I Was a Teenage Moviemaker: The Documentary is a film that captures the passion and creativity of two teenage boys who became renowned moviemakers. The documentary was released in 2013 and directed by Don Glut, the famous horror and science fiction author, filmmaker, and historian. The movie chronicles the early years of Donald F. Glut and his best friend, the legendary sci-fi collector Forrest J. Ackerman, as they pursue their love for cinema by making their own movies. The movie takes the audience on a journey spanning their adolescence in the 1950s, a time when Hollywood was experiencing a major transition into the Golden Age. The two boys were intrigued by the power of film and were determined to make their own productions despite several hindrances.
The documentary interviews the two movie makers about their past experiences as teenage cinephiles in this vividly portrayed era of cinema. With their testimonials, viewers get insight into the challenges that both men faced while putting together their movies. Some of these obstacles included low budgets, unavailability of the necessary film equipment, and resistance from parents who feared for their safety on busy movie sets. Despite these obstacles, the two remained resolute in their love for movies, making multiple films as they worked towards realizing their dreams.
Don Glut's love for the horror and science fiction genre was evident in his early movies, which drew inspiration from the classic Universal monster films like The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, and Frankenstein. His friend Ackerman was a renowned science fiction writer, editor, and literary agent who mentored and collaborated with people such as Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson and A. E. van Vogt. As a sci-fi enthusiast, Ackerman was also instrumental in bringing attention to some of the cult movie classics that were overlooked by the mainstream industry, such as Forbidden Planet, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Incredible Shrinking Man.
The interviews that are interweaved throughout the film enlighten the viewers about the evolution of the film industry during the decades that spanned Glut and Ackerman's teenage years in the 1950s. The movie industry was expanding, technological advances were made, and new auteurs emerged. With this changing landscape, Glut and Ackerman were always striving to make movies that stood out among the countless other productions being churned out.
The documentary features glimpses of their early films that, despite their low budgets, showcased their creativity and passion as young movie makers. The films were shot on 8mm cameras and, with no special effects, told stories that were intriguing and enjoyable. The movie features snippets and storyboard illustrations of their films from childhood, which could give viewers a sense of nostalgia for a simpler era of moviemaking.
Despite these humble beginnings, both men would go on to become highly successful and respected contributors to the film industry. Glut had several books, screenplays and comic books to his name, and wrote scripts for animated series like Transformers and Spider-Man. Ackerman had a close working relationship with celebrated and successful filmmakers such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron.
Wrapping up the documentary, the interviews with the two movie makers bring to light the impact that their early filmmaking had on their artistic careers. Don Glut acknowledges that the desire to make movies never left him, and that early passion is what catapulted his career in writing and directing. As a pioneer sci-fi fan, Ackerman admits that cinema always held a special place in his heart, and his love for movies enabled him to share that passion with others.
In conclusion, I Was a Teenage Moviemaker: The Documentary is a delightful portrayal of the early days of two of the entertainment industry's biggest names. It offers a glimpse into a time when moviemaking was a passion and creativity that could be pursued with no limitations, and when young cinephiles not only dreamed of bringing their stories to life but also made it a reality. The film offers a real sense of nostalgia while inspiring a new generation to pursue their dreams in the film industry.
