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Paul in Athens - Behind the Scenes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ส.ค. 2024
- From the University of Michigan team that is bringing you the Paul in Athens documentary now comes a behind the scenes clip. This video takes a more lighthearted and humorous view at the behind the scenes of the project, as told by our Second Unit Director, Paul Sutherland. See Prof. Yaron Eliav and his crew get to know the majestic city of Athens in a way never seen before.
Paul in Athens will be screened for the first time ever in MIDEAST 207 (previously called NearEast 207) - a Race and Ethnicity and Humanities Distribution course offered in Fall 2018. The class fills up quickly, so be sure to register now to see an in-depth look at the events that would shape so much of the western world.
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I am amazed at how the Paul in Athens crew managed to film such an intricate movie in just one week. It is fascinating that the team sought out the many sites for these historical scenes (the main being the Acropolis) in such a modern and industrious setting, using cities that were once filled with ancient landmarks that are now filled with tourism, graffiti, and modern technology. As a student, I appreciate the amount of work put into Paul in Athens movie because it shows the true passion that UofM professors/researchers have to continue educating students on the history of religion and civilization.
From the stressful decisions needed to be made, to being immersed in the culture of Greece, the behind the scenes shed light on the process and emotions of shooting a documentary. I never knew how much planning, coordination, and organization it would have taken to create a film. Not to mention the constant running into problems. The behind the scenes proved that creating a historical documentary, more specifically, comes with a complete separate set of challenges: finding a site, coordinating the time so there are no tourists, simulating historical times through props and makeup. Watching the behind the scenes and trailer has only increased my anticipation to watch the full documentary.
I was impressed by the commitment to historical accuracy in the film. From going to the actual locations in Greece like the Acropolis, to finding Greek actors, and using boats and costumes that were accurate to the era, the crew went to great lengths to make sure the documentary was properly made. Combine this with the challenges from the weather and getting into certain locations and the crew's dedication to accuracy was clearly evident.
It is interesting how Paul emphasizes the importance and challenges of depicting an ancient event in modern Greece. In the “Behind the Scenes” video, he points out how, despite current-day Athens being highly populated, filled with graffiti and music, and its citizens using motorbikes to travel around, it still maintains a rich history and landscape that will perfectly encapsulate Saint Paul’s expedition to Athens. Additionally, as mentioned in the “Paul in Athens” press release, the production team required people of all disciplines, from “cameramen, designers, local Greek actors,” and other crew members, to help complete this project. It’s impressive how much time and dedication was put into a movie that the team only had a week to complete. One remarkable thing was when the crew found an old-fashioned boat and the local boy-scouts outfit that perfectly fit the theme and period of the movie.
I love the role that music played in this behind-the-scenes video. The chaos of the pre-production meetings, the nerves of filming at sea, and even the majesty of many of the historical locations were all heightened by their musical accompaniment. The music allows the audience to immerse themselves in the emotions of this filming process.
The clip from inside the museum where it pans to the view of the Acropolis from the window is incredible. The juxtaposition of the rich history inside of the museum and then real life history hitting you in the face when you look out the window is remarkable. Each location the crew goes to brings even more history that once stood there as the movie looks to bring it back to life. Re-enacting scenes where incredible history once played out and I am looking forward to watching the movie and seeing how it came out.
It is incredible to think about all of the hurdles that had to be overcome throughout the making of this film. The short timeline, the transportation of the equipment to various locations, the last minute change in casting (for the main character!!), the legal issues with shooting in certain locations, the tourists AND the weather? It is impressive what this team was able to accomplish under these conditions and it really speaks to the importance of preserving and recounting history. If there are professionals out there willing to dedicate their time and money into risky projects in order to educate the public on historical events, clearly there is massive value today in understanding events of the past.
Something I specifically found really interesting while watching this behind the scenes video was the balance that the team had to strike between the ancient and the present. Despite these being the same ancient sites in which these Paul’s life occurred, they exist within a modern nation-state surrounded by modern infrastructure. Having to work around obstacles like tourists, or needing to search to find a piece of shoreline that looks undeveloped really puts into perspective the effort that went into creating a project like this. I also think this is interesting when studying classical civilizations and architecture in general because people have continued to build atop these sites for thousands of years. Places like Athens or Rome or Jerusalem exist within this balance of the old, new, and everything in between. Aspects of the obstacles that the filmmaking team faced for only one week are challenges that people who live in and continue to develop these ancient cities are forced to contend with everyday. These questions of how to preserve while still progressing are truly fascinating.
It truly takes a village to create a documentary, but that's not what impressed me the most. I wasn't aware of how hard it is to actually go to these places in Greece, and figure out everything as you go, even when it was planned far ahead. Right off the bat, we had the switch from a car to a motorcycle, and then we switched the main character. The commitment Professor Eliav has for making this documentary as accurate as possible is commendable. Entering the sites and being in awe as they walk past the architecture, rather than just showing up and filming, shows appreciation to the viewers, and makes us more interested in the history behind it all. Very excited to watch it!
After watching this video, It is pretty amazing to think about all the elements that go into shooting a movie. There are so many people involved, many obstacles to overcome, and many technical, planning, and other things that make up a production. And, this video only showed us what happened during the shooting process. We didn't get to see the prep and the editing after which is a huge part of the movie making process as well. It is so incredible to stop and think about all the hard work and effort that would've had to go into even a small production like this. Also, as a side note, this film made me want to visit Greece so bad because of how beautiful and rich in history it is.
After watching the behind-the-scenes capture of Paul in Athens, I gained a new appreciation for the problem-solving skills of Eliav and his team. Over and over again they ran into problem after problem, but seemingly solved them. For example, one major problem was that the filming areas would be too crowded and would not have enough space to accurately portray Paul. However, they quickly used their problem-solving skills and thus woke up early to capture the acropolis empty and without spectators. Not only do I love their problem-solving skills, but the fun attitude of the crew and Eliav is contagious. While watching this I could not help but smile. The beautiful landscape, the cheerful expressions of Eliav and his team, as well as the completion of the movie all made me happy and joyful for the production crew.
It's incredible that a team of people who just met each other could put together a movie in another country so quickly. Not to mention, how they were able to film at historical monuments that require governmental permission. Many of which have historical and cultural significance going back much further than the days of Paul. All of the extra time and effort put in during the filming to be able to capture these places as they might have been during Paul's visits, without the masses of tourists, is especially remarkable.
I love the dedication behind the development of this film. The crew had to overcome obstacles like crowds of people, bad weather. and even buoys in the water, all in the timespan of one week. The crew was still so grateful to be a part of this production through all these difficulties. It’s fascinating that they were able to make such a great representation of ancient Greece while filming in modern day. Watching these behind the scenes will make me appreciate the film even more after watching the amount of work put into this.
It was so much fun to see a guy named Paul tell another Paul's story in a video. During the filming, there were many difficulties: adjusting the shooting schedule to match the excellent weather, filming within the limited time of the rental place, dealing with the conflict with parking staff over parking time, and moving in the early morning when there were no tourists.
They also might have had no idea what to do in a remote area far from the United States. Even under these conditions, they were seen trying to maintain a positive energy. It must have been a wonderful experience to shoot a film with many experts in various fields among vast ancient artifacts. I really admire their passion for research and for educating students.
I found it really fascinating how Eliav highlighted the process of getting a permit to film at the acropolis. It highlighted the importance of getting to document a major historical site and set an example of how this space should be honored. This truly was an opportunity of a lifetime! I also really appreciated that this film was made by a team that seemed to care as much about telling this story as they did about each other. These "behind the scenes" showed how much love, passion, and commitment went into making this film by the whole team. The whole group worked together through many obstacles to make this film a reality. I initially had not thought of all the challenges they may face while trying to film and capture a true sense of 50CE but this clip showed how much effort was really put into the project. These clips were fun and I enjoyed seeing Eliav and the team come together to tell this story!
I liked how invested everyone was in the making of this documentary. It further emphasized what made me so excited to take this class. The history of the religions and lands we talk about brings together people from all across the world. In this specific example, it brought people together to put all this time and effort, people like Rechelle traveling from Israel or a lot of the crew flying in from Michigan, in order to make this documentary happen, despite all the obstacles that came up during the filming, to give us an inside look into the journey of St. Paul. It truly shows the significance of the history and I can't wait to watch the documentary.
It is truly amazing to see the passion that the team put into making this movie. Having normal professors and grad students come all the way out to one of the centers of ancient history and participate in something that was completely unfamiliar in such a short amount of time is simply awe-inspiring. It's also nice that we got to see some of the native citizens of Greece and Israel that donated their time to be a part of a new historical moment. Moreover, having to work around the hardships of weather, angry gatekeepers, and the large amount of people bustling through the historical monuments could have only been an immense pain and I am grateful that we as students are able to witness the first-fruits of what could have only been an incredibly challenging week.
Honestly, I did not expect to enjoy this Behind the Scenes video as much as I did. I found modern day Paul extremely engaging and at times quite funny. I don't think I fully grasped the sheer amount of work and effort that went into creating a short film. Whether it be fighting the weather, trying to get into historical sites to film, dealing with scheduling conflicts, trying to find ancient -looking props, or building an ancient market; it seemed to me that the cast and crew were almost always dealing with one problem or another. I am very impressed that they always seemed to find a solution off the cuff. I am also impressed that the team was able to film at the Acropolis, especially after hearing about how much Gucci offered to shoot there and still got turned down. This video made me even more excited to watch the documentary and gave me a better appreciation for the effort put into making it.
After watching the scenes and thinking about as well as comparing it to the trailer I have an ever greater appreciation for the work done by the crew. Having only one week to film a movie and not only that having to film with new people in a new country is something that really impressed and stood out to me. The ability to make big decisions when facing challenges like changing the actor of Paul and setting up shots for the market scenes also stood out to me. What the behind the scenes really demonstrated to me was how the crews passion for history and teaching really pushed them to create something amazing while facing so many challenges.
I enjoyed the unique perspective that this behind the scenes video gives us. The production crew showing their journey filming in and exploring modern day Athens was a fun watch. I liked that they showed some of the background of where the crew chose to shoot different scenes in the film. The contrast between the modern city and the ancient monuments was very telling when thinking about a part of the world inhabited for thousands of years and the many conflicts that have occurred on the land throughout history. I think going to a city and following a person, both of which were fundamental in the foundation of Western society, in order study our modern world was a great decision.
Seeing behind the scenes of the film "Paul in Athens" makes me so excited to see the final result. The preparation, effort, and passion it takes to create something this well-thought-out and beautiful is incomparable to anything I have ever done. The time constraint alone could destroy a project, but these behind-the-scenes display how passionate and determined everyone on the crew was. Even from a short video, I feel like I was in Athens, witnessing all these people's love and respect for each other. It was a heartwarming video that beautifully displayed the effort and knowledge it took to capture Athens.
Creating a film that transports audiences to a different time period while being filmed in modern times is a remarkable feat of cinematic artistry. It's a testament to the ability of filmmakers to adapt to their surroundings and utilize the resources of the present to recreate the past. Specifically, working around modern day problems, such as tourist and busy filming locations
I am so impressed with the thought put behind filming at some of the oldest, most amazing historical landmarks. Being allowed into the National Archaeological Museum before it even opened to the public in itself was an impressive feat. Even more astounding was filming at the Acropolis during sunrise with no tourists. Having permission to film at these locations also goes so far to show you how respectable the film is. I have to say the cinematography also did these locations justice, and the drone shots added a new dynamic to the film. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the film -- particularly after watching these BTS. Considering this introduction to the film has already taken us through a journey, I cannot begin to imagine what the actual film will encompass.
The behind the scenes to Paul in Athens has allowed me to understand how much the University of Michigan trusts Eliav, and therefore how much I should trust him too. Seeing how jam-packed the filming schedule was and the lengths the crew took to get every shot perfect shows me how much Eliav cares about the subject matter and our course. He is selflessly sharing his love of Athens with us in the most ideal way possible: an ever-so-engaging film. This previous summer, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a feature film production and it taught me that making a film is not easy; it is an accumulation of many things you would never think would need to be addressed yet there has to be a solution for all of those things. Eliav seems under control and understands the circumstances he is facing. The video also describes how important each and every member of the crew is to the project and how everyone plays a certain and distinct role.
This video really opened my eyes to the challenges of creating a historical documentary and the creative solutions that the crew took. Finding places to film that were clear of tourists and any signs of a modern society must have been extremely difficult. I found getting special permission to enter a museum before its opening, getting an old-looking boat from Boy Scouts who were also used as extras, and removing the boat's motor to be very shrewd solutions. I also found it to be a nice sort of juxtaposition, filming something that takes place in 50 CE with such advanced technology like drones and a 360-degree camera. It's amazing to see everything the crew accomplished in such a short duration of time, and I look forward to watching the film!
Aside from the filming of this wonderful documentary, noticing the geographical landscape like the elevation, mountains, valleys, etc. partnered with the weather that was mentioned like the heat and wind; only leads me to wonder about the struggles that Paul encountered 2 millenniums ago. I am very much intrigued to see how Paul managed to create something of this land and was very great in doing so. I wonder how difficult it was to create such towering architecture on the tallest land structures of the city. I am jealous of the permissions and the overall ability for the crew team and Eliav to be there filming this as well as the humorous puns and other forms of comedy that went into this. I am beyond excited to watch the documentary!
Honestly, to have a professor who cares this much about their work is so exciting! After watching this video, I can truly understand how passionate and dedicated Eliav is to educating people about history and sharing his interpretation. Seeing how much time and effort went into making this documentary made me appreciate it so much more. To create something from the ground up means you are the one responsible for all the logistical details and granular specifics, so seeing the behind-the-scenes film revealed the details that went into this project. I can't wait to see how this all comes together, and how in spite of some difficulties, the final project will be almost perfect.
The "Paul in Athens" crew surely got an authentic "Paul in Athens" experience. Just as Paul did, the crew came to a foreign, awe-inspiring place, a foreign society, with their own vision/goals, and had to adapt to all the challenges presented to them in just a week. I was amazed by both the persistence of those working on the movie, and, having never been to Athens to witness its grandeur, the city itself. I'm sure the crew felt the same, coupled with the stress, hustle, and enjoyment that went into making the film. I'm glad I got to see the production in this way before actually watching the movie-one can forget how far society has come when watching these films, and I'm excited to go into watching the documentary with the perspective and goal of connecting ancient and modern societies, just as the crew had to.
I think one of the most unique aspects of this film is actually being able to film where many of these events took place thousands of years ago. It adds a layer of depth that many historical films simply cannot achieve. Seeing the behind the scenes of connecting the past with modern times was spectacular. I loved being able to hear the ways they were able to achieve transporting the audience back to year 50. The passion of the cast and crew to film this in a week shows how important the project was overall.
The contrast between modern-day Greece and the Greece that St Paul fled too creates a fascinating dichotomy. On the one hand, you have this team coming to Greece for the first time and discovering so much of what Athens has to offer. They are also manoeuvring how to create their film with complex equipment and rules. Their visit is purposeful. On the other hand, St Paul arrives in Athens feeling persecution. His purpose was leaving his homeland, and once he arrives in Greece, his presence lacks purpose from what I gathered from the trailer, which is interesting when you consider his impact of religion and the world today. It was interesting to see the creative ways in which the crew created purpose and stories for Paul's story.
The most impressive thing to me about this behind the scenes is the pure dedication from all of the crew from all across the world to make this possible. Seeing the processes of making the actual scenes is remarkable. The fact that you were all able to shoot in the Acropolis without anyone else there is truly remarkable. The shots which the camera crew and the drone were able to capture were mind blowing. I didn't quite realize just how much planning and work would have to go into making a movie. The challenges you all had to overcome to actually film a movie were much harder than I imagined. Getting permission, avoiding tourists, accurately portraying historical events are all difficult tasks, yet you all made it happen. I cannot wait to watch the actual movie!
As a member of the general public, it is hard to understand how much effort goes into productions like this. We also do not realize how many obstacles they had to go through to make it all work. My favorite part was when the cast and production crew made it up to the Acropolis and just soaked in all the history they were standing on. I also did not realize how difficult it would be to avoid showing the modernity of the city and making it look like accurate to the setting of Paul's journey. I am excited to watch this film, especially after seeing how much effort the group put into it and all the memories they made along the way.
It is fascinating that the filming of this movie was largely done in a singular week, especially with the obstacles of filming in busy areas, weather, and trying to create a film based in ancient Athens in modern Greece. I especially realized the importance of this film when the video said Gucci was denied filming rights at Acropolis, but they received the rights, and it was "quite literally the opportunity of a lifetime." It is clear that the people in charge of the Acropolis really care about the area more than making money, and that made the experience even more special. Watching the sunrise over the ruins was an amazing moment. I also really enjoyed the drone shots as I felt like I was really there moving through the ruins myself. I am very excited to watch this film later in the class!
Watching this behind the scenes opened my eyes to how much effort, resources, coordination, and more must go into producing a cohesive and excellent film. Even from the beginning, the staff and Eliav had to make tough decisions and fix things before even filming could take place, and that was something that I did not realize was a factor in these types of films. Another aspect I enjoyed of this video is that it shows the attention to detail and how they spared nothing. This gives me an even deeper appreciation for when I finally get to watch the film. I also enjoyed how throughout this film, there was no shortage from the city of footage from Athens itself. This footage truly displayed how the city is an excellent uncommon blend between the modern and ancient eras and how many Mediterranean cities share a similar architectural feel. This behind-the-scenes does an excellent job of getting me interested and excited about the film while also gaining an appreciation for the people who made it happen.
I agree, this behind the scenes really makes you realize how impressive it was to produce this film. The crew was able to fit so many aspects into filming, and it is so extraordinary they were able to fit all of the filming in the week. Additionally, it was really incredible to see how flexible the crew was, as they adapted so much on the spot, such as changing the actor for Paul and trying to figure out the boat scene at the last minute. I agree that this behind the scenes will really enable me to have a greater appreciation for all of the work that went into filming, and I am excited to see how it all comes together.
I'm astonished by the hard work and dedication the production crew put into the creation of this film. With just a week to shoot the entire film, they rose to the occasion, dealt with whatever obstacles arose in their path, and created something they were proud of. They had to deal with unpredictable weather that would potentially put the crew at risk and stiff security guards who didn't seem too fond of the production. To create a film set in the past but shot in a modern (albeit ancient) city like Athens was no easy task. I was also surprised and appreciative that the film crew gained approval to shoot at the Acropolis despite the Greek government turning down rich and notable offers from other groups, like Gucci, to shoot there. This gesture made me proud of the Greek government for its appreciation for education and the goals of Eliav's film. Seeing what went into the film offers a different perspective of the production and I was glad to see how grateful and appreciative the film crew was to be working on a project like this.
After watching the behind-the-scenes footage, I've gained a newfound appreciation for the incredible effort and dedication that go into creating a documentary film. It's truly impressive how the team had to meticulously plan every detail before even starting filming, for example, creating a market 2000 years ago. The perspective of the narrator adds a relatable touch, making it even more engaging for someone like me, who has never been to Athens or attempted documentary filmmaking. This documentary promises to be a captivating journey that blends history and culture in a unique and educational way.
After immersing myself in the behind-the-scenes footage, I can't help but be awestruck by the anticipation for the actual movie. The sheer dedication exhibited by the team, both in Greece and the coordination efforts from the Ann Arbor crew, is truly remarkable. It's awe-inspiring to witness how a city like Athens, steeped in history and adorned with important landmarks, has gracefully evolved into a modern metropolis while preserving its historical treasures. It's almost as if these iconic monuments are encased in a glass bubble, safeguarding their rich history for generations to come. The juxtaposition of the past and the present is nothing short of incredible and surely an experience that would be surreal to witness in person. If the authorities recognized the potential of this film to grant access before the influx of tourists, I have no doubt that this cinematic creation will be both captivating and profoundly educational.
The behind the scenes clips were enlightening, for it demonstrated the difficulties that arise in filming historical footage in the modern world. Not only did the crew have little time to film, but they were forced to take specific measures to make the film as accurate as possible. They had to wake up super early to avoid tourists and shoot several takes of a scene to ensure the developed coastline was not featured. However, I was fascinated at the footage shared of Athens monuments. It was intriguing to see the different types of cameras and equipment they used to capture certain shots. Watching all the hard work and attention to detail that went into filming has excited me to watch the full movie!
I can't imagine what it must have felt like to walk along the same paths and trails as the real Paul did so many thousands of years ago. To know that you're feeling the same soil under your feet that Paul felt along his journey, a journey that gave way to the modern western world, must've been a powerful and inspiring experience. This behind the scenes was really cool to me because it allowed the audience to understand how the modern Greece still holds so much history and wisdom in its roots, and it showed what it's like to work on a project that tries to convey that history thoroughly. I haven't even watched the documentary yet, but I can tell just how much passion and hard work went behind the making of this film, and to say that the crew accomplished their goal would be an understatement.
After watching this clip, I am truly amazed at the combination of cinematography, research, and storytelling. The attention to detail, such as when they removed the motor from the boat to make it look more realistic, demonstrates the amount of dedication and time this film no doubt took. I can't wait to watch the entire documentary!
While watching this video I loved the way they did everything step by step. The bond that the team has built was so nice to see how even though it was their first time meeting they all enjoyed their time together. They even saw different building structures and watching it from behind the scenes was even better. Seeing the different structures and how they came about them was really nice. Overall, I enjoyed being able to see their every move and how they did everything from behind the scenes. It shows how much fun they’ve had doing this project. We saw how each person had their own job and purpose of the project which was nice.
One of my main takeaways from this video is that a sense of humor is essential to overcoming challenges in ambitious projects like this one. The crew faced difficulties, but no one got fixated on them and instead adapted, joking along the way. At one point Eliav said that he “can’t go wrong” because of how amazing his team is. One moment of flexibility I found particularly inspiring was when they borrowed a boat from a group of boy scouts who ended up being extras in the film. It reminded me of how in ancient Greece, there was such an emphasis on hospitality and helping anyone who requests it. The crew’s journey parallels that of a man in an unfamiliar ancient land who is reliant on the kindness of those around him. All in all, I look forward to watching the documentary and am grateful that the Paul , who is not the Apostle Paul, made this behind the scenes video, because it gave a beautiful glimpse of how history repeats itself.
i really enjoed the behind the scenes mini-film. I think that a lot of the times people forget all the work, time, effort, and obstacles that happen when trying to produce a film. I like how open that Paul was about all the struggles and difficulties that they were having while filming, and how he showed how they would go about these obstacles in order to accurately and effectively produce a good film. I also like how throughout the film he showed a lot of the historical parts of Athens, and would describe certain rules that they would have to follow and why even the geography and buildings made it difficult for them. Overall, it was really interesting and educational, but also light-hearted and fun to watch!
Thank you professor Eliav for your great work. I'm in Athene, and just visited the little hill of Areopago. Your video helped me a lot to have a deeper understanding of Paul's journey to Athens.
The Athens project was very significant because it bridged together ancient history with modern film. Oftentimes, archaeology can be a difficult field to research and study -- one has to be very passionate about it in order to truly understand it's importance in the world. Through the creation of this movie, whole audiences of people can now understand the significance of the story of Paul in Athens. Archaeology plays a huge role in this film because all of the famous Greek monuments this film highlights were the product of historic archaeological discoveries. The movie does a fantastic job of displaying the importance of archaeology in understanding history.
Watching this behind-the-scenes video shed light on many intricacies and difficulties that come along with producing a movie. For example, finding a historically authentic place to film in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world is a challenge that I did not anticipate. In addition, attempting to plan the filming of a movie from across the world is extremely limiting, which adds another layer of difficulty. As a result, the crew was forced to make several last-minute decisions and solve numerous problems as they arose. In addition, filming a movie that takes place centuries ago comes with a whole nother set of complications and an added layer of research. I am extremely excited to watch this film and see how Eliav’s crew was able to problem-solve and put together such a successful documentary.
As I watch the BTS clip, I immediately think of Eliav’s saying, “History begins in the present.” Paul narrates that the team will be going around modern-day Athens to tell a story set nearly two millennia ago. Almost as incredible as that is witnessing how much work went into the film itself. A last-minute cast change, limited time, and limited access would pose a great deal of difficulty on any crew, even more so for one thousands of miles from familiar territory. However, watching the shots from the museums, the Areopagus, the Temple of Zeus, and the Acropolis, it is obvious the hard work paid off. Having to read about this place in textbooks or hearing a lecture would simply have been a disservice to the magnificent architecture and breathtaking landscape of Athens, Greece.
The effort, resourcefulness, and assumed expenses that went into the making of this film gave me an immensely positive first impression of all the content related to this film. The time management and resilience to avoid crowds and other unforeseen challenges are additionally worth complimenting. With language barriers present, and assuming that not the entire cast speaks the local language, the people skills on display here are world-class. I can tell everyone involved stepped outside of their comfort zones to make this film possible. This Behind-the-Scenes video inspired a great urge to see this land for myself one day in the near future.
I found it so interesting and impressive how much work went into this project. The weather and time frame and budget all provided challenges for Eliav and his crew but they continued to push through. Especially for me, the most intriguing part was the change from Ann Arbor to Athens and how Eliav pulled off this transition. That aspect made it feel very real to me and provided a new found respect for Eliav's dedication to the course and credentials as an archaeologist and a historian. The humorous aspects made it enjoyable to watch and made me very excited to see the full documentary.
What struck me most about this video and this project as a whole is the effort to make history more accessible to all. The video highlights how Greece's history is intertwined with its landscape as seen through the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum at the center of Athens. Paul in Athens aims to depict a story that goes beyond any textbook; this film creates the visual elements of the land itself, the architecture, the clothing, and other aspects of life from thousands of years ago, allowing students to truly experience history. I think the importance of preserving such history and making it more accessible to people is shown when the film crew for Paul in Athens was allowed to film in the Acropolis, a task that other influential individuals found to be impossible. So, for people that cannot get a first hand look at the history of Greece by traveling there, Paul in Athens seems to provide a substantial supplement to the history of the land.
Seeing behind the scenes allows the viewer to recognize just how unique this documentary is. The short amount of time with which the crew had to work must have put enormous pressure on them throughout the filming process. Avoiding obstacles to filming such as tourism and backgrounds that would have included modern architecture would have been essential to the immersion of the viewer. The fact that such immersion was maintained through access to important locations in such a short time frame is remarkable. Having seen the speed and production quality with which this documentary was created I am excited to view the final product. I often watch documentaries on my own time, so seeing behind the scenes and learning from the creator of this documentary will be a very unique opportunity for me.
This behind the scenes really showed the hard work and passion that went in to making this movie. I loved seeing how tight knit the group got, that only makes the movie better. It was like a learning experience for the crew members as well, which is always great to see. The fact that they had permission to shoot in the Acropolis, while Gucci was denied is intriguing. (I looked it up, it is in fact Gucci!) That proves that the intention of this creating this movie was seen by the people in Greece as well, it isn't a business or someone makes profit off advertising. It is pure intention to teach other people about the most wonderful historical places on this Earth at the site itself.
Seeing this alternate side of Professor Eliav was much different than I had imagined. He spoke about his love for filmmaking and directing in the first lecture, however, after seeing this video, it is evident that this "love" is much more than a small hobby. One of the most intriguing parts of the video was how they chose to combine a modern city of Athens with an ancient storyline. In a city almost dominated by tourists, it had to have been unbelievably challenging to set up certain shots, figure out film locations, and everything else that needed to be accounted for. A good friend of mine has a similar love for directing and has made several short films that I have seen. He has shown me the process behind making one and the amount of work needed to produce even a 5-minute film is hard to comprehend. I can only imagine how challenging it was to film in such a crowded city with a limited time schedule and budget.
Seeing the behind the scenes for making a film is always something that is so incredibly rewarding and comforting. It amazes me how much a small group of people are able to complete with only a small amount of equipment or time. I also was extremely surprised that this team was able to find ways to film without tourists! Seeing Greek architecture and statues without a crowd creates such a powerful ambiance. Very excited to see the full film and what the historical pieces have to offer us in the context of Paul's lifetime!
It is pretty inspiring to see how the documentary was filmed. Within one week, the crew created a film - scouted locations, gathered a cast, coordinated with the government, and changed the director of wardrobe to an actor. The behind-the-scenes video was also pretty cool as it gave us another view of the city of Athens and how it looks now. The beautiful hills, significant stone structures, and inspiring sunrises combined with a bustling modern-day city were sights to see.
After watching the behind the scenes, I can only imagine how amazing the actual movie is. The amount of dedication from not only those in Greece, but also the team in Ann Arbor that coordinated the film and did preparations is unbelievable. It’s amazing to see how a city, like Athens, with so much history and important monuments has become a modern city with a modern lifestyle, while maintaining these historical landmarks. It’s as if these monuments had a glass box around them to maintain their history for years to come. The combination of both the past and the present is incredible to see and definitely something that would be surreal to see in person. If the authorities saw the potential in this film to allow you to film before tourists, then I have confidence that this film will be fascinating and educational.
I think one of the most commendable things about this film was the crew's ability and drive to recreate scenes as they would have existed in ancient Greece. I thought the scene about them building the market stand was super cool, because it's so hard to replicate a completely different world, especially with such limited resources. The creativity in camerawork, costuming, and prop use is extremely admirable.
The behind the scenes makes this film even more intriguing and makes me even more excited to watch it. When watching the trailer, you don't think much about the work that had to go into shooting each scene, but it was clearly difficult in a location as filled with tourists as Athens. Additionally, not only did the people in the locations pose a problem, but the locations themselves did. I can't imagine how hard it was to ensure that not even a dash of the modern world was present in the film. Modern buildings, technology, clothing, etc. would be awfully hard to work around. The fact that the crew was able to shoot in Acropolis while a brand as monumental as Gucci was denied is impressive, and it's nice that the people of Greece saw that this film's value is in education and history rather than monetary gain. It made me realize how much attention to detail was put into just the visual aspect of the film, making me all the more excited for the actual content of the story that Eliav has to tell. It was also great to see the crew having fun and being able to explore such a beautiful and historically significant city, and I hope that our class has just as much fun watching it and seeing their vision unfold.
I loved viewing this video because it shows how much time and effort people are willing to put into something they are passionate about. It was great to see all of the historical places they visited while filming the movie. It is admirable that the crew did their absolute best trying to convey the ancient message and story of Saint Paul in a modern era. I also thought it was amazing that they showed modern Greece in this video as well because the city is beautiful especially with all of the street art, the scenery, and all of the live music. Lastly, it is amazing that the team could shoot the documentary/movie in such a short span of time is inspiring especially because they were able to shoot at the acropolis which is almost impossible. For these reasons I am extremely excited to watch this film in class.
I am genuinely amazed at how much went into the production of the film, and also Eliav's abilities to truly embody the character of a Hollywood director. The amount of effort and time it must have taken to piece together the crew and cast, organize the filming and script, while remaining composed and getting it all done within a slim time frame is absolutely astounding. Coordinating these vastly different components really makes me think of my experiences in the medical world as an EMT, trying to transfer patient documents to the hospital, managing witnesses and external influences, and simultaneously thinking about the necessary procedures to provide the best care to the patient. Very difficult stuff, but it seems it was executed well, not hackneyed in any manner! I would have loved to see these glorious monuments at dawn.
The Paul in Athens - Behind the Scenes video is quintessential for viewers to understand the intensity of the film production. Eliav and his production team endured many set-backs while trying to produce this film like international traffic, the blazing European heat, locals, and laws. However, the behind-the-scenes feature allows the audience to understand the work of the producers, directors, students, managers, and Eliav and to respect the historical connection between St. Paul’s visit to the city of Athens to modern-day Greece’s remaining architecture and cultural vibrance. I have always enjoyed watching behind-the-scenes videos of a film production because it allows me to appreciate the work that goes into creating a visual representation of history. In addition, I did not realize that the production team only filmed for a week because looking back at the trailer, the film is intricately put together. As a result, the behind-the-scenes video allows the audience to understand and appreciate the work and the history of St. Paul in Athens.
I loved seeing the behind the scenes of filming Paul in Athens! I found it incredible that it was all filmed in only a week. I enjoyed seeing the journey from Ann Arbor to Athens, including all of the traveling, tourism, and people along the way. It was humorous seeing the "wardrobe changes," including covering up the tattoos of "Paul" for historical accuracy. What I found interesting about this behind the scenes film is the combination of production details as well as historical aspects. It was great to learn more about the museums, tourist attractions, and historical places that were included in the Paul in Athens film. It provided a great overview of the city and its history.
Learned a lot about the tourist spots in Athens by the video showing me the team’s different filming locations.
Watching this behind the scenes footage has made me super excited to watch the documentary in a few weeks. Not only does it show just how dedicated and passionate everyone who worked on the film was, but I think it also offered a really cool perspective of modern-day Athens as well. Athens today is obviously a much different place than it was in Paul’s time, and I am intrigued to see if this dichotomy will be explored in the film. I was also impressed to see such a wide variety of filming types and techniques. Camerawork and directing are easy to overlook, especially for a documentary, but It’s clear that everyone who worked on this project really knew what they were doing!
I was expecting a more extended filming period, to know that the documentary was filmed in a week is astonishing to me. Especially since the filming sites are crowded tourist spots and there are uncontrollable events such as bad weather. It also fascinates me as they build some sets from scratch and try to depict the way of living back then, even with details such as the boat, and scenes that involve most of the production crew; it shows the dedication and passion poured into making this documentary. It’s also fun that we can see the contrast between modern-day Greece and how it’s depicted in the documentary, showing a nice difference and insights.
One of my favorite parts of this video is the display of how art has evolved over time. When in the museum, the production crew highlights the sculptures, monuments and statues that display ancient Greek figures and/or events. Later on, the production crew shines light upon the graffiti which has now overtaken some parts of modern Athens. To me, seeing this sharp contrast of art forms reminds me that artistic expression is one element of storytelling that has existed throughout history and continues to exist today. Viewing these different artistic displays, I realize that art is one of many great equalizers that allows all people to understand the message being portrayed and connect with the surrounding culture.
Although the video is only about 16 minutes long, I can feel how hard the crew worked during that whole week and overcame numerous challenges: weather and human factors. I have never been to Greece before, but after watching this video, I became very interested in Greece. Because I was most shocked when the crew stepped into the Acropolis at sunrise. The Acropolis at that moment seemed like an eternity. At that moment, I felt as if history was slowly flowing around me. For hundreds of years, millions of people have been here to leave their own traces but those traces will eventually disappear, only the history and art can be eternal and never change.
I haven't even watched the actual film yet, but I am so impressed by the constraints that it was put together under. The fact that all of the filming, most of the location scouting, and final casting decisions were all done in a week is amazing. Especially considering the weather issues for the boat scene, the entire crew really pulled this together. I definitely think watching the behind the scenes will give me a greater appreciation for the film when I watch it in its entirety and I am excited to see how it all comes together.
Seeing the current modern Athens, with its graffiti, flea market, and music, brings the city to life as a vibrant and bustling metropolis with its own distinctive culture. Watching the video, I am amazed that although the planning had happened for months, the crew only had one week to shoot the entire film and managed to pull it off. The behind the scenes really gives us as viewers insight into all the difficult aspects of producing that we usually just ignore or forget about when watching. Changing actors on the fly, creating the sets, and getting permission from places like the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens to film really put into perspective the scale and effort of the project. The clips we saw of the product were stunning.
What is most notable to me from this video is the speed at which all of the work for the movie was done. With only one week to actually film the entire movie, it's very impressive that your team was able to make it to so many different landmarks and complete the film. It is also nice to see how dedicated the team was in the creation of this film, and it's obvious that everyone who helped was extremely enthusiastic and passionate about it. Very excited to actually watch the movie!
This video offers an in depth look into how this film was produced. It is amazing that the production team got to experience the lands that Paul journeyed through when he was on his travels. The video's attention to detail with the casting and the costumes also deserves recognition. One thing that I found notable about the video was the boat that Paul traveled on. I found it really cool that the team was able to re-create what Paul's journey across the Mediterranean would've been like. The boat definitely looks like it came out of Ancient Roman times. The aesthetic elements that were crafted behind the scenes combine to make for a memorable video that shows a careful attention to detail as well as a more enthralling video. I think the best way to get students to really enjoy and become educated is to create an experience for the viewer that takes them on a realistic journey.
The behind-the-scenes footage for this project has really given me a new sense of appreciation for the task that the documentary sets out to complete. I can only imagine the effort that goes into converting a modern landscape like the current state of Greece into a stage for a film meant to take place thousands of years in the past. Additionally, the fact that it is possible to do such a thing using landmarks and historical ruins drives home both the change and continuity of the region. Although technology, architecture, music, and the overall culture has seen great change since the time frame that the documentary hopes to capture, these changes are tempered by the actions of those from the past. Perhaps it is for this exact reason that a documentary of the journey of someone as impactful as Paul the Apostle is such an important thing to study and examine.
Awe. As I gazed at this video in disbelief, many thoughts were going through my head. The first is a sense of awe that the teacher I am learning about Middle Eastern culture from, directed this video. I have never been to Greece but I have always longed to visit. Through Eliavs’ lens, I am able to feel like a Greek tourist. I was able to listen to lively Greek music, see the bustling streets of Athens, hear the unique accents of Greek residents, and immerse myself in awe-striking Greek architecture. The peaceful hora of the Acropolis showed a nice balance between the hectic Greek day-to-day life and the historic pieces of Greek culture that engulf Greece. This film gave me a great preview into Greek culture and all the beauty that it beholds. The aspect of this film that filled me with the most awe was that this film connected a story of a great Greek contributor, Apostle Paul, to current Greek life. I cannot wait to watch this video and see what great connections there are between Paul and his life to Greek and Israeli culture.
Yaron and the crew took advantage of an opportunity. To be able to film at the Acropolis must have been amazing. I would have been stressed by the idea of being thousands of miles away from home with people I do not know and with a time frame of only one week to create a movie. However, they inspire me because they managed to do what they planned and could see the places and artifacts many read about in textbooks. Visiting museums such as the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the Acropolis Museum would leave me in awe to view artworks over 2,000 years old.
It is truly impressive to watch this video and understand what a feat it was to produce the film. There were so many obstacles that the crew had to overcome in order to paint a realistic picture of Paul's journey, and I am excited to see how it will all come together.
Watching the behind the scenes introduced a greater appreciation for film making for me, as I have very little knowledge of how documentaries are really created. The video clips of major landmarks such as the Parthenon and even modern day characteristics of Athens provide an interesting combination of ancient artifacts and cultural norms in the city. I am excited to see how they mix together within the documentary and how Eliav is able to connect the two throughout. Additionally, from the point of view of the narrator, I felt more connected to the story. I have also never been to Athens or attempted to make a documentary, so seeing these perspectives from someone isn't necessarily a profession is refreshing and engaging.
This behind-the-scenes video makes me very excited to watch the documentary. It is fascinating how quickly this film came together, and how there had to be so much planning in such little time. The crew filmed at so many beautiful sites that captured the history of the city of Athens, such as mount Lycabettus, the tallest point in the country. It was interesting to see the variation in filming methods, such as the drone, and all of the obstacles the crew had to face in the short time they had to film. The incoming storm and the actor change were risks the crew had quickly resolve, and it seems as if everything turned out as it was supposed to. I am looking forward to watching the film and learning more about the story behind Paul in Athens.
I found it incredible to share the perspective of creating this film from behind the scenes, revealing the true dedication, effort, and collaboration needed. I loved the combination of humor and education in explaining the overall process. Countless factors played into the creation of the film that I would never have considered, such as waking up early to beat the tourists, acquiring special permission from the museum, and even a nerve-wracking boating excursion. I had never considered how many unique roles and responsibilities are required for such a task, but I am extremely impressed by the ability to create so much with a small team. Also, I enjoyed getting to see beautiful views of Athens.
From the behind-the-scenes video, it was clear how much effort and work went into making this movie. In addition to being able to see various parts of modern-day Greece, we were also able to see the ancient buildings that have been around for centuries and usually cannot be filmed, such as the Acropolis for example, and it gave insight into the terrain and geography of the country. I was also amazed at how much the cast and crew managed to accomplish with only a week to shoot the film and various obstacles such as logistics errors and weather issues getting in the way of filming. I found it interesting how within the cast and crew, there were people from many different cultures and backgrounds, and I could imagine the language barrier making things slightly more difficult as well. I hope to visit Greece in the future and see the places mentioned in this video in person for myself one day.
I enjoyed getting an inside look into how this documentary was made. I can only imagine the logistics and pre-planning that had to be done in order to get this project off the ground - let alone actually film and produce the documentary. I found it really interesting to watch ancient history being recreated in a modern city and huge tourist destinations. Seeing the mix of remnants from the ancient world contrasting with everyday life, tourism and urban life (like graffiti on old buildings) opened my eyes to the difficulties faced while trying to recreate ancient history in the modern world. This behind the scenes video really shows the amount of effort put in by the entire crew to seek out each important place and film the history as accurately as possible while dealing with time constraints, large crowds, and avoiding evidence of modern day life showing up in the background of the clips. This video also made me more excited to watch the full film and see the results of all the hard work done by the cast and crew to create this large project.
I found this behind the scenes incredibly fascinating. In particular, it was interesting how difficult it is to reserve the Acropolis to film (Gucci offered $2 million and were turned down), but Professor Eliav's crew was allowed to be present. One member of the crew, who appeared to be a Greek local, mentioned that the Acropolis is all about respect. Eliav's crew were on an important mission and that was recognized by the Greek authorities. I also found it interesting how much the landscape has been changed throughout the years. It was difficult to find a place to land 'Paul's' boat that didn't have an identifiable landmark. Nevertheless, there are small spots along the coast that aren't touched by modernity. Those places are special and were sought out by the crew. I also appreciated the levity provided by Paul:)
When I watched this scene, about Greece turning down Gucci for $2 million, it showed me how humbling this experience must have been, not only for Paul (the person who shot the BTS), but for the whole crew. Eliav must have had the adventure of a lifetime to be able to share his life with the ancient histories of Greece without all the vacationers present. They were able to see the true beauty of the Greek past. This, however, came with a lot of sacrifices. As said, they had to be up early in the morning and make sure their coverage ended before the floodgates could open. This behind-the-scenes footage allowed me to feel like one with the film. I was truly able to wear the shoes of the videographer and understand how difficult it is not only to make a film but one which the audience can learn and grow from. I am extremely excited to see how the film played out.
It is eye-opening how much work was put into this documentary. This makes me even more intrigued about the history of the land and how it has shaped today’s society. It is very intriguing to see the setting where they filmed and how they used modern-day technology to convey a story from the past. The production looks highly professional and very well organized (other than the fact that they had to switch actors just a few days before the shoot!). I really enjoyed seeing all of the effort that Professor Eliav and his crew put into this project, and it only makes me more excited to see the final product in class!
It was amazing to see a crew of UMich employees get together to travel to Athens and produce a movie using their knowledge and research. Being able to witness how much effort and difficulty went into making this movie, I am looking forward to seeing how it all turns out. It appeared to be a great group that overcame challenges together like getting up early, finding the right boats, traffic, heat, and replacing actors but also learned a lot from one another.
Making a film is one of the most detail-oriented and meticulous actions that anyone can undertake. While I have only shot films for school assignments, the amount of work that goes into every shot creates a difficult and painstaking process, as shown by the many retakes when filming Paul’s boat scene. Other side issues in the making of this film involved the amount of tourists in Athens, which forced the crew to wake up very early to beat crowds.
In addition, other acts of transitioning present-day Athens to its ancient counterpart involved lots of creative setup as well as a significant amount of trial and error. These challenges included the logistical work to get into museums early to using 360 degree footage to drone footage, all of which are tools in aiding this transformation that serves to make the transformation as realistic as possible.
I found it incredible how the crew was so dedicated to creating a film that could encapsulate the history of the ancient city of Athens while simultaneously trouble-shooting with the modern day obstacles like shot-angles and the nuisance of large crowds. I also appreciated the clips that showed the camera along with the timeless art and sculptures in one of the museums. I found this juxtaposition between modern art in the form of cinema and ancient art very interesting. The combination of such cool technology such as the drones and 3D camera and a city with such historical significance is fascinating to watch, especially since many years ago, Athens was a place of novelty and innovation. I am eager to continue watching this documentary that explores the complexity of Athens and the dynamic of this place.
I agree that the film crew camraderie and perseverance through production hang ups shows the struggle behind the camera. I'm glad I got a guide to the sites and sounds of modern Athens with the stunning view of the acropolis. Since all I knew about Paul was his famous name change to Saul and the reaffirmation of his faith after leaving prison, seeing him in person with sights and sounds makes his desert trek tangible. His battle to preserve Christianity is paralleled by the film crew's fight to shoot with crowds and inclement weather delaying the process. Overall, this look at what it took to bring Paul's story to life leaves me excited to see how the fall of Nebuchadnezzar and the rise of Persia comes into play in the full documentary.
My favorite aspect of this video is how thoroughly it explores how Athens is a contemporary city intertwined with history. I really enjoyed how the scenery changed from ancient sites to contemporary Athens. For a historical documentary like this one, where the goal is to connect the past to the present, Athens (and the story of Paul!) are fantastic picks. I found it incredible to see how current tools like drones and sophisticated cameras were used to capture scenes with historical figures. Without a BTS video, I don't think I would have given the filming process much thought. After watching this movie, I'm even more curious to see how Professor Eliav will retrace Paul's steps through Athens.
Watching the behind the scenes gave so much context and it allowed me to understand the actual film when watching. It was different to see the journey of Paul through Athens and the aspects that were used throughout filming the movie. The different things and equipment used was cool to see.
After watching these behind the scenes clips, I have a new appreciation for the creation and production of documentaries. With a small crew and limited time I cannot imagine the stress and commitment it must have taken to pull it all together. It was also amazing to see modern-day Greece as the crew traveled around and reenacted ancient scenes. It is crazy to see the contrast between modern establishments and monuments like the Parthenon coexisting and I am intrigued to see how the documentary connects the past with the present.
Watching this video helped me learn more not only about "Paul in Athens," but also Eliav's approach to teaching history. In class over the past week, we have focused on how history begins in the present, and this video definitely captured this approach. The production of the film was conducted in a similar fashion. The team had to work in reverse, solving and learning about modern problems in order to accomplish their film goals.
This behind the scenes look into the Paul in Athens documentary was very interesting and made me excited to watch the full documentary. I was very impressed by all of the time and resources that went into creating this movie and think that it is great to see the University of Michigan supporting this effort. The video gave a glimpse of Athens as both a lively city, filled with culture, music, and tourists, and an ancient city, filled with ruins and great archaeological sites. I was blown away by the footage at the Acropolis and how the crew was able to gain exclusive access to the site. It truly does seem like a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I thought it was impressive to see the film crew remain so positive and dedicated while navigating so many different challenges -- like weather, governmental permission, traffic, and tourists. One thing I found especially interesting was the challenge of recreating Ancient Greece in modern Athens. When I watch a movie, I often take the screenplay and seamless production for granted, so it was valuable to observe the work that goes into a documentary's creation. In addition, I appreciated learning about the different forms of art in Athens. I think that the diversity in art and music that I observed in the video is representative of the rich history of culture that continues to flourish in the city.
I am extremely impressed with the effort put into this film. I am especially impressed because it only took them days to complete the project. For example, even with such a short period of time, they still made sure to get special permission from the National Archeological Museum of Athens to film there. Additionally, they attempted and succeeded in creating their own market made out of props, instead of just finding a market to film in. Through the viewing of the behind-the-scenes of Paul and Athens, it becomes evident to the audience how much effort they put into the creation and visuals of the film in such a short period of time. Very impressive!
Something that stood out to me the most from this video was that they allowed Eliav and his team to film at the Acropolis, but they refused Gucci, a huge company willing to pay millions of dollars to film there. It definitely shows how much they value using the ruins for educational purposes and not just as a way to make money. When Paul was discussing the difficulties they had filming one single shot, I completely understood what he meant by that! I've been to Athens before and there were people everywhere, so I can't even imagine how difficult it was trying to get shots with no outside people in them and making sure all modern day objects were out of the frame. On top of that with only one week to shoot the movie, I can only imagine how hectic it was. I am very excited to watch the documentary soon, especially now that I've seen how much effort was put into filming it!
The behind the scenes footage gave great insight not only into the film making process, but the long and tedious process of creating a historically accurate documentary. Because historical figures and events--like those that follow the life of St. Paul--were not thoroughly documented during their time, it is exciting to see ancient stories come to life with the use of modern day technology. I truly enjoyed how this video was filmed and put together. The fragmented camera work and upbeat music embodied the tumultuous feeling the cast and crew felt trying to put together a documentary in only a weeks time. As for the sneak peak of some of the cinematography showcased in the film, I was taken aback by the drone shots of the Acropolis; they truly captured the complexity of Greek architecture and how structures like these represented the greatness of Athens and the important role this major city played throughout European/Middle Eastern history.
I don't usually watch behind the scenes videos because I think that they will be boring, but this video changed that. What stood out to me the most was how much effort goes into making a documentary as historically accurate as possible. There are different challenges like dealing with the weather and land to provide an accurate representation of the geography and climate of where Paul journeyed, and how this affected him. This documentary was meant to be representative of Paul's ancient journey, so having to avoid tourists and modern buildings in shots of the film was essential to maintaining historical accuracy, and it was interesting to see how the crew worked around this, even using Boy Scouts as extras. Most interesting for me was dealing with foreign governments because you would never expect this to be a barrier to production of a film. I never thought the crew would need special permission to film in certain places, and it's an aspect of documentaries that probably occurs often but we do not hear about. Getting access to filming at important historical locations like the Acropolis was essential for film and portraying Paul's historical journey, but probably required a lot of political exchange with local government which couldn't have been easy. It is evident that a lot of planning had to be put in ahead of time to try and film in settings that fit Paul's historical journey, but the video also showed that not everything goes as planned, and the work arounds and solutions the crew had to make in some scenarios speaks to their ingenuity.
I think it is amazing that this small group of people was able to produce a high-quality short film about an important historical figure. It was obvious that a tremendous amount of effort was put into the creation of this film. The team was obviously extremely dedicated to this project given the limited amount of time and manpower. I look forward to seeing Eliav’s perspective on Apostle Paul.
Watching this really made me realize how much effort goes into a big production like this and it really makes me appreciate the work that the cast and crew put in, between battling the weather, switching cast, and working with foreign governments. I think its especially interesting how they managed to make modern day Greece still work as a functional set for a documentary featuring clips of 'ancient' Athens. The neat tricks they use to make the sets work well and flow in the film are an impressive example of the creativity required to go through with a project like this. Seeing this behind the scenes video made me excited to see the finished product and how they turned all this raw footage into a high quality educational experience.
It is incredibly impressive to see how much effort it took to make this film and the challenges that the crew and everyone involved with the project had to work through. From changing your actors last minute to shooting the boat scene even when the weather forecast called for extreme winds. You guys only had a week to make the project and it looked like you took advantage of every possible moment you guys had. It is also evident that your project was noted by the Greek government as a work of important educational merit as they allowed you to film on the Acropolis and shut it down for the film crew when they would not do the same thing for Gucci when they proposed millions of dollars to do so! It is clearly important to understand events of the past.
I couldn't agree more! I was really shocked that they were able to go up to the Acropolis to film! It really shows how devoted every member of the team was to creating this historical documentary. I wonder how important the Greek government deemed this venture in order to give so many allowances to the crew to do the filming? Really makes it seem like a necessary and important project like you said.
I really enjoyed watching this behind the scenes video and I think it will add to my experience once I watch the full documentary. It was fascinating to watch the crew members recreate ancient scenes in the modern world and all the hard work that went into doing so. Being able to look at the old architecture and stories through a modern lens and figure out how to best depict these scenes to the audience was amazing to watch. I was also impressed by all the quick decisions the team had to make when faced with natural obstacles, such as weather conditions and limited time they could spend in certain areas. This video gave us a deeper look at the challenges in film making and will help the viewers appreciate little details in the full documentary.
I liked a lot about this video. Firstly, I loved the title " Paul in Athens Behind the Scenes with Another Paul... in Athens". But on a more serious note, this video was able to show all the work that goes unnoticed when making a movie. When I go to the movie theater and sit down, I don't typically think about the cameraman who recorded each clip, or the person who chose each outfit being worn, but this video really helped me appreciate it. It is truly amazing what they were able to accomplish in a matter of a single week. From waking up at 5am to beat the tourists to setting up an old village, you can tell that this was an all hands on deck project. At the end of the day, it was definitely worth it though. I could tell from just the trailer.
I thought that making documentary films was simply about one shooting another until I watched this video - really the first "Behind the Scenes" for me! There really ARE things to care about - traveling, how and where to shoot, getting permissions, scripts, and even weather! Everyone worked hard on this film, and that's why it can do something! I have been anticipating the film itself now! By the way, I like how Paul said "we are on our own adventure" on 1:38. Athens is such an interesting city, with both modern street art and ancient architecture art existing at the same time! That's what a cradle of civilizations does, I guess?