that relate to street art. Real life is a very important part of a documentary, and this film does a good job of portraying real life. As Thierry said, he would just bring his camera with him and film, capturing people, and events, as they are and as they happen. The infamous “voice of God” throughout the film represents an often seen trait of a documentary. Commentary by Rhys Ifans is used to emphasize action or other important events that need further explanation. This film definitely exposes the world of street art and the inner workings of it. By introducing artists like Shepard Fairey, and Invader we really get to understand the life and process of street art and street artists. Because this film was done by one person, Banksy, we see the film in the way he wants to tell it, from his point of view. Though most of the footage is from Thierry, we see how Banksy in a way manipulates the footage so we see the film how he saw it happen.
Though in documentary film the events are not always completely candid, this film does a good job in showing actual people and their stories involving street art. Also, we see the footage Banksy wants us to see, but it is portraying real events. This film is a very well done documentary that shows many of the key characteristics of a documentary film. One thing I do not get about this film is the title and how it relates to the actual film.
A’Sheana White
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" exemplifies documentary film. The film is about Los Angeles frenchman Thierry Guetta and his passion for capturing life with his camera. Thierry decides to film street artists creating their work and in turn becomes a street artist himself.
ReplyDeleteThe film is shot from Thierry's POV at first and focuses on street artists. Thierry follows his cousin Space Invader during his graffiti escapades and the viewer instantly sees the reality of street art. The camera takes you through the whole process of planting a "tag" including scaling buildings laden with supplies. Theirry then moves on to shepard Fairey, another infamous graffiti artist. We see Shepard at Kinkos printing parts of his art and the commentary helps to explain the work put into the art besides just painting it. the commentary also helps to solidify the relationships between Theirry and the artists.
A key aspect in documentary is the Point of view in which it is shot. The POV changes throughtout the film from Thierry, who is just filming like he always has to Bansky, one of the most well known artists in the world. To me This switch in perspective changes the film completely. It starts through the eyes of thierry viewing the street artists to Bansky and how he is viewing thierry's rise toward a graffiti artist.
I think this film has aspects of direct cinema and cinema verite and overall is authentic to real life. It portrays perfectly elements of documentary film about a very new and popular art form.
Michael Turner
James C. Vickery
ReplyDelete“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is a film about a man named Thierry that had an obsession with street art. Thierry fist lived in Los Angeles with his family and owned a vintage clothing shop that was very prosperous. Thierry had a passion to film and did so constantly. Thierry decided to quit his clothing business and set out to film the world of street art.
Thierry first starts out by filming his cousin Space Invader, who has does street art in the form of mosaics. Next, Thierry met Shepard Fairey, who had a unique street art style of pasting altered photographs to important areas of the city. There was a street artist that was very well known named Banksy. Bansky did very unique and creative street art that was highly criminal and aimed to attack social issues.
After Thierry finally meets Banksy and is allowed to film him, Thierry begins to make his own street art, which is art based on popular icons. His art suprisingly turned out to be highly successful. This film is a perfect example of modern documentary and pop art. It focuses on the story in the point of view of both Banksy and Thierry. Thierry constantly has a camera and succeeds to show what street art is all about. At the end, unexpectedly, Banksy reveals the truths about Thierry and how he basically cheated his way to the top.
James C Vickery
ReplyDelete“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is a film about a man named Thierry that had an obsession with street art. Thierry fist lived in Los Angeles with his family and owned a vintage clothing shop that was very prosperous. Thierry had a passion to film and did so constantly. Thierry decided to quit his clothing business and set out to film the world of street art.
Thierry first starts out by filming his cousin Space Invader, who has does street art in the form of mosaics. Next, Thierry met Shepard Fairey, who had a unique street art style of pasting altered photographs to important areas of the city. There was a street artist that was very well known named Banksy. Bansky did very unique and creative street art that was highly criminal and aimed to attack social issues.
After Thierry finally meets Banksy and is allowed to film him, Thierry begins to make his own street art, which is art based on popular icons. His art suprisingly turned out to be highly successful. This film is a perfect example of modern documentary and pop art. It uses the "voice of god" technique using Thierrys' voice as well as a narrator. It focuses on the story in the point of view of both Banksy and Thierry. Their commentary further explains their posed ideas. Thierry constantly has a camera and succeeds to show what street art is all about. At the end, unexpectedly, Banksy reveals the truths about Thierry and how he basically cheated his way to the top.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" is a prime example of a documentary film. The film is about Thierry Guetta capturing everything in his life with a camera, then that turning into an obsession with capturing street art on film.
ReplyDeleteThe film starts off mostly about Thierry's everyday life, shot from his point of view. It quickly turned into him following around his street artist cousin Space Invader and Thierry quickly became obsessed with the art form. He would travel with the artists he is filming doing whatever they did and more just to get the shot. He starts following a well known street artist named Shepard Fairey and learns how to shoot without attracting attention. With Space Invader and Shepard Fairey we see the process of how the street artists leave their mark, Invader's being mosaic pieces while Fairey's is his signature "Obey" piece. We see the interaction between Director and Artists and it brings the reality to the film.
After we meet Banksy and he he encourages Thierry to do his own show the point of view switches to a third party, following Thierry on his new journey to becoming a street artist himself.
Holly Spear
In response to James V.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Thierry cheated his way to the top. The way the focus changes from the street artists to the camera man himself =, in my opinion, was done purposely just to show how easily people bought into the hype of a "street artist" who made art for the money (dubbing himself Mr. Brainwash), not respecting the struggle and feats of the street artists who do what they do because they have a sincere passion for it (such as Space Invader, Banksy, and Shepard Fairey).
All that aside, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was an interesting documentary, which stayed true to the format of documentaries as you noted with the omniscient narration etc.
-Robyn R.
Exit through the Gift Shop is a documentary that focuses on two key people, Thierry Guetta and Banksy as they each attempt to put on their own art shows. It begans with Guetta and his video camera filming everyday life. After his cousin Invader visits him in the U.S. and introduces him to Shepard Fairey, he begins to film Fairey in his street art activities and tells him he plans to make a documentary.
ReplyDeleteAfter failed attempts, he meets up with Banksy, a street artist from England, and becomes his tour guide while in LA. Banksy recruits him to film the preparation of his new art show and Guetta complies. When Banksy sees his final edit of the show, it is very amateur. Banksy suggest that Guetta produces his own art show so that he can take a turn at film making himself. Although Banksy and his crew question Guetta's artistic ability, the show becomes a success.
The film meets the requirements for a documentary because it focuses on a particular subject, in this case street art. The film also represented today's documentary as they used digital cameras that are lighter and portable making filming easier. Overall I liked the film, it gave a look into the world of street art which was fascinating to see.
-Joshua Thomas