Recently I came across these two videos within 12 hours.
Blast Off
On a Saturday night, I watched ” a movie from the point of view of the Solid Rocket Booster with sound mixing and enhancement done by the folks at Skywalker Sound. The sound is all from the camera microphones and not fake or replaced with foley artist sound.” (From the Youtube page.)
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aCOyOvOw5c[/youtube]And Now Saturn
Sunday morning, this was brought to my attention: “”Waltz Around Saturn with this video showing highlights from Cassini’s exploration of the giant planet, its magnificent rings, and fascinating family of moons.” (From the Vimeo page.)
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/70532693[/vimeo]Though these two films involve space their intent is very different. The booster rocket film creates a sense of awe because of its reality; the Saturn charms us because it uses spectacular images in an artful way. To compare them is to compare apples and oranges. And I don’t mean to compare them, but I would like to express why I prefer one more than the other. After all, many of us prefer one fruit over another, right?
I Prefer Apples
I’ve watched the booster rocket film several times. I barely made it through one viewing of the Saturn film. The booster rocket film shows me a new vantage point, takes me to a place I’ve never been, and tells a story. Blast off, ascent, descent, splashdown. It’s a ride like no other. The Saturn film is more experimental and relies on the novel use of images, editing, and the music of Shostakovitch. I don’t feel like I’m seeing Saturn in a different way, or at all, actually; I feel like I’m watching someone play with a bunch of images. The maker is more concerned with creating a piece of Art. And that’s fine.
But for me, the booster rocket film is a fine five-course meal, the Saturn film is cotton candy. Not that there’s anything wrong with cotton candy, it has its place, but most of the time I’d rather have that fine five-course meal.
What do you think? Is the Saturn film light and fluffy like cotton candy? Is the booster film tasty and nutritious? And which film do you prefer?