Common Ground: Under Construction Notes

Twenty Years After

January 1944 •English

This short celebrates the 20th anniversary of MGM. Segments are shown from several early hits, then from a number of 1944 releases.

We're in the Movies, Now!

March 1939 •English

Promotion reel/souvenir of a 1939-40 meeting of the Paramount Studios sales people.

Lifting the Veil: Behind the Scenes of Ehrengard

September 2023 •Danish

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and director Bille August showcase their meticulous attention to the sets and costumes of the "Ehrengard" film adaptation.

Our Planet: Behind the Scenes

April 2019 •English

Years spent recording footage of creatures from every corner of the globe is bound to produce a bit of drama. Here's a behind-the-scenes look.

Making The Flash: Worlds Collide

August 2023 •English

Deus ex Machina: The Philosophy of 'Donnie Darko'

December 2016 •English

The feature-length documentary about the making of the cult film favourite, "Donnie Darko".

The Making of Double Impact, Parts 1 & 2

May 2019 •English

Jean-Claude van Damme, Sheldon Lettich and more discuss the 1991 film "Double Impact" from inception to reception.

The Real Glory: Reconstructing 'The Big Red One'

May 2005 •English

Documentary about the efforts to reconstruct Sam Fuller's The Big Red One closer to the film Fuller had originally envisioned.

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

November 1991 •English

A chronicle of the production problems — including bad weather, actors' health, war near the filming locations, and more — which plagued the filming of Apocalypse Now, increasing costs and nearly destroying the life and career of Francis Ford Coppola.

Making Rat Race

January 2002 •English

The Deluge: Postscriptum

November 2024 •Polish

Despite the anti-Semitic campaign launched by the Polish People's Government in the late 1960s, director Jerzy Hoffman finishes working on the film Pan Wołodyjowski. It becomes the ticket to the production of Potop, the most expensive film in the history of Polish cinematography. During his work, the director not only has to deal with mounting production problems, the distrust of the People's Government, but also with the expectations of millions of Poles.

Pumping Iron

January 1977 •English

Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou Ferrigno.

Des Amandiers aux Amandiers

July 2022 •French

A free and intimate portrait behind the scenes of Valeria Bruni Tedeschi's creation. In front of the camera, she transmits to today’s young actors the memory of the 1980s.

Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie

April 2021 •English

Documentary about the making of ’Spring Break Zombie Massacre.’

Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein

January 1996 •English

Via reminiscences from writer/actor Gene Wilder and others, this documentary recalls the making of the 1974 film Young Frankenstein.

Good Chemistry: The Story of Elemental

September 2023 •English

Pixar director Peter Sohn takes viewers on a humorous personal journey through the inspiration behind Disney and Pixar’s feature film “Elemental.” “Good Chemistry: The Story of Elemental” traces his parents’ voyage from Korea to New York, explores his dad’s former grocery shop in the heart of the Bronx, and delves into his choice of a career in animation, rather than the family business.

Made in China

May 2005 •English

A documentary about the making of Jia Zhangke's film the World.

Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'

March 2007 •English

A look at the unusual process used in the making of the film Shortbus (2006) featuring interviews, behind the scenes footage and clips from the feature film. Director John Cameron Mitchell starts with the concept of using real sex in a film with a positive message. The cast of unknowns is selected from homemade audition tapes and then a callback audition workshop. More acting workshops are used to develop the characters and script. The project overcomes a number of obstacles and the rest of the film's development is followed up until its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Built by Jedi - The Making of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

November 2019 •English

Follow the teams at Respawn, Lucasfilm and EA as they strive to translate the cinematic magic of Star Wars into the awe-inspiring gameplay of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Salzburg Sight and Sound

January 1965 •English

Charmian Carr, who played Liesl in The Sound of Music, takes a tour of the Austrian town of Salzburg, where the location shots of the movie were made. Includes behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the movie.