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4. Battle for Hearts and Minds Trailer
1 month ago
battleforheartsandminds.com/
twitter.com/danfung
facebook.com/pages/Battle-for-Hearts-and-Minds/155359837101
On July 2nd, 2009, four thousand US Marines of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade launched a major helicopter assault into a Taliban stronghold in the Helmand River Valley in southern Afghanistan in order to break a military stalemate with the insurgent group.
Independent filmmaker Danfung Dennis was embedded with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Company, as they were dropped 18 km behind enemy lines to seize a key bridge. Within a few hours of landing, fierce fighting erupted and continued for the next three days, during which Lance Corporal Charles Sharp, from Adairsville, Georgia was shot and killed by a Taliban fighter.
After the initial fighting, the Marines searched for the insurgents who had killed Lance Corporal Sharp. Frustration set in as the Marines tried to fight the elusive enemy whose IED's cut off their supply lines. The Marines’ objective was to secure and protect the population, but the Afghan villagers complained that the fighting has driven them into the desert, and the bombing destroyed their homes. Can the Marines balance their contradictory roles as warriors and statesmen, as they struggle to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people?
The footage was shot on a custom built rig, using a Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70 f/2.8 L lens, Sennheiser ME-66 and G2 wireless system, Singh-Ray variable ND filter, and Beachtek 2XAs mounted on a Glidecam 2000 HD with custom made aluminum 'wings.'
Music licensed through Universal Music.
twitter.com/danfung
facebook.com/pages/Battle-for-Hearts-and-Minds/155359837101
On July 2nd, 2009, four thousand US Marines of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade launched a major helicopter assault into a Taliban stronghold in the Helmand River Valley in southern Afghanistan in order to break a military stalemate with the insurgent group.
Independent filmmaker Danfung Dennis was embedded with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Company, as they were dropped 18 km behind enemy lines to seize a key bridge. Within a few hours of landing, fierce fighting erupted and continued for the next three days, during which Lance Corporal Charles Sharp, from Adairsville, Georgia was shot and killed by a Taliban fighter.
After the initial fighting, the Marines searched for the insurgents who had killed Lance Corporal Sharp. Frustration set in as the Marines tried to fight the elusive enemy whose IED's cut off their supply lines. The Marines’ objective was to secure and protect the population, but the Afghan villagers complained that the fighting has driven them into the desert, and the bombing destroyed their homes. Can the Marines balance their contradictory roles as warriors and statesmen, as they struggle to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people?
The footage was shot on a custom built rig, using a Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70 f/2.8 L lens, Sennheiser ME-66 and G2 wireless system, Singh-Ray variable ND filter, and Beachtek 2XAs mounted on a Glidecam 2000 HD with custom made aluminum 'wings.'
Music licensed through Universal Music.
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highlighted on planet5D blog.planet5d.com/tma
Looking forward to seeing this.
The use of the Glidecam really sets this apart.
Can't wait to see the doc.
Musical choices aside, I am intrigued to see this. The dangerous reality of war has seldom been presented with such a cinematic look.
Our sense of 'reality' in media aesthetic will probably only shift more as time marches on.
great interview, plus pictures of the rig!
Peace
One caveat - PLEASE consider dialing back on the score, though - your previous video that was just location sound was far more compelling than hearing the same old Hollywood-style score for the zillionth time. The situation is plenty harrowing as-is, I don't need an over-the-top chorus and orchestra to tell me how to feel about it. It actually turns me off from really engaging with the images and the people you've captured here.
cheers
How did you keep focus on most of those shots? I'm thinking you had to keep it at F11 or something... also, I saw a picture of your rig but didn't see an external monitor. Did you use one?
Great work! can't wait to see the whole thing.
Go under embedding and have the link to the website popup after it is done playing.
anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/filmaker-uses-canon-5d-mkii-to-shoot.html
Amazing work, insanely courageous. Can't wait to see the completed doc!
being honest though... documentary to me, shouldn't have that type of music in it.
What is the music?
In response to Jed, Oedi, and Abas, I agree with you about the music. The composer I had originally hired did not meet my expectations, but to meet my deadline, I had to use generic temp music which I think is over the top. I am, however, trying to bring a cinematic look and sound to documentary to reach and engage the widest possible audience about the realities of the war in Afghanistan.
Oc, I kept it at f/2.8 and would rack focus frequently or keep the same distance from the subject. I've posted more on the technical here: battleforheartsandminds.com/about
Kelly and John, you should be very proud of your sons. They are doing their best in a difficult place. You must be looking forward to their safe return.
They'll (soldiers) win a bullet or a bomb and not their hearts and minds.
Understood being a soldier as I was one long time ago.
Still, a little less ARROGANCE and more compassion would go a long way. No wonder people hate Americans, if this is fine example of our behavior.
This is no reflection you as a 'shooter' but what you show in this video how badly the Americans behave.
Yeah, I understand it's a war, but if they piss off one person they just join the other side and may need more body bags as a result.
I've seen the Iraq docu videos as well and all the same. We are Americans and kick your ass attitude by the soldiers. That;s what happens when 20yr olds are in charge and no 'adult' around to tell them this is no way to win anyones heart and mind.
BTW am not a 'Pacifist' but I know proper manners and respect, no matter if it's war or not.
You may want to reconsider the title... or is it a joke?
Nothing personal dude :)
It is a little sickening to hear "we kill civilians all the time" while there is pumped up Hollywood style score blasting.
But maybe that's the point...
This has left me stunned. I've never seen a doc presented in this way before. You are heading in a very new and possibly difficult direction with this. Puritans will reel....
I do see what others are saying about the music though but I get that it's a trailer and not how the finished product will sound.... I hope.
Very impressed
G
Besides that I am eager to see this documentary because it will hopefully provide a realisitic picture of the war in Afghanistan.
Great work. Back when I was in the US Army I was planning to switch my MOS over to doc/production specialist hoping to be in Combat Camera.
I have high respects for what you do Dennis.
As for soldiers, this is capturing honesty. Obviously, we're not all arrogant -- they're the loudest ones and unfortunately, it resonates to reflect the entire Army..