We are better than WIFTO


When I Find The Ocean has no bearing on the quality of talent in North Alabama. It is not representative of what movie makers can expect when they consider our home for a venue for their production. I have read and heard some disturbing comments from people who say that because this film is a flop, the fledgling movie industry in The Shoals has been dealt a crippling blow. WHY? The local actors and craft people who worked on the project did a respectable job. The magnificent scenery of our area makes this place a world-class location. And the cooperation of our local governments with respect to movie makers is outstanding. In my opinion, while WIFTO was badly written, produced, acted, directed and edited, it is only one piece of work. There are plently of reasons why this film is as terrible as it is, but the fact that it was shot in North Alabama is not one of them. I would suggest to anyone looking at our area as a potential location for filming, to come here, meet some of the movie makers in the area, and form an unbiased opinion for themselves as to the quality of our people and places. Please don't let WIFTO taint your outlook.

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Wow, making a big issue out of nothing, aren't you? I'm sure the filmmaking mecca of Northern Alabama will continue just as it has.

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Well, the simple truth is that WE ARE better than "When I Find The Ocean." Sorry, but I despised the flick. I could have made a better film with a fraction of their budget.

The filmmaking business in N. Alabama has been dealt a pretty crippling blow because many people were expecting this flick to take off.

When it didn't...it sort of S*itcanned most of the hopes of doing another flick around here.

"ExistenZ IS PAUSED!"

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So, you're saying it compares to some of our local radio talent?

First off "chip", you have no idea about the film industry do you? Do you realize that because someone makes a flop in a particular geographical location that because of said flop, the industry of film making in that area is not affected. In that case, LA would be a desolate ghost town because of the crap that spews forth from the studios there. As would Chicago and New York and, ah screw it, everywhere movies have been made. So, to say this area has been S**tcanned is ignorant and stupid. And to say the filmmaking business has been dealt a pretty crippling blow is, well, you're an idiot.

Secondly, I agree that although there were things about the movie I think could have been better: song placement, Amy Redford's overacting, Lily's inexperience, that horrible fake panther, the director's inexperience to direct actors, and other small problems. I doubt very seriously you could make a better film with a fraction of the budget. I am hard pressed to think you could do it with twice the budget. You are not that great of a DJ, why should I believe you are a great director? So, please rethink this "WE" are better crap.

Lastly, overall the movie was...."ok". Like I said there were many places it could have been better. But this director had a dream and a vision and she went for it. I have to give her props for that. So, "chipper", don't try to be an armchair director when you have no idea what the crap you're talking about. It makes you look like a jacknut. OUT!!

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Yeah...I have no idea about the film industry. I've only got a degree in it. I guess that makes me stupid huh?

Eat *beep*

"ExistenZ IS PAUSED!"

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Okay scholar, I am so sorry that I insulted your intelligence. You have a degree in film from the great film education mecca, UNA, I'm sure. You are the foremost authority on the subject. Forgive me, oh great one. Now, tell me what films you have done. How many movies have you worked on? What is your experience? What can you do? What is your area of expertise?

Do not throw your degree around like it makes you a film industry genius. That makes you look like an idiot. In all fairness, I am not saying you do not know anything but you don't know enough to say what you said in your previous post. That is all.

And now on to "Eat *beep*". Am I supposed to imply that you mean some kind of curse word or something. Does it make you cool that you could have said a bad word and refrained. Or if you could have said what you wanted, that would have made you really cool. Or did it simply mean that I could fill in the blank with something like, "sushi", or "lunch"? I guess I'll never know. I do however think I remember that from high school.

And one last thing, If your degree has allowed you to do nothing but get on IMDB and act like a movie critic and armchair director. Ask for your money back. OUT!!

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Good lord, you're acting like a mom after someone insulted your child's cookie cake. Get a grip.

Have haven't done squat with my degree in terms of film, because in all honesty, film isn't my area of expertise.

However, I do have 3 scripts ready to shoot NOW, so if you want to put your money where your mouth is, since it's apparant you're adament that this film is the greatest film since sliced bread, if you can arrange a FRACTION of this film's budget to be allocated to me, I could deliver (Seriously...where did 4 MILLION DOLLARS go with this film?)

Hell, I could shoot a masterpiece on an 1/8th of this films budget...maybe even less.

Why do I curse?...I'm lazy....and curse words help my laziness by getting my point across.

Don't like it, I could always put on a smoking jacket and a top hat and talk in a british accent saying "Scurry...Scurry...Your Comeuppance isn't wanted here!"

You're trying to sound all big and bad but in all honesty, your posts are just hilarious. They're about as threatening as a box of kittens.

"ExistenZ IS PAUSED!"

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WHAT?! You are telling me that I am trying to be big and bad? And if I remember correctly in your earlier post you said "The filmmaking business in N. Alabama has been dealt a pretty crippling blow..." and "...it sort of S*itcanned the hopes of doing another flick around here.". And then you said in your next post "Yeah...I have no idea about the film industry. I only have a degree in it." And then you said in your last post. "...haven't done squat with my degree in terms of film, because in all honesty, film isn't my area of expertise." But yet you tell me I am trying to be big and bad.

See, that is the problem I have. It drives me nuts when some RTF major comes bouncing out of UNA thinking he is the be all end all to knowledge on the film industry. You think you know everything there is to know about the process of making a movie but nine times out of ten you have never set foot on the set of a movie. And I am not talking about a student film. You have no experience. Sure you have gotten some stuff from a classroom. I think that is great. I never went to school for that. But I have something else. The most important thing. Hands-on experience. I have driven countless miles to work on films. I have been up before the sun, working, and not finishing until well after the sun goes down. Doing sixteen hour days in 20 degree weather. Doing sixteen hour days in 100 degree weather. Being away from my family. Don't tell me I am "trying" to be big and bad. I am! And I know "local" guys who are badder. Guys who can work circles around the best. And to have punks like you try to tell us how crippled the industry is or how the area is tainted is very offensive to us who make a living at it.

And now on to WIFTO. I never defended the movie. I was defending the people who busted their butts working on it behind and in front of the camera, day in and day out. People who worked on it because it was an opportunity to work and do something that was their passion and livelihood. An opportunity to "work"! Around here those opportunities are few and far between. For alot of people it was a chance to sleep at home every night while they did a movie. That is rare.
As far as the movie itself, it wasn't that great. Could've been better in alot of ways. Things could have been done differently. Even Tonya, the director, said that. But ultimately the finished product is the fruit of one person. The director. Whether good or bad. They call all of the shots. So, I say all that to say this. It's not the industry that is going to suffer, it is the director. This was her first feature film to direct. I think she will get better as she goes. If not, well, save up because it's going to be a short ride. And let me say this. $5 million dollars is alot of money but when it comes to shooting a film it's not. I can go into detail on giving you examples of how fast it can be spent but I prefer not to right now. The average budget for a film these days is around $60 million so you do the math.

Also, never say film is NOT your area of expertise then follow it up by saying "...I do have 3 scripts ready to shoot, NOW." and "...if you can arrange a FRACTION of this film's budget to be allocated to me, I could deliver..." I doubt very seriously you're going to get any financial backing with those statements.

As far as the explanation for your cursing, I could not have said it better myself. OUT!! Oh yeah! And MEOW.


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This very thread gives this film a reason to exist. outspokenjerk, this guy is clearly milking your defenses for as much comic value as he can possibly yank out of it. With very little effort. Also, outspokenjerk, it appears to me you clearly are directly involved with this movie, as your only posts are on this and "John Rambo"(2008). I suppose it doesn't matter, but a good observation. As of now i would pay more to see a professional comedian read this thread on stage than i would to see this movie. Done properly, it could be considered a comic masterpiece. I thought i saw "You're not that great of a DJ" in there. Genius.

But onto a more serious note. I dont have any degrees in movies, i dont have any experience with the traveling commercial industry whatsoever. But i am a moviegoer, a writer, and a soldier. This film as art, i dont see. This film as the culmination of adequate planning and forethought, i dont see. This film as anything more than a bad film, with bad planning, and bad execution, i do see. This isnt a tied soccer game where everyone can go home happy after we "did our best". This is a football blowout, where lets face it, this film sucked ass.

As for the statement by mr. valentine about taking 1/8 of the budget and making a movie better than this one. I agree, because a film isn't about how big the budget is. Its about substance, feeling, and the power of the movie. All of which can be accomplished with as little as a few dollars.

So ive got good and bad news.

The bad news is no matter how you put it, this film deserves nothing more than 2 thumbs down.

The good news is that i saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to geico.

Bet you didnt see that one coming.

--- Deuces

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First, this guy is very serious in his so-called knowledge of the film industry. He is definately not yanking the comic value out of it. I gladly give that for free. That is why I chose to be as defensive as I was. Just as you would be if I came around after watching "Full Metal Jacket" or "Saving Private Ryan" and started telling you how the military should be run. You would be a bit PO'd I would guess after I disrespected your fellow soldiers and you. So, to disrespect all of the hard working people who did contribute to the making of that film, I felt led to step up and speak on their behalf.


Second, good observation that I may directly be involved with this movie. I do work in the film industry and I had friends who worked on the film. I am even from around the same area where it was filmed. But to jump to conclusions and say I was directly involved may be a miscalculation on your part. So what if the only posts I have are on here and "John Rambo". I usually do not get involved in ridiculous message board crap but this one sucked me in like a black hole. It is the only reason I created an account. So, be careful of those assumptions.


Third, I applaud you as a moviegoer? I could tell you were a writer for you are very articulate. And I thank you for being a soldier. You are very brave and on behalf of everyone I know, God bless you.


Lastly, I agree with you on how it is not how big the budget is. It IS about substance, it IS about feeling, it IS about the power of the movie, it IS about the writing. BUT, you have to have someone who can achieve all of those things. And I doubt very seriously that a guy armed with just a degree in radio, television, and film from UNA and absolutely no experience is going to be able to do that. Especially when they admit that film is not their area of expertise. See, unlike Geico, it's not so easy a caveman could do it.

Did you see that one coming?

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We got this from Netflix and couldn't finish it, the script was so bad!

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