Remember Blair Witch? The unknown filmmakers, who with a budget of barley over $20,000 created one of the highest grossing independent films of all time. What a story and I'm not talking about the movie which I personally found to be an incredible bore. I'm talking about the Cinderella story of how the filmmakers took an innovative movie idea and created something so successful, got themselves on time magazine, and sparked a cultural phenomenon.

I remember reading many accounts of the filmmakers journey, before I ever saw their movie. The mention in the book "What they don't teach you in film school" was especially inspiring to me, even after I watched and didn't like the completed film.

Of course, after Blair Witch I don’t' remember reading much about writers /directors of the film since. I was recently searching online (I research a lot of stuff) and I happened upon the blog of Haxan Films by one of the directors of the Blair Witch Project, Eduardo Sanchez. It contained some information on his new movie "Altered." The first thing I read was 4 blog posts going on and on about how terrible it was that his new movie "Altered" did so poorly in the test screenings that it would not be released theatrically, instead going straight to DVD.

When I initially read his blog entry I got a bit upset. I probably shouldn't have, but in 5 posts the director insults himself, doubts his ability, and goes through paragraph after paragraph of depression inducing self doubt. I understand how painful that must feel to work that hard at something and then have it not get released the way you want, but hey he made a movie with a budget, got paid well for it, and it's still going to be distributed via Rogue Pictures. I mean hey you're first film is like the most profitable indie movie ever and your still in the business. I fired out a few comments that in retrospection may have been a bit harsh, but it's hard me to understand all that self doubt when someone achieved that much success and so many of us filmmakers would kill for the opportunities he has RIGHT now.

The first comment I posted in haxan films' blog:

I didn't like the Blair Witch Project and I thought it was overrated, but so what. If you like it and believe in your story enough to make your vision a reality, that's what's important. You have opportunities most filmmakers would kill for. I'm sure you receive e-mails daily from screenwriters and filmmakers all over the world asking for advice and giving you feedback. I receive almost daily e-mails and I released a movie I shot for $200 for free online and even my story, which commercially is a complete failure, has generated an amazing amount of response and support from creative individuals from around the world. Use the rejection as fuel for your next project. Astound the world and everything you've produced will be "re-rated" in retrospection. I would love to have a "direct to dvd" release, be happy you're in the game and doing what you love. If you don't really love filmmaking, then quit now, because the world can be cruel and you better be ready to handle it. If you want something bad enough, you have to take it. So move on or give the opportunity to someone else who wants it more then you – PS. I'm going to mention "Altered" in my blog and I will rent your movie and financial support it, although I hope it's better then Blair Witch and that the critics did miss the real creative inspiration lying beneath.

The second comment I posted in haxan films' blog:

Failure sweetens eventual success.

"I ain't no SCORCESE, people, and these guys know that and still want to make films with me."

Why would you say that in your blog? Your first film became one of the high grossing independent movies ever. Why would you say this? Strive to be the best, spit in the face of rejection, and continue creating until you find the inspiration to create your masterpiece. You could be better then scorcese, but not with that attitude. There is a myth about talent being genetically implanted in the select few, BULL SHIT. Work harder, work harder, work harder, devote everything to your passion and anyone can produce a masterpiece, it just won't happen overnight, the question is how bad do you want it?

[tags]altered movie, blair witch, movie test screenings, director Eduardo Sanchez[/tags]