UPDATE 5TH DECEMBER
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks as some new projects slowly take their first baby steps into maybe becoming something more than just an idea. Most will falter but I hope one or two will see the light of day. Patience is a virtue in this business. Patience and relentless determination and blind faith that, in spite of preposterous odds, something will happen. I became involved in a new project this week – something that I’d thought had gone away but through strange serendipity came my way again. It’s a very exciting, very action packed story. Not horror at all. It has all the intensity I look for as well as powerful characters and a vivid true story. I’m excited about this one.
Silent Hill post production is ticking along nicely. The dialogue pre-mix began this past week, the digital grade also started up but this first week has simply been about balancing the right eye and left eye of the stereo image to make sure they match. I’m hearing the very first musical ideas and still watching FX shots come in daily. I’m very much in a supervisory capacity at the moment as everyone else is doing their job and all I can do is ask for revisions or changes as they go.
As there’s no release weekend on the cards just yet no one is rushing. I know that the producers are actively discussing when would be a good date and they spend a lot of time looking at calendars and seeing what other movies are released when. It’s a bit of an art trying to find the right timing by all accounts. The wrong weekend or going up against a movie (or even big game release) that takes away a potential audience or will cost a huge amount to compete against can kill the movie. History is littered with films that died because of bad release dates. Obviously I want them to find the best date but neither do I want them to wait forever. I’m really just an observer in these matters because I’m not a producer and don’t have the millions of dollars on the line that they do. A decision seems to imminent but even when there is one, I’m not going to be able to tell you guys. It’s all very secretive, for some reason. It’s the same with Solomon Kane – I have news which is very exciting but can’t say a thing yet.
So what does the new project mean for The Unblinking Eye now? I know JDM has a new show for Starz next year.
Haha, Michael you gain so much respect from that last twitter update. I was pissed too. Tumblr freaking exploded with hate. I tried to put out as many fires as I can on Silent Haven, but there still might be a few people that misread you last update. As long as the trailer kicks ass, this slip up won’t matter too much hopefully.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE’S NO HORROR? This is based off of a HORROR GAME! Why do you think we play the games?-not just for the story…but the creepiness and horror! It’s not an action-style game and it shouldn’t be an action movie! I’ve trusted you so far, but now I’m REALLY WORRIED. The 2006 movie wasn’t all that “scary”, but creepy and disturbing, and beautiful as well. I’m REALLY worried this won’t match up to the previous movie and be on the same level as the games.
Sorry…sorry…I didn’t mean to come off as if I’m attacking you. SH is very near and dear to me. All I can do is trust you and I WANT to. I’m sure you won’t fail us. You know what you’re doing. I have faith in you.
Where did I say there’s no horror? You gotta be crazy; this movie is a real horror movie.
” It’s a very exciting, very action packed story. Not horror at all.”
Oh! That’s you talking about your new project! Oh thank goodness! Phew! So sorry if I hurt your feelings. You’re doing a great thing and I’m very excited to see it.
Now I feel terrible, Michael. Forgive me!
I doubt he minds, he’s seen quite a lot of spirited conversations on here.
Aw. I think everyone is just insanely antsy and excited. And thank you, by the way. That makes me feel better.
In her defense, Silent Hill Haven misread your blog and started a little fire with that quote as a news item, relating it to SH2 instead of the new project you were clearly regarding that comment toward. Reading comprehension for the win. At least they credited me with putting a stop to it!
LOL.
Yeah, people misread things sometimes.
Silent Haven corrected themselves:
——————————–
Correction to Silent Hill Revelation “Not Horror At All” Comment
A frenzy was raised after the recent update about Silent Hill Revelation. It was a mistake. Bassett was only referring to a NEW project he became involved in. A new movie not Silent Hill related that he will most likely start on after this movie is released. Silent Hill Revelation WILL BE a horror movie.
——————————–
src:
http://silenthaven.tumblr.com/post/13784732073/correction-to-silent-hill-revelation-not-horror-at#note-container
I apologize for mis quoting. I misread it after being up late.
Let’s all agree to work on our reading skills over this holiday break.
You know, I want a release date or a trailer so badly, but you’re right.
This thing has to be more formally announced and released at a good time, because it really is a shame when something really good (and hopefully this will be really good) doesn’t get noticed because of other releases and other things going on in the world.
Or when nobody really cares by the time it comes out because the hype trailer was released so long before the actual movie comes out.
So, it’s a hard wait, but I can see where your producers are coming from and I respect that.
These little updates you do are really helping with the wait though, so thanks for that.
Hi Michael, do you know if the producers discussed the option of releasing the movie around the end of March/beginning of April to coincide with the release of Downpour? I’m not an expert on these matters, but having the two release during the same week or even a week apart would seem like a good strategy, as others here have said. Any later than mid-late April and you risk competing with the big summer films. The first movie opened during that time, but times have changed and studios are releasing the summer films earlier now, at least here in the States. I’m sure you’re aware of that, though.
….i dont know if i had to post this here, but, has anyone else saw the fan made opening credits for SH:R yet?
Feels like a TV show, not a movie.
I agree, doesn’t feel very movie like to me. It does nothing to set the tone of the film at all. It would of been better with sweeping panoramic views of Silent Hill or a specific location of significance that draws you into the movie and sets the first scene.
TV show however seems right in this video, seems more spy esq to me, honestly If I didnt know about Silent Hill il’d think I was watching a spy movie trailer or something lol It just feels more like someone sneaking around with a torch.
This fake trailer looks awful, except for the song, I agree with Mierzwiak, looks like a mediocre TV show.
Your mention of making sure the Right Eye and Left Eye are in sync seems to imply this was shot in 3D? Either I missed it, or you mentioned it so long ago that it’s slipped under my radar, so I’m just confirming Silent Hill is a 3D project.
I imagine it can be both scary and exciting when you start dabbling in multiple projects, waiting to learn their fate and playing around being creative in order to sell them as possible projects. But this new project sounds rather exciting, which should make it fun to work on.
Ooh, impending SK news, that sounds promising.
Yep, shot in native 3D on Red MX and Red EPIC. What a total pain in the arse it was too.
I sincerely hope that works out! I always hear film critics talking about how some poor movie’s 3D charge was not worth it because it added nothing- but SH will probably work great in 3D , I hope!
Heya, thanks for the update!
Just 1 thing, I guess that producers should start thinking about releasing some promotional stuff, Maybe a teaser if you have enough stuff to do so, or at least posters and things like that just to give an insight of what’s coming. I don’t believe that release all that right before it comes to the big screen is a good strategy. If you release some promotional stuff, it will allow to people who aren’t aware of what Silent Hill is, to see it and get curious about what’s coming.
Just my opinion
Good luck with your future projects!
I constantly ask about when the producers want to start releasing material and they repeatedly say; when they are ready. I guess everyone has their own style and approach. Personally, I’m more open about stuff but these producers like to play everything quite secretively. It’s their choice and I respect that.
That makes no sense, why would they want to keep it a secret? They should be releasing trailers and hyping the movie up, not stonewalling the fans.
By the way, what did I do to piss you off enough to moderate my comments besides commenting here like everyone else dude?
It’s not about keeping something secret, it’s about making sure that the marketing spend is done sensibly and that when the awareness for the movie is at its highest, that’s when people can actually spend their money to see the film. It’s so expensive to release a film these days that an indie production has to be careful about not starting the process too soon and building interest before the time is right. And though we’re an indie movie, we’re a pretty expensive one so there’s a very cool eye watching the bottom line. Everyone who comes to this site pretty much knows about the movie anyway but for a wider audience who are bombarded with film and entertainment choices, the timing has to be just right. My producers and distributors tell me they generally like a four month lead in for a campaign.
BTW Don’t think you did anything to piss me off – sometimes the site does wonky things.
Wonky is the word of the day and I think, YEAR – strange days. Matthew – the site once didn’t like my innocuous comments either (I remember I referred to Megan Fox lol) – told it to bugger off and we’ve been friends ever since:)
I totally understand that, I’m sure that producers want to to the best they can to promote the movie!
A March relase to conincide with the release of the latest game would be interesting. It could boost sales for both the game and film.
Or April, since we have the HD Collection in January, Book of Memories in February and Downpour in March xD
I think that April would be a good month to release the movie, not only because with the new games releases, (new)players will have time to get inside Silent Hill universe and be aware of the movie. However, it’s important to know what other films will be released, so Silent Hill: Revelation has a chance to get a good box office
I said earlier, the game’s release will coincide with the release of the film. And some did not believe me. Pure coincidence? Hell No!!. marketing strategy? Of course.
If it was up to me; I’d release near the game as well. But they’ve been moving their dates around as well. Hard to hit a moving target.
That’s what scattershot is for, moving targets tend to stop moving after that.
[...] Michael J. Bessett’s blog GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
YAY
VERY EXCITED …..silent nerd.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silent-Nerd/232098646823707
Sounds like finally some movement and even, closure on projects which is reassuring. Hmm exciting SK news?? Very eager to hear that – oh please let it be a sequel or at least the US release which takes Canada into account I hope
New project – not horror – good, nice change. Shake it up a bit so people can see you can do other genres – sounds like an action film perhaps. I hope however even with an action film, you will retain some control over casting – you’ve hit the jackpot so far with great choices so please keep that for perpetuity or at least until you quit and become a haberdasher:)
Awesome dude! Things will work out nicely. As for the release date, I’d recommend February since there’s nothing big in there. March too, but don’t do it at the beginning since Mass Effect 3 is coming out and it’s an enormous game. But if you wait ’till March 20 something, then yeah. It could match with the release of Silent Hill Downpour!!
Just a couple of thoughts there. Good luck!!
Solomon Kane…Theatrical Perhaps?
That would be nice, wouldn’t it?
That would make my day lol
It sincerely deserves it! Here’s hoping.
Or at least a special screening or two at a film festival or film society or the like *cough**Newport Beach**cough*cough*
Yeah Cathy all of you in the US are long overdue to see Kane – that volcanic explosion literally sucked last year for you didn’t it in terms of Newport Film Fest (if the wait continues any longer, you can show all 3 SK films as a trilogy – actually that’s too tempting)! At least it played here at TIFF. On that note, Michael I know you have no control over where SHR has its premiere – and I’m betting L.A. – but would be great to see it at Midnight Madness at TIFF but then again, that’s in fall so don’t think that’s either desirable or smart – it has to be out before I would think.
Caroline, seeing as I’m also a travel agent besides being a programmer at the film festival, that Volcano played havoc with work stuff in both fields for weeks. One of our agents was trapped in Southern France for a week.
As for the release of Silent Hill, horror films typically do very well in the US released in the Fall because of Halloween. The summer sees a lot of the big action blockbuster films and the late Fall sees all the Awards oriented films, but those months of Sept/Oct tend to do well for Horror films. But then, so does Feb/March, go figure.
I was thinking much the same myself but not sure they’d want to wait but yes a nice, dark time for horror:) So you heard it here Michael: a TIFF premiere and a US one to please all parties and they will even throw you a party too up here. Yeah bad year for natural disasters indeed Cathy – very wonky.
9 months after the start of filming and still no date? This does not sound good at all. :/
Oh there have been lots of dates, just none that we liked.
Understandable, release a film at the wrong time against bigger movies and people avoid, release a film at the right time and you have your audience.
Same applys to anything, like videogames.
Yes, that is understandable. But that’s supposed to be done during pre-production, not 6 months into post. Revelation is the only 2012 film I’m aware of that still does not have at least a proposed month, besides Amityville Lost Tapes and Piranha 3DD, both of which had dates and were shelved for sucking. Considering the two main producers also worked on the first film and were able to give it a release date in a timely manner, I’m confused as to why they’re lagging so badly on Revelation.
In my experience, there is no “supposed to be” when it comes to film making. There’s what you’d like to happen, what everyone else thinks should happen and what ends up happening. Rarely do any of these things match. Unless, Jillian, you’re somehow more involved in this process than I’m aware of you don’t know which dates have been tabled, what choices have been made and why. I’m not here to apologise or explain – though I somehow seem to spend an awful lot of time doing so. It is what it is.
Obviously I have offended you, which was not my intention. I simply do not understand why Revelation is so far behind every other film.
Your honesty has led you to offend the director, even so I understand you, I would not say this does not sound good at all, but at least sounds a little strange, or maybe it’s just our impatience.
I’m not offended but I think, if you read through these threads – which I know you do – I’ve explained this over and over again. Firstly, I just don’t know and secondly, it’s not my decision. There’s just no point coming here and asking for answers I can’t give.
My apologies, I never intended for my post to come off as though it’s your fault. As you said, the director has nothing to do with the release date or marketing. I was merely expressing my confusion as to why Don and Samuel are waiting so long to get this done.
Fck that, Michael; just concentrate on finishing the film– it’s all you can do.
Hear some ill feelings around your “very action packed story. Not horror at all” comment…
No ill feelings. Just a change of pace. I think I’ve more than proven my horror love with Deathwatch, Wilderness and Silent Hill.
Great to hear or Not hear as case may be. Looking forward to Full news when you finnaly can spill it. As for Time Table some Would Be great movies have been KILLED by rushed Post. It takes as long as it takes. Last thing anybody wants is you Final cut screening wailing :it was supposed to be a thing of Beauty not this abonimation! Cheers!
Hello Michael,
good to read that Sillent Hill is working well at the moment.
Now comes a lot of thinks thats not in your hands first(fx,music,etc) right? sure you can say i like this and that or not but I’am pretty sure it’s realy important what kind of team is in the backround!
It must sometime real frustrating when you work on a project and you think it will become to live and at the last moment it get canceled or goes to some other hands.
How was your impression to shoot in 3D? you like it?
Sorry i’am sure you said it before? what kind of Camera was used?
Is it cheaper to shoot with digital cameras like the Red Epic?
I’am sure it’s not easy for independent production without a big studio (money) at the backround.
Looks like sometime that a good independent production movie is a pain in the ass for some Studios this days and they buy sometime the Distributors rights and bring the movie only on DVD or BluRay because may be they find no good release date without to hurt there own movies?:)
But I’am glad that we have independent productions.
”It’s the same with Solomon Kane – I have news which is very exciting but can’t say a thing yet.”
Ohh i’am sure it’s hard to keep a secret!!!
But know i feel like a child who is waiting for christmas.:)
I’am also not a producer but may be i win sometime a big jackpot with the lottery and we make a movie together!hi,hi.
Without dreams we have nothing!
Regards from Germany
Thanks for the update! Congrats on getting aboard a new project that you say you’re very excited for! As for Silent Hill, I can wait as long as it takes! Good news all around, I have to say! Awesome! Just awesome!