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MySpace users turn movie moguls
01/11/2007 10:35 - (SA)
London - A British film project has
turned MySpace users into movie moguls, giving them a say in
choosing the director, cast, soundtrack and marketing model.
While online interaction between fans and filmmakers is not
new, the backers of Faintheart say they take the phenomenon
further, and believe the internet will become increasingly
important to Hollywood and the movie world in general.
Film4's Peter Carlton, one of the producers of Faintheart,
said audiences tended to be cut off from moviemaking, and that
the film industry had lessons to learn from rock groups who have
harnessed the internet to develop a fan base and sell music.
"We learned a lot from British music, which has
reinvigorated itself partly through the internet and also simply
by playing gigs at local colleges," Carlton said.
"This is our equivalent of the college circuit - to find
out if we get booed off at the first test run."
Carlton described Faintheart as "a fairly standard rom-com
with a lovely Viking twist". Set in the world of battle
re-enactments, Richard the "weekend warrior" sets out to win
back his wife after she leaves him, branding him childish.
More than 800 directors submitted short films over the
internet, which were whittled down to a shortlist of 12. A panel
including actress Sienna Miller chose three finalists, and
MySpace users voted for the winner, Vito Rocco.
"Anyone who loves movies and interactivity will be
fascinated to get involved in this pioneering film," said Rocco,
who began shooting the picture last week.
The sponsors, including social networking site MySpace,
provided one million pounds to fund it, and it will
be released in early 2008.
Casting call
Once Rocco was selected, budding actors were invited to
audition online for roles in the film. About 1 200 people
applied, and 10 actors were chosen for parts ranging from
walk-ons to smaller speaking roles.
Visitors to MySpace's MyMovie MashUp link will soon be able
to choose bands to appear in the movie and on the soundtrack,
and will have a say in how Faintheart is marketed and
distributed, whether online or in cinemas or both.
Although billed as the world's first user-generated feature
film, Carlton stressed that it combined innovation with
traditional movie making techniques.
The main characters will be played by established actors and
the script is unlikely to change radically.
Studios have already benefited from internet interest. In
the case of last year's Snakes on a Plane, MySpace and YouTube
users whipped up a frenzy of anticipation ahead of its release.
Carlton believes Hollywood has little choice but to tap the
wired world more often in future.
"We will not see a swing towards one single model, but the
internet gives us new and fresh ways of getting in touch with
our audience and finding out what it thinks," he said.
"And new directors will come out of that community."
- Reuters
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