Monster Camp
by Cullen Hoback
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dave Overman, Fern Zimmerman, J.P., Paul Vorvick, Shane MacomberDirector: Cullen Hoback
Brand: Koch International
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-09-02
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Lifesize Ent.
Product features:
- MONSTER CAMP is a rare and fascinating glimpse into the world of live-action role playing, known as LARPing, as people act out the real-life version of the videogame phenomenon, "World of Warcraft." In this award-winning documentary, gamer stereotypes are simultaneously shattered and confirmed. Immerse yourself in a world completely unlike our own; a world built upon fantasy, chivalry, and
Movie Reviews of Monster Camp
Movie Review: It's not as hyped, but far superior to Darkon
Summary: 5 Stars
First a rant on that other LARP Documentary:
I was excited when the buzz about Darkon started. I had played in a LARP one time close to fifteen years ago, and although I was never in a position to ever go back and do it again, I enjoyed my experience so much that I still think fondly of it years later.
Darkon went to film festivals.
Darkon had a neat interactive promotional website.
Darkon was a huge disappointment.
Darkon spent far too much time talking about things that the viewer really doesn't care about, such as the internal politcs of a LARP which even though the players may be enthusiastic about, doesn't translate into somthing interesting for anyone outside of that particular LARP...even to other LARPers. They also spent an extrordinary amount of time outside of the LARP talking about the personal struggles of the players. We get it, they have sucky things going on in their lives...WE ALL DO, YOU AREN'T MAKING A POINT WITH THAT.
So in essense, Darkon split its time between the most boring aspect of any LARP to anyone not playing it, and the crappy lives of its players.
Not really what I was looking for.
And now to Monster Camp:
I had lost faith in ever seeing any doc on LARPing that would be representative of my experience until I managed to see an ad for Monster Camp on some website (facebook or something, I dont know). I looked into it and found out it was about a chapter of NERO which is the grand daddy of most on-going LARPs. And my interest was piqued. So I decided to give it a try. And it was everything that I wanted it to be.
Where as Darkon came off as a documentary done by people that only had some abstract acedemic interest in the subject but no real experience, Monster Camp felt like it was done by someone who loved LARPing and the people invovled and would hang out with everyone later. (This is evidenced by the fact that the camera person was apparently monstering during the final field battle near the end of the movie)
Now going by my earlier comments against Darkon you might think this means this whole doc is done in game, but it is not. They do go into the lives of the players (or monster NPC as the case may be) but they don't do it in a way thats trying to show off how broken their lives are like Darkon did, they give you just enough knowledge of teh players outside the game to show you how much they enjoy and look forward to the next game, and to show that these are a good group of people who may or may not remind you of people you know. It also showcased the best part of any LARP, which is how all these strangers (and sometimes relatives) come together and have a great time.
As far as in-game stuff, they mercifuly didn't get involved in any politics, but instead focused on what it takes to run a large ongoing event while volunteering with a small staff. This was a really interesting look behind the scenes at Plot. Which most LARPers spend their time blissfully unaware of, so it would be interesting to LARPers and anyone watching the film who has absolutly no experience with it. It also showed the difficulties that come with the responsibility of running a LARP.
I could go on and on about all the ways in which this is superior to that OTHER LARP doc, but I'll just say this:
This movie made me want to LARP again. It made me miss the adventure, the costumes, the fantasy, the late nights, but mostly, it made me miss the people.
This isn't a movie about a bunch of broken societal rejects taht have to run away from reality to cope, and even then get overly pissed about stuff that happens in a game. This is a movie about people that may have different backgrounds from me or you, but this is where they go to have fun and hang out with friends.
If you want to know what going to a LARP is really like, in terms that anyone can enjoy and understand without underhanded condescension, then this is the movie for you.
Summary of Monster Camp
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