Hi Lance.
Thanks for replying.
Yes. I do appreciate that making a movie requires time, effort and money.
But I wasn't suggesting there aren't people out there who visit those sites just to get free films-- of course there are. There will always be free-loading scumbags. You did say (or, at least implied) that EVERYONE who visits those sites is a scumbag.
I just wanted you to realise the many POSITIVE aspects of these sites and to know that there are many honest people out there who really do appreciate an artistic vision. People who are prepared to look that little bit harder for something a bit different, often from the smaller, lesser-known artists/companies.
If smaller films, such as yours, that might have otherwise "escaped the radar" get downloaded, then spread "word of mouth" and ultimately purchased/rented that has to be good for you. Most of the people I know who do download free films and music, still like to own the "actual copy".
Rather than buy something on a whim that gets watched/listened to once and ends up gathering dust. If I download something I hate I just delete it and never mention it again. And If I like it, I recommend it and then buy it as a sign of respect for the artists involved. I think that's pretty fair for all parties?
Anyway, I think you get my point by now.
Good luck with your future projects Lance.
reply
share
lance-128
18 years ago
I totally get your point. Thanks again for the good wishes.
Lance
reply
share
Scoopy
18 years ago
Lance
Market research shows that a very high percentage of internet movie downloads comes from people who would not otherwise see the movie at all. Of the minority who are potential customers, many of them (I don't know how many) actually buy the product.
By the way, I liked what you did with the movie. For a half million, it's a helluva good genre pic. New-school Japanese horror style with old-school Euro-trash gorotica content, and a Polanski-style theme. Good combination. As I see it, you managed to add some necessary life and passion to the Asian style, while bringing some discipline to the gorotica. Good luck with your future projects. Hope you can build on everything you learned here.
reply
share
lance-128
18 years ago
Thanks for the good wishes, scoopy. You totally nailed the sensibilities I was trying to bring to the film. I love early J-horror (I thinks it has suffered lately) and Euro-gothic gore films. Polanski's "Repulsion" is one of my all-time faves.
The biggest problem with J-horror is most of it lacks a message, or at least a message that western audiences can relate to. Many of the films are all style and no content. I thought it would be interesting to use the J-horror visual approach to suspense with a subject matter that haunts us...faith and religion.
This was my first film (I've produced two others since) and have two more directing projects in the works. I learned much on "Cup". The most important lesson is that film making is a collaborative process and I would not have been able to make the film without my producers Noel Olken and Ken Nilsson, and co-exec producer Gene Cosentino. I get the credit as director, but their creative influence is also seen throughout the film.
reply
share