Guest Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I need to ship you 500 copies so you can begin the door-to-door sales in the UK. David Mullen has seen the whole deal now, maybe he'll post his thoughts? R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamir Merali Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Congrats on finishing the film. Did you submit to Sundance like you were planning on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted October 1, 2007 Premium Member Share Posted October 1, 2007 It's an enjoyable "B" picture, basically a psychological thriller of two people trapped in an abandoned prison/mental hospital of some sort, wondering why they are there, weird poop happening, with unexplained cuts to a police investigation that is explained at the end in a twist that I won't give away. I'd say that the weakest element -- which is typical of most low-budget genre films -- is the screenplay, which I think misses some dramatic opportunities because the story ends up being rather like Phillip K. Dick, except not as good as that. Anyone here ever read "Ubik"? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubik Anyway, it's not "Ubik" but it could have explored that idea further. Technically, the movie looks very professional, well-made, not sloppy. I think it sometimes is a bit overlit; it could have played some of the rooms even darker, though I suspect one problem was that the location was originally all painted in light tones (as most are). The more bizarre elements maybe could have been shrouded in more visual mystery, whether that means some smoke, more silhouettes, etc. You don't want to look at this stuff too closely. It's all justified by the story once it is explained at the end... but whenever you go nuts like this, bizarre happenings, it borders on being cartoony if you're not careful. Still, overall, the movie was not boring, Richard kept it moving along for the most part despite an extremely constricted and limited location space and characters forced to talk things out (the problem of many low-budget genre movies -- talk is cheap... monsters, efx, stunts, etc. are not, so you get a lot of talk.) It should sell; it certainly is professionally-made and looks more expensive than it probably cost to make. Richard clearly worked his ass off making it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Thanks David, of course I accept all feedback the good and the bad :D I definitely have lot's of areas to improve in. I agree with 98% of your comments. The fascinating thing about the stage I'm at now is the extremes of the feedback. Over all the feedback is good, for the over all movie. But areas that one person likes another person says is the weakest part. The review I got on Saturday night from the head of a major distribution company was that the strongest part of the movie was the screenplay and the "concept." David on the other hand says he finds the screenplay to be the weakest part. Every one is correct and wrong all at the same time of course :D This is such a subjective business. If people debate this movie to no end on IMDB then I will have achieved some thing ;) Any whoo, looks it will surely be at AFM with one or two of the companies I'm in talks with now. The best thing I have going for me at AFM is the packaging, it's done, and every one has told me it's fantastic. Best money I spent! Zamir, the movie is an official submission at Sundance, yes. But it's such a long shot, they get in 3,800 hundreds movies, they play 100, we can all do the math. My best chance is for the Sundance At Midnight category, which I would gladly take. But I'm sure it's also VERY competitive, I have no delusions about Sundance. I did my part, I made a film and made the deadline, it's up to them now. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamir Merali Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 "Zamir, the movie is an official submission at Sundance, yes. But it's such a long shot, they get in 3,800 hundreds movies, they play 100, we can all do the math. My best chance is for the Sundance At Midnight category, which I would gladly take. But I'm sure it's also VERY competitive, I have no delusions about Sundance. I did my part, I made a film and made the deadline, it's up to them now." No doubt very true. But i wouldn't rule it out entirely. I haven't seen your film but I'm sure, based on what others have said, it seems to be a nice independant film. Out of the 3800 films that Sundance gets atleast a 1000 have to be cheap mini dv student films that are filled with cliches and distracting technical problems. Out of the 2800 left only 800 or so are forign films like yours that can qualify for the midnight at sundance or the specturm category. So you have about a 1 in 25 chance. Not great, but a low buget 35mm film might just stand a chance. As long as it's original enough and entertaining. Anyway good luck, my incredibly low budget 16mm feature is also in but the chances of that getting accepted are a million to one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted October 1, 2007 Premium Member Share Posted October 1, 2007 The review I got on Saturday night from the head of a major distribution company was that the strongest part of the movie was the screenplay and the "concept." David on the other hand says he finds the screenplay to be the weakest part. I think once you get to the end and find out the basic conceipt of the movie, you realize that the concept was underdeveloped, that there was more potential inherent in the idea. So I think the concept was strong, the execution of the concept in the screenwriting could have been better. Also, I think the dialogue could have used a polish. The set-up was ripe for someone like Paul Schrader or one of Hitchcock's writers to put some real Calvanist/Catholic guilt in it. You're just the "victim" of a good story idea... ;) in that you have to live up to it. Maybe in the sequel... I'm sort of old school in that I want a really tight structure where all the themes are planned out and are tied to character. I can't explain further without discussing the set-up, which is the twist revealed at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 "Anyway good luck, my incredibly low budget 16mm feature is also in but the chances of that getting accepted are a million to one." Well good luck to us both then! Sundance would be a nice experience, but so many others have the same dream. I'm moving forward quickly on the sales front with or without a Sundance screening. The best thing of course for DVD sales is you can put the coveted, "Sundance Official Selection" on the front cover. That definitely helps! "I can't explain further without discussing the set-up, which is the twist revealed at the end." Yes, difficult to discuss the screenplay of this movie in open forum without saying, "well, you could have done this because....." R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I need to ship you 500 copies so you can begin the door-to-door sales in the UK. You'll be lucky. ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I need to ship you 500 copies so you can begin the door-to-door sales in the UK. David Mullen has seen the whole deal now, maybe he'll post his thoughts? R, Hey Richie, where's my copy? Here I've been morally supporting you ALL the way and Dave gets the first peek at this masterpiece? I'm hurt, I'm ensensed, I'm cheap, so send me a copy. Who knows, I might be able to secure a US release for you or at lease a Mexican release. I know people who know people and those people are people who can help people, you know what people I'm talking about, the kind of people who need people and those are the luckiest people in the world! B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Hey Richie, where's my copy? Here I've been morally supporting you ALL the way and Dave gets the first peek at this masterpiece? I'm hurt, I'm ensensed, I'm cheap, so send me a copy. Who knows, I might be able to secure a US release for you or at lease a Mexican release. I know people who know people and those people are people who can help people, you know what people I'm talking about, the kind of people who need people and those are the luckiest people in the world! B) Actually I think you're "incensed". David invested $500,000.00 I had to send him a copy :D You'll get one when the US DVD rights are figured out, don't worry. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Actually I think you're "incensed". David invested $500,000.00 I had to send him a copy :D You'll get one when the US DVD rights are figured out, don't worry. R, "incensed" are you sure? Doesn't that mean I smell like sandalwood or something? (Watch it, I know what you're going to do with that line") Anyway, I'll be waiting with baited breath (again watch it!) and if you can slip in you lead actress' phone number, I promise you can be best man at our wedding.....or at least an usher. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 "and if you can slip in you lead actress' phone number, I promise you can be best man at our wedding.....or at least an usher." Did you suddenly become a billionaire? That's what it will take to get that job done. Her current boyfriend has a collection of exotic cars, ferraris, etc etc. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Stephen Williams Posted October 4, 2007 Premium Member Share Posted October 4, 2007 Her current boyfriend has a collection of exotic cars, ferraris, etc etc. R, Hi Richard, But is she happy with him! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Her current boyfriend has a collection of exotic cars, ferraris, etc etc. Egad!! Richard, James, David? Do you feel like a little robbery? :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Good question, seems to be. Here's a pic you can all drool over. She would make an impressive bride, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 "and if you can slip in you lead actress' phone number, I promise you can be best man at our wedding.....or at least an usher." Did you suddenly become a billionaire? That's what it will take to get that job done. Her current boyfriend has a collection of exotic cars, ferraris, etc etc. R, Well, you know what they say, Richie, when you've got a big....and I mean VERY BIG...enormous even :blink:, who needs a Ferrari. But be that as it MOST DEFINITELY IS, I'm just on the verge of becoming a billionaire, JUST on the cusp, RIGHT at my finger tips, in fact I only need in thing, a billion dollars but forget about that right now. If this guy is SOOO rich and handsome....with dreamy hazel eyes....and wavy brown hair......and a perfect body.....and....oh..ahum and I mean that in a TOTALLY non gay way, then he's qualified to date like countesses and porn stars, like Charlie Sheen, so eventually he's gonna drop her like a hot potato and GUESS WHO will be there to pick up the shattered pieces of her obliterated self-esteem when this bastard rips her heart out and stomps on it like a Mexican wrestler with a midge, ME that's who....then it's a quick trip to Rio on the one credit card her ex-boyfriend forgot to shut off while she's still on the rebound and BAM, we're dancin' the horizontal Macerana to some Ricky Martin music in a cheap Tijuana motel on our honeymoon after her ex-boyfriend get the first American Express bill sense the break-up BUT by then it's TOO late. I wow her with my incredible wit and charm...and the other thing... and she falls MADLY in love with me and we live happily ever after!.....Is it a PERFECT plan, weeellll NOOOOO if you're gonna look at it that way, but do you REALLY want something that absolutely perfect so that you have to live up to that perfection, of coarse you don't...all we have to do to make this plan work is make sure her current boyfriend cheats on her with a pornstar countess that recently dated Charlie Sheen.... there's gotta be like a MILLION of those around, then we get pictures, she falls in love with me and next thing you know YOU'RE carrying one of her drunken passed out bridesmaids to your motel room in some sleazy Mexican dive before the week is out. It can't miss, WHADYA say old buddie are ya in or what?!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary McClurg Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 (edited) Richard, I picked up one of the post cards for Dark Reprieve.... at AFM.... How did it do in sales... Edited November 25, 2007 by Gary McClurg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Richard, I picked up one of the post cards for Dark Reprieve.... at AFM.... How did it do in sales... Really? Where you there as a buyer? I think it did great, closed six territories including a great sale in Japan. Another 40 or so screeners where handed out. The distributor expects a few more sales before Christmas. Next stop is Berlin, with an all new re-tooled sales trailer. Which I can't post, because it gives away a lot of the movie. I was at AFM as well on the last two days. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary McClurg Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 (edited) Really? Where you there as a buyer? I think it did great, closed six territories including a great sale in Japan. Another 40 or so screeners where handed out. The distributor expects a few more sales before Christmas. Next stop is Berlin, with an all new re-tooled sales trailer. Which I can't post, because it gives away a lot of the movie. I was at AFM as well on the last two days. R, No wasn't there as a buyer... came out for a shoot... kinda of a music video within a film (to be used in a feature... shot next year)... and then had a couple of meetings at the market about other projects... Glad that you got picked up in six markets.... wondering if the new trailer is more of a sci-fi approach... everyone seemed to think that was what buyers wanted... but who knows... next years market will be flooded with sci-fi... I stopped by your sells agent room on the Monday of the last week (my last day) to see another company... saw the trailer playing... so I must have missed you by a day... Also met a guy there who says he can get me a post deal up in Canada as their investment in a project... so we'll see if it all works out... Edited November 25, 2007 by Gary McClurg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary McClurg Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Actually re-reading that... it sounds like the post guy came from seeing your sales agent... what I should have said was met with that guy on Sunday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 "wondering if the new trailer is more of a sci-fi approach." Yep, there is a strong sci-fi element to the movie. So we've gone more with that story line. Yes I agree there could be a flood of sci-fi next year, but I'm a year ahead of them ;) R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary McClurg Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 "wondering if the new trailer is more of a sci-fi approach." Yep, there is a strong sci-fi element to the movie. So we've gone more with that story line. Yes I agree there could be a flood of sci-fi next year, but I'm a year ahead of them ;) R, One of the projects that I'm working could go thriler with a sci-fi or thriller with a horror... or mix... the two... just trying to line up a few more things... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Rodgar Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 There was a shot about mid way through of a girl sitting in a chair talking. I personally felt it looked a little like an interview, rather bland. Agree, but good job otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Agree, but good job otherwise. Definately! Richard, my brother thinks Dark Reprieve is very well shot, very interesting, but rude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 "rude"??????????????????? R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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