Stargazer Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 And why is the Church needs to put out a two hour movie to try to convince the world that Mormons aren't a bunch of weirdo's? Hmmm? By the way this movie wants to portray all this wonderful diversity just like the Mormon add campaign. Yet the message of this last conference was follow the prophet and apostles, confirm and don't be diverse. Seems like bait and switch to me. T, you know everything there is to know about members of the Church, but believe me when I tell you that there are people out there who believe that we are weirdos. And some who think we are borderline weirdos. I don't know how many people voted for Obama in 2012 because they thought Mormons were weirdos, but I'd not be surprised if the number could have changed the results of the election, if the weirdo-thinkers hadn't thought that.
Stargazer Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I think that one of the undercurrents for the negative review is that it was released in theaters, instead of through NetFlix or just plain old YouTube. It does seem strange that the Church is saying, "Pay us $10.50 and we'll change your misperceptions about us." In that light, does it make sense for us to offer to "treat" our invitees to a free movie when we invite them (sans popcorn, of course)? Well, you're the critic. Suppose you tell us what the Church should have done instead?
Hamba Tuhan Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Yet the message of this last conference was follow the prophet and apostles, confirm and don't be diverse. Seems like bait and switch to me. CFR: Can you please produce a single line from the latest General Conference that any reasonable person could interpret as 'don't be diverse'? The prophets have repeatedly taught that righteousness produces diversity whislt wickedness engenders sameness, and they're right. 3
Hamba Tuhan Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 It does seem strange that the Church is saying, "Pay us $10.50 and we'll change your misperceptions about us." Un-freakin'-believable! You actually live where a cinema ticket is only $10.50??? 1
california boy Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I hear you need 800 requests to get it in your local theatre but does anyone know if you actually need 800 requests? like where is that number coming from?I worked in the movie industry years ago. Never heard of a theater choosing its films based on requests. there are two ways a film gets into a theater. 1, The movie theater decides to pick it up from the distributor because they think it will make money for the theater. The theater gets a certain percentage of the ticket sales depending on how long the movie plays in the theater. The longer it plays in his theater, the higher percentage the theater receives. This is why multiplexes work better than single screen theaters. Films can stay around longer and the theater gets a higher percent of the ticket sales. 2. Through what is called 4 walling. The movie company pays the theater for the screen and then keeps all of the money from the ticket sales. In my opinion, this is the most likely way the church would get a wide release of the film to the public Or the theater owner is Mormon and decides to show the film as a favor to the church
Nofear Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) So in a way, I can see the theoretical appeal of a documentary about six "Mormons". But that doesn't mean it is well executed or marketed. I have no doubt I'll see it and enjoy it when the Church is carpet bombing the world with free DVDs next year (or they convince Netflix to carry it). But I suspect the Church never did even the simplest market research into finding out whether or not non-LDS wanted to "Meet the Mormons" in the first place, and if they did, what would they be interested in "meeting"? Based on some of the reviews, I suspect some people would have preferred to learn at least a little bit about the history and doctrines of the Church, and would have been happier seeing a condensed version of PBS documentary from a few years back. Initially it was planned as just a visitor center piece.I was part of a small group of producers who were asked to come up with an idea for a film to replace what’s at the Legacy Theater [in Salt Lake City’s Joseph Smith Memorial Building]," Treu said. "Initially, that was what this was about: a visitor center piece, basically." Treu, a Utah filmmaker whose credits include movies with then-teens Katherine Heigl ("Wish Upon a Star," 1996) and Evan Rachel Wood ("Little Secrets," 2001), pitched something different. Instead of a narrative film re-enacting Mormon history or Bible scenes, Treu suggested a documentary "to look at the lives of Latter-day Saints, not about the details of our beliefs, but the lives that come from those beliefs." Mormon leaders approved the idea. (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58434187-78/mormons-treu-meet-documentary.html.csp) What else has Bro. Treu done professionally? Not much. IMDB: Blair Treu Edit: Formatting. Edited October 12, 2014 by Nofear 1
Yirgacheffe Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Un-freakin'-believable! You actually live where a cinema ticket is only $10.50???That's how much movie tickets are by me, a matinee is 7.50.
Nofear Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 While I don't plan on seeing the movie in the theaters, I will eventually watch it. I think the main reason the film was approved for broader release is that we Mormons still have an image problem. http://www.pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/ Or in the 2010 book, American Grace: How Religion Units and Divides Us, "Mormons like everyone else, while almost everyone else dislikes Mormons (Google Books excerpt)" Of note, missionaries are specifically instructed not to be near the theater (unless they are attending with an investigator).
Senator Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 T, you know everything there is to know about members of the Church, but believe me when I tell you that there are people out there who believe that we are weirdos. And some who think we are borderline weirdos. I don't know how many people voted for Obama in 2012 because they thought Mormons were weirdos, but I'd not be surprised if the number could have changed the results of the election, if the weirdo-thinkers hadn't thought that.I saw the "movie" last night.By the number of attendees in the audience wearing white shirts and ties, I'm not sure the weirdo thinkers are all that off base. 2
cinepro Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) Well, you're the critic. Suppose you tell us what the Church should have done instead?Made a good movie. Edited October 12, 2014 by cinepro
Brian 2.0 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 If the goal is to correct false stereotypes, then those who hold those stereotypes need to actually see the film. If a non-member is attending because they were invited by a member friend... then they already know a Mormon, and probably don't have those stereotypes. So you're counting on non-members who hold the stereotypes to choose on their own to go and pay money to watch a movie for two hours where the church is correcting the viewers stereotypes. How likely is that? You seem much more likely to reach your target by making a number of 30 and 60 seconds spots and buying commercial time during The Voice, Big Bang Theory, DWTS, NFL Football, NASCAR, etc. And it nice that the church is giving the NET profits to charity... but it can be quite difficult for a film to get to net profits. I'm not sure if the church has or will ever release the budget numbers (including advertising and distribution costs), but that TOTAL number will have be less than 1/2 of the box office returns to get to net. With the amount of money the church gives to charity anyway, it should have been a no-brainer to give GROSS profits to charity.
why me Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Here is a good 'meet the mormons' moment: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/mormon-elder-michael-jackson-impersonator-dance-spain-article-1.1971695 We should be dancing. Watch the video. 1
rpn Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I read that the church is given net of the distribution costs. They are not taking out production costs. 1
Brian 2.0 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Here is a good 'meet the mormons' moment:http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/mormon-elder-michael-jackson-impersonator-dance-spain-article-1.1971695We should be dancing. Watch the video.Nice
sdc999 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Waiting on the Robert Kirby version: Now meet the real mormons. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58507634-78/mormons-church-meet-real.html.csp 1
Jeanne Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Actually, his take his a little more accurate.
Hamba Tuhan Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 That's how much movie tickets are by me, a matinee is 7.50. In these parts, a standard cinema ticket is about US$16.00 regardless of time of day. There are certainly some things I miss about America ... and not just barbecued ribs.
Hamba Tuhan Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Actually, his take his a little more accurate. Really? I find it sad. My parents simply embraced the teachings of the Restoration, implemented in their home the principles they found in the Book of Mormon and the words of the prophets, and created a peaceful, happy haven for us children, where contention simply never occurred, and where the things of the Spirit were desired and celebrated. To each his own, I guess.
bluebell Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I find it interesting that the movie is # 10 for ticket sales in the US despite only opening on 300+ screens. 1
bluebell Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I worked in the movie industry years ago. Never heard of a theater choosing its films based on requests. there are two ways a film gets into a theater. 1, The movie theater decides to pick it up from the distributor because they think it will make money for the theater. The theater gets a certain percentage of the ticket sales depending on how long the movie plays in the theater. The longer it plays in his theater, the higher percentage the theater receives. This is why multiplexes work better than single screen theaters. Films can stay around longer and the theater gets a higher percent of the ticket sales.2. Through what is called 4 walling. The movie company pays the theater for the screen and then keeps all of the money from the ticket sales. In my opinion, this is the most likely way the church would get a wide release of the film to the publicOr the theater owner is Mormon and decides to show the film as a favor to the churchI'm guessing things have changed in how movies end up in theaters because the news article on the movie says it opened in about twice as many theaters as previously planned because of patron requests. 1
maxrep12 Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I'm guessing things have changed in how movies end up in theaters because the news article on the movie says it opened in about twice as many theaters as previously planned because of patron requests.I think the accurate term would be member requests, since those requesting the film in their area are almost always going to be members of the church and just the fact that they requested a film doesn't actually mean that they are going to be a patron of the film and go and see it.
maxrep12 Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 additionally, everyone here should remember the campaign in wards and stakes and on Facebook, to follow a link that would allow them to request the film in their area.
Judd Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I would imagine the church would anticipate it being mostly members seeing the film in theaters, but, as mentioned, I believe what the real target would be is release on something like Netflix. I believe at least having people familiar with the film having been in theaters or otherwise being exposed to it (without actually seeing it in theaters) would significantly increase its viewership when it hits Netflix. 2
bluebell Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I think the accurate term would be member requests, since those requesting the film in their area are almost always going to be members of the church and just the fact that they requested a film doesn't actually mean that they are going to be a patron of the film and go and see it.That seems like a distinction without a difference since I was addressing whether or not a film could be requested. Everyone that I know who requested the film wants to see it but I suppose you could be right.
MorningStar Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 It was interesting to read this link. Hmm. I can't paste links for some reason. Anyway, I was reading about it on lds.org and it said it wasn't originally intended to be in the theaters, but played at the visitors' center. There was so much interest, this gave a lot more people the opportunity to see it without going to Utah.
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