B-Movie Legends Troma Entertainment Releases 150 Films On YouTube
from the watch-and-enjoy dept
Troma Entertainment is a giant in the B-movie world, creating and releasing tons of movies, including its most famous film, The Toxic Avenger. Company founder and film director Lloyd Kaufman (who has written a guest post for us in the past), recently alerted us to the fact that Troma has recently released 150 of its movies for free on YouTube, including some older films which they just distribute.So, if you want to watch the 1952 classic, Abbot and Costello: Jack and the Beanstalk, or Bela Lugosi in The Corpse Vanishes or The Invisible Ghost you can. Or you can go for more modern fare like Zombie Werewolves Attack! and Blood, Boobs & Beast... starring JJ Abrams (in case you're wondering, that's actually a documentary about Don Dohler, another B-movie creator).
And because I can, I'll embed that last one here:
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Filed Under: b-mobies, free, free movies, internet, lloyd kaufman, movies
Companies: troma entertainment
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It was the same with the Betamax case. The thirsty Movie Industry has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the watering hole. Once they finally get there and start drinking, they won't stop until the watering hole is dry, then they have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the next watering hole.
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They don't control either YouTube or the Internet, and they think of any distribution platform that they can control enough to bend to their will as "the enemy".
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Could be.
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BAN RAIN!
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I don't think anyone thinks that YouTube in and of itself is an enemy. It's a theoretical agnostic platform for video. What is the enemy is the loss of control over their products, having third parties decide how their products will be distributed and used - often with absolutely no regard for the commercial motives of the companies involved.
"It was the same with the Betamax case"
Actually, this is a good example of the difference between then and now. VHS / Beta in the end are perfect formats for the movie industry because copies of copies suck. Original purchased VHS movies are of decent enough quality (but not that good), and the copies were effectively useless. Basically, VHS movies sold in stores were better than what was available, and the movie theater quality was still far ahead of it.
The current situation is so different, you have to be a little off not to see it. The current copies are perfect, often "better" in some people's eyes because parts of the DVD are stripped, such as warnings and copyright notices. Combine that with people getting nicer and nicer home theater setups, and you have a perfect storm: Technology and a loss of public morals have come together to hurt the industy, and will very likely decimate it in the next few years.
Youtube can be a useful tool for marketing, but the question is: marketing what, exactly? Just like the music industry today, the movie industry is likely to see it's box off start dropping off faster and faster, as it loses some of the ability to charge up for 3D movies, and as attendance continues to drop.
So what exactly do you think they can use YouTube to market? T-shirts?
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You were doing well until you brought in this oft-debunked strawman. Do people really think that this is the only physical piece of merchandising that exists and the only thing that can be sold by leveraging infinite goods, or is it just a handy way to try and wave away that direction of discussion?
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Morals? REALLY?? like the casting couch? like the Morals of Lindsey Lohan, or morals of charlie sheen, or Paris Hilton, Or the Kardashians...
people that live in Glass Mansions REALLY should NEVER ever use "Morals" as an argument FOR Hollywood....
you can use a great deal of other fallacies if you like but Morals for a pro Hollywood stance is a JOKE.
when everyone in Hollywood can pass a drug screen and have morality clauses in contracts again, then you can talk Morals.. and I do mean everyone producers, Directors, EVERYONE!!!!
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You generally don't sue someone for a billion dollars if you don't think they're the enemy.
The current copies are perfect, often "better" in some people's eyes because parts of the DVD are stripped, such as warnings and copyright notices.
No one but themselves are stopping the studios from releasing perfect copies without the bogus warnings.
Combine that with people getting nicer and nicer home theater setups,
No one but themselves are stopping the studios from helping the theater going experience to be better.
Technology and a loss of public morals have come together to hurt the industy, and will very likely decimate it in the next few years.
Public morals are not being lost. The blind and short sighted greed and stubborness of the studios is clashing against public morals. The studios could very easily adapt by giving their customers better options, better experiences, and less bullshit. They have no one but themselves to blame if they do not change.
So what exactly do you think they can use YouTube to market? T-shirts?
That's one option among many. Merchandise is a huge part of many blockbusters.
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Thanks! ;-)
P.S. Is that how you spell Slimy? Should it be Slimey? Enquiring minds want to know!
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He is, of course, my Favorite "Slimy Troll" and my comment was meant to amuse rather than an actual, intended insult.
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Or whatever translates to "I'm cool with that" in your language!
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Oh and Speaking of MST3K, before any of the VHS volumes of the episodes, anyone remember the bug in the lower part of your screen that gave the studio's address and and the message saying "Keep circulating the tapes!" ? :-)
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http://www.amazon.com/Time-Chasers-Matthew-Bruch/dp/B0006PQQCU/
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Go Nukem High Go Ra Ra Ra !!!
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http://www.youtube.com/tromamovies
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There is lesson to learn here, if you pay attention. Mike, are you paying attention?
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It's only people who can't read who seem to ascribe to me some sort of "defense" of infringement -- which is what you appear to be implying.
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No, god you are so fucking monotone it's hard to imagine having a full discussion with you.
No Mike, the lesson here is that, if you give the movie makers (music makers, etc) a method to do promotion, one that they can choose to be a part of or not, some of them WILL choose to be part of it.
You don't have to drag them in by pirating their stuff.
Perhaps you can learn something here. Probably not, but hey, I can always hope that you can.
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Do you have any evidence that he does? So far all we've seen from you is attacks on anyone supporting these business models as an alternative to the legacy models. Pointing out that many of these new models are not as susceptible to losses through piracy as the legacy models does not equal support of piracy.
Unless you'd like to cite your claims for once, of course. Stop lying about people and implying they do things, unless you have proof they do so.
Filmmakers can choose whatever model they wish. They can choose this new type of model if they wish, or stick to the legacy models. They can also choose to only release their movies on Betamax or Super 8 if they want as well, refuse home distribution, delay releases for years or overprice the DVD and restrict it all to hell. They just need to stop whining and demanding "protections" when it becomes clear they made the wrong choice.
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You might start out by not kicking off a conversation with ad hominem insults. Just a suggestion. You'd find that I'm rather easy to converse with, but if you're a jackass, don't be surprised if I point that out.
No Mike, the lesson here is that, if you give the movie makers (music makers, etc) a method to do promotion, one that they can choose to be a part of or not, some of them WILL choose to be part of it.
Um, duh. Same point I've been making for years.
You don't have to drag them in by pirating their stuff.
Can you point to where I've ever argued otherwise?
You seem to have built up a strawman of who you think I am, that is clouding your vision.
Perhaps you can learn something here. Probably not, but hey, I can always hope that you can.
I would argue that applies significantly more to you than to me. Let's start with this lesson: I am not the person you keep insisting I am.
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The tone of your original answer was pretty much "fuck off". It starts with you, so don't be surprised if I point out that you are a jackass about it.
"Um, duh. Same point I've been making for years."
Um, duh. No, that isn't the point you have been making. Your point has been that they should do it because if they don't, someone will do it for them. You are giving them Hobson's choice on it. I am saying it should be their choice (and their choice alone), and if the tools are good enough, if the market is real, and if the results are as desired, they will do it.
"Can you point to where I've ever argued otherwise?"
How many times have you said piracy is inevitable, so deal with it? It's your own words, repeated ad nausea on this site.
"I would argue that applies significantly more to you than to me. Let's start with this lesson: I am not the person you keep insisting I am."
I am not insisting anything. I am observing, and calling a duck a duck. You may not like it, you may think you aren't a duck, but with all the quacking and feathers and flapping wings, it's pretty hard to say otherwise.
I think you are being very monotone on these issues, without the supple flexibility to understand that it isn't all or nothing. Business people will do it the "right way" (what that is) when the right way is in fact right for them, not when it's right for you.
Understanding that is perhaps the first step for you to understand why Step2 can't get off the ground. You can't just declare something right and expect everyone to do it, when it just isn't right.
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Stating blatant facts is wrong now, and you'll blame the person pointing them out for somehow creating them in the first place? Yeah, that's the level of intellectual prowess we expect from you.
"I am not insisting anything. I am observing, and calling a duck a duck."
You mean, like saying "piracy happens"? I thought that was wrong and evil now.
"you may think you aren't a duck, but with all the quacking and feathers and flapping wings, it's pretty hard to say otherwise."
He's made of wood?
"Understanding that is perhaps the first step for you to understand why Step2 can't get off the ground."
We're still awaiting facts from you as to why this is so (no, counting comments doesn't count), and also details on how your own business ventures are doing since you're oh so superior. What are you waiting for?
Oh, and still awaiting that citation on what Mike pirates. You do have that evidence and not just pulled another false assumption out of your ass, right?
"You can't just declare something right and expect everyone to do it, when it just isn't right."
So why do you keep doing it then?
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No, it wasn't. Look at your first comment. You came off like the snotty teenaged brat who think he knows everything when he clearly does not.
Um, duh. No, that isn't the point you have been making.
Again, you really ought to read what I write, not what you think I write.
I am saying it should be their choice (and their choice alone), and if the tools are good enough, if the market is real, and if the results are as desired, they will do it.
History shows that those who wait for what you describe here get flattened by the oncoming truck. I'm trying to help them not get flattened and you're yelling at me for doing so. Incredible.
How many times have you said piracy is inevitable, so deal with it? It's your own words, repeated ad nausea on this site.
Again, helping people understand the reality of the market is a bad thing? You'd rather live in a fantasy land? Being a realist is not being an apologist or a supporter, contrary to what you appear to think
I am not insisting anything. I am observing, and calling a duck a duck.
No. That's what I've done. You just don't like the duck so you're pretending the duck is a pigeon.
I think you are being very monotone on these issues, without the supple flexibility to understand that it isn't all or nothing. Business people will do it the "right way" (what that is) when the right way is in fact right for them, not when it's right for you.
Heh. I'd argue that you're the one with the black/white view of the world. It's a shame too, because you're pissing off those you need the help of most. It's not a good way to adapt, which is why you're so clearly failing.
Here's the thing: we've pointed out so many people who are succeeding in this world, how can you still pretend that your way makes sense when the entire point of it is to tilt at a windmill and bitch that nothing goes your way?
As for businesses waiting for "when it is right" if you knew *any* history at all concerning disruptive innovation, you'd know that's not true. Usually they go out of business. I'm trying to prevent that from happening by pointing out a path forward. And you're response is to blame me for showing you the way.
Seems a bit ungrateful.
Understanding that is perhaps the first step for you to understand why Step2 can't get off the ground. You can't just declare something right and expect everyone to do it, when it just isn't right.
Hahahahahah. That describes you a hell of a lot more than it does me. You expect the world to just do what you want them to do, and they're not.
As for Step2, the site has done exactly what we needed it to do, and has been quite profitable. Did it grow to be a huge thing? No. But that wasn't the goal. We needed it to do a few things, which it has, and it's helped us get significant business. The point of Step2 was to support other projects, not to be a standalone thing, and it's done that and more.
If that's a failure, I hope to keep failing that way over and over and over again. Perhaps, when you're older, you'll learn that not everything is so black and white, and that in all those other colors out there, you don't always know what's going on.
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My original question was perfectly legit and not at all "snotty". The question is "are you paying attention?", because I think you are a little too busy rushing to conclusions to realize what is actually happening. If you paid attention, you would be pushing the pirates hard to stop do that things can happen naturally, not forced at gunpoint.
For this, I ask the question: Are you paying attention? Your answer was: "It's only people who can't read who seem to ascribe to me some sort of "defense" of infringement -- which is what you appear to be implying." - essentially, "fuck off, I didn't read your comment and I am not what you think I am". You then repeated most of those actually words in your second reply.
I am not implying ANYTHING. I am implying only that you are missing the most obvious answer because you want another answer so much that you aren't paying attention.
"No. That's what I've done. You just don't like the duck so you're pretending the duck is a pigeon."
No, that's what I've done? Are you kidding? Best answer on hand? That's it? See above. I think you are missing something big, and your defense is to mirror my comment back to me? Wow. Not really sure how to answer this one except perhaps you might want to slow down your insult parade and actually think about what I am saying, not pass it off.
"Heh. I'd argue that you're the one with the black/white view of the world. It's a shame too, because you're pissing off those you need the help of most. It's not a good way to adapt, which is why you're so clearly failing."
Wow, another hard statement to deal with. First off, I am not in a position to need "adapting", I'm fine as is. You keep thinking I work for the RTAA and MPAA, which is just stupid. I don't run a movie studio, I don't run a record label. So let's just say your judgement is a little off on that. As for black and white, I would say that what I am seeing in this story is a remarkable shade of grey, the one you are missing - that producers will use the tools if and when the are beneficial to them, not because some 13 year old decided to rip their movies and stuff them on a torrent or file locker. It's a much more subtle view of what is actually going on, and you just don't seem to want to see it. You are too busy cheering a convert to the "lie down and take it like a good victim" club, and not enough about what truly motivates them - and what would make the Internet all you dream of without the legal dramas.
"Hahahahahah. That describes you a hell of a lot more than it does me. You expect the world to just do what you want them to do, and they're not."
See above. I don't know what you think I am doing, exactly, but you missed it. More monotone here, you expect everyone that opposed what you think to be an industry shill or player. How wrong you are.
"As for Step2, the site has done exactly what we needed it to do"
If "nothing anyone can see" was the goal, you hit it dead center. I cannot imagine something that is almost totally inactive save for Techdirt staff and flunkies posting being a success, unless you are scamming money out of companies making them think there is actually public discussion of the issues.
"If that's a failure, I hope to keep failing that way over and over and over again. Perhaps, when you're older, you'll learn that not everything is so black and white, and that in all those other colors out there, you don't always know what's going on."
So enlighten us, oh guru of the universe - how does a chat board that has no users, no posts, and no activity end up being so profitable? Come on, case study time. This is one area where most of the rest of us aren't seeing much color from a site that gets no real activity - especially consider the begging posts you have made on this board trying to get people to go over and post. That is more telling than most other things.
So... case study, or more denial?
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Coming from someone who attacks everybody who disagrees with him as a pirate or "piracy apologist", this is particularly hilarious. Oh, and you freely admit you don't know anything about Step2's aims, business model and achievements/failures apart from the blinkered assumptions you made as an excuse to launch baseless attacks - THEN you get whiny about being called a whiny know-nothing brat as a result!
If I didn't think you believed your own crap I'd congratulate you on the free comedy. As it is, I really do wonder how you expect to get anywhere with this parade of childish logical fallacies.
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Where? I see one adult and one petulant child who won't back up his wild assertions with anything resembling a fact...
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Easiest way to explain it is that you have to gather your cool, find the biggest thing that they missed and exploit it in very few words.
Certain things will shut them up. You just have to analyze what it is that makes this troll tick. Be blunt, be prestigious and to the point.
Name calling never works at all, so outside the label troll, use nothing else.
The best way to defeat a troll is to troll him back kindly (though bending that rule a bit applies in extreme situations methinks).
Good luck Mike, and if you want to, check out my profile for examples of de-trolling a troll.
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Can't you accept that not all people are of the same opinion as you?
That's the first issue of dealing with a troll: understand that they probably aren't a troll at all, you just disagree with them.
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Goes on further... not "goe son further".. Learn English and spelling and grammar before you comment.
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Dude, even I have to admit that that is pretty lame. Typos happen. Glass houses and all.
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This particular one actually rages when it's pointed out so I'm going to exploit it when I can :-)
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Interesting.
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[hmmmm maybe thats been the problem all along]
Mike on the other hand pays too much attention (esp to the idjits like yourself) and gets noticed by all sorts..
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It's both sides that are bought out. The Republican Candidate, Mitt Romney, wants the US economy to burn down as it is regardless of any actual good changes Congress has made under President Obama. On the other hand we have President Obama who just wants to kick the $US13 trillion deficite can down the alleyway for a second term making it continually worse for the next president while my fellow citizens suffer.
We need the attitude of a certain US president who was stricken with polio to fix us.
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Yay!
I hope some of these movies end up on the Internet Archive next.
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Has the medication allowance been removed due to your redundancy as a troll/shrill/loon ?
I knew the financial failure of the RIAA/MPAA would have knock on effects.. Now the loons are in the wild.
Run for the hills!
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hey if every always agreed with each other the world would be boring...
Oh and Off Topic: I apologise if in other threads or comments I gave you the wrong impression, and that I was somehow attacking you. Think we got our wires crossed in some way on a few threads ;( [Also me posting late at night with no sleep doesn't help.. your 11am is my early 4am - I sorta ramble then}
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Glad we are understanding now :-)
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Kewl!
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I am passing familiar with MST3K but I don't recall "The Corpes Vanishes" (Does sound interesting, though) ...
Can you provide more detail in your question?
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That aside,
If you had a choice of any of your movies to end up on Mystery Science Theator 3000, what which one would it be and why? I can only think of one other film submitted that way and it was Hibgoblins.
Also I also want to know how much impact you think MST3K had on the industry because, to me, it felt like sort of a gateway to enjoying b-movies in a whole new way. I find myself constantly looking for the non-MST3K versions.
Finally, would you consider reccomending the same methods of distribution that you have chosen to other b-movie studios?
Thanks for dealing with a somewhat giddy human being :-) You just made my day :-)
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Abbott and Costello!
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If I'm not mistaken, there's no regional restrictions here, so extra bonus points to Kaufman. In fact, I'm tempted to reward this move by purchasing the recent Troma releases on the UK Arrow Video label - a label whose releases I obsessively collect, but I was apprehensive about paying cash for Troma. Now, I may complete my collection with a (presumably) some cash going back to Kaufman and satisfaction I'm support a company who understands modern distribution.
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Nice
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http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120828/18264320201/b-movie-legends-troma-entertainment-releases-150-films-youtube.shtml#comments
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