Comments on: Why Wasn’t Cloverfield Released Online?

By: Josh Raskin

Josh Raskin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:16:18 +0000

Craig Rubens is a total MORON.

By: patrick

patrick — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:41:10 +0000

it wasn’t released online because this wouldn’t have prevented the film from making a lot more money

By: James Cirigliano

James Cirigliano — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:00:59 +0000

I think that Cloverfield was genious. As a production and marketing aspect he put you into the action. this was not your typical alien movie. This was from a first person POV. Yeah it was shaky and simple but it worked. You actually feel like you are there with the camera. Sometimes simple is better, but this movie was far from simple. There was immense work on CG and motion tracking. I think it was refreshing to see a movie made from this point of view again like Blair Witch in which you see nothing! The marketing worked very well with it!

http://www.animagicstudios.com

By: Charles Hope

Charles Hope — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:39:30 +0000

Like OMG the format is 10 years old?! Eeww no way! Yet if it were a throwback to film noir you’d be hailing its classical references. I understand that Serious Film People must sneer to maintain credibility, but I had a great time watching Cloverfield.

By: bensails

bensails — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:06:55 +0000

I loved seeing it on the big screen. Visceral thrill ride. Also ditto on the “return on investment” thing. Stuck watching it on my 15″ in laptop? No thank you.

By: RTL

RTL — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:54:11 +0000

A lot of us 30 somethings are lost on the Radiohead references. I know they are a band. Overhyped…largely unlistenable. I mean I can’t understand the vocalist anymore than a dethmetal singer. So they released a record knowing people wouldn’t buy it…wow, bully for them.

By: Craig Rubens

Craig Rubens — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:43:08 +0000

The $41M return was a bit surprising for a "sleepy January weekend." And by no means would I expect the first feature film released online to pull in those types of numbers.

But still, I think Cloverfield, with its aesthetic and target demographic, would have made a strong showing online had it been released. Which filmmaker will be the first to "pull a Radiohead?" Any guesses?

Also, Matt_ has an excellent point. That is what happened to the music industry which is now dismantling their business model. We'll see how long it take the film industry.

By: Matt_

Matt_ — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:09:07 +0000

What are you talking about Craig ?

Cloverfield was released online

http://www.youtorrent.com/tag/?q=cloverfield

If the Studios don’t release a movie online it will be done for them !

By: dan

dan — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:43:08 +0000

Craig, Interesting idea, but I'm JB on this one. a 41 mil return on a sleepy January weekend is hard to argue with. Pushing boundaries is one thing, but with all the pre-release internet marketing hulabaloo surrounding this one, I doubt that some more "interactive" or cutting edge online elements would have pushed it even more in the black. Hollywood will still leave it to the small timers/ amateurs to be risky and edgy online and then snag whatever ideas work (but perhaps less watered down) and use it to meet their needs.

On another note, haven't seen the film, but there's no tech product placement in this one? seems like it would be a good op for that. Deadly city crushing monster brought to you by myspace mobile. Ha.

By: Xyberviri

Xyberviri — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:20:28 +0000

Cloverfield was the worst piece of crap monster movie i have ever seen, i Think the success of the movie was due to the lack of coverage.

This is great example of how you can trick the public into thinking a bad movie was a good one. take out the 10Mins of video that only show the sky and the other 10 that only show some ones feet and the last 10 that is video of the camera moving and you end up with a crappy 60min youtube movie.

if it wasn't for all the hype of the preview then the movie would have probally bombed out.

By: JB

JB — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:07:22 +0000

I'm assuming it was released as a movie, because they wanted SOME KIND OF RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT!.

Seriously, I love the cutting edge of web video, it's an exciting place to be and I love working in it. But when I need to actually make money, I go back to features and television work.

When was the last time you saw 41 million dollars in weekend revenue from a web-series?

The money is just not on the web yet. And I hope that changes soon. But until it does, the best media is still going to be found in TV and Film.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:36:55 +0000

are you kidding me?

cloverfield was WAY better than blair witch.

at least you saw something this time.