Just My Personal Opinion

ussinners

ussinners

My movie Us Sinners has been called by reviewers a movie for True Horror Fans. It's also been called the worst piece of shit ever made. The one thing I personally guarantee is the ending is a 100% shocker. We had one showing at the Spooky Movie Red Eye Marathon and while there were very few people there, two of them jumped out of their seats and one yelled "Holy Shit". Even the people that hate it, think the ending pretty much rocks.

The acting in it is better then any micro-budget movie, and has been said by many to be on par with decent budgeted horror flicks.

Some will argue shooting it 29 fps was not a bright idea. But, the people that have enjoyed it, haven't had any complaints. There are (were) movies shot 29 fps before Us Sinners that made festivals.

I've entered just about every horror festival there is. Us Sinners hasn't gotten into one. But, I know some of the crap that has. That's what pisses me off. These movies have only one thing that Us Sinners doesn't and that's some minor B-Actor's name on the poster.

It doesn't matter if Us Sinners has better acting, better kills and one of the most original disturbing endings in a very long time. They have some schlub on screen for 10 minutes and they will get a spot.

If your movie can get into a festival it's a wonderful thing. And if it's a widely known festival it has a good chance at a distribution deal. But, personally I won't waste anymore money. Because I've seen what these festivals choose, and it's not quality. It's what might bring ten more people into the theatre.

Festivals don't care if the audience goes home disappointed. A good example is go to Zooey Deschanel's imdb page, and look at all the indie work she's done. I love her, but she has made some awful movies that should never have been made. The really bad "artsy" ones have all been in numerous festivals. Not because they deserved to be, but because of her name. I love Indie films, and there are plenty out there. But these are trash.
 
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ussinners said:
I rather make a good movie and fail, then put out something I know is crap and build a huge lie about it. But if money is all you're interested in create porn, there will always be a market for it.
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Well, ok, but there's a difference in a hobby and a business. Making movies is about making money, otherwise, why bother showing them at festivals and trying to get distribution deals? Sounds to me your more interested in making what you consider a good film, even if other people don't think so, well, that's called a hobby if you're not making money, otherwise it's called a business, even the IRS says so. Which, hey, film making is my hobby right now, I'm not trying to make money on it right now, but I'm also not complaining about not having my film being seen at festivals. As you stated, movies are subjective. I thought BWP was brilliant in the way the format of the movie was portrayed. I believe it won awards as well. Obviously I'm not the only one who saw the brilliance in it. Also, people didn't go see it because they thought it was real and was gullible, everyone knew it was only a movie, but the way it was shot put the audience in the moment, and you felt it was real,you could feel the "fear". If you're having bad luck with festivals like you are, maybe grab some pointers from a couple of kids running around the woods with a Hi8 camera who made millions from a novel concept. Or, continue on with your crusade of "good films" that don't get shown at festivals and have a locker full of dusty "good movies" you made. No disrespect intended here, but I gotta say, you really sound like you're whining about this whole thing. Venting is one thing, cool, I can understand the hit to your ego, but to say that something like BWP was stupid and "Crap", and all "festivals are fixed" is just plain arrogant or sounds like something my 13 year old would say. Nobody here has any sympathy for arrogant people. In your words, (your film) "It's also been called the worst piece of shit ever made". And you readily admit that it has never been accepted into one festival. Really? Not one?
So, let me get this straight, not one festival accepted your movie and it's been called derogatory names, and you think the only answer is that all festivals must be fixed? Wow, interesting thought process. See, the poor reviews I got for my work I used as a learning tool. I would think you'd have to have thick skin in the movie business if you plan on ever getting anywhere. Anyway, I used the reviews to fix my work and I became better for it. Just a thought you might consider. I have no doubt you are far more experienced than I and a better film maker than I, I just find your whining and rationale a little amateurish, just my opinion. But, then again, I'm not even a novice film maker,so who cares what I think?
 
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EvsFX08 said:
Well, ok, but there's a difference in a hobby and a business. Making movies is about making money, otherwise, why bother showing them at festivals and trying to get distribution deals? Sounds to me your more interested in making what you consider a good film, even if other people don't think so, well, that's called a hobby,
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That's ridiculous, if you create films, you are a filmmaker. Slapping the hobby label where it does not apply is an insult. What you call a hobby others call art. A hobby is something you don't have a passion for but you like to do. Most filmmakers I know have a passion for filmmaking. It's not a hobby just because they haven't made a buck. Ever heard of suffering for your art? You can also get to the point where your art makes money. Maybe you don't have a passion for filmmaking, and are in it to make a buck and that's it. I don't know, but that's a hard road to travel.

How can you say if you make films whether people like them or not it's a hobby?! This may be the most absurd thing I've ever heard. Are you saying you need to please everyone when you make a film? Otherwise it's a hobby?
 
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indietalk said:
What you call a hobby others call art. A hobby is something you don't have a passion for but you like to do. Most filmmakers I know have a passion for filmmaking. It's not a hobby just because they haven't made a buck. Ever heard of suffering for your art? You can also get to the point where your art makes money. Maybe you don't have a passion for filmmaking, and are in it to make a buck and that's it. I don't know, but that's a hard road to travel.
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Interesting direction the thread is taking. I agree that a person who makes movies is a filmmaker. You are what you do, which is better than talking about it. :) However, when I started making movies, I called it a hobby. I was fully passionate, making up to 7 shorts per year, on Super 8 and 16mm film. It made me feel alive, but it was for fun and for showing to audiences. 9 years into it, I took out a 20K loan and hired actors and crew for my first feature, THE BLACK CRYSTAL. All of a sudden, I crossed the line from what I considered a hobby to a low budget filmmaker.

The business aspects are such that you cannot ignore and I think distinguish the hobby from the profession. Having money involved meant making different decisions, than if I was just making it for fun. To be marketable means having to consider what the movie might have to be, from a "High Concept" idea to hiring a name actor/actress, to putting certain elements in, like guns and nudity. Typically, I don't just throw in gratuitousness and just make the movie that I want to make, but it's usually on the High Concept side.




As for the Film Festival topic, I agree with just about everything that directorik has said. :) I believe in supporting indies and film festivals. It's totally rewarding to be recognized, when it happens. Sure some are political with their selection process, especially Sundance, but there are a lot of good movies out there. I still prefer the theater going experience to the living room, anyday. I guess I'm lucky to live in a town where the audiences are fairly respectful to others in the audience, because I rarely have people mess with my viewing experience. In fact, I live for the burst out loud oohs and ahs. It's like the charge one gets out of going to a sporting event, provided you are watching something halfway scary or exciting.
 
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"BWP was stupid and "Crap", and all "festivals are fixed" is just plain arrogant or sounds like something my 13 year old would say."

BWP was accepted into festivals because the organizers believed it to be a documentary. It won awards when people believed the footage to be real. You can like it, I think it was absolute crap. I firmly believe no one would even know about it, if the con documentary didn't work.

As for all Festivals being fixed. I didn't say that. Not only didn't I say it, but everyone pretty much agrees that films with "stars" will get picked over better films with no stars. So, I'm not whining about it, I'm stating a fact.

"In your words, (your film) "It's also been called the worst piece of shit ever made"."

You conveniently left out the part about all the great reviews Us Sinners has received. With all of them saying Us Sinners is for TRUE HORROR FANS, with one of the most shocking climaxes in recent horror history. Even some of the reviewers that hate the movie think the ending is pretty cool.

"Nobody here has any sympathy for arrogant people."

I'm not looking for sympathy.

"I just find your whining and rationale a little amateurish, just my opinion."

You might think I'm whining, but I'm just answering points from each post. I did start this thread.

"In fact, I live for the burst out loud oohs and ahs. It's like the charge one gets out of going to a sporting event, provided you are watching something halfway scary or exciting."

So, if you're at a baseball game or a movie, and the person next to you is talking on his cell phone about what he had for dinner last night you find that enjoyable? Because I really hope you don't think I was talking about people engrossed in the movie.
 
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indietalk said:
That's ridiculous, if you create films, you are a filmmaker. Slapping the hobby label where it does not apply is an insult. What you call a hobby others call art. A hobby is something you don't have a passion for but you like to do. Most filmmakers I know have a passion for filmmaking. It's not a hobby just because they haven't made a buck. Ever heard of suffering for your art? You can also get to the point where your art makes money. Maybe you don't have a passion for filmmaking, and are in it to make a buck and that's it. I don't know, but that's a hard road to travel.

How can you say if you make films whether people like them or not it's a hobby?! This may be the most absurd thing I've ever heard. Are you saying you need to please everyone when you make a film? Otherwise it's a hobby?
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No not at all, I was referring to UsSinners' posts where he discusses distributors. If you make films simply for the art of entering festivals, then cool, it's still a hobby (and an art)-unless you don't work at a job and film making is the only thing you do. A hobby is something you do on the side (the passion level is up to the individual, not by definition). If US Sinners makes films for a living, than it's a business, yes? Most small businesses have stemmed from hobbies, so yes, there IS a strong correlation between hobby and a business. But, we're getting away from my original point, which I evidently did not articulate well. I was not trying to compare a hobby versus an art. I was simply going along the lines of UsSinners statement discussing the business aspect:

"That's true. Another reason is they overlook good movies for ones that have a name in it. They're not doing what they say they're going to do. Because as YOU ALL point out, it's a business.
As a film maker you enter festivals in hopes of having your movie seen, but also to hopefully get a distribution deal. Well, distributors don't go to these tiny no-name festivals (maybe if they're in NY LA or Chicago). They go to the large ones that are basically set-up to take the little unknown film maker's money, and push the ones that will get a deal on name power anyway. "

It's appears to me that he was hoping to have his film noticed by a distributor, which hey, wouldn't everyone like that? I can see where you would think I try to define a hobby with "Sounds to me your more interested in making what you consider a good film, even if other people don't think so, well, that's called a hobby if you're not making money, otherwise it's called a business, even the IRS says so".... no I was not trying to confine a hobby or art as making money or not, simply the business aspect, like I said, to me, he was looking for a distribution deal, but hey, I can' blame him for that.

So, all I was really pointing out (or maybe trying to ask) was if he submitted his film and simply talked about the art aspect, fine, we can talk about the art aspect. But, he was the one who mentioned other films he called "crap" make millions and get distro deals. So, is he upset that his film didn't get a distro deal? Or is he upset that film fests selected other movies over his that he felt were beneath his abilities? It's apples and oranges. I agree completely with you IndieTalk that filmmaking is an art, but when you try to mix business into it versus the passion for it or simply because you enjoy making films, doesn't it change the dynamics? The fact that he refuses to attend further festivals tells me he's not into it for the art of film making and doesn't share the passion other film makers have who do attend festivals, he's into making money- which is fine with me too. I think someone else mentioned that there are numerous festivals for all types of movies. If you're gonna try and make money, you need to be able to accept rejection. Art is what you percieve it to be, but when you try to profit from an audience, you can't complain when people don't like it, it's called.....well, business. I sincerely apologize if I insulted anyone, but I hope I clarified my point. In my humble opinoin, it sounds like he spent a lot of money, time and effort into making probably a really good movie, however, it sounds like he's a little scorned by not being able to get a distro deal via a festival acceptance. Distribution is mentioned in more than one of his Threads. I could have misinterpreted his message, but this is what I got out of it.
 
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ussinners said:
"

BWP was accepted into festivals because the organizers believed it to be a documentary. It won awards when people believed the footage to be real. You can like it, I think it was absolute crap. I firmly believe no one would even know about it, if the con documentary didn't work.


So, if you're at a baseball game or a movie, and the person next to you is talking on his cell phone about what he had for dinner last night you find that enjoyable? Because I really hope you don't think I was talking about people engrossed in the movie.
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Interesting, I didn't know that- about the organizers thinking it was a documentary when the film clearly opened in a movie format, guess the organizers got duped.

Also, I agree about the people being annoying at the movie. I get that.

I hope you don't think I'm trying to "flame" you because I'm not. I totally repsect that you have gotten farther than I have with film making. I'll admit I'm too chickenshit to produce a movie for general audiences, I'd be afraid of going through the rejection you did. I like music videos and documentaries, where these productions are for a small group of individuals who enjoy that particular genre and really all I care about is the artist's satisfaction, the audience is up to the artist (or director). I respect you as a film maker, so please don't think I am disrespcting you for your abilities. I'm just confused over what you're actual complaint is, are you upset over not getting a distro deal? Are you upset because you're film didn't get selected by any festivals? Or are you upset with the movie theater atmosphere? Or all three?
I get that festivals may show movies with B actors in it to sell tickets, that's probably true, but I think someone else pointed out that Festivals have to make their money too. They have to pay to rent the place. I may beg oing to one in Atlanta where the tickets are $150. I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing and don't know why I'm spending $150 on my first festival, but I've decided to attend some. Apparently, it a pretty big film festival and I'll be completely out of my element, but then there's another closer to me that charges only $30. If you're fed up with the Festival scene and you think you can do better than the movies you see getting selected, what's preventing you from holding your own Festival? Maybe trying to run one yourself will make you see things from their perspective and getting people in the seats. Who knows, maybe you'll learn a few tricks as to how to get your films into other Festivals. I don't really consider myself an avid film maker yet because I'm more of a post production guy who is trying to get into film making and only have a few documentaries and a music video produced. However, I am a businessman and maybe that's the aspect I'm taking on your movie. Of course, in my particular business, it is getting exposure for my customers which generates cash, the music videos are to promote the individual and sell downloads. My documentaries are for luring sponsors. So, I tend to think of how can I produce this to attract the most people which in turn generates cash? I do have the same amount of passion for quality as you do, I guess I'm just thinking on a different but equal platform. For the film making aspect, I make movies with my kids and then add special effects and all that neat stuff; two different things, making videos for business and making videos for the fun and love of film making. Personally, with as much passion as you have with your movie and as much discussion this has generated, although horror is not my genre of choice, I'd like to see it. Is there a place I can download it and watch it?
 
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ussinners said:
So, if you're at a baseball game or a movie, and the person next to you is talking on his cell phone about what he had for dinner last night you find that enjoyable? Because I really hope you don't think I was talking about people engrossed in the movie.
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For you to not like going to the theater, you are either ultra-sensitive or live in a rude community. I can't remember the last time someone was acting inappropriate in the theater - even on a cell phone. If they did do that, I would say something. For me, seeing a movie with an audience is half the enjoyment. Someone laughs at a scene that I wasn't thinking was that funny, but then it gets contagious - happened at both AIRPLANE and MY COUSIN VINNY. I ended up liking the movies more because of it.

I've got 3 kids, now, but when I was single, I used to go to see movies like ROBOCOP 10 times, at the theater. When EVIL DEAD 2 came out, I saw it 5 times that week. (It was only in town for 1 week) What changed each night was how the audience reacted. I get off on people loving a movie.

I think I like movies more than anyone on in the world. :D Honestly, when people complain about Hollywood and indie films, I don't agree. By the way, I loved the last RAMBO. Ha ha!
 
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"I'm just confused over what you're actual complaint is, are you upset over not getting a distro deal? Are you upset because you're film didn't get selected by any festivals? Or are you upset with the movie theater atmosphere? Or all three?"

I'm not complaining. I wrote about my experiences and my OPINION (that's in the title) about festivals. Maybe everyone here has hundreds of dollars to spend trying to get their work into festivals, but I don't. I'm sure most film makers don't either. Because if they did, they'd have probably spent in on making the movie.

The film maker has his micro-budget movie (maybe he spent a thousand, maybe ten thousand) and everywhere he turns he sees "Enter Festivals". Get your movie into a festival. So you sign up for withoutabox and you have your choice. So, you look and search and pick and choose. You spend a months salary on a crap shoot, where you're better off putting it in the slot machines at Atlantic City.

Festivals are not worth entering unless you have a name in the movie. If you've made a good movie, and it didn't cost a couple hundred grand to make, you probably won't get in. You can spend hundreds of dollars, and chances are good if you get in a festival it'll probably be the one twenty miles from your house.

It has to be god's next gift to movie goers to get anywhere in festivals, if it's micro-budget with no names in it.

As for a distribution deal, I've been offered two. They'd have to sell about 30 to 40 thousand for me to see a dime. Yet, they just have to sell a few hundred to start seeing a tiny profit. So, I refused them both. Us Sinners at this hour is the #5 slasher rental at Amazon.com (which means I sold one copy). You'd think people would rent from Amazon, they don't. Us Sinners was #97 two hours ago, now it's #3. But, I've made more money ($1) off that rental, then I'd ever see from one of the distribution deals I was offered.

The atmosphere of theatres keeps me away from going to the movies. I lived in the movies up till about 1995. It's just not enjoyable anymore for me. Some guy in PA got pissed at a family talking, he shot the father. Unfortunately he only wounded him.

"I can't remember the last time someone was acting inappropriate in the theater - even on a cell phone. If they did do that, I would say something."

I want to live in your town. But, please come to central Jersey or a NYC theatre. See how much fun it is. The only movies we go to now is PIXAR and occasionally Disney, because my wife loves them. Luckily there's usually no one in the theatre. The Simpsons: people talking on cells, sitting in the aisle, walking around while the movie was on (no not going for popcorn) just walking... This was the day it opened. Don't say complain to management, because this is the best and true: We went opening night to see The Incredibles at our neighborhood multi-plex. When the kids are alone and being chased, the film broke. There wasn't a manager or technician in the place. The kid that sweeps the floors had to give everyone (there weren't that many people there) coupons to come back another day.
 
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EvsFX08 said:
No not at all, I was referring to UsSinners' posts where he discusses distributors. If you make films simply for the art of entering festivals, then cool, it's still a hobby (and an art)-unless you don't work at a job and film making is the only thing you do. A hobby is something you do on the side (the passion level is up to the individual, not by definition). If US Sinners makes films for a living, than it's a business, yes? Most small businesses have stemmed from hobbies, so yes, there IS a strong correlation between hobby and a business. But, we're getting away from my original point, which I evidently did not articulate well. I was not trying to compare a hobby versus an art. I was simply going along the lines of UsSinners statement discussing the business aspect:
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I'm aware of hobbies that become businesses, I dabble in a few things myself, but when one of them is an art, to me, that is separate from hobby and business, if it is one of your passions. You can brew beer as a hobby and turn it into a career, sure. You can make films, and films cost money. Most young filmmakers won't see a return on their investment. Not seeing that return does not mean hobby. However, you can treat an art as a hobby; bands just for fun, non-serious filmmakers, paint by number. Confused? ;) Just my 2 cents :)
 
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ussinners said:
The atmosphere of theatres keeps me away from going to the movies. I lived in the movies up till about 1995. It's just not enjoyable anymore for me. Some guy in PA got pissed at a family talking, he shot the father. Unfortunately he only wounded him.



I want to live in your town. But, please come to central Jersey or a NYC theatre. See how much fun it is. The only movies we go to now is PIXAR and occasionally Disney, because my wife loves them. Luckily there's usually no one in the theatre. The Simpsons: people talking on cells, sitting in the aisle, walking around while the movie was on (no not going for popcorn) just walking... This was the day it opened. Don't say complain to management, because this is the best and true: We went opening night to see The Incredibles at our neighborhood multi-plex. When the kids are alone and being chased, the film broke. There wasn't a manager or technician in the place. The kid that sweeps the floors had to give everyone (there weren't that many people there) coupons to come back another day.
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LOL! I'm from Jersey myself, so I completely know what you're talking about. If you ask someone to keep it down, they look at you as if YOU'RE wrong and that's usually followed up with a racial slur or some other threatening or derogatory comment. Hmmm, we're both from Jersey, maybe that's why I was a little hard on you. He-He. To be honest, other than Wildwood, Seaside Heights, or AC, I really have no desire to go back to Jersey. It's too expensive and driving is easier (and safer) in Baghdad. :lol:
 
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We submitted to about 40 festivals and got into 4, and it was well worth the experience. We got about 150 people to watch our movie that would not have watched it otherwise and we sold about 20 copies of the dvd at the different screenings.

We had a blast. We also watched a bunch of incredible films.

All in all, we spent about 3 grand which was included in the budget. This was our first feature so our main objective was to get the movie to as many people as possible to spread our name. The more people that see it, the better. Maybe for our future features we'll make some money. :)
 
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"mmm, we're both from Jersey, maybe that's why I was a little hard on you. He-He. To be honest, other than Wildwood, Seaside Heights, or AC, I really have no desire to go back to Jersey. It's too expensive and driving is easier (and safer) in Baghdad. "

I got to Jersey the long way. From Long Island, to NYC, to Jersey. We bought in Jersey because it's impossible to afford Long Island anymore. Where do you live now?

"All in all, we spent about 3 grand which was included in the budget. "

I just have to ask, did you spend $3,000 on entering festivals alone? Or did that include travel expenses etc to get to these festivals. Copies that were needed for play at the festivals?

BTW: At 11am today Us Sinners is the #1 Slasher Rental at Amazon On Demand. (I sold two copies). I actually have a jpg of it as my avatar at myspace. Numbers can be so deceiving. A really cool thing is Psycho is #2.
 
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Relocated to Alabama where I bought a 2800sqft , 4bdr, 3 bath, 2 car garage brand new home for 195K. It would be about 500K in Jersey (if not more). Property Taxes were $568 this year. You won't see that in a one bedroom cottage in Jersey.
 
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Wow, what you'll pay in taxes the next ten years, is what we pay every year.

Raf - I hope you do make more money in the future, and make films that are watched by millions.

If I can just use your situation as an example (If I had a job and money I'd use my own. But I don't, so I can't).

You entered 40 festivals and got into 4 which is 10%. That's a great ratio. I also just watched your trailer which is excellent. Usually when you see micro-budget trailers you can tell the acting is going to be pretty poor, but everyone and everything seems to be on the mark.

I see you're from Hartford and you got into the Hartford festival. That should almost be a given. Festivals close to home are the best for micro-budget people. You're probably much more outgoing then me, so when your movie played you probably met people, hung out and made contacts. So, in that respect festivals can be a great thing. I know a few people who are friends with festival promoters and just have to give them their work and it's shown.

But, for the amount of money you spent (3 grand or even 2) you could have rented a theatre, heavily advertised and had your own showing. There was a great theatre in NYC "The Pioneer" that used to give new film makers a showing for free. But, they've gone out of business. My friend had a showing, he did nothing as far as advertising and still had about 20 viewers. People are under the impression that it's extremely expensive to put on a showing, but it's not.

Just think about this: 99% of all independent movie houses (there aren't many left, but there's enough) will rent out the theatre hourly, and many of these are equipped with DVD projectors.

Multi-Plexs usually have a theatre that they rent (these are also equipped with projectors). I know the ones in my area do all the time. Edison is Bollywood in the US.

If you have a two hour movie. You rent for three hours.

They should have a place to put a poster. So you buy 1 or 2 large posters. They can be done at Kinkos. If it's up for a while, patrons going to other shows see your poster.

How much does it cost to have 1000 post cards made? You put these by the poster.

8 x10 or 11 x 14 posters to put in business windows. You see this all the time for musicians, they will do it for film makers also.

There's writing a press release and send it to every paper in that immediate and surrounding area. Invite reviewers, they might not show up, but maybe they will.

Utilizing the internet for publicity. I just got a review from a site (an excellent one) and I could have just said thank you. Instead I offered to do an interview if he wanted. In one day he wrote the questions and this afternoon I answered. I don't know how many people will read it. But, I can say this, more then if I didn't ask.

Festivals can work, but there's a myth and mystique that you finish your movie and jump into the festival circuit. That might be true if you have the talent in your million dollar indie production, but it's not true for the micro-budget movie-maker. We need to be more creative in how we get our movies to the public. And the possibilities are wide open. Look at what the net has done to the music industry. Once the public can download a movie in 5 minutes instead of 5 or 10 hours, theatres and Blockbuster's door will start to shut.
 
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For my movie “dark crimes” I spent $980 on entry fees, screeners
and postage, 50 t-shirts, 200 fliers, 300 post cards and six,
standard one sheets to enter 20 festivals. I got accepted into 7
and won awards at 3. The producer and I spent another $2,400
(roughly) in transportation, meals and lodging to attended 3 out
of town festivals. 2 fests where right here in Los Angeles.

I had $1,500 in the budget for festivals so not counting the out
of pocket expenses the producer and I chose to spend, we came in
under budget. We felt that festivals were very important to the
marketing of our movie which is why we set aside $1,500 to enter.

I understand your suggestions for a public screening ussinners.
But if you saw posters in business windows for a movie made by a
local filmmakers you didn’t know and starring actors you’ve never
heard of, you wouldn’t pay to see it.

I think most people are just like you. That’s why we chose not to
rent a theater for a paying audience. We chose to spend the money
on festival fees.

Like most movies entered in festivals, ours didn’t get
distribution. But that “myth and mystique” you mention of
finishing a movie and jumping right into the festival circuit was
very valuable to us. We didn’t have a million dollar indie
production - we had a micro-budget movie with no name stars. We
won some awards which was a nice ego boost (and looks nice on the
DVD box), met and had meetings with several distributors and
producers, had fun at a couple of Q&A’s, saw the movie in theaters
with paying audiences and even saw it projected on the screen at
the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. And we saw some excellent movies
and met some great fellow filmmakers.

Sure, three of the screenings has less than 30 people, but we had
two screenings with over 200.

I’m really glad I entered festivals. I suspect if you had had an
excellent experience at The Spooky Movie Red Eye Marathon and had
been accepted at a few other fests, you would have a different
opinion of film festivals.

Just another personal opinion.
 
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ditto

Had a great time with the Q&A's and the people we met were priceless.

"You entered 40 festivals and got into 4 which is 10%. That's a great ratio. I also just watched your trailer which is excellent. Usually when you see micro-budget trailers you can tell the acting is going to be pretty poor, but everyone and everything seems to be on the mark."

Thank you ussinners. We spent a long time trying to find the right people for the parts. Especially because they did all for free.
 
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There is a very good article in this month's Creative Cow magazine on this whole Thread of attending festivals and experiences with festivals. I think the last paragraph of the article is a pretty good statement about attending festivals. You might be able to view it online. The advert is "Harry Pallenberg looks at his foray into the world of Film Festival Magic. It's both funny and informative." Just FYI, it was good reading. www.creativecow.net
 
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