Nameinuse Productions » Every Good Thing to Rust

bad business…free film

nameinuse — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:27:38 +0000

So it’s now been almost two years since The Brave and the Kind was released to little fanfare on DVD by IndiePix. It then went on to VOD and iTunes download, but with almost NO mention or promotion. If it wasn’t for a few FB posts by me…no one would even known it was released.

None of this bothers me.

I knew that when someone else paid for the film I was going to be able to take risks, and maybe make a movie that no one wanted to see. As soon as my suspicions were confirmed, I gave the profits of the film no mind; IndiePix didn’t care either…so why should I. If they didn’t want to put any effort into promoting it…no skin off my back…I’m not the one that needed to make the money back. But you’d think they would at least try.

I should rewind a bit.

The Brave and the Kind was made after IndiePix “picked up” my first film, Every Good Thing to Rust. At the time I was inspired by In Rainbows and I was giving EGTTR away for free through the films’ website. IndiePix came to me and said they could help with the DVD distribution end of things. They would sell the DVD at cost (2.99) and I would receive no profits…BUT it would be a way to get disks in the hands of those who were yet to be download savvy…seemed like a win win. IndiePix then financed the no-budget experiment that was The Brave and the Kind. I kept all of the rights to the film and had complete control over it’s content; we then signed a standard distribution agreement. I was not to see any split in profit until the film made back it’s budget, but I completely understood the need for IndiePix to recoup their expenses.

Recently I found that IndiePix is now selling Every Good Ting to Rust for 11.99 a download, 3.99 on VOD, and 4.99 per disk. I’m not greedy, but I see none of that money. When I found this out I immediately asked IndiePix for a filmmakers statement. (basically a tally of units sold for both films) It’s been almost a year of constant emailing and asking…yet no statements. I’ve been told a number of things…one of the most baffling excuses I got was the owner of the company was “reviewing” my statement. Interesting.

So what does this mean? This means as of right now you can go HERE to get a free download copy of The Brave and the Kind, or HERE to get a free copy of Every Good Thing to Rust. How long will this great deal be up? Well…until Every Good Thing to Rust goes back to charging cost for disks, and downloads are free again AND I see an un-doctored statement. In the meantime I get to share these incredibly personal films with new people; film is meant to be watched…not shelved. UPDATE: IndiePix has called my bluff and terminated my contract. As of September 15th they will no longer carry any of my films. Stay tuned for more details.:-)

One might say that this is a shitty thing to do to a company that paid to have my second film made…but I feel that I’ve been taking it long enough. Three years is a long time and they’ve had their chance.

Enjoy!

Shows…shows…and more shows

nameinuse — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:16:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in updating this blog. Lots going on with TBTK shooting I simply forgot. I also forgot that all three shows I submitted work to back in March were all running within a week of themselves. SO…If your in the capitol region area check out these shows…

Fence Select Show
The Arts Center of the Capitol Region
Troy, NY
Pack Forest Series

UAG Reflections Show
Albany, NY
Self Motion Portrait

Balston Spa Film Festival : Experimental Showcase
Balston Spa, NY
Motion Portrait

You could see the motion portrait film and then it’s counterpart…The Self Motion Portrait film within driving distance of one another.:-)

Cheers
John

PS “old school doug” get a fucking life.

free downloads back

nameinuse — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:26:00 +0000

After a small hiatus, the free online downloads are back…all you have to do is sign up for the newsletter. BUT, if you want to see it in the living room and not on the computer, OR you want a sick commentary track to listen to, head over to IndiePix and pick yourself up a DVD copy. See where it all began.;-)

cheers
John

PS make sure to check out all the goings on over at The Brave and the Kind site.

downloads, TV shows, and papers…oh my

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Things have been pretty insane around here lately. It feels like everything that was put into motion months ago now needs immediate and equal attention. TBTK is off and running. Sean comes up tonight and we tech scout the entire weekend…finalizing EVERYTHING. PLUS, tonight, EGTTR and it’s designer, Raeanne Wright go to the Nori’s…lets hope we win them all.:-) I was recently asked to be in the Times Union’s “Best of 2008″ Film competition. Check out the other entries here. If you’re in the area…check out the insert, Kurt and I have a nice little spread.

Amongst all these goings on and excitement I was asked to be a part of the maiden season of TVFilm on our local PBS. Thanks to Brandon Bethmann, Dan Swinton, and all the great people down at WMHT for the hard work, it’s a wonderful addition to the local film community! You can see it every Thursday night at 10:30 on WMHT. It starts June 12th and my episode should be the third one…roughly.:-)

And in indiepix news, we’re promoting EGTTR as a download with a 20% off sale. We’ve recently taken the free download down for a bit and hope to have it up soon, but in the meantime you can get the film here www.indiepixfilms.com/download and at a discount!

The Apocalypse: This time it’s personal

admin — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:08:00 +0000

The many world tragedies of late have me wondering more about what “the end of the world” really means. I drive home everyday through a neighborhood of smiling happy millionaires on North Broadway and wonder what would the end be for them. Is it life without good service, or food, or clothing. Where does one person’s everyday survival become another person’s apocalypse? EGTTR in a way explores that. The film is about three friends trying to stay together in a time, that to them, feels like the end. We find out later that it wass a very localized thing when Randall walks out of the woods. That one person’s arctic hell was something that was perhaps watched on another person’s television like it was an A&E; television event. Katrina was that way, the Tsunami was that way. These tragedies are so far away from us, so far removed from North Broadway that it’s no wonder people don’t understand as much as they should. Why people like Sharon Stone can make tasteless little karma jokes about it in the sunny South of France without understanding the real face, and feel, and smell of what must have truly felt like the end of the world to the people living in that area of China. (and was the end for many) Will it take people starving in the streets to bring about change and reaction? Will people watch it in awe somewhere when our way of life falls apart, or natural disaster strikes. Will we have the courage as people to help one another out, or will we use it as an excuse to loot, steal, and cheat one another out of what little is left? Will the very people who’s disregard for everyone else, be pulled from their homes on all the North Broadways everywhere and “dealt” with? I don’t know. I really don’t.

Cheers
John

TBTK is a go! PLUS, INTERVIEW!

nameinuse — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:53:00 +0000

So it’s official, The Brave and the Kind is a go! This personal film about my family will begin shooting this summer and be available from IndiePix sometime late Fall. This is the first film completely funded and supported by IndiePix Studios; a new branch of their fabulous company. I thank Bob for green lighting it, Jason for getting behind it, and the entire IndiePix crew for the support. Stay tuned to the IndiePix site and www.braveandthekind.com for exclusive footage of us making this puppy.:-)

Also on the IndiePix website is an interview with yours truly. I discuss some of the in’s and out’s of production on EGTTR, as well as some of my views on filmmaking. Check it out!

Cheers
John

Join us in NYC tomorrow!

nameinuse — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:30:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder to all those in the big apple. Tomorrow EGTTR will screen for the first time in NYC at the Anthology Film Archives as part of their NewFilmmakers Series. The festivities kick off around 6PM with a killer doc, a really nice collects of shorts, and finally EGTTR at 9ish. It’s only 5 bucks and it helps support some true “indie” filmmaking. IndiePix will be there in support of EGTTR and Deployment Strategy…a new short film by Mark Cheng. Afterwards we’ll be having a little Q&A;, PLUS an announcement by the EGTTR filmmakers and IndiePix…so you’ll want to be there to hear first hand. Once the screening is over it’s out for a few drinks and good times. Hope to see you there for a night of film and fun!!!:-)

Cheers as always
John

EGTTR Premiere in NYC!

nameinuse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:37:00 +0000

So Wed. April 30th, EGTTR will have it’s NYC premiere at the Anthology Film Archives. Please join us for film, fun, and ANNOUNCEMENTS. IndiePix will be on hand to deliver the goods and to tell you all about the next step for them and me.:-)

cheers
John

PS
Here is Toonces kid sister. (not really, but holy crap what a resemblance.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtt_hj1jmGo]

Radiohead contest entry that wasn’t meant to be

nameinuse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Recently Radiohead had an animation contest for their next music video. I saw the posting and thought…I should give it a shot. THEN I thought, I’m not an animator…so I stopped there. This morning I found that Robert of Flight 404.com found a way to make what I think is a perfect fit to “Weird Fishes”.

http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=935317&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=
Weird Fishes: Arpeggi from flight404 on Vimeo.

If what is said on the blog is true…this video is made entirely with code. Very cool and kudos to Robert. He didn’t end up submitting it to the contest…I ask why not!? What do you gots to loose.

Cheers
John

EGTTR WEBSITE NOMINATED FOR A NORI

nameinuse — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:31:00 +0000

The talented and lovely Ms. Raeanne Wright…our (and my) everything designer is up for a Nori Award (The listing is on page 3 of the nominees.) Wish her luck June 6th when she goes up against other fine-art/website/multimedia/functionality/design people. I may be biased, but I would give her the award without hesitation. I’m proud of you sweetie!

Cheers
John