Act of Valor

Byeka

<div class="IPBDescription">Movie filmed with real bullets!</div>Like the thread title says... I just found this cool looking movie online called Act of Valor that's being filmed with real bullets. I don't think that this has ever really been done before in a movie. Thoughts?

Here's the link btw... worth checking out: <a href="http://bit.ly/wO5mhj" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/wO5mhj</a>

Konohas Perverted Hermit

The movie actually comes out on the 17th. They supposedly used ex Navy Seals and special forces operatives to help make the movie. The "real bullets" used were used in a separate gun on a shooting scene towards what was the target area to give a realistic effect, but no real bullets were used when the possibility of shooting a person was to be filmed. Supposedly they also used real explosives not that Hollywood Napalm crap.

Byeka

Yeah that sounds about right! There's actually another video with them talking about using the real seals as well. Here's the link for that one too <a href="http://bit.ly/wTELOl" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/wTELOl</a>

I really like this "ultra realistic" approach. It's kind of setting a new landmark for action movies. Sort of along the lines of what Avatar did for 3D movies.

That_Annoying_Kid

but won't gameplay trump realism?

player

<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=Movie-plot)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Movie-plot)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure.
Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of the most elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home.
Each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the deadly terror plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sounds like a bore, and probably only has this 'real'-gimmick going for it. I didn't know realism was in such high demand for movie-goers, I bet I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real and a fake gunshot, and with me many other folks I would imagine.

Konohas Perverted Hermit

<!--quoteo(post=1898772:date=Feb 1 2012, 09:21 PM:name=player)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (player @ Feb 1 2012, 09:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1898772"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Sounds like a bore, and probably only has this 'real'-gimmick going for it. I didn't know realism was in such high demand for movie-goers, I bet I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real and a fake gunshot, and with me many other folks I would imagine.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yes it does sound like an Episode of Strike Back, but with movies like the crappy Transformers on a never ending film reel I'd rather have something like this than that crap.

P.S. I can always tell if it is a real round or a Hollywood round being fired. Even a blank round looks completely different from an actual round of ammunition when fired.

Chris0132

Why would you use real explosives? They tend to look like someone dropped a giant bag of flour.

Personally I find fireballs much nicer to look at.

I also like my bullet impacts to make hilarious over the top explosions of concrete, sparks, and blood when they hit things.

Byeka

I disagree. From watching the video in my first post I feel like I can detect a difference between hearing the real gunshot sounds versus ones that are edited in. There's also a scene where they show a truck that has been shot to destruction. Again, unlike anything I've seen done with special effects.

I think there's going to be something nice about watching it and "knowing" that you're seeing real weapons being fired.

Chris0132

Meh, the idea of a movie bothering to use 'real' weapons when it's still people 'acting' everything that's going on seems kinda... pointless?

It isn't real, if it was real it wouldn't be interesting to watch, it doesn't become more real if you use different special effects.

lolfighter

I don't particularly see the point either. Since there are no actual hostilities going on, there's no reason to use real bullets. Meanwhile, there's always the risk of mishaps. Why would we want a repeat of the Brandon Lee incident?

Konohas Perverted Hermit

<!--quoteo(post=1898990:date=Feb 2 2012, 04:07 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Feb 2 2012, 04:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1898990"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't particularly see the point either. Since there are no actual hostilities going on, there's no reason to use real bullets. Meanwhile, there's always the risk of mishaps. Why would we want a repeat of the Brandon Lee incident?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I find most of those scenes where someone or something gets shot to hell with bullets to be lack luster of what really happens. The new Rambo, was pretty good for Hollywood realism in what would happen to a person, armor plating, etc. That was because no one was aware or double checked the firearm. It wasn't even a real round that was "tested" in it either.

lolfighter

I don't understand. Are you asking for people to actually get shot for the sake of realism?

Sops

<!--quoteo(post=1899031:date=Feb 2 2012, 08:34 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Feb 2 2012, 08:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899031"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't understand. Are you asking for people to actually get shot for the sake of realism?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, clearly that is what is going on here. There is rising demand for classical Greek theater.

Byeka

I hear that in ancient theater, actors used to actually get stabbed and die on stage in "fake" sword fights (by mistake).

This is the modern version of that perhaps?

Well anyway, they were talking about this in the video I linked. How yes, the idea of ricochets did cross their mind. But it was pretty safe the way they were filming it.

Konohas Perverted Hermit

<!--quoteo(post=1899031:date=Feb 2 2012, 06:34 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Feb 2 2012, 06:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899031"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't understand. Are you asking for people to actually get shot for the sake of realism?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

No I just want it portrayed more realistically.

Chris0132

<!--quoteo(post=1899491:date=Feb 4 2012, 01:50 AM:name=Konohas Perverted Hermit)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Konohas Perverted Hermit @ Feb 4 2012, 01:50 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899491"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->No I just want it portrayed more realistically.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Then you should go find a dirty basement and sit in it for a while, do a lot of drugs, and buy some cds of explosions and screaming.

Because 'realism' would be being scared of dying, not knowing what's happening, and not seeing very much of anything.

Movies are incredibly unrealistic by virtue of being movies, things like storytelling, communicating things to the viewer, establishing shots, all narrative devices designed to turn a sequence of images and sounds into something comprehensible by the viewer, they are extremely different from reality, which usually has none of those things.

lolfighter

Of course Christopher Lee has something to say about it: <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Christopher Lee has told a story (in The Films of Christopher Lee) that when he tried to perform a scene of his being shot the way he'd seen people shot in WWII — "I put an expression of slight surprise on my face and slowly sank to the floor with great dignity" — the people on set found it hilarious.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Similarly, he knows about people getting stabbed (the screams at the end are actually Brad Dourif, who played Grima Wormtongue): <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/84i82QxNk74"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/84i82QxNk74" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center> <div align='center'> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84i82QxNk74" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84i82QxNk74</a> </div>
Finally, there's the <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RealityIsUnrealistic" target="_blank">big ol' list.</a>
It's laudable that films strive for greater realism, even if it sometimes comes at the expense of audience expectations and will require some "re-education." Still, were I an actor, I would have to draw the line somewhere, and I think "live bullets on the set" would probably be it.

Sops

<!--quoteo(post=1899545:date=Feb 4 2012, 02:43 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Feb 4 2012, 02:43 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899545"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Still, were I an actor, I would have to draw the line somewhere, and I think "live bullets on the set" would probably be it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They are not actors. This is taking a training exercise at a firing range and adding a film crew.

Konohas Perverted Hermit

<!--quoteo(post=1899516:date=Feb 3 2012, 10:08 PM:name=Chris0132)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chris0132 @ Feb 3 2012, 10:08 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899516"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Then you should go find a dirty basement and sit in it for a while, do a lot of drugs, and buy some cds of explosions and screaming.

Because 'realism' would be being scared of dying, not knowing what's happening, and not seeing very much of anything.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Lol no. Nothing is like actually being shot at. Been there done that, wasn't fun but had to be done.

Byeka

<!--quoteo(post=1899705:date=Feb 4 2012, 04:24 PM:name=Sops)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sops @ Feb 4 2012, 04:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1899705"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They are not actors. This is taking a training exercise at a firing range and adding a film crew.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I like that way of defining it. Although I guess more accurately it would be "and adding a script and a film crew".

I found some more behind the scenes trailers: <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/actofvalor/" target="_blank">http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/actofvalor/</a>

"Meet the Silent Warriors" is a good one.

Konohas Perverted Hermit

This was defiantly a bad ass movie. I just got back from it and all I could think was "Miniguns make me hard". But really I think the only scene they used actual ammo in was the minigun scene because you could hear the round "pop" when they'd leave the barrels as well as the truck they shot the way it was Swiss cheesed looked great. You could also (for the best that I could) count the tracer rounds, one ever 4th bullet. The ending was somberly displayed but with a truthful message of brotherhood presented about serving for your country. I've also got to say it was nice to see real helicopters, boats, air craft carriers, and submarines as opposed to CGI. So go see it, you'll like it despite the opening kinda giving you a background into the Seal Team's soldiers.

lolfighter

<!--QuoteBegin-Review+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Review)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The weakest aspect is the voice-over narration in the form of a letter from a soldier to his soldier pal's infant son. Veering from emotional to heavy-handed, it lauds the way of the warrior with overblown verbiage and concludes with a painfully long funeral scene.

Employing Navy troops as stars is a clever idea for an action thriller. But the soldiers' awkward line readings are glaring enough to distract from the potency of the story.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->To hell with critics this movie has real soldiers that's what matters.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think people need to separate their patriotism from the fact that this is still a for-profit action movie that was submitted for review. You can put all the real armed forces members in it that you want, but that doesn't mean it's going to be an Oscar contender. If having soldiers in the movie makes it an instant must see that an objective review would not discourage you from seeing, then why are you reading the review? To make sure the critic loves America?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->So in Hollywood, real is a drag? I guess that is why Hollywood loves the liberal democrats....they are about as fake as fake comes and they have stuff running down their legs over the excitement.

God Bless the real Seals! God Bless our military! God Bless America and I pray it survives this current president's administration.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's about damn time some real heroes and real Americans got some attention. Instead of the Liberal Wannabee hereos. Matt Damion, Sean Penn and What's his name with the big mouth. Alec Baldwin.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->These Navy Seals are the real American heroes not an American President who has never served in the miliary, and refuses to submit his past history.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I haven't seen this movie, but holy ###### ###### the comments on this <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/story/2012-02-24/act-of-valor-review/53228052/1" target="_blank">review</a> are hilarious.

LV426-Colonist

I must see this.

Temphage

Apparently part of the reason the script was so cheesy was because USN PR had complete control over the dialog as they were understandably nervous about the whole thing. And if you've ever seen AFN, it's no wonder it ended up a feature-length recruiting ad.