Dennis, your suggestions for work around orphan films is very
provocative - and I will pass it on to several of our preservation
groups in ALA for consideration on colaborative work. Thanks.
Nell Chenault
VRT Chair
MileFilms@aol.com wrote:
>
> << Just a few thoughts on the idea of downloading & showing this.
> Is EYES ON THE PRIZE in a superspecial category of cultural significance
> that it merits this or would the same apply so something in a very similar
> circumstance the HOLLYWOOD- THE PIONEERS series ?...etc.>>
>
> Okay, here I go again. But would someone take up the cause this time?
>
> I agree with Jessica except, of course, even SUGGESTING the concept of
> downloading Killer of Sheep! That and, of course, the Cubs chances
> this year.
>
> But Jessica mentioning Killer of Sheep brings me to my point. We
> (Milestone) have spent three agonizing years now negotiating the
> rights to the music for Killer of Sheep. So far, these rights will be
> nearly $90,000. And why are we doing this? Because a) we love the
> film, b) we think of great cultural importance, and c) we think we'll
> make our money back on the DVD and television rights. So far, we've
> raised about 60% of the money and cleared all but one song. There is a
> possibility of having to seek donations for the rest of the money, but
> that's part of the tsuris of running a business as well.
>
> I would think that Eyes on the Prize made a ton of money when it
> premiered. It's a shame that PBS (I assume they had the video rights
> as well) and the producers didn't think ahead and reinvest some of the
> profits to clear the rights for a longer term when it was obvious this
> film was going to be a classic.
>
> But this doesn't mean that people now have the right to say, "Well
> they were stupid, let's just go ahead and screw the people who own the
> rights to the footage who probably gave it to the producers at a lower
> rate to begin with. It's OBVIOUSLY their fault for being in business
> and they MUST be GREEDY corporations."
>
> What this ACTUALLY means is that a concerted effort must be made --
> and it's started already by the wonderful people in St. Louis -- to
> help clear the rights. Instead of concentrating efforts to show the
> film illegally and piss off the rights holders, it might be better for
> the film if people actually made a concerted effort to help raise
> money to clear the rights. There's a lot of foundations and
> individuals who just might be dying to contribute, and perhaps the ALA
> VRT could make this a mandate to start a fund for orphaned films.
> There are groups like Cinecon, the Silent Film Society and individuals
> like Rodney Sauer (and yes, even Milestone), who are raising thousands
> of dollars, most of it $10 at a time, to saving silent films by
> selling calendars and giving part of their admissions from public
> screenings to the cause.
>
> Anyone willing to make a start?
>
>
> Dennis Doros
> Milestone Film & Video
> PO Box 128
> Harrington Park, NJ 07640
> Phone: (800) 603-1104 or (201) 767-3117
> Fax: (201) 767-3035
> Email: milefilms@aol.com
> Website: http://www.milestonefilms.com
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