by Jamin
The last few days have been a rollercoaster as Ink was bit torrented just days ago and has now been downloaded over 400,000 times around the world. Simultaneously Ink became available in all major and minor video rental stores including Netflix, Netflix Instant, Blockbuster, Amazon, etc… Over the weekend Ink jumped from a position of 12,991 on IMDB to #16 and is thus currently ranked higher than most major Hollywood titles.
Who knew that the file sharing community has so much power? The exposure for our film has been unprecedented and we have spent no money on advertising. As far as I know, no studio in history has ever driven a film up out of obscurity so fast. Turns out the audience now really does have all the control.
Our reaction has been to encourage the file sharing. The ethical argument for and against file sharing is very complicated, however, if the file sharers have the filmmaker’s blessing to pass it around, there is unquestionably no injustice done. The fact is we own all the rights to Ink and the file sharers absolutely have our blessing. It would be a lie and naive to say that it’s not benefitting our film exponentially. We’ve made a link available for those fans that want to support us in our battle by making a donation and we have Blu-Rays, DVDs, and other merchandise available for the most serious fans. This is a 100% independent film with no studio, no distributor, and no big money so trust me when I say we need all the help we can get.
Kiowa and I had a long conversation about whether or not we would be slighting our paying fans by condoning the file sharing. We both agreed that wasn’t the case. Most of the world never had an opportunity to see the film in theaters. Many of them likely would have had we had the resources to bring it to them. Our truly die hard fans who bought theater tickets and are buying the Blu-Ray, DVD, shirts, and posters have something physical to show for it. We have disks that are personally signed and materials that no one else can have via download. Ultimately we know who our most die hard supporters are because we met most of them personally or have been talking to them for months via email, Facebook, and Twitter. They’re also the people who are donating money on our site when they don’t have to, buying numerous disks for family and friends, and voting and commenting online everywhere, and they are the critics who campaigned for it with ferocity even though distributors weren’t taking it out. No one else would have ever known about the film had these people not built the base.
There are audiences all over the world not yet able to see Ink in an inexpensive and quick way. File sharing is about the only instant option for them at the moment and we don’t want limitations keeping them from seeing the movie. We’ve always said the international audience is just as important to us as the American audience. We’re thrilled to hear that Ink is finding it’s way all over Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and on and on. Someone recently told us that it’s blowing up in Lithuania of all places. People are subtitling it and re-posting it in numerous languages. Incredible.
In the meantime we’re thrilled about the official Blu-Ray/DVD release today. Ink is truly everywhere and it’s a dream come true for a few people that made a completely independent, unconventional, unique, and heartfelt film.
Thank you all again for helping us each day. Thank you for the loyalty and the passion. Here’s a new trailer just for you:
Wow! This is really fascinating. I was just at a film conference at which there was a lot of discussion about how the film industry is threatened by file sharing, but maybe it's just Hollywood that's hurt by it. I'm going to watch it on Netflix as soon as I get the chance. Best of luck to you!
I sent my donation in via paypal. Thank you for making this option available. I like to pay for things I like. I don't like to buy anything with DRM because it doesn't work on my MP3 player, PS3, car DVD player, phone, PSP, kids computer (no DVD/BR drive in her netbook) or anywhere else I want to enjoy it. I loved your movie, and I'm glad to PROVE to hollywood that films like yours with unique creativity and a new perspective can and will succeed and pay for themselves. I'm glad to see artistry win over name recognition and will keep following your blog in anticipation of new work!
FYI – I'd totally donate pre-emptively to finance a new movie that would be released to the world for free. Something to think about!
I was lucky enough to see your film when you were at the Hollywood Film Festival at the Sunset 5 Theaters and to talk to some of the stars. It was great to see it on the big screen and I think everyone who loves this movie should see it there at least once.
I am going to buy a Blu-ray version so that I can personally watch it at home in High Def, and a normal version so that convert those without Blu-ray.
Having followed your story ever since I saw the first trailer, I am thrilled that you guys are FINALLY getting the exposure you deserve. Now I can show this movie to all my friends and relatives who wanted to see this but missed it in the theaters.
Please keep us updated on how things are going and any future film projects you guys embark on. The sooner we know, the sooner we can start shouting something new at people.
I had never heard of this film until your Ask Me Anything post on Reddit, and had never downloaded a movie before. But since you seemed to be giving permission, I downloaded Ink last night, and absolutely loved it. I just donated $5, and once I have some more disposable funds, I'm planning on buying a DVD.
I really hope that this exposure helps you to get more funding and publicity for future films, because you definitely deserve it. Ink was much better than 99% of the movies coming out of Hollywood. Beyond that, I am really impressed by how you have responded to your movie being pirated. Time will tell how this works out, but I think that in the long run, your response is much more productive than filing lawsuits would be.
Good luck, and keep making movies!
Just for kicks I watched this via Netflix online… This is the ONLY movie I have ever rated online and I gave it 5 stars… Very exciting and moving story… I wept… It was strange because I was home alone and I felt a little awkward crying… An amazing piece of work! I'm going to watch it with my kids when they get home from school… — military dad (at home on leave)
Most touching movie I have ever seen. I saw the movie through torrent. Right after, I bought the DVD ans well as the soundtrack.
Thank you for such a nice movie. Got a 720p version from the internet and will watch it again with my wife and will surely donate after watching it! I am sick and tired of hollywood stars and it was very very welcomed to see new fresh faces! Thanks for that terrific film. And the music….. EPIC!
This is undoubtely the best movie I´ve seen this year. Oh and I´m a heavy bittorrent user. Gonna invite some friends and watch it again this weekend. Any plans for a sequel?
Cheers from Brazil!
I stumbled on this movie on Hulu. In less than a minute I was fascinated and hooked in. When finished I immediately emailed every friend about it. Then downloaded it from iTunes because I am going to watch this one quite a few times. All the money in the world couldn't do a better job. So I am hoping they have some financial success but can still put the same passion and creativity into their next film. Excellent!!!!
I saw the movie at the BIFFF-festival in Belgium. I was blown away from my chair. I was really into the story…cause i was "ink" in the movie. It was of course hard to face that. The music went to my bones. Thank you all so much for making that fantastic movie!
The movie left a huge impression on me. Thank you all.
I just watched the movie (twice) on Netflix, and then purchased the t-shirt/Blu-Ray package, and the sound track on I Tunes. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world! I can only hope that by spreading the news of this, and your other endeavors will help you to continue to make such beautiful art.
Your vision has helped me in ways I could not imagine a movie could.
Thank You.
My vote for #1 Movie of all time!!! I love the existential war of good and evil portrayal that resides in all of us. I am a sucker for repetition of “key phrases” and Ink delivered. The combination of show and tell to explain the rules of the realm were executed flawlessly. Likewise the writing and acting hit a whole new level. There is not one bad scene or line throughout. The “Moby”esque (at his best) score deeply enhances every scene. So many ideas and emotions expressed in the movie touched the very core of my soul that I found myself crying/laughing hysterically at the beauty before me. This might be the truest expression of spirituality w/out religion we have ever seen. Every time I watch this it re-orients me toward the person I want to be vs who I am. Well done I say well done. This is what you did … this is what you did to me. I hope, I pray, that this is only the beginning and that there is ever so much more of that magic left to be told to us throughout our collective future!