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Deep Dive: Monster Camp (2007)

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Monster Camp
Monster Camp is a 2007 documentary directed by Cullen Hoback that chronicles a live action role-playing game organization in Seattle, Washington. The film follows participants of the NERO Alliance, a live-action role-playing group, as they create identities by selecting from various races and classes. The documentary captures the fantasy world and the lives of the players over the course of one year, examining the pros and cons of escapism through role-playing. The film was primarily shot at Millersylvania State Park during an exceptionally cold winter, with temperatures dropping below zero degrees. This extreme weather affected the costumes worn by participants and led to the die-off of a freshwater crab species endemic to the park. The film premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in 2007, where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary and has screened at approximately 40 film festivals worldwide.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Seattle's NERO Alliance role-players
  • •Find out about extreme winter filming conditions
  • •See unique costumes adapted for freezing weather

Did You Know

•Monster Camp premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival on March 17, 2007.
•The film was shot during the coldest temperatures in the Northwest in 50 years.
•Monster Camp screened at the Seattle International Film Festival and Corvallis da Vinci Film Festival.
•The film's score was created by the California band Speechwriters LLC.

Perfect For

Live action role-playing fansDocumentary enthusiastsFantasy gaming culture