January 24, 2008
Helvetica: Full Film on Google Video (Removed)
I've just learned that the full 1:21:44 documentary Film Helvetica (which I recommended in a previous post) is currently was available to watch on Google Video.
I had a look at the comments, and saw someone listed as "gary hustwit" who may (or may not) be the filmmaker:
"yes the filmmakers should be making money... this is an illegal upload and will be deleted soon. if you'd like to support the film, go to http://www.helveticafilm.com"
This video may indeed be an illegal upload, and might disappear soon. I'd momentarily embedded the video here, but decided to remove it, as it isn't clear if the film was legally posted. At least it can't be downloaded.
My advice is to rent or buy the film, see it as intended and support the filmmaker, Gary Hustwit, for his hard work. Helvetica is available at Netflix or Amazon and directly from the Helvetica Shop.
(Thanks to Russell Beattie for the tip.)
UPDATE 2008-01-26: This video has now been removed from Google Video.
January 24, 2008 11:53 AM | Design | 
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Comments
FYI: It's also one of the 17 movies you can "leagally" stream from Netflix if you own a windows pc and are willing to launch Internet Explorer.
I watched about the first half last week and it's the most fascinating documentary about type I've ever seen.
Posted by: HeyGabe at January 25, 2008 07:49 AM
Gabe, I first saw Helvetica on Netflix's "Watch It Now" and was glad to have that option. I ended up renting the DVD from Netflix as well, to see the high quality version, before ordering the DVD at Amazon.
On the other hand, I can certainly understand Gary Hustwit's desire to not have the entire film online illegally (assuming that comment on the video was really Gary). Being able to watch the film for free will probably kill off some rentals, and at the core, the posting was done without his permission.
However, in another way, I'm happy the film is on Google Video, however briefly it may be there. I'm of the mind that someone seeing the entire film online, who would consider a purchase of the DVD, would be more encouraged to do so by seeing it fully. That was my experience after seeing the film on Netflix, and then renting the DVD — I decided I had to own the DVD.
Hopefully the posting of the entire film will encourage some to rent it to see the high quality DVD and even more to purchase the DVD, so Gary can produce even more interesting documentary films.
Posted by: Mike Rohde at January 25, 2008 08:11 AM
Rohdesign is the site of designer Mike Rohde, who writes about design, sketching, writing, mobile computing, technology, travel, cycling, books, music and more.
