ELMHURST – Elmhurst residents Ryan Ohm and Jeremy Marsan wanted to create a platform where independent filmmakers could release their work, so they turned to VHS.

Weird Life LTR is a new business in Elmhurst that aims to change the way people watch movies.

The concept is simple: people buy movies from the website for $12.99 and receive a VHS tape and a free bag of popcorn.

There are currently three movies available, and the next three releases will come in the fall.

“We wanted to give Indie filmmakers with microbudgets the opportunity to have that cool release,” Ohm said. “We essentially act as the equivalent to Netflix or Warner Brothers, but on the completely opposite side of the scale. We do everything in a unique and different way.”

The biggest difference is the decision to use a format that is nearly obsolete. In fact, Japanese company Funai Electric, which claims to be the world’s last VCR manufacturer, recently announced that it will stop production.

But VCRs are not a thing of the distant past. Just like record players and analog cameras, they can be found in attics and basements across the country.

“VCRs are everywhere,” Ohm said. “ If you go to a thrift store, you can get one for two bucks in 10 minutes, and I think it adds to allure of thing.”

The idea of distributing VHS is meant to slow down the movie-watching experience and make it more of an event.

“With VHS, you get the analog quality, you put the tape in, sit down with friends and watch it,” Ohm said. “You can’t skip around and you’re not just clicking a link on YouTube, it’s sort of a full experience.”

There is also a visual element that is important to Weird Life LTR. Unlike digital movies that can be stored in smartphones, VHS tapes are physical objects. Marsan and Ohm pay particular attention making these objects attractive.

“During the 80s, movies had cover art that was exclusive to VHS releases,” Ohm said. “As a filmmaker, that period was huge inspiration and we wanted to bring back the idea of making artwork that was unique to each film.”

One of the three available movies is Ohm’s “Finn & the Sea of Noise.” Released in 2014, the film features a soundtrack from Chicago-based band Twin Peaks and was played in festivals in the United States and Europe.

Ohm and his movie-making partner Jackson James are the co-founders of Weird Life Films, and are creative minds behind a multitude of music videos of bands like Twin Peaks, White Lies and Empire.

One of the Weird Life LTR releases is a collection of animations and music videos for a Chicago psych punk band.

“‘Engine Summer Buzztape’ is the weirdest tape thus far because it is an album, but it is also a visual cornucopia to your eyes.”

Through Weird Life LTR, Marsan and Ohm hope to introduce audiences to unusual content like experimental and short films from their homebase in Elmhurst.

Marsan and Ohm have been friends since they were students at York High School and they decided to keep their business in Elmhurst because they believe in its vibrant creative community.

“I’ve always found that this town has a cool scene if you dig into it a little bit,” Ohm said.