Mike Figgis's intriguing experiment, digitally photographed, is the first feature film ever to be shot entirely in one take. Four cameras were used to follow parallel stories, which converge at the film's climax. Loosely, the story concerns the casting of a feature film in an earthquake-prone Los Angeles. Working from an outline by Figgis, the assembled actors improvised their lines in order to better adapt to potential roadblocks. Rather than cut back and forth between chosen cameras, Figgis has opted to leave all four scenes running onscreen at the same time. The result is a highly original blend of art and entertainment. The DVD release includes both the theatrical version of the film (take #15) and the unrated take #1 of the film--a cinematic rough draft.
With TIMECODE, Mike Figgis has established himself as a chief proponent of the digital filmmaking revolution. In telling the story of a Los Angeles production company that is trying to get a series of new projects off the ground, Figgis employs a series of highly innovative digital techniques.
TIMECODE was filmed using four separate digital cameras that--in one unedited take--capture a series of loosely intertwining characters who live and work in Los Angeles at the end of the 20th century. That establishes it as the first legitimate commercial real-time motion picture (ROPE, CLEO FROM 5 TO 7, and NICK OF TIME were falsely constructed re-creations). What's more, Figgis broke the screen into blocks, letting all four stories unfold at the same time.
The story is a surprisingly lighthearted satire of Hollywood, featuring a parade of potentially cliched characters: the spineless company heads, the coked-up actress, the jealous girlfriend, the pretentious director, etc. Fortunately, Figgis has assembled an accomplished and attractive cast, which keeps the content from succumbing to the visual onslaught. The result is a strikingly original motion picture that will be remembered historically for its bold attempt at creating a new cinematic language.
The film had its world premiere at the Yahoo! Internet Life Film Festival on March 22, 2000.
Each of the film's actors wore synchronized digital watches to keep their roles in consistent with one another.
The four cinematographers (one of whom was Figgis) used Sony DSR-1 digital video cameras.
Mike Figgis used the final day's take, which was filmed on November 19, 1999.
In 2000, Figgis directed the music video "Babylon" for David Gray, from Gray's album WHITE LADDER.
A.O. Scott of the New York Times named TIME CODE one of the top 10 films of 2000.
TIME CODE was named one of the top 10 videos of 2000 by Entertainment Weekly.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Version of Film - Unrated Take #1 with Director's Commentary
Audio Commentary - Mike Figgis - Director
Featurettes - 1. Mike Figgis' Video Diary
2. Making Of TIMECODE
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Exclusive Interactive Audio Mixer
DVD-ROM Features:
Web Links
Shooting Score by Mike Figgis
Text/ Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Biographies - 1. Mike Figgis - Director
2. Saffron Burrows - Star
3. Stellan Skarsgard - Star
4. Salma Hayek - Star
5. Holly Hunter - Star
6. Julian Sands - Star
7. Jeanne Tripplehorn - Star
Director of Photography
Tony Cucchiari:
Production Designer
Charlotte Malmlof: Production Designer
Story
Mike Figgis: British Director/Screenwriter
Director of Photography
Mike Figgis: British Director/Screenwriter
Review 1:
"...It is hard to think of a more exciting demonstration of the inexhaustible possiblities of film..."
Source: New York Times
p.E18 05/26/2000
Review 2:
"...A daring experiment..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.82 6/08/2000
Review 3:
"...The story, by Figgis, is effervescent, enterprising and Altmanesque..."
Source: Film Comment
p.71-2 05/01/2000
Review 4:
"...Enthralling....SHORT CUTS without the cuts..." -- Rating: A
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.49 05/19/2000
Review 5:
"...Something for everyone....This is the rare rental that actually demands repeat viewings." -- 4 out of 5 stars - Watch More Than Once
Source: Premiere
p.107 11/01/2000
Review 6:
Ranked #9 in Entertainment Weekly's "BEST VIDEOS OF 2000"
Source: Entertainment Weekly
pp.120-3 12/22/2000
Review 7:
"...It's an incredibly significant movie....Figgis has given imagination new tools with which to work, for which we should all be grateful..."
Source: Box Office
p.64 05/01/2000
Review 8:
"...A notably funny and inspired execution of divide and conquer....The film has a style that is at once terrifically sophisticated and carefree..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F10 04/28/2000
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