Reposting this here (also posted on Non-Film Discussion Message Board)
I posted similar comments on the FB page but wanted to share it here as well.
Getting any film made is an big accomplishment, but particularly an indie film with no "name" actors and one that combines elements of other genres but doesn't fit specifically in a typical "market" genre. Believe me, I spent 10 years in low budget/indie movies. Nothing about making them is easy.
I've seen countless indie films over the years. This is easliy one of the better ones of the bunch, especially considering it's Lukas' first produced film.
It had a great balance of humor and tension and took full advantage of the budget limitations through the "found footage" conceit without feeling like another cop out cliche.
What's more, each character was very distinctive, which not only helps the actors shine, but also helps the story rise above the so-called generic "exploitation" movie. A fine job by all. Congrats!
P.S. Lukas, I only had time to briefly say congrats on what a fine job you did. Sorry I didn't get a chance to stay and tell you in more detail how impressed I was.
I was especially taken by how different this is from the previous script you posted (which I also liked, but thought LUCKY BASTARD showed a great improvement in writing craft and skill). You should be proud of this film.
Hi Gang, wanted to get the word that we are opening April 5-11 on one screen in Los Angeles (Los Feliz Village 3 Theatre). Please see the details at our website, www.luckybastardmovie.com, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/luckybastardmovie.
Here is a promo reel that the director and I shot *****(NSFW!!!)****:
Here are a few early reviews:
Yes, Andy Dursin and I are friends but I asked him to review it because I respect his integrity as a critic: http://www.andyfilm.com/3-1-13.html
The titles for the movie and our poster are by Joe Sikoryak, by the way. And our sound mixing is by Private Island Trax, where we did at least a hundred of our 250 CDs, I am sure.
Friends...I have a feeling people are somewhat dubious about this venture...a few folks basically said as much earlier. Which is fine, and I respect everyone's opinion. I would like to ask, however, that the community here give me the benefit of the doubt—that the movie is good, that despite its subject matter it is not exploitative, and that my collaborators and I are pursuing something with purpose and passion.
I respect the new venture, Lukas and crew; I just cannot get into this concept. It just feels incredibly amateurish on the story-side of things, and that's me bearing in mind that it's a first attempt. Of course, I'd have to see the entire film to make an absolute judgment, but as of now, I want to be much more excited than I am. Sorry; I still wish you success with it, though.
Anthony, you are of course entitled to your opinion of our movie, which you have not seen, but this is now the second time you have crapped all over it. You have also been repeatedly critical of the delay in the release of FSM #250, to which you are also entitled. Meanwhile, I am sure you are having fun on this free message board which I am managing to fund as an ongoing gift to the community (how, I am still not sure)—and I am amused that your avatar is our CD cover to "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" which was by no means an easy or cheap project, but one that I recall sold all of 700 copies. So I hope you like this free message board and please pass on my best wishes to the wolves that raised you.
Lukas, don't let the haters diss your efforts. It's long past time the scoring cognoscenti got their hand into film production. This is a necessary first leap. You will be our guide. Blaze that trail, as you did for us music lovers. Never forget, they laughed at Hitchcock and Herrmann and Welles. We will not forget your efforts.
Anthony, you are of course entitled to your opinion of our movie, which you have not seen, but this is now the second time you have crapped all over it. You have also been repeatedly critical of the delay in the release of FSM #250, to which you are also entitled. Meanwhile, I am sure you are having fun on this free message board which I am managing to fund as an ongoing gift to the community (how, I am still not sure)—and I am amused that your avatar is our CD cover to "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" which was by no means an easy or cheap project, but one that I recall sold all of 700 copies. So I hope you like this free message board and please pass on my best wishes to the wolves that raised you.
Lukas
So, I express my opinion, rather constructively, about the previews and promotional material for your new film (of which you asked us to do) and since it doesn't align with what you'd prefer me to say, you feel it necessary to remind me that I expressed myself on your funded message board; that I ordered two copies of one of your worst sellers, and that I've been eager about your final release? And to top it all off, you insist on bringing my parents in on the matter? Boy--talk about screaming "meanie!" to those that disagree with you. Personally, I don't see how any have to do with one another. And to think; I even wished you luck with the success of your venture on separate occasions.
Edit: Did I add that I'm a happy subscriber to your magazine? Oh, wait. It's not really necessary of me to remind you of every little thing I've done for you. I'm just an insect, I guess. Nonetheless, good luck with the film. I really do hope it's a major success for you. But get some thicker skin, Lukas. Some critics may make you cry someday.
Oh, wait. It's not really necessary of me to remind you of every little thing I've done for you.
Wow.
Let the familiar camaraderie crusade against me; I don't care. I was simply honest about what I saw and chose to be straight with Lukas. Punish me; I don't give a shit.
Oh, wait. It's not really necessary of me to remind you of every little thing I've done for you.
Wow.
Let the familiar camaraderie crusade against me; I don't care. I was simply honest about what I saw and chose to be straight with Lukas. Punish me; I don't give a shit.
Anthony, get this straight. The intent of my reply was not to defend Lukas or to punish you for stating your opinions about this film but rather to express my astonishment at the ignorant arrogance of your insinuation that buying FSM CDs and subscribing to the magazine was something that you did "for" Lukas, as if you did so as an act of charity. Pretending that you purchased those things for anything but your own benefit is disingenuous and downright pathetic.
Oh, wait. It's not really necessary of me to remind you of every little thing I've done for you.
Wow.
Let the familiar camaraderie crusade against me; I don't care. I was simply honest about what I saw and chose to be straight with Lukas. Punish me; I don't give a shit.
Anthony, get this straight. The intent of my reply was not to defend Lukas or to punish you for stating your opinions about this film but rather to express my astonishment at the ignorant arrogance of your insinuation that buying FSM CDs and subscribing to the magazine was something that you did "for" Lukas, as if you did so as an act of charity. Pretending that you purchased those things for anything but your own benefit is disingenuous and downright pathetic.
Josh
Fair enough. But bear in mind, my comment was meant to be ridiculous in nature, if only because I found the comparisons Lukas made to be of the same blend. Listen--at the end of the day, I want Lukas to carry on and succeed with what he cares to do with his life. I simply judged the product, not the man.
Anthony, you did not judge the product because you have not seen the movie. You expressed an opinion about what you think it will be, which was annoying, but fine. I asked people to please give me the benefit of the doubt as I promote the upcoming release, and then you crapped over what you think it will be AGAIN—and frankly yes, I am offended that you would do that, when I think of all the money and time I have put into this FREE message board.
Let me elaborate a little. I truly have no problem with anyone expressing an opinion, even if it is negative towards my productions. That's what this board is for.
There are two things that bother me.
One is that of all the places on the Internet (where people are notoriously negative and skeptical), this is the one place that feels like "home" to me where I could plug my career change without people engaging in target practice.
The other is that after 20+ years of magazines, CDs and related productions, I am frankly shocked that I would not get the benefit of the doubt that I know what I am doing and that my collaborators and I are producing works of quality.
I am also quite personally extended on this movie and frankly need it to be successful.
So when I see a response that is (paraphrasing here) more or less "sorry, I haven't seen it yet, but it looks like it sucks"—the first time, I shrug it off.
The second time, I wonder what the purpose can be except to be gratuitously negative.
Let me elaborate a little. I truly have no problem with anyone expressing an opinion, even if it is negative towards my productions. That's what this board is for.
There are two things that bother me.
One is that of all the places on the Internet (where people are notoriously negative and skeptical), this is the one place that feels like "home" to me where I could plug my career change without people engaging in target practice.
The other is that after 20+ years of magazines, CDs and related productions, I am frankly shocked that I would not get the benefit of the doubt that I know what I am doing and that my collaborators and I are producing works of quality.
I am also quite personally extended on this movie and frankly need it to be successful.
So when I see a response that is (paraphrasing here) more or less "sorry, I haven't seen it yet, but it looks like it sucks"—the first time, I shrug it off.
The second time, I wonder what the purpose can be except to be gratuitously negative.
Lukas
I see what you're getting at, Lukas. But frankly, you're wrong about my intentions; I was not trying to be negative for the sake of being negative, or using you as target practice, as you've put it. That said, I just want to be clear on something one last time: No, I have not seen the picture, hence why I said I would have to wait to make "an absolute judgment." The picture, based on your promotional materials, just hasn't done it for me, and that's okay. Perhaps I'm not the target audience. I did, in fact, love the poster art Joe created--professional and smooth. But for every person out there like me who doesn't like what he sees thus far, someone else is probably ecstatic. That's the way it goes.
Lukas, I've supported your magazine and label for years, glorified your work and tastes for quality when it came to CDs, I've talked privately about how much I respect you for all that you've created. I certainly wouldn't want to pick on you. And if it has felt that way, I apologize; I simply stated my opinion for opinion's sake. Look--I hope the film does well; I hope you make bank both creatively and financially; just don't pretend that I don't care to see these successes for you because something I say or think stings a little.
By the way, I respect it's your board, but I hope that you respect your members here enough to give them the benefit of the doubt, too, and allow them to say truthfully how they feel while not having it be taken personal along the way. No, we may not be critics; no, we may not have seen the film yet, but it's quite okay if we exhaust what we like or dislike so far. By the way, just how much more graceful can one speak their minds about what they don't like? I meant no disrespect when I've done such things.
Again, what do I need to do in order to have you believe that I care about your success--go hold the poster up and down Hollywood Blvd for a month? Buy a ticket for the premiere? Hey, if it would help you out, I would.
Upon watching the promo and reading some of the reviews, I must say it definitely looks like an interesting picture. I've always been attracted to real and mundane subjects in film. Will the movie be available for purchase at some point? I live too far...
Bravo, Lukas, for seeing this to completion. Producer Frank Marshall once said he felt that anyone who completes production of a movie should receive a medal for their endurance and fortitude, or words to that effect. Just wanted to make sure you saw the LA Times on Friday, where they slotted your baby beside Fritz Lang's "M" -- scan at the link:
