The case FOR Pirate DVD's...

mr-modern-life

mr-modern-life

We have all seen those adverts in the UK cinemas right? The DVD piracy. ‘Cinema – It’s the Experience That Counts’. Well no. As piracy gets more prevalent and the quality of these discs become better, rather than turn away from piracy I think we should embrace it.

Why?

Think about it. All this lost revenue is for a reason.

Maybe when studios and Cinema owners start losing money hand over foot it may force these people into realising that the only experience we seem to get at the moment is people munching pop corn, talking, throwing food and generally annoying the f**k out of me.

Not to mention the crap seats, sound system cracked all the way up to 2, the 30 mins of adverts (which you need before a 3 hour + film like King Kong), over priced confectionary and drinks and even the general smell of the place.

Maybe if people turn away from the cinema, cinema owners will be encouraged to get up off their arses and do something about it.

I love film. I always have. That’s why I make movies. But cinema is killing film.

I have an issue paying almost £6 to see films that universally are crap, even worse when we normally get those 3 months after its US release. For me and my partner it’s £12 per trip. With drinks and food that’s almost £20 per visit.

Now compare that to buying a pirate copy. I can get the DVD for £5, sit at home with my LCD TV, surround sound system where I can actually HEAR the film, have a comfortable, warm room to watch it in, no adverts and no idiot talking all the way through it behind me.

Until cinema owners and studios start to make cinema worthwhile I for one will only go to the cinema when it’s worth it.

Which these days isn’t very often…
 
Phil, although much of your agrument is sound, I can't go along with advocating DVD piracy as the alternative. You are right, the theater is becoming less appealing every day. Overpriced food and drinks, endless commercials, distracting inconsiderate patrons around you...the experience is not as rewarding as they believe it is. What makes the situation worse is that I have two young children, which means -- for my wife and I to go to the movies, we have to add another $20 in babysitting cost to the already high prices of tickets, snacks, etc. Needless to say, we have stopped going to the movies unless the movie is one that we feel MUST be seen on the big screen. This now happens maybe 2 or 3 times a year.

I don't agree that priacy is the alternative, though. Have patience. Just wait. The movie you want to see will be out (legally) on DVD soon enough. Just rent it, or buy it. New releases come out every week!
 
Problem is a 6 month wait to see the film by which time you know everything about it. The new Section 8 thing where they are releasing DVD, Cable and Cinema at the same time is an alternative but that will be US only no doubt!
 
One cinematic experience that's definitely worth seeing is Imax films, though. I agree on the regular cinemas. 99% of the time I'd just as soon watch the movie at home. But if it's good, and it's on Imax, woohoo. :)

edit: In case anyone doesn't know, Imax theaters use 70mm film instead of 35mm. The screens are like, 8 stories high. :D
 
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Indie, many this post should be moved to the Premiere forums...?

I agree that the theatre experience blows monkey chunks and I hate it. The last time I went to the theatre was a few years ago to see Freddy vs Jason (Yes, I love this kind of dreck). The movie was good, but the theatre experience was horrible! The theatre was filled to capacity (opening night - my mistake for going on this night, but I really wanted to see it), tons of teenagers all talking on cell phones, funky rings sounding off all through the movie, one group of people geing so roudy, the lights came during the film, cops came in to escort kids out, I missed what happened in that timeframe. The popcorn fights. The MST3K crowd in the front row.

I HATE the theater. I have a netflix subscription and I enjoy watching what I rent.

I don't condone piracy at all, as the pirated movie might be YOUR movie.
It could be Indietalk's movie.
It could be Johnny Wu's movie.
It could be Sonnyboo's movie.
It could be ...
 
mrde50 said:
Indie, many this post should be moved to the Premiere forums...?

I agree that the theatre experience blows monkey chunks and I hate it. The last time I went to the theatre was a few years ago to see Freddy vs Jason (Yes, I love this kind of dreck).

I don't condone piracy at all, as the pirated movie might be YOUR movie.
It could be Indietalk's movie.
It could be Johnny Wu's movie.
It could be Sonnyboo's movie.
It could be ...
Click to expand...

hey Freddy V Jason was great. I have had one good cinema expereince in teh last 5 years and that was a late night Dawn Of The Dead remake showing. The crowd were into it, chearing, screaming and all that in a cool way. That was worth my money. (I should add that the cinema premiere of my own film was pretty amazing also).

I agree that piracy is bad. But sometimes it's the ONLY way to see a movie. And I mean that some movies you can NEVER get hold of. Remember the 80's in teh UK? Video Nasty era. I watched more horror film pirate DVD's that rented ones. It was the only way I could see Texas Chainsaw and the like.

Did I buy them on pristine DVD when they came out ? YES! I had copies of Land Of The Dead, Devils Rejects and many others before they screened in the UK. Did I o out and watch them in the cinema? Yes. Did I rent them? Yep. Did I buy the DVD? Yep.

But did I enjoy watching the pirate copy for the first time in my house on my 32" LCD with surround sound with no idiots throwing pop corn, or broken seat springs or over priced beverages or all teh other crap I have to endure at the cinema. Hell yeah. And I'd do it again in a heart beat!
 
The only good theatre experience I've EVER HAD was in 1983 at a showing of Return of the Jedi.

During the final fight scene between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, the entire theatre (including myself) stood up, screamed and yelled "KILL HIM!" at the top of our voices, cheering and carrying on with more emotion than I have ever mustered before. Vader's hand came off thanks to a quick move by Luke and the theatre exploded in screaming. I fell to my seat, trying to catch my breath.

Now THAT'S a theatre experience.

I won't mention the times I've seen Rocky Horror at midnight showings, as that's another story. :D
 
I really can't believe that a filmmaker is condoning pirating of films!
I mean it's like a dirty cop. And to even boast about it and say that "it's the ONLY way to see a movie" is absolutely the worst cop-out I've ever heard.

Let's not forget what this thread is about: "case FOR Pirate DVD's..."

You pirate DVD's or support the pirating because you don't like to go to the theater? I think that's crap... I find it hard to believe that you rent, buy, and go to the theater to see EVERY movie you have a pirated copy of.

This is a simple case of patience. You have none.
It's like a librian burning books. A priest sexually assaulting a kid. An officer selling drugs. A filmmaker pirating films.


Ummm yes, officer. How much can I get a kilo for?


Absolutely disgusting!
 
CootDog said:
It's like a librian burning books. A priest sexually assaulting a kid. An officer selling drugs. A filmmaker pirating films.
Click to expand...
You forgot a dirty ref miscalling plays against the Steelers in Sunday's playoff game against the Colts. :D Sorry for the off-topic remark, but I just had to get it off my chest.

In my humble opinion, CootDog has a point. I don't think you can be a filmmaker and condone the piracy of it simultaneously. Think of it this way: If Kevin Smith made Clerks 2 available for free download from his website before the theatrical release saying "Pirate this!", do you think he'd ever work for a major studio again?
 
I don't think you can be a filmmaker and condone the piracy of it simultaneously.
Click to expand...
Wait a minute... I remember a VH1 interview with Metallica years ago when they created the entire MP3 flap where they were quoted as saying they pirated everyone else's music on analog cassettes as they were raking in the cash and getting famous.

Aw, never mind... :crazy:
 
I'm sorry, but I have a great experience every time I go to the theater. Because I realise the value of the theater and no matter how many idiot comic geniuses (you know the guys who make utterly hilarious - sarcasm is applied thickly to last word - remarks), chatty kids, heavy breathers, cell phone talkers, amorous teens, or other types of theater baddies that sit behind me, I still manage to enjoy the movie (if the movie is enjoyable) because I tone them out. I go to the theater at least once a week and most weeks two or three times.

I don't care if a trip to the theater in the future starts resembling the events of "Hostel" (second half torture stuff, not first half sex stuff...that actually would be kind of cool) I could never see myself thinking piracy is a good thing.

Poke
 
CootDog said:
I really can't believe that a filmmaker is condoning pirating of films!
I mean it's like a dirty cop. And to even boast about it and say that "it's the ONLY way to see a movie" is absolutely the worst cop-out I've ever heard.

Let's not forget what this thread is about: "case FOR Pirate DVD's..."

You pirate DVD's or support the pirating because you don't like to go to the theater? I think that's crap... I find it hard to believe that you rent, buy, and go to the theater to see EVERY movie you have a pirated copy of.

This is a simple case of patience. You have none.
It's like a librian burning books. A priest sexually assaulting a kid. An officer selling drugs. A filmmaker pirating films.


Ummm yes, officer. How much can I get a kilo for?


Absolutely disgusting!
Click to expand...

I think we could find a more Indie Talk like manner of expressing our opposing view.

Poke
 
I've three thoughts about this thread:

1) Bottom line is that a pirated disc cuts the revenue connection between the buyer and the creative team. None of the money paid goes back to the people who did the work of creating the performances the buyer is enjoying. That's something you can either live with or not; in essence a moral decision.

2) Supporting pirarcy isn't going to force Hollywood execs to rethink; if you look at Hollywood history when money gets tight they get more conservative, indies always flourish under a Hollywood that is feeling financially secure.

3) I've been going to the cinema since 1969 and have never had a bad experience, but I've always been able to tell from a trailer whether a film sucked or not.
 
Guys,

All is was saying is that poor cinemas, overpiced entry and the death of the experience is killing cinema and driving people to piracy.

My point is that I would rather watch a pirate copy than sit in a shitty cinema. To say that it's like burning books is bulls**t. Next you;ll acuse me of wanting to door rude things to young children.

Perspective. I dont give a shite if I'm a filmmaker or not. I am a consumer and the same rules apply. If i'm not happy with something I make it known.

And as I stated often (and ALWAYS when i like the film) I'll get the pirate copy then BUY the DVD when it comes out if I like the movie. That way the film makers still get my money and I get to watch the film on release in a way I enjoy. Ie NOT getting popcorn thrown at me or annoying idiots next to me talking.

If I dont and the studios loose money then SCREW EM! THEY SHOULD MAKE BETTER MOVIES!

Question...

So you guys have NEVER burnt a CD from someone or got a copy of a DVD? Come on guys... no one is perfect and I'm sure I can speak for everyone here when I guess that you all have done at least one of these?
 
If anyone finds a pirated version of Macbeth 3000, go ahead and take it, guilt-free. Frankly, considering the release date trouble we've had, it'd be more than resonable. (to pre-emptively answer questions: soon... maybe March)
I've always figured that in the end it evens out- so some people get it for free? Maybe it's because they can't afford it, or maybe they are just cheap bastards? It doesn't matter, since it's only a small percentage.
Now, in the case of filmmakers pirating movies, I believe that's excusable (Especially in indie-film). Think of it as research, learning, appreciation of art.... how many filmmakers have sent me free DVDs just so I can enjoy thier work? And isnt that what it's all about?

Then again, if you believe in the class system, the fortune 500, and all that other razz-mutaz, then piracy might be an issue- but I think it boils down to personal belief. I don't need to be paid 5 million to work on a film, but if there are some that do (and will fight for the small percentage of thier possible profit through hunting pirates), then whatever- just don't come after me and we're square. Is it too much to ask that in a DVD collection of about 100 discs, 5 of them can't be pirated (and 4 of them just weren't available in North America due to censorship bans, or silly rights issues)??

Call me crazy, but in the most self-centered, ego-driven industry (where they'll spend through the roof for things they could've done for free anyway with a little work), the amount of complaints about piracy is ridiculous. If anything, I'm just happy people watch my stuff!! And most of the money lost comes out of the executives/studios pockets, and frankly, I'd love to see them crash and burn (along with any and all conservative governments). But once again, it depends on the principles of the person. In my case, go ahead and pirate, ye mateys, if ye dare.

EDIT: Wanted to point out I'm from the extreme guerilla filmmaker perspective. I'm talking working part time to save up $300 to rent a boom mic for a day, just to shoot a 5min short... and you know what- if you can really manage resources, you only really need a good idea to make a film. But being in the poorhouse makes a person either of two things: a liberal and a philosipher, or, a crump and a lout.
 
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Case in point about the film makers involved. THEY HARDLY ever get to see money. Why? Well studios and studio execs are the reason.

The studio execs made Forrest Gump (cost around $50 million, made around $300 million) NOT turn a profit so everyone (and there was a lot) of the people of deferred agreements didnt get any cash.

You feel sorry for these bottom feeders? The studio execs that are all queing up to buy and fund your movies? Give me a break.
 
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