Topic: Why isn't "Under Our Skin" on You Tube for free?
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Just putting this out there...
I know people incur costs for making films & want to make their money back. I was just wondering why they didn't just post the whole film for free on Google videos or You Tube.
Seems like it would be of help to the world at large if it were just available to anyone with a computer to watch. May even prevent people from going undiagnosed for 10 or 20 years if more people were aware of Lyme & how devastating it can be...
I hope people don't think I'm being a fool for asking this. It just seems that it would be helpful if it were more available.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
It's probably a money issue. I recall something about the producers wanting compensation (film rights). It would be a great watch since I've never seen it.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I'm surprised you said that on here. It seems like some people are scared to say such a thing! I completely agree with you. I think if anything, I would recoup as much as I could from initial sales, earn a profit (if that was what he wants to do), but then make it very public. Put it everywhere for free. Go promote it on daytime t.v. shows and then take an evening spot on a national channel on t.v. so that everyone can see it. Build it up for weeks and then show it so everyone can get a chance to view it.
Obviously he had enough conviction to make such an AMAZING video such as this, but if it were me, I would remember the cause that I made the film for, and try to promote that cause...even if I didn't make a ton of money off of it, but that's just me.
Obviously everyone wants to get paid for their hard (and in this case, amazing) work. I just hope at some point, he takes it to a level where everyone can see it - some people can't afford it.
It could really help bring the spotlight to our horrible disease, which means more attention, the more MAYBE insurance companies might be forced or at the very least out them for being greedy *****, and also it could help with preventative measures and help people with early Lyme.
It could do SO MUCH good for us. We need a voice. I don't know how we will ever get it. I told my husband last night that I would be so happy if my disease was at least RECOGNIZED for what it is. It has completely stolen my life away and left me with a body that is 27 years old that feels like I'm 75 and completely riddled with pain. It is a serious disease and it seems like no one really "gets it" unless they are fighting or have fought it before.
A disease this horrible shouldn't be one that you didn't know about until you contracted it.
I'm looking forward to hear the replies on this. I agree with you Sparkle.
-------------------- ~*~Lyme POW~*~
I will escape. Posts: 100 | From n/a | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
I'm pretty sure you can actually have YouTube add ads to your videos as of recent times and then get a percentage of the profits.
That would be a way for them to make money.
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Hopeandhealth, you really couldn't have said it better. It should be put in so many people's faces that it can't be ignored. Right now, I view it as a cult film instead of a national outreach.
I'm sure there would be huge political issues getting it aired as we all know the dynamics behind TBDs. I have noticed 90%+ of nurses are well aware of Lyme and recognize it while 1% of non-LLMDs discuss it. Ironic, huh?
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I saw it about a month ago, my sister went with me and my LLD was there lecturing with another doc from Connecticut.....very good movie
Posts: 208 | From Hudson Valley, New York | Registered: Mar 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I looked on You Tube the other day & there are some "trailers" of the film. It looks like it was very well made.
I'm just at a point in my life where every little bit of money counts. I wasn't always like this & I hope to be at a better place - in time.
I just don't understand why it's not out there for everyone to see.
We really need it. I don't know how much money people expect to make from a documentary. I don't think the film is available for rental... It's not on Netflix.
I can understand that there are issues with copyright & with making money for all the work it takes to make a film - but hey, we really need the info out there!
If people can watch this & it prevents one person from losing their life as they once have known it - it would be helpful.
It just takes too long to wait until it "comes to a theater near you"... They usually show it for free, don't they?
What's the difference?
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Sparkle, your sentiments are what have led some people to copy and share the film, feeling that the importance of the message was far more critical than the copyright laws.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I haven't seen it yet. The film has been out for 4 months. I think it's about $34 for the DVD... Are they waiting to make their money back or make a profit? I don't know...
I'm an artist & I know it's frustrating to see your work out in the world & not get paid. It happens...
If someone would want to share the film with me or I could borrow it, I'd like to see it at some point. You could PM me.
I just think it would be better if it was shared with the world on You Tube. People really need to have this info available so they could know about the dangers of Lyme.
Maybe the filmmakers could make another film that was more of a commercial type movie like "Tickman" or something so they could get paid...? LOL
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
I am sure if you pay them the over 500K that it cost to make the film, they would consider something like this. Are you offering?
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Anyone can PM me for information regarding this issue of "Free on You tube"
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
In sept. i went to the viewing of it in north Jersey of corse it was good..it was like all the things my husband has been living with for over 8 years...and yes it should be viewed more and so on...the best place would be on cable channels or the like...i did buy a copy and it is expensive $30 but i have been giving it to some of my relatives and friends who don't have a clue why my sweet heart is not getting better after all these years...lets hope somehow it will get out to more important people who have the know how to get it viewed by more people..take care all....
-------------------- madgen Posts: 342 | From newjersey | Registered: Oct 2007
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Yeah Scott... I'll just post my credit card number here & everyone can watch it for free...
Was the project for this film about making money or what? Are they waiting to make their money back before people can see the film on You Tube? If this is the case, why can people go to a library or hospital & see the film? Is it free?
I haven't gone anywhere to see it so I don't know how it works. Do people make donations or do they have to pay admission to see it? Is The Road Back organization involved? Who gets the money after donations are made or admission is charged - the theater? the investors? the film company? the film festival? Is it making a profit? Was that the intention?
How about the films funders... was the money a loan that they have to pay back or was it a non-profit donation. I really have no idea about this.
The film is not available for rental at the video store or on NetFlix.
I'm not very familiar with how all of this works. I don't know where the filmmakers got the funds for making the film to begin with. What was the purpose of it? I just don't know...
It would seem that the purpose is to help people & prevent people from getting ill. I can see that it takes funding but when will it be more widely available?
Having a showing every so often in a community center or place that alot of people with Lyme only know about isn't really getting the message out there.
I'm glad they made this film but if only a few select people (people who already have Lyme & people interested in documentary filmmaking) see it - how will it change things?
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
They are still entering it in festivals or juried competitions.
Some of the financing came from donations.
It is copywrited....period. Therefore no utube.
This is pertinent both to the continued use in competition, final work on a form that will be more complete than just what is available now, and to copywrite laws.
They are developing some type of information/Q&A segments to go with the current copy. It will have more impact with this, so the general public will benefit more. Currently, most lyme patients already have the background to identify with the movie...but more is needed for others.
I cant think of a single movie that is available on u-tube. This is not an 8 minute SNL sketch or take-out of a larger program. The impact is the entirety of the film. When is the last time you saw a full length film on utube?
I dont see much promise in commercial movie theater access, unless through special showing. I think it will be more successful in science or investigative tv programming, once the final form is created.
If one donated it to their local library, I would bet it would be quickly stolen. (honest appraisal here!).
Maybe if you contacted your local support group to see if they are having a showing at one of their meetings, or if you go to a meeting, maybe someone will lend you their copy. Or someone can tell you if there will be a showing in your area.
From what I have read, some showings are free (I think BettyG is doing this at a local library, and the SE Lyme group advertises local group showings), some required advance ticket purchase (to cover cost of speakers, facilities, and/or for fundraising), etc. It depends on who is doing the showing.
The impact now is the combined book and movie...as in the NPR interview in SF. Kris Newby has done a wonderful job of showing the commercial ties of the IDSA guideline writers.
This has some benefits since it allows direction towards audience, such as the recent congressional hearings.
The film took several years to make, and involved trekking across the continent to various parts of the country, and time.
Based on described GP experiences and family disinterest described in this forum, I sincerely doubt that if there was a general release (assuming your local theater would cancel their recent hollywood blockbuster....and wrote off their losses), that those you want to learn would even show up....they dont know anything so why would they go in the first place? It has a niche market appeal, despite prevalence (hidden and misdiagnosed) of this infection.
Word of mouth, interviews, national exposure, local exposure, are a grass roots campaign to bring awareness. If you just put it on the table....no one would be interested because they just dont know about it.
The producers had a family member with lyme, and became cognizant of all the crap, and wanted to get the hypocrisy and damage into the light (they did a great job!).
It will be a ground swell. That is why the media coverage with special showings is important.
I can see your frustration at not having seen it...I too was late seeing it. Hopefully you will find a way to view it, and maybe even help with a special showing.
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
Perhaps the CDC will strart showing it around the country? Donate towards it? Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
I am not going to debate their motives. The people involved in this production are on my list of heroes. The film company did an excellent job producing a film that has already created change for our community. It was not about profit, but being realistic, it costs money to do these things. As I understand, they are looking towards a nation-wide theatrical release next year.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Yes, and why don't all doctors treat sick people for free. And why don't landlords give us free housing, and grocery stores give us free food. And why aren't the people who ask this question offering to work free?
This is not very realistic or informed to suggest they should give away their work without trying to recoup the costs involved in producing it.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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seekhelp
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Member # 15067
posted
The key question is WHO donated the money towards production. THis is not answered so any assumptons are meaningless. For example, assume a wealthy party / organization did it for promotional purposes due to some personal encounter with Lyme.
In that cause, recoup of expenses may not be the goal. Global commuinication would be. If Bill Gates' foundation donated, recoup may not be the issue.
It's not being naive. It's not understanding the entire background and being hopeful spreading the message is the biggest goal of the producer.
quote:Originally posted by lou: Yes, and why don't all doctors treat sick people for free. And why don't landlords give us free housing, and grocery stores give us free food. And why aren't the people who ask this question offering to work free?
This is not very realistic or informed to suggest they should give away their work without trying to recoup the costs involved in producing it.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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sparkle7
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posted
My doctor is a prince & has contributed much in reduced fees to me since I don't have insurance.
I have contributed much work for free in various areas. I have helped alot of people in writing grants, organizing, fundraising...
I have bartered work in exchange for services. Many people have helped me & I have helped others...
I don't see it as a big offense to ask why this film isn't getting more exposure. I haven't see the film but the trailers are on You Tube... It looks quite good.
I don't know all the politics of the film industry. There are films available on You Tube - maybe not big Hollywood blockbusters but documentaries & informational films.
People really need to know about this issue. I'm not raising this question because I'm looking for something for free - it's a matter of public health & suffering for many people.
I don't have an issue with the filmmaking company. I just think it needs to be seen by a larger audience.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
This film deserves to be taken seriously and that is something that I don't think would happen if it were released in the limited time frame or grainy format permitted by You Tube or Google, even though I can understand where those making these suggestions are coming from.
For those who haven't seen it yet, it is visually stunning when shown on a large screen. I simply don't think could be appreciated in a tiny, grainy format. With the attention span of our public growing ever shorter, I can't imagine anyone, other than a patient, really ignoring interruptions to sit through the entire movie were it made available in that manner. Would ``And The Band Played On'' have had such an impact on raising awareness of the suffering those with AIDS encountered had it been shown in such a format? I doubt it because few would have seen it from beginning to end that way.
I think it says something that this film debuted at Tribeca. Even as I was able to view it for free at the San Francisco ILADS conference, part of the film team was in Dubai where they were invited to show it at another film festival. It is gaining world wide attention.
It is apparent when viewing this film that it wasn't made in haste, but was compassionately filmed over several years. I can't imagine the prohibitive costs involved as the film crew followed patients from across the country over time. They also interviewed a number of medical professionals on both sides of the controversy - a controversy which should no longer be viewed as being nearly so controversial considering how well the film makers have documented the money trail and conflicts of interests involved in denying so many of us treatment.
The film makers took all of the risks and funded this project; therefore, they (and any of their investors) deserve the credit and any rewards. It is their intellectual property. If we patients really want our illness recognized, I can't help but feel it would behoove us to back the film and help it to gain the wider distribution in a serious format that it deserves so it will make the impact it really has the potential to make.
Personally, I would ultimately like to see it have the opportunity to come to theaters, movie rental stores and hopefully HBO. I would prefer to see it in settings that will do it justice and permit it to gain the acceptance it deserves, not some place where it might be easily dismissed and perhaps even taken out of context by those who continuously attempt to dismiss and discredit our plight.
For those who aren't in a position to purchase a copy, you might encourage your local support group to obtain one and host a showing in order to build the type of buzz that will insure the wider release you desire.
Just my $0.02
Posts: 487 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
It is unfair to ask people to basically give up years of their very hard work for free. I imagine they have huge bills to pay.
It most certainly deserves a place among the best documentaries.
Anyone needing to borrow a copy can ask around. Some support groups may have copies to lend.
Hopefully, soon, it will be available through NetFlix or at local rental stores.
Still, at $40 it is a bargain.
-
[ 30. October 2008, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Friends of ours who helped us get my husband to a lyme Dr..both have lyme...they got married a few years ago and heard of a film being made about lyme....when they got married instead of gifts at the wedding they asked people to donate money to this film maker so he could get it wraped up and able to get distributed...it is very good and when i saw it, they did it in a hospital..which is a good idea because maybe more Drs would stop a watch it and maybe understand this is a real disease and needs more funding and Drs who will treat it as such...yes HBO or the like would be great and alot more people would see it...you wouldn't even have to leave your house...i know my husband can hardly get out of the house to go to the Dr...take care all
-------------------- madgen Posts: 342 | From newjersey | Registered: Oct 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
just some very brief remarks from me....
i believe most of these people involved in filming were NOT PAID for 3 years; this is recouping their wages, etc.
also, I'M PAYING $100, $95 plus S/H, for my library to be showing this film for IOWA'S 1ST PREMIERE this sunday afternoon.
since it's community version for $95, it will be available later to CHECK OUT to view!!
if you charge money, there is a long set of rules .... dos/don't; and then TURN AROUND THE CORNER is involved in getting a large percentage of money.
andy wilson, producer, told me along time ago after all the INITIAL COSTS OF PUTTING THIS TOGETHER ARE RECOUPED, they would work on reducing the fee for "lyme patients" to get their own dvds.
sparkle,
a suggestion would be to contact your local library, and ask them to purchase this or have them see what library may carry this and then YOU PAY the interdepartmental costs of s/h to mail to your library where YOU pick it up there.
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