Three weeks since the release and things are fine, just fine.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So the DVD has been out three weeks and things are going relatively well. The word on the street has been pretty positive. A lot of good reviews, some personal calls from a few horror aficionados telling me how much they liked the film, some shitty reviews but we won’t mention those…
I think a lot of people are digging the film and there hasn’t been as much BLAIR WITCH backlash as I thought there was going to be. I’m actually getting a lot of messages from people that hated BW and like ALTERED a lot. A lot of support about the whole STRAIGHT-TO-DVD deal. Overall, we’re feeling a lot better than we did last year at this time.
Only consistent complaints are about the shitty extras on the DVD, which I have to say is a disappointment to us, too. We talked to UNIVERSAL about putting all the BTS videos and a commentary on the DVD but it wasn’t meant to be, folks. Let’s just say that if we hadn’t provided the deleted scenes for them so quickly they wouldn’t have been on there, either.
For ALTERED and BLAIR fans alike, Mike Williams and I did a pretty good interview for KILLERREVIEWS that is up here:
Be sure to listen to the end to hear us stumble around trying to come up with our favorite horror films of 2006! What a couple of turds we are! We can’t name ONE good horror film from this year! What the hell is the matter with us? Can somebody clue me in to that?*
*Please note that both Mike and I have two small children at home and have to wait for DVD to see most movies. Both THE DESCENT and SLITHER (which I heard are great) are waiting for me at home right now courtesy of NETFLIX.
There’s also a nice little write-up in this month’s FANGORIA. A few more interesting links below.
SCI-FI.COM - DREADCENTRAL.COM - HORROR-101.COM - UPCOMINGHORRORMOVIES.COM - BACKSPACE.ORG
In the meantime, the marketing blitz continues for ALTERED. It seems like you can’t open a magazine, watch a TV show or visit a website these days without seeing some kind of ad for this film! It’s crazy, I tell you!!! Crazy!!!
Anyway, on to the next one! Or next ones. More on that later!
Peace to all your mothers and fathers.
-ed
January 15th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Ed,
I just finished watching ‘Altered’ and came across your blog after visiting your site. I was actually one of the first people to see BW at Sundance, and really liked it at the time. While I can see why people hated BW, I thought that was one of the most original scary movies I’d seen, and I really appreciated the unique way it came together. I was eager to see what you’d do next. When I heard BW2 was coming out and read some of the reviews, I was disappointed and didn’t even see the film. I know you didn’t direct it, and I guess I was hoping for something more original for your next outing.
I’m an aspiring director myself, although all my time is currently focused on family and my work making cinematics for Playstation games. Lately, I’ve been subjecting myself to really bad sci-fi/horro movies I find on the shelf at Blockbuster, mostly to remind myself that I need to get off my ass and actually make a film. I don’t aspire to make crap like the stuff that’s out there, but I mean, if these guys can do it, I can!
But I digress. I came across ‘Altered’ and saw that it was directed by you. I figured it would be just another bad movie that would inspire me.
I was wrong.
I thought ‘Altered’ was one of the best sci-fi/horror movies I’ve seen in while (and I’m not comparing it to the crap I rent for fun)! Loved the atmosphere and tension you built, and thought the end was perfect. So many times I’ll see a horror movie that just relies on blood and effects, or ‘pop out and scare you’ tactics. I get so tired of that. I loved your film because it was genuinely scary…it established characters and built tension…and delivered. The scene with the alien playing tug of war with Otis’ intestines was horrifying the disturbing…and scary as hell. The climax was just as satisfying. I think your movie succeeds because it felt REAL, and that’s what I miss about movies nowadays, especially sci-fi/horror flicks…most feel way too over the top and forced. Yours felt like this is something that actually happened. Great job.
I know this is some long-winded post, but my point is that you shouldn’t take all the bad shit that’s happened to you on this project personally. You’ve got great talent, more than I ever gave you credit for after BW, and I can’t wait to see what you do next. A lot of shit that goes down is just stupid Hollywood business, and sometimes it’s unfortunate that it can ruin the chances of a good flick, like ‘Altered’. But at least you’re out there, making movies…something I’m still trying to get myself to do. Don’t worry what anyone else says…and just do what feels right. You obviously have the talent to make good movies. I only hope that some day I’m lucky enough to work and learn from you. Keep at it.
Gene.