CS Weekly Archive > DVD of the Day > 09/01/06

Don't Hate the Playa

by den shewman

Directed by Damon Brown

If you're not reading this on your solar-powered laptop in the middle of the Nevada desert, you're probably not at Black Rock City waiting for the Man to burn this weekend (yeah, me neither). Luckily Damon Brown's great docu on the Burning Man project is here to take you behind the scenes. Structured via a countdown of "XX Days Until The Man Burns," Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock covers 295 days to reveal not only what it takes to build a temporary city (pop. 35,000) that exists only for a week but also delving into the work of individual artists and art projects. Contrary to the mainstream media view that everything Burning Man is about naked druggies, this docu shows the day-to- day reality of how the upbeat, optimistic, and doggedly determined members of BM founder Larry Harvey's army create a self-sustaining, self-policing city that leaves no tracks. And if you've never seen the incredible art displays at Burning Man, this film and particularly the well-spoken artist and temple-builder David Best will change your mind. (In fact, the supplemental interviews where Best discusses creativity earn this disc its three stars for extras.) You may not be heading out to Black Rock next August, but after watching Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock you'll have a newfound appreciation for the project, the city, and the people who contribute to it. And if you are heading out there, well, maybe we'll run into each other on the playa.

Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock
Lightyear Entertainment
Unrated; 105 Min.

Buy it now

Den Shewman wrote a script review for Creative Screenwriting five years ago, and somehow ended up as editor-in-chief of Creative Screenwriting Magazine and CS Weekly. Yet he co-wrote an episode of The New Adventures of Robin Hood (which, according to the producers, was the #2 show in France at the time) and never ended up as executive producer of Maid Marian: Bring It On. More proof that life is not fair.

Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock courtesy Lightyear Entertainment

From the Trenches
Working screenwriters discuss in their own words a particular aspect of screenwriting, from the mechanics of writing to the personal and professional impact that writing has had on their lives. > VIEW ARCHIVE

The Art of Craft
Screenwriting experts discuss how to approach various aspects of writing and the writing life. A mini-seminar each week from the people who write the books and teach the classes. > VIEW ARCHIVE

The Big Picture

Features that cover all aspects of screenwriting, from our "Seven Best" lists to analysis of old favorites and new classics. > VIEW ARCHIVE

Expert Witness
A panel of experts assembled to provide the facts about the screenwriting business. Readers will be able have their questions answered by an agent, producer, entertainment attorney, and WGA representative—and without paying that 10% commission. > VIEW ARCHIVE

Son of a Pitch
A weekly tutorial on how to write a script. Each week deals with a different element of creating a script, with the ultimate goal to provide a step-by-step instruction manual for new writers. The guide for this is a writer just diving into screenwriting himself, who asks the pros questions any new screenwriter would have about this brave new world. > VIEW ARCHIVE

Weekend Read
Film, book, web site and technology reviews from a writer’s perspective. How can these items help a writer on his or her journey, or make that journey more enjoyable? > VIEW ARCHIVE

DVD Review of the Day
DVD reviews from a writer’s point of view. What aspects of this script and features of this DVD illuminate the writing, development, and storytelling process? > VIEW ARCHIVE