The decision to go digital with "Blood Kiss"
came down to a choice with the company of whether to spend all
our money on one movie or to choose to have the equipment to do
other movies and whether or not we would rely on the traditional
routes of distribution. Yes, many filmmakers dream of finishing
in 16mm, blowing up to 35mm and then a theatrical release and
a three picture deal, but honestly how many movies really achieve
this?
Have you achieved the filmmaker holy grail (the
three picture deal and our theatrical distribution for you feature)?
In fact, after discussing things with my producers,
it was the year that Sundance began to accept digital movies.
We decided to go digital and move into distribution ourselves.
In fact, Prelude2Cinema is getting ready to distribute
a movie titled "Draining
Lizards." It was shot on 16mm. It is a British film noir/
kung-fu comedy. Also we are getting ready to release "Blood
Kiss" after the screening. The movie will probably be released
on DVD. There are a lot of extra scenes we shot and the entire
movie was storyboarded. The storyboard will come out in book form
before the screening.
As to "people's expectations of the final
release." If I had
my way, I would probably shoot in 35mm with Panavision, but...I
am fortunate just to have finished the movie.
I love film. I shot a short in 16mm right before "Blood
Kiss" and aesthetically it was pleasing, but financially
it was not.
I did embrace the aesthetics of digital and it
can be a beautiful looking format. It is not film, but so what.
I have a friend who just finished a movie that it took her six
years to raise the money for and yes, she shot in film and yet
she is editing digitally. She expects to have it done in a year
(perhaps). Seven years on one project may please some people.
Yet, Prelude2Cinema chooses to make movies. We
are seeking funding for a new studio and we will shoot digital
movies, but the budgets will allow us to shoot in film as well.
Although the movies may be finished digitally. And we will distribute
all our movies. I think a lot of filmmakers finish a movie and
then wait for that holy grail and then it doesn't come and they
go back to their day jobs.
Well, I have some show business work to do, but
I wish you well with your movies.
Sincerely,
Alex P. Michaels
