Dear Internet, A few years ago during the release of my film THE INNKEEPERS, I wrote an open letter about piracy and the effects it has on independent films. Particularly in the case of films that premiere first on VOD before being released in theaters. This distribution model is becoming more and more common in an effort to help smaller films reach as wide an audience as possible. You can read that letter in its entirety HERE, but basically the gist of what it said was: Paying for indie movies provides tangible evidence that there is a market for esoteric films, and that it's important they be financially supported - not necessarily for the filmmaker's bank accounts - but to prove to investors that there is in fact monetary value in all different types of filmmaking. It is about preserving sustainability. Some people liked what I had to say, some people hated every word of it. Having just reread it, I would say that 90% of what I wrote still holds up. That's a pretty high percentage if you consider how embarrassing old journal entries can be... So instead of writing an all new letter, or simply reposting the old one, I thought that this time around, with the VOD release of my new film THE SACRAMENT, I would briefly address a couple of thoughts not fully articulated back in 2011. These seemed to be the two most common rationalizations for "illegal" downloads. So without further ado:

SHOPLIFTERS OF THE MEDIA-WORLD UNITE

(2014 ADDENDUM) WHAT IF THE MOVIE SUCKS? It's true, sometimes things you purchase don't live up to your expectations, and that's definitely a bummer, but let's not sink the entire ship just yet. One time I paid a suggested donation to a natural history museum only to find that the dinosaur section was under renovations. I mean, come on, the dinosaurs are the best part! So, I get it. Ten bucks may not be life changing money, but nobody wants to feel like they were ripped off, or didn't get what they paid for. The independent film world is a fragile ecosystem. It allows for unique experiences and challenging stories to be told by bold filmmakers in adventurous and often unproven ways. Studio films do not take the same risks. But this adventurousness, this ability to surprise us, is why we love indie movies. By supporting this ecosystem, we are supporting the possibility of original, rewarding experiences that would otherwise go unnoticed. The fact that these films are taking chances means that there will be polarizing reactions. "Sucks" is subjective, but supporting indie films is also supporting the spirited ecosystem that allows them to be made. That is important. It is also worth noting that despite the museum's renovations, my ten dollars were not wasted that day. Sure, I didn't get to see the T-Rex skeleton, but the money still went to good use. The museum is still in business, the lights are still on, the floors still clean, and all of the wonderful exhibits and brilliant curators are still going strong. In fact, I had a pretty awesome time learning about rare spiders and other terrifying insects that day. So even though I went with purpose to see dinosaurs, I was reminded that there is more to the museum than just one exhibit. Technically, I didn't even have to pay that day. The ten dollars was only a "suggested donation," but in my opinion it was for a good cause, and voting with my dollar is important to me; so even with the slight setback, I was cool with it. Also, it is because of those donations that the dinosaur renovations were even possible, and when I went back to see them months later the exhibit was even better than I expected. Well, the same goes for supporting indie movies. Ten bucks is not only supporting my movie. It is supporting independent film in general, and the platforms that audiences are seeing them on. I know that sounds grandiose, but it's true, and indie distributors have now come up with numerous ways to support their releases. If you see it on VOD, then you are saying YES, WE WANT MORE INDIE MOVIES ON VOD. If you see it in an indie theater, you are saying YES, WE WANT MORE MOVIES IN INDIE THEATERS (while we're at it, we want more indie theaters in general). And in the off chance that you happen to see THE SACRAMENT in a multiplex, you are saying YES, WE WANT MORE INDIE MOVIES IN OUR MULTIPLEXES. It's a meaningful contribution. You are creating physical, financial evidence that independent film has value. This, above all else, does not go unnoticed. I hope that makes sense. I hope it's clear that it's not just about my movie. You don't have to like my movie; you don't even have to see my movie if you don't want to. But surely there is a movie out there, a movie made independently, purely for the love of cinema that you will want to see, and that will mean something to you. It's up to you to support that movie. It's possible that movie hasn't been released yet. Heck, that movie may not even have been made yet. Maybe that movie is actually a movie that you, yourself, are going to make some day. This is why it is so important that we support indie movies RIGHT NOW. The ecosystem is shrinking. That movie you are waiting for, the one that will sweep you off your feet, the one that will blow your mind, or even that movie you are planning on making yourself, may not have a place to be seen, or may never even get made if we continue hurting the value of independent films. Films are more than just momentary entertainment; they are also works of art. Most of the time, filmmakers have devoted significant portions of their lives to tell these stories. If we have to think of it like a "suggested donation" sometimes, then so be it, but they need our support. Encourage risky filmmaking. Don't let the ecosystem die.



I LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND CAN'T PURCHASE IT (YET): Yup, we hear you. This is an issue the industry is working hard on. Same day global releases will happen. But it's going to take a little more time for hundreds of distributors around the world to be able to coordinate things perfectly. It's not easy releasing independent films these days, so cut the distributors a little slack so they can solve this problem without going out of business. They are trying. Some better than others, but they still need time. If a certain movie is not released in your country the same day as in the USA, then surely many others aren't either. Let people know about it. Downloading a movie because "It's not released here, and I wanted to see it so bad I had to pirate it but I will pay for it later" isn't helping. It's actually making it harder to give you what you want. We filmmakers appreciate your passion, and your desire to see our work no matter what. But unfortunately, this is still in the "take one for the team" stage. Patience is tough these days, but progress is coming. Hang in there. We will work on making better films, and better distribution plans, but we need your help in not taking our legs out from underneath us while we try. It's not perfect, but it's getting better. We can do this together, and vocal awareness speaks much louder for the cause than online piracy. Personally, I think it is important to keep talking about these issues (hence the addendum). Conversations about piracy don't have to be condemning. They don't have to be preachy, self serving or reactionary. To me, this is not about "stealing" as much as it is about "supporting." We live in an era where consumers have all the power. That's actually a very cool thing. Let's not waste it. People are often nostalgic about the movies they loved growing up; about drive-ins, about video stores, record stores, etc. It's true, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Many indie movies are fighting for survival in a world full of "Micro-Budget" films and 200 Million dollar "tent-pole" blockbusters. Surely there is room for more movies in between. Everyone wants access to more great films, and with today's competitive technology, they want that access as effortless as possible. That takes a lot of work to accommodate. It takes time, and a commitment from both sides. I know it's hard to take the high road over convenience...But it's worth it. So to all of you who support independent film, and especially to those who are seeing my film THE SACRAMENT: Thank you. You are awesome, and we couldn't do it without you. Sincerely, Ti For theater listings and additional info about THE SACRAMENT please visit: http://www.magnetreleasing.com/thesacrament/ SEE THE ORIGINAL 2011 LETTER BELOW