Film Distribution Comes To The Internet

bandwidth test by 2MuchC0ffeeMan · 2003-09-05 02:37 · Score: 1, Funny

what a way to test the bandwidth, post it on /. i wonder if they will survive.

bonus! free advertising!

--
Runnin' On Empty .... I'm Still Alive

Re:bandwidth test by Directrix1 · 2003-09-05 02:54 · Score: 2, Interesting

How the hell is this the first film to be released on the internet? I can point you to a couple bazillion films released on the internet. This is not news.

--
Occam's razor is the blind faith in the natural selection of least resistance and in universal oversimplification. -- EF
Re:bandwidth test by zaxus · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 2, Informative

Not first to be released, the first to be simultaneously premeired on the net and in the theater.

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/. zen: Imagine a Beowulf cluster of Beowulf clusters...
Re:bandwidth test by Jerry · 2003-09-05 04:06 · Score: 1

Nope. They're down.

Makes one wonder how they'll successfully deliver films to customers if they can't stay up under a slashdot load.

--
Running with Linux for over 20 years!
Re:bandwidth test by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 11:02 · Score: 0

Do not mod this nigger up, he is a forum administrator at a piracy website (isonews.com) that was just recently shut down due to the owner selling modchips. http://www.theisonews.com/forums/member.php?s=&act ion=getinfo&userid=5621
Re:bandwidth test by Wolfrider · 2003-09-05 15:03 · Score: 1

199+ comments, and no-one has posted a BitTorrent link or inquired about one. Slashdot is slipping!

(runs screaming from the room)

--
.
== WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
Re:bandwidth test by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-09 07:32 · Score: 0

Cry me a fucking river.
OMG he sold modchips!
Bet your ignorant ass have never imported games.
Yah I know modchips can be used for piracy, but so can boats, guns, and cd-r media.

Finally... by angst7 · 2003-09-05 02:38 · Score: 4, Funny

Now Mel Gibson will have a method of distributing The Passion.

--
StrategyTalk.com, PC Game Forums

Re:Finally... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:53 · Score: 0

I doubt it. Don't the jews own the Internet, too?
Re:Finally... by W32.Klez.A · 2003-09-05 04:09 · Score: 1

I think the film'll probably fail regardless of how many people want it to.
Re:Finally... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:05 · Score: 0

That's not funny unless you're a liberal Christian hater...oh wait, this is Slashdot, ok carry on.

Tommorrow's /. Headline: by grub · 2003-09-05 02:39 · Score: 5, Funny

Film Distributed by Internet comes to Kazaa
Posted by michael on Saturday September 06, @10:48AM
from the it's-just-a-matter-of-time dept.

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Trolling is a art,

This is not... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:39 · Score: 4, Funny

... a site worth worrying about slashdotting.

It has zero content on the front page. It starts with a useless flash animated menu. When we bring the server to its knees, you will see this:

-o

which is the world's smallest online fiddle playing "My Heart Bleeds For You."

Re:This is not... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:10 · Score: 0

Get a life Anonymous Coward.
Re:This is not... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 08:13 · Score: 0

he's got one - b the doesnt have WMP.

Interesting idea by squiggleslash · 2003-09-05 02:39 · Score: 5, Interesting

And I hope it succeeds. I also hope they can sell DVDs, which ought to be one of the easier alternatives and makes the film available to a much wider audience than limiting it people with fast PCs and broadband connections does.

As I understand it, it doesn't cost much more to get DVDs mass duplicated these days than CDs, and DVD-Rs are now $3 if you're forced to resort to such things.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.

Re:Interesting idea by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-05 02:46 · Score: 5, Interesting

DVD-Rs are not the same thing as a pressed DVD. And while a DVD-R, to burn, would be $3, in order to get a DVD pressed (which is the only acceptable commercial solution - burned products are not products at all) the cost per DVD is lower BUT there's a certain amount of money up front that you have to pay for a run. I don't know what the average minimum run is but it is substantial. Furthermore, DVDs need to be shipped and that introduces more cost to the consumer in which that cost in not going to the creator of the intellectual property. I would much rather have indie films stick to download only and have all my money (at a lower price as well) go to the crew. Also, as this becomes a more popular way to view movies - those without broadband will see the benefit of having broadband. The more people who want broadband, the lower the price becomes and the more broadband is laid.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:Interesting idea by squiggleslash · 2003-09-05 02:56 · Score: 2, Informative

One thousand for $1150, which is roughly in line with other estimates I've heard. That's for real DVDs, not DVD-Rs.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Re:Interesting idea by nolife · 2003-09-05 03:26 · Score: 1

DVD pressed (which is the only acceptable commercial solution - burned products are not products at all)

HUH? Downloading seems to be acceptable, pressed DVD seem to be acceptable. DVD-R's are not? By who? There is no difference to the end user except for the color on the bottom of the disk.

--
Bad boys rape our young girls but Violet gives willingly.
Re:Interesting idea by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-05 03:28 · Score: 1

DVD-R's are not? By who?
Me. The end user, depending on his or her knowledge, lifetime, and use, will see a difference.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:Interesting idea by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:07 · Score: 0

I would much rather have indie films stick to download only and have all my money (at a lower price as well) go to the crew.
I would rather see indie films explore as many distribution methods as possible, so that more money total goes to the crew.
(Of course, it doesn't really go to the crew; they're generally paid up front. I think you meant the financiers.)
Re:Interesting idea by squiggleslash · 2003-09-05 04:08 · Score: 1

I'd actually be more inclined to go for the DVD-R myself, not knowing anything else about the DVD other than that. If it's -R (or -RW, or +R, or +RW, etc), you know for certain it's not encrypted or region encoded, and that it'll fit on one DVD-R. Backing it up, converting it to another format, etc, will be a lot easier.
The only downsides are a shorter life (but the fact it's copiable gets around that) and that about 5% of DVD players will not play it.
I can live with those limitations.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Re:Interesting idea by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:28 · Score: 0

But I can't live with those limitations. DVD-R is unprofessional an unreliable. Considering the quote of $1150 for a run of 1000 DVDs, provided by another poster, it makes little financial sense to burn 1000 DVD-Rs. The limitations you cite are not dismissable. Not everyone owns a DVD burner, so the lifetime issue remainsvalid. Not every player plays DVD-R, so the compatibility issue remains valid.

Selling DVD-R is the equivalent of slapping a cardboard box on the curb and selling lemonade. Sure it works, but its hardly a professional solution.
Re:Interesting idea by calethix · 2003-09-05 04:41 · Score: 1

"DVDs need to be shipped and that introduces more cost to the consumer in which that cost in not going to the creator of the intellectual property. I would much rather have indie films stick to download only and have all my money (at a lower price as well) go to the crew."

Where do you live? I'd like to move to a place where the bandwidth needed to distribute movies is free.
Re:Interesting idea by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-05 04:43 · Score: 1

I bet you would!

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:Interesting idea by squiggleslash · 2003-09-05 05:05 · Score: 1

Actually I am the "another poster". Heh.
As I said, to me it's more important that the DVD is back-up-able and convertable. I recall the complaint against DVDRs was made by someone who felt that streaming video was a valid alternative - I can't see how that can be. Of course, the preferable solution for me would be region free, CSS free, DVDs, with people who attempt to produce and market such things heavily fined or even jailed.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Re:Interesting idea by nerph · 2003-09-05 05:29 · Score: 1

I don't know where you live, but in my world as demand increases, price goes up not down.

I know what you mean though. As economies of scale kick in the cost of supplying the service decreases thus increasing the supply side of things.

Of course this all assumes that the product is being sold in a competitive market so what the hell do I know?
Re:Interesting idea by Archfeld · 2003-09-05 05:37 · Score: 1

there is significant difference in quality and overall playability. Pressed media is MUCH better, while dvd-r media is OK, there are all kinds of drives and firmware issues on older machines using dvd-r media vs commercial pressed disks. We see it with during builds all the time...On new hardware this would hardly be an issue I imagine...

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errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
Re:Interesting idea by Lothsahn · 2003-09-05 09:43 · Score: 1

Your argument is false, because you are only considering the short run, not the long run. You have forgotten economies of scale. For instance, to build one car from scratch would cost millions of dollars, but to build a million cars from scratch costs only a few thousand. This is because the research and development costs, and the work required to tool a factory is shared among all the cars, not just placed upon one. That is why there are a small number of large car companies. Yes, as demand goes up, so does price (assuming the supply curve is constant). But that's short run economics. In the long run, once all market factors have settled, the price will be lower if there are economies of scale (efficiencies go up with an increase in production), and I would suspect that there are some very large economies of scale for broadband. However, if there are not economies of scale for broadband, then the price would be constant, or rise with an increase in demand over the long run. I do not believe this would be the case (for many factors).

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-=Lothsahn=-

DRM Laden by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:40 · Score: 4, Insightful

with no Linux or Mac alternatives

If this is the future of film distribution where MS leads (and to hell with the EU antitrust violations
) then ill stick with stealing movies from hollywood in DVDRip.DIVX format

and congrats for buying the marketing for this flick, film distribution has been on the Internet for at least 4 years (IFILM etc)

Re:DRM Laden by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:43 · Score: 1, Insightful

I have to say that I really want to see the UK film industry do well. But this is most certainly not the way to do it.

They cater for blind, deaf, and even people with mere 56k connections but they don't cater for anyone who doesn't use Microsoft. Not only that but there's a caption saying that this film will only play in the UK! Sheesh, talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

This must be one of the most hipporcritical and disgraceful displays I have ever seen. "This is not Hollywood" my ar*e!

Quiet frankly, if the British Film Industry thinks this is the future then they may as well all go home now!
Re:DRM Laden by Afty0r · 2003-09-05 04:48 · Score: 1

They cater for blind, deaf, and even people with mere 56k connections but they don't cater for anyone who doesn't use Microsoft.

People who are blind or deaf did not choose to be so, many people on 56k connections do not have a faster alternative, on the other hand anyone who wants to can buy a Microsoft Operating System if they have a PC.

Try complaining on behalf of people who do not own a PC, as they cannot currently access it all.
Re:DRM Laden by Geekboy(Wizard) · 2003-09-05 04:58 · Score: 1

*PLONK* I use a mac, you insensitive clod!

(And I *still* don't use a commercial OS)
Re:DRM Laden by meringuoid · 2003-09-05 06:05 · Score: 1

People who are blind or deaf did not choose to be so, many people on 56k connections do not have a faster alternative, on the other hand anyone who wants to can buy a Microsoft Operating System if they have a PC. Try complaining on behalf of people who do not own a PC, as they cannot currently access it all.
Anyone who wants to can buy a PC. Having a Mac is your own choice.

--
Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
Re:DRM Laden by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 06:45 · Score: 0

People who are blind or deaf did not choose to be so, many people on 56k connections do not have a faster alternative

But they can buy a faster alternative, including moving to a different area if necessary. Okay, that's more extreme than buying a new operating system, making space for it on your computer and installing it just to watch a movie but either is a pretty damn stupid suggestion.
Re:DRM Laden by NanoGator · 2003-09-05 08:59 · Score: 1

"If this is the future of film distribution where MS leads (and to hell with the EU antitrust violations) then ill stick with stealing movies from hollywood in DVDRip.DIVX format"

Seems to me you should be helping the Open Source Community to develop a better alternative that works in Windows.

Come to think of it, where is the OSS Community on this topic?

--
"Derp de derp."

Lisa, Miss Hoover, movies. by pheared · 2003-09-05 02:41 · Score: 4, Funny

Indie Film Maker: Uhh, Industry? I don't think I can play your game. I think it's wrong.
Industry: Okay Indie Film Maker, I respect your moral objection.
[Presses the "Independent Thought Alarm" button under her desk.]

Get reel/real! by z-kungfu · 2003-09-05 02:41 · Score: 3, Insightful

They need to ditribute this in multiple formats if they want a chance in hell of making this work. It seems that the same people that go to see indy movies are the same people using linux and Mac. So they need to make it available to us.

Re:Get reel/real! by grub · 2003-09-05 02:43 · Score: 2, Insightful

Not necessary, at least not right off the bat. Recall that iTunes is Mac only and is raking in the cash. Catering to the Windows-only crowd is a very safe bet.. as distasteful as that may be.

--
Trolling is a art,
Re:Get reel/real! by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-05 02:55 · Score: 2, Insightful

The same people who are using Linux and Mac are watching indie movies? Wow - that's quite a generalization. Of course this should be distributed in a format that can be played under a multitude of operating systems but if this is the company's first foray, catering to Windows-only (although as another poster pointed out, mplayer can play these files) is not a bad business strategy. Frankly, I'm not sure how you know that most people using Linux and Mac watch indie movies more than the public at large. Perhaps your friends who run Linux or Mac watch indie movies but as any basic statistics book will teach you - examples do not statistics make.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:Get reel/real! by p4ul13 · 2003-09-05 03:01 · Score: 2, Interesting

It would be interesting if Apple was to develop an iTunes-like delivery system for movies. Heck, it seems they already have the code, but just need to tweak it to add DRM to quicktime or something like that. Could be neat....

--
Paul Lenhart writes words!
Re:Get reel/real! by smd4985 · 2003-09-05 03:04 · Score: 1

I really doubt that. If the only people going to see Indie films are those using Linux or Mac, their target market is quite small and they have small chance for success. As much as I hate to see people tailoring their applications towards windows, they have to do it to give themselves a fighting chance.

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smd4985
Re:Get reel/real! by blackmonday · 2003-09-05 03:17 · Score: 2, Insightful

Perhaps you need to get real. What a shame, only 99% of computer users will be able to view the film. Mac users click here. As an avid OS X-er and wannabe film maker, this is probably the easiest way to distribute an indie movie. The encoder is free, and you have a massive audience. Politically correct around here? No. An intelligent choice for a broke movie director? Fuck yeah.
Re:Get reel/real! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:17 · Score: 0

HAHAHAHA. Wait you were serious? Oh then somebody please mod this as flamebait or troll or something like that.

What a moron. Let me make gross overgeneralizations without any shread of supporting evidence. And even though is makes little sense I will get Karma. Congrats!
Re:Get reel/real! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:20 · Score: 0

Who modded this turd up as "Insightful"? Claiming Linux and Mac users are somehow more cultured thatn Windows users isn't insight, it's pretentious ignorance.
Re:Get reel/real! by 13Echo · 2003-09-05 03:28 · Score: 1

Linux and UNIX users can view the film. Its players have no problem with the WMV file format.

My problem is that they state that you need to be based in the UK to view the film. I don't live in the UK. What's the hang-up here? Is it because of the payment system that they are using?

It's not Linux that is my problem, it's that they aren't treating the Internet like the global village that it really is.
Re:Get reel/real! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:36 · Score: 0

Although I'm at work so I cannot try it. Couldn't you set up Mozilla to run mplayer in respond to the x-mplayer2 mime type? Mplayer understands the Windows Media format.

I've managed to access Windows Media files in the past w/o Windows, IE, or Windows Media Player using this trick. However this only works if the page is encoded to send the data as the specified mime type. If they have some fancy java script to access the pluggin directly or do platform detection or something else stupid like that, this trick won't work.

Just a thought.
Re:Get reel/real! by meme_police · 2003-09-05 05:20 · Score: 1

Some punk you are supporting such an unpunk format.

--
The meme police, They live inside of my head
Re:Get reel/real! by NanoGator · 2003-09-05 09:03 · Score: 1

"They need to ditribute this in multiple formats if they want a chance in hell of making this work. It seems that the same people that go to see indy movies are the same people using linux and Mac."

Uh right. The subject of the movie will attract the audience, not who clicks buttons on the computer. By far, most people are running Windows, and there's enough broadband for this to work.

This movie could potentially be successful, but if it's not, it's because the movie's not worth watching. Putting it on Windows is not the mistake here.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:Get reel/real! by Drakkar · 2003-09-05 12:47 · Score: 1

How does it feel being left out for something not available in your country? Too many times there's something cool announced here on /. and to learn later that it's available for the US only. There's a world outside of your country you know.
Re:Get reel/real! by lewp · 2003-09-05 13:40 · Score: 1

There's a world outside of your country you know.
Yeah, there is. At least until we invade it next week.
*pours gasoline all over karma*

--
Game... blouses.
Re:Get reel/real! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-06 07:13 · Score: 0

Wow. You're an angry little pig.
Re:Get reel/real! by 13Echo · 2003-09-06 07:15 · Score: 1

Why do you assume that I live in the US? I merely think that it's a shame that it's only available in the UK. I could live in Asia, for all you know.
Re:Get reel/real! by erth · 2003-09-10 02:37 · Score: 1

Just release it in Quicktime and everyone can watch :)

--
Find Boba / bubble tea in your zipcode.

Windows only? by VEGx · 2003-09-05 02:41 · Score: 4, Funny

For a sec I was excited, then went numb... If it's Window$ only, it can die as far as I'm concerned.

Re:Windows only? by KDan · 2003-09-05 02:50 · Score: 2, Insightful

Funnily enough, I think you'll probably find that the feeling is reciprocal coming from them - ie you can die, as far as they're concerned.

Not that I'm saying that it's a good thing that it's windows-only - I don't think it is. But just giving you a little free tour in the not-even-close-to-infinite-just-kinda-earth-sized perspective vortex.

Daniel

--
Carpe Diem
Re:Windows only? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:30 · Score: 0

Considering the fact that a very limited audience will be viewing the film, you might think that they would try to make it possible for the viewer based to be as broad as possible.
Re:Windows only? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 06:57 · Score: 0

Ummm, hence why it's on Windows?

UK & Windows Only by PhoenixK7 · 2003-09-05 02:42 · Score: 4, Informative

It's UK and Windows only, and it isn't the first independent film to be released on the internet. See here. Took only a few seconds of googling to find it.

Re:UK & Windows Only by Zemran · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 1

Do you have a point or are you just jealous?

--
I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
Re:UK & Windows Only by MikeHunt69 · 2003-09-05 03:35 · Score: 1

Yes, but it's the first independent, low budget and full length film (The other one had a budget of 1.9Mil & was only 32min)
Re:UK & Windows Only by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:23 · Score: 0

Your use of the term googling is a violation of our trademark. The authories have been notified.

For a limited time however, may I interest you in filling out our amnesty form?
Re:UK & Windows Only by glesga_kiss · 2003-09-05 06:09 · Score: 1

I'm having problems with the beeb website at the moment, so I cannot follow your link.
However, legitimate film distribution over the net has been around for many years. Atomfilms and Shockwave have have had short films and I'm sure the odd feature film on their website for at least five years. Jeez, the first time I ever saw Cartman getting an anal probe was on Shockwave.com, six months before the first series of South Park aired in the UK. I highly recommend Atomfilms site, lot's of good films to watch, free last time I checked.
What may be unique to the article's film, or the Cleese one you reference, is that it may be the first one that you have to pay for. But even then, Ardmaan's "Wallace and Grommit - Cracking Contraptions" was available only online, and you had to pay for it. That was about a year ago, IIRC.

I just got some broadband by kacp · 2003-09-05 02:42 · Score: 5, Insightful

...and I'd love to put it to some use. I'd pay and download this, even if it's something I don't fully like. I figure supporting this distobution would be the best way to show the industry that it would actually work. ...too bad I'm in the States. There other legal distobutions centers for indie movies out there online?

--
To write a haiku - all you need is the correct - number of syli...

Re:I just got some broadband by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:20 · Score: 0

Is your google broken? How can a post that doesn't provide any information but instead asks for information that is readily avaible through google considered insightful? Hey mod - do you understand what Insightful means?
Re:I just got some broadband by Jerf · 2003-09-05 04:56 · Score: 1

I'd pay and download this, even if it's something I don't fully like. I figure supporting this distobution would be the best way to show the industry that it would actually work.

You really shouldn't do that. You'll make the first sales look big, convincing the producer to dump more money into it and produce a bigger/more expensive product next time, probably on loans obtained based on initial performance, but you won't be around to buy the next one. The product will do that much worse.

If you hadn't artifically propped up the first movie, it would have tanked, and the producer would have moved on.

Now, your contribution is small so modify this message to speak in (small) probabilities instead of absolutes. (Reading truly well-qualified probability-based arguments is mentally tiring, which is probably why people don't bother to understand them and tend to mentally convert them back to absolutes. Please go the other way for this message.)

It's best not to tweak the market mechanism; they need the honest feedback. Inaccurate feedback can be costly.

free distribution, too good? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:43 · Score: 0

So what were they thinking? "We have free distribution worldwide? That's too good, let's limit it to the UK!"

Re:free distribution, too good? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:53 · Score: 0

Not to forget:
- DRM
- proprietary file format

I would love to pay for a downloadable movie, even more than they demand, but nor under these conditions. It's stupid, they make life more difficult for themselves (because setting up the region restrictions is not trivial), for their customers (who lose their movie when changing their computer etc) and it will not prevent the movie from appearing on P2P networks anyway - without the restrictions. The only difference is that less people will buy it, because they prevent people from buying the movie.
Re:free distribution, too good? by javatips · 2003-09-05 03:19 · Score: 1

Setting the region restrictions if very straingh forward. They just have to check that the address registered with the credit card is in the UK. It's even possible that the country restrictions is due to the contract they have with the credit card validation company which will charge them less money to validate only "local" credit cards.

not quote... by Savatte · 2003-09-05 02:43 · Score: 4, Insightful

independent films are being pushed out of the box office by blockbusters

Close, but true independent films are being pushed out of the way to make room for independent (low budget) films aiming to be blockbusters. It's not that art houses are going to be showing Bad Boys II or Freddy vs Jason, but that they would rather show My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Bend It Like Beckham over Gerry and The Secret Lives Of Dentists.

Re:not quote... by MikeHunt69 · 2003-09-05 03:39 · Score: 2, Interesting

What is a 'true' independent film? One thats shot on S16mm for under 10k? Id much prefer a good story, well told to a film that passes inexperience in shooting, lighting and acting off as 'art'.
Re:not quote... by bobbis.u · 2003-09-05 03:48 · Score: 1

So what are you saying? That in order to be a "true independent" film, it has to be a box office failure?

The other half of the catch... by the_pooh_experience · 2003-09-05 02:43 · Score: 2, Informative

By now, no one here is surprised, but I can guess that most are outraged... according to the movie website:

- To be running Microsoft Windows XP, 98 SE, Me or 2000
- To have Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series installed

The good news is you download the file (not streaming) and can watch it as many times as you want for somewhere under about 4 USD!

They want to be underdogs by fleener · 2003-09-05 02:44 · Score: 2, Interesting

Only available in the UK? It seems like independent films want to be seen by as few people as possible, relishing their underdog status. I guess it wouldn't be an 'art film' if it went mainstream.

An internet debut announced around the world, yet only available to those living on the island. Woo hoo!

Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:56 · Score: 0

"guess it wouldn't be an 'art film' if it went mainstream."

Shut up and get back to your insightful and interesting "car chases, shoot outs and demonstration of power over other people III". Otherwise you`ll be harder to coerce into supporting 9/11 related revenge attacks on foreigners.
Re:They want to be underdogs by p4ul13 · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 1

It might be that they're limiting the distrobution to the UK at this time in the hopes that they'll gain enough attention to get some actual screen showings in the states and other countries. Most hollywood films are released to the US and then their worldwide distrobution is largely affected by their performance here.

--
Paul Lenhart writes words!
Re:They want to be underdogs by Dicky · 2003-09-05 03:16 · Score: 3, Insightful
An internet debut announced around the world, yet only available to those living on the island.
Um... I've seen this advertised/discussed in exactly 3 places now: the BBC (yes, the British Broadcasting Corporation), the GLLUG mailing list (that's the Greater London LUG) and here. Of them, I would only consider the BBC one to be an 'official' announcement and they are a British corporation, aiming at a British audience, paid for by the British tax-payer.
The amount of content on this site which is only available or in any way relevent to residents of the US is phenomenal. And that's largely okay, since this is effectively a US site. But you and others who are complaining that this is only available in the UK are only seeing a small example of what we see all the time.
In a more practical sense, I can think of at least three major reasons for the limitation:
- Another US/UK inbalance thing - we pay for bandwidth both ways because we have to pay for the privilege of talking to you guys. Streaming a movie could get really expensive really fast.
- This is an experiment - they are hoping to generate enough noise and support from this to get a US distribution deal.
- Um... forgot the third one. Argh. There was something to go in here. Really.
--
Paranoia isn't an infectious condition, it's a way of life
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:39 · Score: 0

Oh, how 'artsy' your reply is, full of anger and edgy; I bet you're wearing all black too.
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:42 · Score: 0

"Oh, how 'artsy' your reply is, full of anger and edgy; I bet you're wearing all black too"

I'm at work in a t-shirt.

Hardly anger or edgy either. There's a middle ground between `artsy` and `fuck-witted lowbrow peasant slop for the masses` you know...
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:51 · Score: 0

You can't seem to stay on topic at all can you ? You're FP was rather obtuse, pedantic and basically hostile for no apparent reason. Hence the 'artsy' call, this parent post is similarly off topic (even from your FP!). 'Slop for the masses' underscores you ego problem and certainly negates any serious consideration. Have a nice day digging ditches in your T-shirt.
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:31 · Score: 0

they [the BBC] are a British corporation, aiming at a British audience, paid for by the British tax-payer.

Since when was the BBC paid for by the British tax-payer?
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:46 · Score: 0

since they introduced a tax on TVs.
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:48 · Score: 0

You're FP
your FP!
Second time's a charm...
Re:They want to be underdogs by hyphz · 2003-09-05 04:50 · Score: 1

The BBC has always been paid for by the taxpayer. In the UK, to watch TV you have to buy a license (!), which contributes towards the BBC.

This is also why the BBC has no advertising (except for adverts for itself) and thus runs programs and films all through without a break.
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:05 · Score: 0

The television licence is not a tax in any sense of the term.
Re:They want to be underdogs by efflux · 2003-09-05 09:40 · Score: 1

Ummm... no. Apparrently this kind of tax is called hypothecation.

--
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes. -- Walt Whitman
Re:They want to be underdogs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-08 01:02 · Score: 0

> You're (sic) FP was rather obtuse, pedantic and
> basically hostile for no apparent reason.

It's hardly pedantic to insult a whole sub-class of films, is it?!

> Hence the 'artsy' call

Hence the straw man, you mean, which was pretty wide of the mark, given that I dislike `artsy` films too.

"'Slop for the masses' underscores you ego problem"

I don't have an ego problem. Like most Slashdot readers/posters I am of above average intelligence. Just a fact.

"Have a nice day digging ditches in your T-shirt."

That's right - I took a break from digging ditches to post to Slashdot. I have a low-skilled, badly paid job and I watch Bruce Willis films and imagine I'm killing terrorists as a method of relaxation.

It's cheaper to buy a DVD (even if I lived in UK) by dcordeiro · 2003-09-05 02:45 · Score: 3, Insightful

You see, even if it is only 3or 4 euros/dollars for the "token", you have to pay for the download time/bytes.

So, for some that have 56K/ISDN or a broadband connection with traffic limit (my isp makes me pay 50euros month for 2G and 2euros plus for every 100M), it's always cheaper to buy the damn thing.
Same applies to download/buy linux distributions.

But hey... you can always download it at work :P

You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Serapth · 2003-09-05 02:46 · Score: 2, Flamebait

a film that is being distributed over the Internet because independent films are being pushed out of the box office by blockbusters

I hate to burst your bubble, but Indy flicks have *never* done well at theatres. Hell... half the big chains of theatres are owned by the major production companies... ( like Cinema City, Cineplex Odeon, etc... ).

Also, if you read the site... the film took a whopping *12*!!! days to film... um... unless you have a damned good photographer, and a butt load of luck, you just cant film a quality picture in 12 days. This looks more like an attempt to sell a movie, with the production efforts less then a "made for TV" movie, ever the internet... yawn...

As a side note, I would actually argue that indy flicks are doing a bit better for cinema coverage...

Crouching Tiger
Blair Witch 1,2,3,42,etc...
Shine
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

I would say we are seeing more independant films in the theatres then ever... as to being mostly sequels... well... its summer blockbuster time... traditionally, we see the big budget sequels this time of year. Also, when you look at the fact Freddy Vs Jason was the highest grossing film for what, 3 weeks... you know how craptastic the competition is!!!

Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Talia+Starhawke · 2003-09-05 02:50 · Score: 2, Funny

As a side note, I would actually argue that indy flicks are doing a bit better for cinema coverage...

Blair Witch 1,2,3,42,etc...

Not that any of the Blair Witch movies deserved major cinema coverage...

--
+5, Female ;)
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Serapth · 2003-09-05 02:59 · Score: 1

I agree 310% on that... Blair witch was horrid, I still dont understand a) the hype or b) the fact it actually scared people.
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Talia+Starhawke · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 0

or c) that the jerky camera and bad acting didn't make you sick enough to leave the movie and demand your ticket refund!

--
+5, Female ;)
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by mrtroy · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 1

Lock stock is an impressive movie.

And i guarantee it wasnt made in 12 days

Make a movie worth buying on DVD...and people will buy it. Regardless if they can get it for free on the internet or not.

--
[I can picture a world without war, without hate. I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it]
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by quigonn · 2003-09-05 03:09 · Score: 1

Then watch it alone, in the night, with all lights in your flat turned off, and you are going to be scared. Trust me. "Blair Witch Project" was the first movie to scare me under these circumstances.

--
A monkey is doing the real work for me.
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Serapth · 2003-09-05 03:15 · Score: 1

No... no it wasnt... but it was an indy flick. Im talking about this movie though... not Lock Stock

Actually, Lock Stock and Snatch are too of my favorite flicks... im not saying all Indys suck... just this one :)
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Serapth · 2003-09-05 03:23 · Score: 1

Actually, since I got a full 5.1 surround sound stereo... almost anything can scare me now... in the dark with surround sound cranked... yikes. Hell, the video game Silent Hill almost made me piss my pants twice ...

That said... even with a nice home theatre setup, cranked and in total darkness... Blair witch wouldnt scare me... I would be too distracted thinking up new and more obscene ways to kill they annoying bitch in that movie!!!
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:28 · Score: 0

Speaking of games, try Eternal Darkness for NGC if you want to scare the shit out of yourself. :D
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by hyphz · 2003-09-05 04:47 · Score: 1

Ummm... this search is kinda duffo, I think.

As has already been mentioned, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was made by Sony.

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was made by Handmade Films, a long established company which was also responsible for The Life Of Brian and Time Bandits.

Blair Witch? *Made* by small companies, but *distributed* by Artisan Entertainment, a huge firm with over 224 films to their name.

Shine? Heh. Buena Vista International. Yep, they're indie alright, I mean, they're only Disney. (Huh.)
Re:You Make It Sound Like This Is New..... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 08:33 · Score: 0

How about the two indy flicks:

The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones

Those did pretty good...I know you all are saying that those are hollywood movies because indy movies have to be about gay cowboys eating pudding or something...but George Lucas financed the whole thing himself making it independent.

I welcome your flames

Careful now! by Talia+Starhawke · 2003-09-05 02:46 · Score: 4, Funny

Screen those downloads so you don't end up getting a renamed copy of Gigli.

--
+5, Female ;)

Re:only available for windows... by tarquin_fim_bim · 2003-09-05 02:48 · Score: 0, Redundant

The way I read it was that it wasn't available for any platforms except windows.

So what is the movie about? by the_pooh_experience · 2003-09-05 02:49 · Score: 3, Informative

According to the movie's website

This is not Badlands.
This is not The Blair Witch Project.
This is not Deliverance.
THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG.

A film by Bille Eltringham

Synopsis
Spike and Heaton are the unlikeliest pair: two loners who have found each other. Taciturn, competent, unreadable, Heaton is someone we are instinctively afraid of. In contrast, his side-kick Spike is manic, child-like, unstoppable: someone we are instinctively afraid for. But when Spike commits a terrible crime, Heaton decides to stand by him - an act of astonishing, almost foolhardy loyalty. There begins a chase across a vast Northern landscape of moors, rivers and dark woods, the increasingly exhausted fugitives being hunted not by the police but by a posse of farmers intent on revenge. As exhaustion and hunger take hold, Heaton injures his leg and the roles are reversed. Suddenly Heaton needs Spike's loyalty. But as the farmers close in, Spike is forced to decide whether to stand by his wounded friend or run for the safety of the city. No ordinary chase film, This is not a Love Song is a love story trapped inside the body of a thriller.

With a fervent desire to break the increasingly uncreative strictures of traditional film making, every stage of This is not a Love Song was approached afresh. Cast before it was written, workshopped with the actors and filmed in only two weeks on a tiny budget, the film champions DV not as film's cheap cousin but as a format with its own unique beauty.

A Footprint Films production in association with Strange Dog in association with The Film Council (UK) & Longfellow Productions (UK)
Crew
Directed by Bille Eltringham
Produced by Mark Blaney
Written by Simon Beaufoy
Executive Producers Kate Ogborn, Simon Beaufoy, Paul Trijbits
Director of Photography Robbie Ryan
Designer Jon Henson
Production Manager Helen Walker
Editor Ewa J. Lind
Casting Director Victoria Beattie
Sound Recordist Rupert Ivey
Original Music Adrian Johnston
Sound Editor Graham Headicar

Cast
Spike - Michael Colgan
Heaton - Kenny Glenaan
Bellamy - David Bradley

Filmed on location over 12 days, July 2001, near Aberfoyle & Glasgow, Scotland.

Festivals to date include:
Rotterdam, Edinburgh, London, Hoff, American Film Institute, Dinard, Belfast...

Re:only available for windows... by maharg · 2003-09-05 02:49 · Score: 3, Interesting

I believe xine and mplayer (to name but two) can play WMV ?

--

$ strings FTP.EXE | grep Copyright
@(#) Copyright (c) 1983 The Regents of the University of California.

wait a minute... by lockholm · 2003-09-05 02:49 · Score: 1

Hey! They're not the first - I made an internet video and plastered it to the internet for money long ago! Just like them, we thought out every aspect of filmmaking afresh and casted before writing the story! what, porn doesn't count? ...

UK IP Blocks for Proxy Hunters by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:50 · Score: 0, Informative

080.192.000.000 - 080.195.255.255
080.192.000.000 - 080.195.255.255
080.192.152.000 - 080.192.167.255
080.192.152.000 - 080.192.167.255
080.194.016.000 - 080.194.047.255
080.195.032.000 - 080.195.095.255
080.195.144.000 - 080.195.159.255
080.195.192.000 - 080.195.223.255
217.035.144.000 - 217.035.168.255
217.036.000.000 - 217.036.127.255
217.036.192.000 - 217.036.255.255
217.039.000.000 - 217.039.255.255
217.040.192.000 - 217.040.255.255
217.041.000.000 - 217.041.074.255
217.042.000.000 - 217.044.255.255
080.000.000.000 - 080.007.255.255
080.000.044.000 - 080.000.047.255
080.000.096.000 - 080.000.111.255
080.000.170.000 - 080.000.175.255
080.000.250.000 - 080.000.251.255
080.001.096.000 - 080.001.169.063
080.001.224.000 - 080.001.255.255
080.002.248.000 - 080.002.255.255
080.003.000.000 - 080.003.031.255
080.003.032.000 - 080.003.063.255
080.003.064.000 - 080.003.095.255
080.003.160.000 - 080.003.191.255
080.003.200.000 - 080.003.207.255
080.004.072.000 - 080.004.079.255
080.004.104.000 - 080.004.111.255
080.004.160.000 - 080.004.175.255
080.004.224.000 - 080.004.255.255
080.005.128.000 - 080.005.143.255
080.005.144.000 - 080.005.159.255
080.005.240.000 - 080.005.247.255
080.006.064.000 - 080.006.071.255
080.006.200.000 - 080.006.207.255
080.006.208.000 - 080.006.215.255
080.006.232.000 - 080.006.239.255
080.007.064.000 - 080.007.079.255
080.007.080.000 - 080.007.095.255
080.007.104.000 - 080.007.111.255
080.007.112.000 - 080.007.127.255
080.007.192.000 - 080.007.215.255
080.007.224.000 - 080.007.255.255

Followed the next day by: by TopShelf · 2003-09-05 02:51 · Score: 1, Funny

Jack Valenti Declares War on UK
Posted by grub on Sunday September 07, @3:07AM
from the SCO-school-of-customer-service dept.

--
Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more

huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:52 · Score: 0

Hey, I've been watching films distributed via the internet for years! Oh... you mean authorized distributors. Even that isn't a first. There have already been companies in the US that offer this service. Not very successful though due to restrictions and download times. Nice bit of PR on Slashdot for this movie though. Well played.

Great concept by stratjakt · 2003-09-05 02:52 · Score: 1

It took about 5 seconds of the trailer to realize that this isn't merely an "indy film", but an amateur film done by a couple college kids with a handycam.

And if the UK Film Council as analgous to the National Film Board of Canada, then I'm sure the movie is just some tripe to justify ridiculous "promotion of the arts" grants.

But, this is what we need. Actual CONTENT on the internet. Broadband is still expensive, and on the decline, because people realize there's no need for it. Put legal movies, TV shows, etc, promote the hell out of them.

I've wondered if this would ever work; Comcast is big on their new video-on-demand thing, but why cant they set up a few fat-ass servers local to each station, cram them full of media, and let consumers download the stuff.

They could relax bandwidth caps on "locally downloaded" stuff. It's cheap for them, since there's no edge-bandwidth being used, and a great feature for the end-users and a great way to push cable internet over DSL. In a nutshell, this is what video-on-demand is, only it requires a special little box to use. They could take it much further though, cache popular stuff from download.com, or the latest game demos and previews. Only cost to them is a decent server farm with lots of storage.

Just a thought if any cable internet operators are listening.

--
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!

Re:Great concept by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:06 · Score: 0

The new film by Full Monty writer Simon Beaufoy will become the first to be launched officially over the internet.

This is Not a Love Song, which stars Harry Potter actor David Bradley, will be streamed from 1800 BST on Friday.

Although admittedly, A film by Bille Eltringham doesn't exactly lend a sparkling directorial highligh to the project.
Re:Great concept by GreenCrackBaby · 2003-09-05 03:13 · Score: 1

"It took about 5 seconds of the trailer to realize that this isn't merely an "indy film", but an amateur film done by a couple college kids with a handycam."

To quote the article: "It's very low--budget, it's made with really just a cast of two people, it's almost like a two hander, it was designed very specifically for this end."

This is not a film by college kids, but by the same guy that made The Full Monty, and apparently one of the actors also is cast in the Harry Potter movies.

Regardless, I agree that this is exactly what we need. Content like this can only add value to the net, and has the potential to undermine the movie and music businesses as more and more people realise that they can make their money without the **AA's involvement.

--

"The market alone cannot provide sufficient constraints on corporation's penchant to cause harm." -- Joel Bakan
Re:Great concept by stratjakt · 2003-09-05 03:22 · Score: 1

When I looked up that Bille Minginbam (or whatever his/her name is) on imdb I didn't see The Full Monty in the filmography, only a couple made-for-UK-TV movies.

--
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!

IMMS by Councilor+Hart · 2003-09-05 02:53 · Score: 1

Hopefully it doesn't end here.
I live in Europe and I have to download most TV-series from kazaa. It's the only thing that keeps virtual pc around.
Why do I download them?
1) I like to see them.
2) They are not (yet) available. I don't want to be 2 or 3 years behind USA.
3) I only watch that what is worth watching, and thus worth downloading. I don't spend that much time on worthless TV-junk anymore.

However, I don't download movies. The quality sucks. I go to apple trailer site and to movie reviews sites, and a lot to the theaters. Actually I have been going more lately. I prefer to view less movies in the theatre then more (rented or downloaded) movies a smal screen with lousy sound quality.

Now, au contraire to popular /. thinking, I recognise the hard work put in, and that it deserves rewarding.
I could buy the DVD, if they are even available. But I find that wasted money if you only watch it once. Actually I bought the LOTR extended edition and I only saw it once so far.

So I am waiting for something like IMovie Movie Store (ref: ITMS), with the same rights as for ITMS and the same price-range or lower.

I hope it ain't whishfull thinking. Afterall most of the world is still waiting for ITMS.

Get this: I don't want to steal. But I don't want to get ripped of either.
Some movies and TV-series are worth having on DVD. But most are mindless entertainment, that isn't worth paying much.

Yeah! by renelicious · 2003-09-05 02:53 · Score: 1

Hey I finally get to complain because some is NOT avalaible in the US.

DAMN IT! Its not fair, we always get left out with stupid UK only stuff!

--
"Luke, I am your node.parent();"

Excellent! by 91degrees · 2003-09-05 02:54 · Score: 1, Funny

I'll download it and burn to CD to watch on my TV. Oh... It's not available in MPEG. Ah sod it, I'll ignore it then.

Re:Excellent! by Nex · 2003-09-05 03:21 · Score: 0

I got a large (21") tube monitor - they've plummeted in price. So whether it's an avi divx or xvid or whatever, no pain anymore; mpgs are no longer my preference. Nex
Re:Excellent! by 91degrees · 2003-09-05 03:23 · Score: 1

Really?

I've got a 28" widescreen TV, a comfy sofa and a decent sound system. It's on a different floor from my PC.
Re:Excellent! by Nex · 2003-09-05 03:28 · Score: 0

I can see how that would be an advantage. I've got a large 'dressed' tv too, but this 21" monitor's like two feet away from my face, and I use Sennheiser headphones for sound. Acceptable. Nex

Re:It's cheaper to buy a DVD (even if I lived in U by lederhosen · 2003-09-05 02:56 · Score: 1

There is an advantage when downloading.
You can have you debian sid updated
every day, and *that* would be a problem
without the net.

Playing in Linux by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 02:56 · Score: 0

It doesnt say anything about Windows as an operating system, only Windows Media *format*. Xine supports that, possibly mplayer too.

Re:Playing in Linux by BlankTim · 2003-09-05 03:11 · Score: 1

As does Windows Media Player:mac

www.mactopia.com

--
Just once, I'd like it if someone called me "Sir".
Without adding, "You're creating a scene."

Showing at.. by Dynamoo · 2003-09-05 02:57 · Score: 2, Informative

Showing at..

The Other Cinema, 11 Rupert Street, London W1, Tel: 020 77341506
Watershed, 1 Canons Road, Bristol City Centre, Tel: 0117 9276444
The Showroom, Sheffield Media & Exhibition Centre, Sheffield City Centre, Tel: 0114 2763534
Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre, Tel: 0161 2287621

Can't find the other one.. but if you're interested in the film, why not go an see it on a lovely big cinema screen rather than a pokey little window on your PC? :)

--
Never email donotemail@WeAreSpammers.com

Re:Showing at.. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:11 · Score: 0

Big cinema screen? If all of those Cinemas are art houses then none of them will have a "big" screen. The Watershed Screen 1 is pretty large, but even a 1980's 3 screen Odeon five minutes walk away can out do it with at least four times the screen size.
Re:Showing at.. by Nexus+Seven · 2003-09-05 04:35 · Score: 1

I saw "Pulp Fiction" at the Cornerhouse in Manchester.
All I can remember was the complete lack of air conditioning. Mmm toasty.

Good for promoting DVD sales by MarkWatson · 2003-09-05 02:58 · Score: 1

I believe that independent film producers could make a decent amount of money by doing the following:

Make low res Quicktime and MPEG versions of their movies available for free download and viewing.
Bundle collections of their movies on a single DVD and sell it inexpensively.

This could cut out the middleman so the film producers might make enough money to support their art.

After finally getting broadband at the beginning of this year, I really enjoyed the Sundance online film festival (for those of us who did not make it to the actual festival).

I would have liked to be able to buy low cost DVDs of the Sundance movies - wish they had been available.

-Mark

Though the day after that: by AkaXakA · 2003-09-05 02:59 · Score: 1

Kazaa distributes Film over Internet
Posted by michael on Saturday September 08, 11:48PM
from the good-thing-i-remembered dept.

Re:Though the day after that: by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:08 · Score: 0

Film distributes the Internet
Posted by michael on Saturday September 09, 1:38PM
from the in-soviet-russia dept.
Re:Though the day after that: by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:19 · Score: 0

Thread gets old fast
Posted by michael on Wednesday September 10, 5:22PM
from the quit-it-already department
Re:Though the day after that: by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 06:17 · Score: 0

The film's a virus and you've got it!
Posted by michael on Wednesday September 11, 8:48PM
from the dead-horse-beats-you department

This is something NEW? by StewedSquirrel · 2003-09-05 02:59 · Score: 1

The irony here is that in most other areas of society, companies (those with money) LEAD THE CHARGE in moving technology to new areas where it has never gone before.

The entertainment industry, however; is stuck playing a piss-poor attempt of "catch up" to the nerds sitting in their bedrooms casually typing code for the sheer fun of it.

What does that say about corporate motivation to pursue new and efficient methods of distribution. We're moving into an era in every industry (not just software and entertainment), where companies have realized that it is CHEAPER and EASIER to pay off the government and fund a legal team than it is to pay some good engineers and forward-thinkers to develop new ides.

Instead of pushing new ideas forward on their own merit, they're trying to legislate to make OLD ideas stick around so they can sit back and watch the money flow without having to expend any effort.

Sad, sad state.

The worst part is that the politicians LOVE it because of the amount of money flowing into their coffers.

Bleh.

Stewey

--
There are 10 kinds of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.

Sad sad sad by snatcheroo · 2003-09-05 02:59 · Score: 0

independent films are being pushed out of the box office by blockbusters.

The sad thing is that many of the so called 'blockbusters' are just as bad as the 'top 10' records. Overrated, overhyped drivel. Gigli for instance. *spits in disgust*

New? It seems a bit old to me... by jonathan_the_ninja · 2003-09-05 03:01 · Score: 1

Just the other day I was about to download the Return of the King, but there was a very large queue.

--
I love NetHack.

A great business idea by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:01 · Score: 0

A hardware IDE RAID card with transparent rubberhose encryption/decryption for complete deniability.

The encryption algorithm is stored on a flash-rom so it can be changed if the method is broken.

Feel free to implement it and make all the money in the world. I'm too lazy for that. I just like to come up with great ideas and give them away.

Transmission Films has done this for a while by PktLoss · 2003-09-05 03:04 · Score: 3, Informative

Transmission Films Is an online independent films distributor that has been around for around a year, with a decent film library.

--
paul reinheimer

What's the point? by BlankTim · 2003-09-05 03:04 · Score: 1

Are they trying to make some type of stand against "The Media Business"?
Great idea.

Too bad they had to play the same stupid trick the big studios play with DVD's
Limited distribution locations and formats.

Thanks for playing! Try again some other time!

--
Just once, I'd like it if someone called me "Sir".
Without adding, "You're creating a scene."

Details on IMDB a year ago by Peachy · 2003-09-05 03:05 · Score: 1

See details here on IMDB. It's got a quite an early review, given back in November 2002, on there. One of the reviews says "The film is shot with what looks like a video camera and then blown up for the screen. The results are dire.". Sounds like a duffer.

this is bs by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:10 · Score: 0

It seems like, this is BS, i mean what the hell, They are advertising on slashdot. They charge, it seems like another ploy to make money, thins is pathetic.

The perils of centralised distribution.... by hughk · 2003-09-05 03:13 · Score: 1

I really love the idea of being able to spend about $5-6 on a film which I then own and can rewatch. I think the idea of being able to get the independents is even better, bypassing the vertically integerated distribution system that only chooses what they think are blockbusters.

The problem is distribution. I don't know how big this film is, but a good quality movie rip can easily be between 700MB to 1.4GB of data in XViD format, more if in another form like SVCD. P2P works because of the cooperative downloads and uploads which gives several hundred sources for some films. I don't know the file sizes for the new system, but getting a large file out to a lot of people over a shorting period of time is painful (ask RedHat about ISOs, for example).

If someone is downloading, they can also almost simultaneously upload, meaning that large files propagate in a few days amongst thousands of people relatively efficiently.

What is interesting is that not everyone deletes the downloads so thez can act as a kind of 'memory', distributing storage cost across the P2P system. Between the systems connected to a P2P system, the collective capacity dwarfs anything that a single business can offer.

Ok, we have established that centralised distribution of very large files doesn't really work. P2P for very large files does work (particularly the more capable ones that allow files to be segmented with one being made available for upload as soon as it is downloaded) and it is a suprising efficient way of distribution.

The problem is how to make P2P movie distribution into a business proposition. Perhaps compensate P2P users who offer movies for upload as well as just downloading. The problem is that the 'anti-leach' mechanism on many P2P networks is broken.

I love movies, especially some of the smaller independent stuff, however getting to see it at a local arthouse isn't easy as they frequently have very short programme runs.

The last point is that I don't want any of this 'UK-only' or 'US-only' rubbish. I know this is also connected with the rights, which are still country based, but nowadays it is outmoded to limit Internet based distribution in this way.

--
See my journal, I write things there

trailer by Hard_Code · 2003-09-05 03:14 · Score: 3, Insightful

Did anybody understand the trailer? I for one was not left with any idea of what the movie was about. Some guys in a car screaming. Some people get thrown into a barn. Somebody shoots a shotgun. Somebody pushes a boulder. Techno music throughout. What the hell is this about, why would I want to watch it, and what does it have to do (or not to do) with a love song?? I'm not really impressed by the i'm-more-clever-and-hip-than-you trailers that don't give any indication of wtf a movie is about. Especially if they are trying to gain a following in an alternative distribution channel.

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It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?

Re:only available for windows... by znaps · 2003-09-05 03:17 · Score: 1

I think I know why your karma is low...

Don't give up hope just yet! by Mr.+Darl+McBride · 2003-09-05 03:17 · Score: 0

The film actually is being shown in the United States!

If you're in San Jose, it's going to be a part of the upcoming Muse Cinema Festival, and will be shown on at least two of the Cineplex theaters in the weeks leading up to it. If you're one of the lucky bastards in Chicago, it's going to be at the Music Box for three weekends in October (usually this means a late night Wednesday and Friday show as well).

Support the real cinemas if you're able! Online distribution is neat and all, but only when the format is completely open.

But But But.... by magoolsu · 2003-09-05 03:17 · Score: 3, Insightful

This might be a stupid question, but isn't the quality of the movie going to be pretty crappy? Even on a good internet connection it still takes a long time to download decent quality movies. Why not wait and get the movie on dvd for the same price and a much better qaulity movie.

I could see so many ways this could go bad.

I love my wife!

Re:But But But.... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:18 · Score: 0

"I love my wife!"

So do I!
Re:But But But.... by NanoGator · 2003-09-05 09:09 · Score: 1

"Why not wait and get the movie on dvd for the same price and a much better qaulity movie. "

Why pay more for the movie if it sucks? It's not a special effects movie, the visual quality increase wouldn't be worth paying $20 or so. A few minutes into the movie, you won't even notice the quality.

--
"Derp de derp."

Re:only available for windows... by inteller · 2003-09-05 03:18 · Score: 0, Flamebait

there you fucking fanboys go again....."oh its WMV so it MUST only by for windows". Crawl out of your fucking cave assholes. There is a WMP for OS X. As it has been previously stated there are *ix freeware players out there too. Fucking zealots.....

Re:only available for windows... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:20 · Score: 0

Do they support DRM crap?

Crouching Tiger is "Indy?" by Valdrax · 2003-09-05 03:21 · Score: 4, Insightful

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was no "indy" film. The film studio that made the movie was Sony Pictures Classics, one of the largest and best funded film houses in Asia and a part of the same Sony that is a member of the MPAA. A mere glance at the film should tell you that this was a high-budget feature backed by a large company. Just because something's not made by Hollyhood doesn't mean that it's "indy."

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If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").

Re:Crouching Tiger is "Indy?" by Serapth · 2003-09-05 03:34 · Score: 1

My bad, I should have researched that example before posting... I had a wierd feeling about it while I was typing it. I thought Sony picked the rights up to it, after it was released in the asian markets... my mistake.

WM9 projected in a movie theater... by turnstyle · 2003-09-05 03:21 · Score: 2, Interesting

A little while ago I was lucky enough to go to the screening for "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" at the Apollo Theater here in NYC.

It was sponsored in part by Microsoft as a vehicle to show off WM9 for theater use.

I must say it was pretty impressive -- the whole movie was projected from one DVD disk (though not the standard DVD compression) through hi-res projectors. It looked great -- the only time I really noticed was on the credits -- thin white text on a black background brings out the compression artifacts.

The cost of a DVD vs. a huge reel of film is substantial -- but the question, in part, is whether theaters will install the pricey projectors...

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Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda

Not Legal in EU by DOsinga · 2003-09-05 03:25 · Score: 3, Insightful

I very much doubt whether this is legal in the EU. With the internal market directive, you can't really sell something to people from one EU country and not to another (or even charge differently depending on the country).

- -
Help draw the world map of our collective minds.

Re:Not Legal in EU by Ezelhaar · 2003-09-05 03:33 · Score: 1

I agree with comment and I think the draw the world map project is really great.
Re:Not Legal in EU by tolan-b · 2003-09-05 04:01 · Score: 2, Informative

Sony seem to get away with it with the ps2 ;)
(price difference that is)
Re:Not Legal in EU by DOsinga · 2003-09-05 04:37 · Score: 1

Well, not really. They can charge different prices in the UK and Germany, but not different prices to people from the UK and Germany. Also, if they sell the PS2 in Germany for less than in Austria, they cannot stop anybody from cross importing the stuff.

- - - -
Help draw the world map of our collective minds.

uhhh, no. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:25 · Score: 1, Interesting

At a time when everything on seems to be a sequel it would be nice to have something original on the silver screen, ....

Judging from what I saw on the trailer, the film doesn't look like a sequel to any existing film -- looks just like another amateurish independent feature shot on mini-DV. Personally I don't need another BlairWitch to come along. I rather go atomfilms and watch shorts.

WM9 projected in a movie theater... by turnstyle · 2003-09-05 03:26 · Score: 2, Insightful

A little while ago I was lucky enough to go to the screening for "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" at the Apollo Theater here in NYC.

It was sponsored in part by Microsoft as a vehicle to show off WM9 for theater use.

I must say it was pretty impressive -- the whole movie was projected from one DVD disk (though not the standard DVD compression) through hi-res projectors. It looked great -- the only time I really noticed was on the credits -- thin white text on a black background brings out the compression artifacts.

The cost of a DVD vs. a huge reel of film is substantial -- but the question, in part, is whether theaters will install the pricey projectors...

--
Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda

This Is Not.. by Papatoast · 2003-09-05 03:27 · Score: 0

gonna fly as they are currently not servicing the most media-craving society on the planet..the good 'ol US of A...

--
We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. - HST

If DRM is enabled on it then you are correct? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:27 · Score: 0

DRM will not work with mplayer right?

Not so by segment · 2003-09-05 03:28 · Score: 1

Independent films aren't being pushed out of the box office. The problems with indy lies in distribution. Just because you see more mainstream films in the theaters doesn't mean hollywood is shafting indy filmmakers, it just means that bigger fish have more money to promote their film and get it out to the public.

IndieDVD, an artist-friendly alliance of independent filmmakers, assembles collections of independent film, animation and video to distribute on compilation DVDs as well as full-length feature films. We strive to include special DVD features and effects that enhance the viewing experience and are unavailable in traditional viewing formats like VHS. These may include such special features as director's commentary, additional camera angles and alternate endings.

Took me one minute to find a distributor for DVD so I wouldn't know what would be the problem or the complaint. Sure it's not information on releasing to the theaters, but I didn't put effort into looking too much since I'm at work so I find the statement about not finding distribution a nit too harsh, maybe someone isn't lookintg hard enough.

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MoFscker

Re:Not so by jester · 2003-09-05 05:37 · Score: 1

I'd agree that the distribution is the problem, yet in the UK virtually all cinemas are owned by the major hollywood labels and hence it isnt rocket science to realise what they will do in their cinemas ... show their own films, regardless of whatever distribution. The only current way for a UK film to make it to the box office is to have a significantly high enough profile to get shown at a handful of cinemas.

In other European countries they have the IMHO better idea of having a law that states that a percentage of all films shown in cinemas MUST be from that country. I forget the percentage in Spain, but it is the order of 50%, and as a result the public get the opportunity to see home-grown films, and in their own language. The hollywood films still get shown ,but have significantly shorter runs due to the laws. If only the UK would consider a law of this ilk

Re:It's cheaper to buy a DVD (even if I lived in U by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:31 · Score: 1, Informative

UK broadband isn't charged per megabyte or whatever, yet.

So if you lived in the UK, it wouldn't be cheaper to buy the DVD, assuming you had broadband.

Public Image Limited by NetPoser · 2003-09-05 03:33 · Score: 0

"This is not a love song" is a PIL song from 1983. I wonder if they are playing on the fact that John Lydon (Sex Pistol and PIL) was an orignal *Indy* star on the punk scene?

Re:Public Image Limited by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:14 · Score: 0

Yes, Malcolm McLaren would like you to think that the Sex Pistols were "Indy". They were as pre-fabricated as NSync. The only saving grace is that they were able to record their own music, but they were manufactured by MM. The Clash on the other hand was promoted by MM but they had their own thing going well before.

And no, the movie's title has nothing to do with PIL.

O/T - Your sig by dubstop · 2003-09-05 03:34 · Score: 1

How did you manage to not have the domain for the url in square brackets?

scary shit by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:35 · Score: 0

If you want the arse scared off you, watch "Trainspotting".

If it doesn't scare you, you probably just don't have a baby sleeping quietly upstairs.

quality by razorshine · 2003-09-05 03:37 · Score: 3, Interesting

hi guys, I have seen the digital film.. the 300mb file is amazing quality - looked great on a full screen 21" monitor. if you want a review of the film there is one on the bbc somewhere

Re:only available for windows... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:45 · Score: 0

Perhaps grandparent should have used tags then maybe it wouldn't have gone over your head. Why did you have to bring attention to your poor education?

My review of This is Not a Love Song by ccnull · 2003-09-05 03:47 · Score: 1

Not a bad movie at all -- should definitely have gotten a bigger release.

filmcritic.com review here

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filmcritic.com - Movie reviews on Internet time

Re:only available for windows... by VEGx · 2003-09-05 03:48 · Score: 1

I can't blame you, coz it's /. but I want to yell at you... using words like "read" and "fsck" and "article"... well, web pages, not article. True, there is a WMP for Mac OS X, but it's v.7 as far as I know... and the site says it has to be v.9... And even if that were not a problem... it DOES say: "You will need... "-To be running Microsoft Windows XP, 98 SE, ME, or 2000" So, either they LIE and you can watching on a Mac, or you are wrong and it's mono-platform release...

it's that they aren't treating the Internet like by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:50 · Score: 0

Are you stupid.

Just becuase an option exists does NOT mean that it needs to be explored.

WHy shoudl tthe person distributing the film care about the 1% or people who MAY not be able to view it. I think he will be satisfied with the 99% that can and laugh all the way to the bank. If you want to watch the movie then install WM player other wise SHUTUP!

This is not something to be ridiculed by Attaturk · 2003-09-05 03:53 · Score: 5, Interesting

Hang on a second, this is /. isn't it? I see a fair few responses looking to poke fun at the movie makers but shouldn't this be something we praise? Well let's take a look:

Pros:

An independant movie maker cutting out the MPAA-friendly 'Hollywood scene' altogether.
Direct distribution.
Low fee for download - about a fifth of the price of a cinema ticket.
Different quality levels available and the ability to store the movie and rewatch it.
The movie is also available on DVD and in the cinema so the consumer has plenty of options on what they pay for and what they get.
Some nice taglines: "This is not Hollywood", "This is not conventional", "This is not the end of cinema" etc.
Written by the guy that wrote The Full Monty.

Cons:

"UK-only" online release
DRM-tastic you can't watch it on any other PC than the one you downloaded it on. Until you've cracked it naturally. You've effectively paid your money to 'rent' the movie on that machine (in fairness the download fee is about the same as a 2 night DVD/VHS movie rental, which you have to return).
M$ Windows only
M$ Windows Media Player 9 only
Limited availability online - they're taking it offline on Sept 19th (subject to change), which means they've got a two week hype window for a movie that we'd have otherwise never heard of.
"This is not the Blair Witch Project" should read "We want to be a flash-in-the-pan Internet phenomenon like the BWP.
Biggest cast member seems to be a bit-part from Harry Potter.
Flash used as basis for website not as enhancements to it.
Franki and Jonny may need to calm down a little and explore some other web technologies. ;-)

Oh and the director is virtually unknown but has achieved the respect of some of those that have seen his work.

In short this looks like a truly great idea hijacked by a bunch of overzealous marketing types that now see the Blair Witch symbol as more potent icon than the dollar symbol. As a result it's now just a-n-other overhyped budget movie release.

Re:This is not something to be ridiculed by NanoGator · 2003-09-05 09:11 · Score: 1

"DRM-tastic you can't watch it on any other PC than the one you downloaded it on. Until you've cracked it naturally. You've effectively paid your money to 'rent' the movie on that machine (in fairness the download fee is about the same as a 2 night DVD/VHS movie rental, which you have to return)."

The movie's only $4. That's far cheaper than a one-time/I-better-schedule-around-it movie at a theater.

I don't know why you guys are picking on them about that, at least they're not time-bombing it. Lighten up.

--
"Derp de derp."

Re:only available for windows... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 03:55 · Score: 0

How do figure that, when you can't seem to get your head round the concept of irony.

Re:only available for windows... by tolan-b · 2003-09-05 04:06 · Score: 1

I'm not sure that xine and mplayer support the drm features of WMP, unless they're built into the codec.

You could always visit Toronto by FreedomOfSpea-MMNnnf · 2003-09-05 04:13 · Score: 1

Our International Film Festival has way smaller movies than this dude's... and bigger ones too, sadly the biggest draws are the "soon to be blockbusters" Hollywood flicks. Film fests offer a great place to showcase indy films, but I gotta agree that the net is going to revolutionize the way films are distributed and marketed and eventually purchased by the highest bidder (e-bay maybe even...)

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~~I went to battle M.C. Escher, but drew a blank...~~

Not a first -- 8 years late by danguyf · 2003-09-05 04:20 · Score: 1

"Knowing and sometimes sweetly funny, director/co-writer Daisy von Scherler Mayer's [1995] debut ['Party Girl', starring Parker Posey,] made online history by being the first feature film to be sneak-previewed in its entirety (albeit in short, jerky segments) on the Internet."

source

downtime by razorshine · 2003-09-05 04:35 · Score: 1

hi guys, some guys think its funny to do a DOS attack on the servers - we are obviously trying to deal with this but unfortunately its not limited to a few people. Sorry for the downtime, Riaz Head of Tech, First Media

Re:downtime by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:36 · Score: 0

Oh, I also checked your (one) other post. Nice attempt at self-advertising.
Re:downtime by razorshine · 2003-09-05 05:45 · Score: 1

just trying to keep you guys updated..

you sould have titled your post "Hi, I'm retarded" by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:40 · Score: 0

"I think that dvd-r's are compatible in all dvd players"

Too bad... by danger42 · 2003-09-05 04:41 · Score: 1

Too bad Filthy's not here to see this.

Sniff.

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-nd

Re:Too bad... by MatthewB79 · 2003-09-05 07:22 · Score: 1

Is he really dead? I thought he was just on vacation or something. Maybe being lazy?

Re:You have been warned! Jackass stunts are lame! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:46 · Score: 0

Hey, somebody has to finish at the bottom of the Med school class!

Re:It's cheaper to buy a DVD (even if I lived in U by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:53 · Score: 0

Why assume that your ISP's whacko rules regarding traffic apply to the U.K.? Not a single popular ADSL or cable service here will charge you anything for traffic, it's all flat rate. Even dialup users are mostly on flat rate services and have been for 3 years, so there is no telephone bill consideration either. I think you're just bummed about living somewhere with backwards ISPs and wanted to bitch.

before downloading read this review of the film by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 04:54 · Score: 1, Informative

Rarely has a title been so appropriate. The British film This Is Not A Love Song proves to be such an excruciating experience.

Just after picking up his buddy Spike (Michael Colgan) who's been released from jail, Heaton (Kenneth Glenaan) runs out of gas in the English countryside. Looking for gas-and more-on a nearby farm, they struggle with a farmer and in the process Spike kills his daughter with a shotgun. Chased by angry locals who have decided to take justice into their own hands, they will try to reach the closest city to escape the angry mob.

Director Billie Eltringham's work suffers from a total absence of originality and substance, her film looking like the bastard son of Trainspotting and Deliverance. Spike, a carbon copy of a Trainspotting character, is a dumb hooligan walking around with a boombox while Heaton is the badly shaved big brother figure who looks after him. The Rambo-like premise is obviously only a pretext to offer a succession of moments between the two characters. Unfortunately neither of the characters interesting nor are the dialogues witty or funny. While following the flat interaction and boring adventures of this duo we don't care about, one only hopes for the "mean farmers" to catch them soon so that our pain will finally be over.

Messy direction and plot holes provide additional obstacles, not to the partners-in-crime, but to the audience. Billie Eltringham's style oscillates between amateur digital filmmaking and unnecessary kinetic shots. The director is sometimes so busy playing with her camera like a maniac that she annihilates the impact of the scenes. Thus, we never get to understand how Spike could have killed the girl, even if he said it was an accident, because Eltringham was making big circles with the camera. In addition, the film is shot in the usual grainy de-saturated colors used to emphasize crisis in British social dramas, which totally undermines the beauty of the British countryside. As for the characters, we learn that Heathon served in the army (of course!), which allows a couple of out-of-the-blue Rambo-type tricks in the forest. In another scene, Heaton uses yellow plastic bags to make ponchos--a perfect camouflage, unless it's humor!

For those unfamiliar with P.I.L.'s anthem, "This Is Not A Love Song", the single is played as a recurrent theme throughout the movie; while trying to create some irony, it results in a lack of subtlety. In the end, we are left with the fact that Spike is dumb and a coward, what we knew from the beginning, and the feeling of having been robbed of the cost of a movie ticket by these two thugs.

Fred Thom

http://www.plume-noire.com/movies/reviews/thisisno talovesong.html

Re:before downloading read this review of the film by too_bad · 2003-09-05 05:23 · Score: 1

Not bad for 3 pounds Eh ?

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DO NOT PANIC

There's still a catch by ProfessionalCookie · 2003-09-05 04:57 · Score: 4, Insightful

The catch for most of you reading is that it is only for people in the UK.

The real catch is it's Windows Media Player Format.

Try before you by, or buy before you try. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:00 · Score: 0

I will only pay if I can watch the movie before I pay.
And I will only pay what I think the movie is worth.
The catch is I _will_ pay for media that is good.

Re:It's cheaper to buy a DVD (even if I lived in U by Huge+Pi+Removal · 2003-09-05 05:28 · Score: 1

At the Watershed here in Bristol, we've just shown it. For free. On a nice big screen. Quality was pretty good. We're showing it twice a day for the rest of the weekend.

(Hehe, just watching the BBC report: the reporter used an Apple Mac to view it. Fake! Fake! You'll see me briefly if you go and watch the 6 o'clock bulletin online - report is 24 minutes ish in :) )

--
- Oliver

The right to bear arms is only slightly less stupid than the right to arm bears...

Gone Already! by reality-bytes · 2003-09-05 05:28 · Score: 1

Well, they're down now.

This appears to be as a result of a combined DoS attack by the MPAA and BMI along the slashdot effect.

Its a real pain, it's not often I feel like getting the plastic out of my wallet!

--
Ripping an new rectum in the fabric of spacetime.

First step by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:46 · Score: 0

is removing this DRM crap, then play them under linux with Xine, Mplayer, avifile, videolan or whatever other program you like.

A thought occurs to me... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 05:49 · Score: 0

...Are we supposed to be excited that we can "watch it as many times as we want" because it's infected with DRM, and we can only copy it as many times as *they* want?

(Or, more accurately, copy it anywhere, but should you lose the key from your particular installation of WMP, you no watchee-watchee?)

Re:A thought occurs to me... by NanoGator · 2003-09-05 09:06 · Score: 1

"..Are we supposed to be excited that we can "watch it as many times as we want" because it's infected with DRM, and we can only copy it as many times as *they* want?"

I got news for ya buddy, the other movie sites have a "pay $4 to watch it within 24 hours" policy. This is a step above the previous attempts. If it's successful, then it'll force other struggling movie sites to change their policy.

I understand and agree with what you're saying, but you have to understand the PoV that the parent poster was coming from.

--
"Derp de derp."

this reminds me of Pattern Recognition by WhiteDragon · 2003-09-05 06:29 · Score: 1

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson is a very cool use of this idea. An unknown source has "leaked" fragments of a mysterious film onto the Internet, causing an almost cult following.

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Did you mount a military-grade, variable-focus MASER on an unlicensed artificial intelligence?

BUZZ, wrong, try again. by Kappelmeister · 2003-09-05 06:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

You are confusing the production entity of a movie and the distributor.

Crouching Tiger was produced by Good Machine International, which (until it was bought out last year to become Focus Features, the indie "arm" of a studio) was an 800 pound gorilla of East Coast indie production. James Schamus -- one of my film professors here at Columbia -- raised financing from smaller companies and private investors worldwide. (Schamus and director Ang Lee discuss the complicated financing on the DVD, in the scenes near the end of the movie in the cave.)

Sony Pictures Classics purchased the film for distribution. They invested money in making duplicate prints, sending them to theaters, and the like. (I'm not totally sure of what the division of labor was, but that's an educated guess.) That does not rob the film of "indie" status. If it did, there would be almost no indie movies at all, since self-distributing your film is a Herculean task almost no one tries to do. What is a threshold for "indie" for you anyway? Was Good Machine small enough or should it have been made by two guys and a Arriflex? (no vituperation intended.)

Personally, I think that the main benefit of the 'net will not be in home-user distribution. Rather, there will be a proliferation of art houses that use satellites to download digitally distributed movies for little distribution cost.

Those prints I mentioned cost a lot. Thousands of dollars to copy the film once and send it to one theater. Smaller distributors make only a few prints and then cycle them around the country, beating them up royally. Big distributors make it up in the economy of scale, but for small ones, those costs could mean a world of difference. Since an exhibitor would also save the cost of getting people to handle and change the reels, it could have four different indies play on a screen over the course of a single day.

That's the promise we should be looking at, in my opinion. Home Internet delivery robs viewers of the whole social aspect of moviegoing, as well as a HUGE amount of quality. Imagine buying a DVD that gave you a 320x200, 15fps image with 22Khz mono sound, not to say those are the specs for this particular movie being premiered.

Box Office "Summer of Suck" by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 07:14 · Score: 0

WTF is up with all the shit-ass movies this summer? Will this season top the list of the worst ever? I mean yeah the summer of 85 was a real bad year for movies too. But fuck man, 2003 is awful!

Re:Box Office "Summer of Suck" by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 07:16 · Score: 0

Except for the Matrix2 and X-Men2 this Summer has been pretty bad. Good thing I haven't paid money to see a movie since December of 2001

Two weeks later by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 07:55 · Score: 0

First successful download of film is completed from Kazaa

from the everyone-else-just-paid-their-three-pounds dept.

The follow-up will note that even the original downloader paid for the film, since the Kazaa file turned out to be the words "|33377 |=||_/\/\ 6006ZZZ" blinking on the screen for several minutes.

Windows Media? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 08:27 · Score: 0

Windows Media Format? Yer, they are really being independent there.

Netflix has it by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 08:55 · Score: 0

Netflix carries this movie...

Re: it's that they aren't treating the Internet li by Nucleon500 · 2003-09-05 09:38 · Score: 1

Now I can understand not caring about (somewhat) open formats because it doesn't affect you personally. I can understand it may not profitable. I consider it giving up just a little freedom, but you're free to do that. But why are you so vehemently opposed to other people promoting open standards? Why don't you shuddup!

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Litigious bastards

When will it be on suprnova ? by polyp2000 · 2003-09-05 09:46 · Score: 0

will someone who has this film please torrent it and post on suprnova.org , If the tossers are going to lock everyone out from the site except M$ Windoze users they should bloody well expect the file to be p2p'd

It makes me really fucking sick locking people in like that, come to think of it why should I even want to watch the thing if I have to go to so much trouble to watch the bloody thing .

--
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp

Free movie by efflux · 2003-09-05 11:19 · Score: 1

What's stopping someone from just going here: http://http.firstmedia.speedera.net/http.firstmedi a/filmcouncil/4564654154698/tinals-103587012200315 124783255.wmv and saving the movie? Play it in a player that doesn't care about DRM. Of course, you can't do this in ie since it'll try to launch Windows Media player. Right now http grabber is downloading about 293 megs... so I think there's nothing stopping me....

--
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes. -- Walt Whitman

Re:Free movie by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-05 12:54 · Score: 0

obviously, my last post demonstrates my lack of understanding of DRM. This has since been corrected.

"This is not working" by Attaturk · 2003-09-05 11:56 · Score: 1

Sorry to reply to my own post but apparently we've killed it already.

From their site:

"This is not working. We are currently experiencing a temporary technical problem in the delivery of the film," said the message.

"Our team is working on the delay and the film will be back online as soon as possible.

"This is a world first - thank you for bearing with us."

They had all my sympathies until the mentioned that "world first" line again.

The Junkies by daffmeister · 2003-09-05 11:57 · Score: 1

In a similar vein check out The Junkies, a half-hour sitcom pilot revolving around three junkies which was not picked up by any of the UK stations.

Despite the low budget (GBP 3500) it's very good.

Didn't quite work by t_allardyce · 2003-09-05 13:05 · Score: 2, Interesting

Seems it didnt survive the slashdotting, Internet film launch stalled. Oh well, i can always go down to the river and see that guy sitting in a glass box...

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This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.

Re:Tommorrow's /. Headline:GI Joe by be-fan · 2003-09-05 15:14 · Score: 1

Can anyone tell me what this dialouge is from?

kid1: "You there cooking?"
kid2: "Yeah dude."
kid1: "Ewww, Ahhhh."
kid2: "BAAAABAAABAAABAAABAAA, BAABAABAABBAABA!"
dude: "Pork chop sandwiches.
Ohhh, shit. Get the fuck out! What are
you doing, go get the fuck out of here
you stupid idiot! Fuck we're all dead.
Get the fuck out!"
dude: "My god did that smell good!"
kid2: "Detect it, did you no going in you tell
me do things I done runnin."

If you can, then you know the comedy of this bit. For those of you who don't know this, then solve this code and you shall find the answer:

HJ KPF

Note: this is a simple code, just rotate the
alphabet.

Hint: Military cartoon.

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Awesome idea! by robd003 · 2003-09-05 17:36 · Score: 2, Insightful

Awesome idea, I just hope that when more film companies catch on they'll use a format thats multi-platform. (cough) DiVX (cough)

UK only and can't watch it on dvd player by wolverine1999 · 2003-09-05 20:17 · Score: 1

It's bad enough it's uk only and not just that,
you can't convert it for viewing on a DVD player.

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