8 votes

Jamie Costa's test footage for Robin Williams biopic

9 comments

  1. [9]
    mat
    Link
    As far as I know the film doesn't exist even as a script yet, but based on this five minutes I'm really hoping someone makes it. It's spooky how good this guy is as Williams.

    As far as I know the film doesn't exist even as a script yet, but based on this five minutes I'm really hoping someone makes it. It's spooky how good this guy is as Williams.

    4 votes
    1. [7]
      cloud_loud
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      It doesn't exist as an idea either. There's been no talk about a Robin Williams biopic in Hollywood. This "test footage" doesn't even have real talent attached to it. And it has the production...

      It doesn't exist as an idea either. There's been no talk about a Robin Williams biopic in Hollywood. This "test footage" doesn't even have real talent attached to it. And it has the production quality of a Youtube sketch. I think this is Costa's attempt to drum up interest and for him specifically to be cast as Williams rather than any actual test footage for a future project.

      If this was real test footage it certainly wouldn’t look this cheap.

      Even simple camera tests look better. I mean just look at this Deadpool test footage

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        mat
        Link Parent
        I don't doubt that's a pretty big factor in why he made this. But seeing as how good he is at it, I don't think that's a bad thing. I'd like to see a Williams biopic, he had an amazing life and...

        I think this is Costa's attempt to drum up interest and for him specifically to be cast as Williams

        I don't doubt that's a pretty big factor in why he made this. But seeing as how good he is at it, I don't think that's a bad thing. I'd like to see a Williams biopic, he had an amazing life and I'm sure there's loads of stories I don't know.

        Also I think it's a bit unfair to have a go at the guy for not having a studio camera, lighting rig, makeup team, editor/grader, etc, etc. It looks like a Youtube video because it's being shot on the same gear as most youtube videos, by amateur film-makers. That doesn't really detract too much from how well he's acting in it, which I think is what is being tested - how well can Costa portray Williams onscreen (and, as mentioned, whether Costa can convince anyone he's worth employing to play the part)

        7 votes
        1. [3]
          cloud_loud
          Link Parent
          My point is that this isn’t test footage. And it’s annoying that it’s being advertised that way as if a movie titled ROBIN is on its way. Regardless if I’ve seen better made no-budget short films....

          My point is that this isn’t test footage. And it’s annoying that it’s being advertised that way as if a movie titled ROBIN is on its way. Regardless if I’ve seen better made no-budget short films.

          If it was a simple video of this guy doing his Robin Williams impression, or doing a dramatic monologue from one of Williams performances, I wouldn’t be so annoyed at it.

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            mat
            Link Parent
            Could you elaborate on why you find the use of the word 'test' quite so annoying? You are clearly quite upset but I don't really understand why.

            Could you elaborate on why you find the use of the word 'test' quite so annoying? You are clearly quite upset but I don't really understand why.

            3 votes
            1. cloud_loud
              Link Parent
              It’s not the word “test” that annoys me. It’s that it’s very clearly supposed to seem like it’s a movie already in development. It’s like if he posted this and titled it “ROBIN (2021) Exclusive...

              It’s not the word “test” that annoys me. It’s that it’s very clearly supposed to seem like it’s a movie already in development. It’s like if he posted this and titled it “ROBIN (2021) Exclusive Clip” or “ROBIN teaser trailer.”

              2 votes
      2. [3]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [2]
          cloud_loud
          Link Parent
          It looks like it was shot on a DSLR. Which you if you look at other test footage, they're shot on real cameras. Like Iron Man and Batman Begins. Either way I've never seen test footage for a...

          It looks like it was shot on a DSLR. Which you if you look at other test footage, they're shot on real cameras. Like Iron Man and Batman Begins.

          Either way I've never seen test footage for a character drama. It's always for bigger budgeted action films or animated films.

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            Comment deleted by author
            Link Parent
            1. cloud_loud
              Link Parent
              Who said it was immoral? It's annoying is what it is. Like those fake trailers all over YouTube.

              Who said it was immoral? It's annoying is what it is. Like those fake trailers all over YouTube.

              2 votes
    2. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. mat
        Link Parent
        It's been a little over seven years. Even if this not-yet-a-movie has a script and funding and a cast and a distributor and so on (and I think it has none of those), it probably wouldn't be...

        It's been a little over seven years. Even if this not-yet-a-movie has a script and funding and a cast and a distributor and so on (and I think it has none of those), it probably wouldn't be released for another couple of years - which would make it nearly a decade. I think that's probably long enough.

        3 votes