"Legends" Friday The 13th Fan Film

[detourec]

Hey everyone just wanted to post the link to the project we are working on.

www.godboutentertainment.com/films/legends/legendsfilm.htm

update new link 7-06

[Crazed Weasel]

I just wanted to chime in and say that the clip you guys have posted is impressive as hell. Considering this is a fan film, that Jason looks pretty d**n authentic. I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[DAD]

I don't understand what the point of this is? Why make a film that you cannot sell or distribute? A showcase of talent? What's the matter with making a showcase of talent in something original that you can seek distribution for? In my way of thinking these films are a waste of time and money that should be put into something that means something. Take the idea, put a new face on it and new spin, dump the copyrighted material and have something that really means something. Have something that everyone that worked on it and put money into it might realize something from and can ultimately be proud that they did something original. Fan films just sometimes seem a little unispired and an easy way out that requires less thinking. If you have talent, show it don't hide it behind remaking someone elses idea.

[detourec]

I agree with you DAD on some of your points however, if your new to the biz and your just looking to improve on your skills. Sometimes these fan films are a good way to test your abilties. Why work on something original if this is your first time out the gate. Lets say you write something original and you put all your money into it. But you don't know how to use the gear properly, or you don't know how to direct properly, or you just don't know how to edit properly.. ETC, etc.. (You get the point.) You just blew all your money and the people at the film festivals or movie companies laugh you out of the building. If you want to compete with the talent thats out there you want to make sure you got want it takes. And beside if you love and or grew up on these films. Its a way for you to honor and pay respect to those who have come before you.

[DAD]

Studios and film festivals thrive on original ideas and will look at original ideas long before they will look at ANOTHER Jason or Freddy 'ripoff' film. No matter how good your 'homage' is to the film, to the studios and festivals it is just another 'wannabe'. They pretty much ignore these films or at worst, file law suits against the people who make them to block them from EVER being seen. I still say if you have the money to make something, make it original ... that's why a film like Blair Witch got noticed. They didn't copy or use someone elses idea.

Even if you are just learning, you learn better by doing something new and original than trying to copy someone else. I can guarantee you that a festival is going to take note of an original film that has problems long before they look at a copycat film that is perfect. Festival judges will just groan and say "oh my god not another ..."

[NzoMatrix]

Although you cant make profit off a fan film you can create a fan base. If you look at a fan film like Batman Dead End the filmmakers definately created a buzz around their film. A google search comes up with 160,000 pages about the fan film. Now im guessing that the makers of the film recieve alot of hits on their website after they released the fan film. With the popularity of their fan film more people would be interesting in seeing more of their work in the future.

[detourec]

DAD I'm not saying taking the FAN FILM to the festivals and stuff. You do that if you want. My point is you make sure you can do the project correctly. Then shot an original idea and take that to the festivals. Another example I can make is like the music buisness. How many time young singers start off my remaking someone else work. TONS.. The is not one artist out there who's new that at one point in time hasn't sang someone else song. Then just came up with something original themselves. It takes practice to make a first good impression. This is our way of getting the practice, and besides sequels are big now in days. I know I wouldn't mind making another HALLOWEEN or FRIDAY THE 13th with the studios.. Thats one of my reason for doing my fan film...

[MichaelWW]

Well, personally I hope people NEVER stop making fan films. I really like to watch them and I know a lot of other people do, too.
Plus, like NzoMatrix says, they definitely help people get noticed...
I bought 'Nightwalkers' from Gallows Hill and I might have never known about it if he hadn't made 'Escape From Haddonfield'.
Also, the reason I found this message board was because i was searching for fan films...
So keep it up, I say...
I can't wait to see your movie!

[armagecko]

First, I would like to compliment detourec on the site. The design and the pics are great. Obviously, a lot of time and effort went into this project and I, for one, would like to see the results.

However, as for the current debate, I must side with DAD. I agree that working on a fan film can be an educational experience, and that, somehow, somebody might could use a fan film as a vehicle to bigger and better things, the bottom line is that you get more mileage out of an original project because it has more potential.

A fan film will never get distribution, so you'll never make honest money from it. Therefore, from a business angle, it is a terrible investment. You will never impress future investors (the guys you approach to fund your next movie) by showing them how much money you wasted while getting an "education."

I see fan films as like a school project. As long as you show it at school, where everybody knows that you're learning the ropes, it serves a useful purpose. But, when you take it out into the WORLD, and actually market the film for the audience-at-large, you're gonna get a lot of "Why bother?"s - and justifiably so. Musicians don't market their practice tapes.

So, if you're doing a fan film for the fun of it, who's to tell you what to do for fun?? Not me. But, if you're hoping to use the movie as a "showcase" for your talents as a writer, director, producer, storyteller, etc., you'd be better served by focusing on an original project that at least has a chance at distribution. One that proves to your potential investors that you are not only talented and creative, but that you understand the BUSINESS of making movies.

But, as I said, the movie looks fun, and I would be interested in seeing it. Is it a short or a feature, detourec? Also, I noticed on your site that you had the film rated R. Did you submit the movie to the MPAA?

[detourec]

Look at what I started....... ;D
I think we are all speaking the same language, as long as you know your not going to make any money on it and you also know that it will never get distributed. Then you're alright. Original work is the way to go so you'll get no arguement from me there. But and there is always a but, look at AMERICAN IDOL.. People get started most of the time doing someone else work. Then they get chosen to move on to better things. I guess in the end like I said I believe we are all speaking the same thing. Just have different views on it.... And the hard work pays off I believe when you do the original movie and everyone says wow that was great for your first time.
(In fact it really isn't.)

To add Musicians don't market their practice tapes but they do use them as there demo reel/work..

I didn't send it in to the MPAA I just know if I did send it in I would get and R rating...

[DAD]

I don't know of a single garage band out there that isn't getting paid for doing a cover of someone elses song, so there is a differnce. The kind of fan films I enjoy and the ones that make sense are things like Hardware Wars, Troops, and George Lucus in Love. Not only are these clever, inventive, original ideas based on a popular film, but they are done in such a way as to circumvent the copyright of the original film ... satire and spoof. These are three films that not only got noticed, but were in a position to make money for the makers ... the ultimate end why we are all doing this.

[armagecko]

Whoa, boy! You really have opened a can of worms now, detourec. (But, I just love a spirited discussion!) First, comparing the music business to the movie business is apples to oranges. (Yes, they are all fruity, but...) One is an aural art, the other a (mainly) visual art. Because of this, the laws and expectations regarding both "intellectual properties" are different. (I won't bore you with the specifics unless you want me to.)

Comparing American Idol to a fan film is again flawed logic for the same reason. I see where you are going with the comparison, but they are very different animals. Most importantly, the two BUSINESSES are vastly different. It would be more correct to compare an American Idol contestant to a freelance DP. Unfortunately, I don't know of any "talent showcases" that spotlight camera angles, dolly work, and focus pulling.

I stand behind the statement: Musicians don't market their practice tapes. Demos are NOT practice tapes. Demos are (or SHOULD be) carefully constructed samples of a musician's best PROFESSIONAL QUALITY work. They are what a short film should be for an up-and-coming director: a calling card that says, "Hey, look what I can do!"

I'm not knocking the fan film audiences and I applaud your attempt to make a quality fan film. It takes a lot of desire and dedication to see any movie project through to completion. I think the real question you have to ask yourself before starting any project is: What do I hope to accomplish from this? Do I hope to get feedback from my peers that will help me improve my skills? Do I hope to get recognition from my friends that I am now a filmmaker? Do I hope to impress people who will pay me to do another movie? Do I hope to compete with other products and hope to make money? Once you know your goal, it is easier to determine if your current project is the best means of accomplishing that goal.

In regards to the MPAA label on your site: the label that states the film is rated 'R' is copyrighted by the MPAA and cannot legally be used unless you've submitted your movie to the MPAA to be rated. Yet another copyright issue. (weren't we just talking about that earlier?) I just thought I would warn you.

[detourec]

I like this ;D
Why I campare, I worked in the music business for 13 years before switching over, I don't need to go into the differents of the laws, it gives me a headed ache. I learned one now to learn the other (Oh Boy).

As far as the MPAA yeah I know about the globe logo. I'll change that today. I really only meant to show the website to the actors and crew working on the project. Since everyone is new to the bizz. To inspire them to see there work along with mine and get excited. So I made the site look like authenic, like a real movie with all the real logos. But then people started finding it and started posting small reviews.
(I think the actors & crew told there friends)
And then I went on FR13th forum and just for fun posted. And POW hits started coming from everywere. Review started pouring in. And it left me going oh boy what did I start. So the actors and crew begged me to make the website fully active. So I did. I just now have to make the small changes to it. Then I came over here and look what got started.

So what is there left to say...
To me, my fan film is just my practice demo tape. (music lingo) nothing more, nothing less.

[shape1969]

all i have to say is good for you detourec, your film looks promising and i dont know why so many people feel the need to give there negative opinions on something that is by the fans for the fans. i myself started making a halloween fan film and im not making it to showcase my talents or to gain profit. im making it because the studios who make the films along with all the other studios have there own writers who write the screenplays for these films and to be quite honest, most of the time the story is terrible, they lack continuity and common sense. example halloween 8, they had busta ryhmes know kung fu and kicks michael out of a window,in friday the 13th part 8 you have that boxer boxing with jason on a roof top, what happened to suspense and more is less, seeing less of the killer is more suspenseful, never mind the fact that there dealing with a infamous mass murderer, but getting back to the point these films are for the fans and theyre made because sometimes the fans have a better idea or maybe something theyd like to see the characters do, that the studios dont do and thats why these films are made at least as far as im concerned. i want to make a film about my favorite horror icon and make it scary if i can , if not either way its fun trying and when i do start creating my original ideas, ill have that much more knowledge on what to do and what not to do. take care and good luck on finishing your film i look forward to seeing it as do other fans of the genre. Darren

[detourec]

Thanks Darren