"The Bet" Digital Download for $1.99

Finally! You can now download a digital copy of "The Bet" for $1.99 through Payloadz. Simply go to RUBBERSHOP or directly to the PAYLOADZ page. Either link opens a new page.

Get "The Bet" for only $9.99 ($3 off!)

For a limited time (until August 31, 2009), use coupon code RUBBERSQUARE for $3.00 off "The Bet" DVD from FilmBaby - LINK OPENS NEW WINDOW.

The DVD includes over 4 hours of Special Features, including Commentaries, Making-Of Featurettes, Alternate and Extended Endings, "Hallway" Music Video, Trailers, Bloopers, Storyboards, the Short Film "Foreplay" and MORE.

Hurry, the offer expires August 31, 2009!

A fail and a retry

Funny thing about criticism - at least with me - is that I'll try to rationalize why I did whatever it is for whatever reason, but eventually that nagging feeling they were right will weigh me down and I'll buckle and give in. I sent Under, the latest script, for paid coverage - yes, I know, it's not the best way of doing it, but it was a test run for Detox which very, very, very badly needs an objective, professional opinion. Anyway, they pretty much bashed every aspect of it. At first, I wasn't too miffed since I knew it wasn't the best script - it's a simple monster film. And I couldn't get mad since I knew they were right in everything they said. What stung was that it could have been said about nearly any script about monsters of late: Cloverfield, The Descent, etc. But I think I can see where I went wrong.

I didn't realize how much the criticism had affected me until the next day when I found myself in quite the funk. I had figured out how to get one of the more slippery scripts to work, but didn't want to touch it. Why? What's the point? It's gonna suck. Yeah, it was one of those kinds of days.

Then, this morning I got an email from FilmBaby who sells "The Bet" online saying that due to a lack of warehouse space and lack of sales on "The Bet," they are ready to return all but one DVD which - according to them - is a 2-3 month supply. I have until mid-August to prove them wrong. My main reason (other than pride) for wanting to have a larger inventory with them is that it's expensive to ship DVDs and if I sell that one, I'll need to ship more. Commerce sucks.

So, clearly it has not been the most promising week where my future in filmmaking is concerned. Not to mention I'm on the verge of returning to work which makes these past few months feel like they've been wasted with nothing to show for them besides a 13th draft of Detox and a failed attempt at another script. I'm a bit under the gun.

So, I'm not giving up. I'm giving that slippery script another chance to come out. It's certainly not my last idea or hope. In a few weeks, we'll be submitting Detox for coverage. I think that's where my fear is. If that is completely bashed...

Update

We have decided to forgo further contests due to a lack of funds for entry fees. Instead, we are polishing the latest and final draft which will be sent for a paid critique (yeah, I said we had a lack of funds) and then we will be packaging it up for presentation to a producer whom we know through a friend. It's doubtful he will toss out a wad of cash to produce the film (we are also submitting the recently finished Under to him as well), but our hope is he might know someone who would be interested in tossing out a wad of cash.

Pretty much all we are doing (and by "we," I mean "Chris," since he's working on the latest draft while I banged out Under) is tightening up the characters' motivations/arc/etc. That's the one thing I felt was missing. And now we've got a handle on it. Otherwise, we (Chris and I) both think it's a rockin' awesome script.

QR Codes hit America

This poster for 9 - the Tim Burton/Timur Bekmambetov-produced, Shane Acker-directed CG film - features the (in other countries, at least) ubiquitous QR Code - also seen in the header of this blog (and as an Easter Egg on "The Bet" DVD leading to other goodies). I love the QR Codes (for more reasons than that they're squares made up of smaller squares). And am very jealous I wasn't the first to prominently feature the device.

QR Codes (according to Wikipedia) are

a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Codes are common in Japan, where they are currently the most popular type of two dimensional codes. Moreover, most current Japanese mobile phones can read this code with their camera.

At any rate, it's cool to see this form of marketing here in the US. How well it'll be received... ?

Effects artist directs the undead

As a favor for a fellow filmmaker, I am linking the press release for the zombie film Haunting Kira. Take a read (opens a new window) HERE.

Not supposed to do it

My best friend and co-writer of "The Bet" and Detox, Chris Smith said that when you tell people that you're working on something it takes the wind out of the sails. This blog is mostly just my own diary that I have decided for whatever reason to make public, so I don't really think I'm "telling people" much if I tell it here - for all you, oh, 3 readers. Anyway. I've gotten 50 pages into a script (which translates to 50 minutes of screen time) that is a full-on horror script. Blood, fun and mayhem. And, yes, boobies. I'm hoping to be done with the first draft by the end of this fourth of July weekend (family vacations and fireworks are impeding my progress). At any rate, this one is A) low budget, B) fun and scary (the way "popular" horror films are) and C) as my producer friend mentioned - serializable. Yes, this could have sequels. And yes, it's fun. And yes, there's boobies - another genre favourite.

So, challenging my dear Smitty's advice, I think there's something good here.

The Verizon guy, Chad and why I love comments.

In response to an article about the verizon guy and that chad guy (i swear he's the "O face" dude from Office Space) for alltel, i found this:

When I was in high school, I worked at the local K-Mart.

That's right. Jealous much?

I was a cashier...then I was promoted to the Books/Stationary section. And in the summer months, I also covered Lawn and Garden. Outdoor duty...sweetness.

My most reflected upon memory of that glorious time, was one day, talking with an employee from another dept - like children's apparel or something.

I can't remember her name, but I remember our conversation crystal clearly.

I was 17. She was maybe, MAYBE, a year older. And she was so supremely happy with her lot in life.

She was engaged to a fella who wanted to be a cop. (Wasn't a cop, wasn't in cop school, but wanted to be a cop.) She LOVED working at K-mart. Loved the discount. Loved working with children's clothes. Couldn't wait to get married. Couldn't wait to have kids.

I asked her about college or travel or seeking anything outside her current realm.

Complete disinterest. She had what she felt was everything. A job she enjoyed. A man she loved. Plans for marriage and a little place to raise rugrats.

Part of me was completely aghast at her. No other goals than to be married and kid-ridden before she was even legal to drink.

But another part of me, and I remember this as such a strong reaction, was kinda envious. While I have my doubts about her contentedness lasting for decades to come, I had never met anyone so happily satisfied with their state of being.

It was like talking to a Martian. A really pleasant Martian.

Maybe Chad is content with his lot.

Or maybe he's just a Martian.

p.s. "You're still a ding dong." does make me laugh. It doesn't make me want to buy into Alltell, but it does make me laugh.

I love the comments section.