Read over this, listen to the video if you can, and let's discuss this concept that Keith Merrill presents. Would you join the movement? How compelling is the "benefits" to you as an average person (or if you are not average, as a below average or above average person )? What do you assess the ability for the venture to be successful as? Are you willing to fork over $120 to become a member who, if you continue paying the annual membership fee, may someday be given some stock options or stock if/when they go public?
I hate to say it but it looks like a mormon multilevel marketing scheme. I think the best way to get Hollywood to make movies for us it to vote with our $$$$. The article stated, "You can send a message to Hollywood that you are disappointed— even outraged—by their persistent disregard for traditional values." The best way to do that is by seeing movies and encouraging others to see movies that have good values. I took my wife to the movies last friday. I didn't really want to go to the movie because the last three I saw were real duds. We went and saw Night at the Museum. It was probably one of the best movies I have seen since I saw Chronicals of Narnia. I have told everyone I know they need to go see this movie. If Hollywood consistently loses money on the garbage and makes money on good family movies, then we will get good family movies.
Then I wonder about the types of films that might pass through. My definition of a family movie might be different than Keith Merrill's. He was into the Passion of the Christ movie that I refused to see. So would this new group put violent biblical pics out if the majority of the group wants to make it? How much say does the member really have?
I think my money would be better spent on internet plans for a Napolean Dynomite Time Machine. Don't forget the crystals!
Oh, good. I started a thread on this elsewhere but got no feedback.
On the one hand, I think it's a decent idea. It's worth trying to do good, even if you fail (as I suspect this probably will). On the other hand, it won't work at all if they make awful movies. As far as incentive to join...well, it's $120. And it's not like I'm going to stop going to regular movies and just transfer my movie budget...this will be in addition. The main benefit seems to be that I can give input on what they make and get the movies free.
So...how many movies are they making? Say they make 3 or 4 decent little pictures (that may or may not be what I actually voted for). Well, that's $30-40 per movie. Not sure it's worth the added (debatable) benefits. And what if they crank out one every month? $10 a movie is okay...but I wouldn't pay for an awful movie, I don't care how cheap it is.
So, I'm not optimistic, but I'm still thinking about it in terms of 'donating to a worthy cause' rather than expecting benefits.
Actually, Jason, I've seen several studies that show that, typically, it's the G and PG movies that are the big money makers. R rated movies tend to, on the whole, make a lot less money. It's not an economic motivation. It's an agenda that Hollywood is pushing.
Edited to change a stupid mistake.
-- Edited by arbilad at 16:25, 2007-01-12
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
You know, I will have to read about it and think up on it. The concept is kind of appealing, but like was said, it has the ring of a "multi-level" type scam to it... pay us money for the privilege of supposedly giving input. Buy a membership, and you can do this or that... and someday if we reach that threshhold of going public, then maybe you will get some stock or stock options as long as you have continued to pay a membership fee. There is no statement or guarantee that this is a true investment. They are selling subscriptions, essentially. Think about it, are you a part owner of Costco or Sam's Club just because you pay your annual fee?
I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but how much weight is a $120 donation really going to have in suggestions and input? And what credit will be given to the person who makes input and suggestions that then gets adopted?
As a way of raising capital, which the impression is giving this accomplishes, this is kind of questionable in my mind. Film makers are still going to be starting joint ventures or LLC's or other legal relationships with people who have the capital necessary to fund a project.
So, who is going to have more say into what and how something is done? A consortium of executive producers (who are funding the film) or a bunch of people who have paid for a subscription to something like Glenn Beck's Insider...
I assume that since they have a CEO, it is an incorporated entity, and for an incorporated entity to raise capital, it has to do so under certain strict legal criteria. The "becoming" a member is nothing more than establishing a sort of vendor / customer relationship, otherwise they would have to issue stock to all "members".
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
I'd be into the idea if I felt they'd make things like "Saints" into movies, rather than "The Work and The Glory." More stuff like "Gods Army 2" and never things like "The RM."
I'd hate to see my hard-earned $120 wasted, after all.
I tried...I did. I tried 3 times. But I couldn't do it. When I get to the 4th or 5th paragraph and I'm still getting cheerleading schpeal, I just loose interest.
There are just too many "feel good" words in that article for me to take it seriously. If I want a "grand challenge," I'll try to get my son to clean his room. If I'm looking for a "bold adventure," I'll throw in the ski's and go up the mountain.
When the steps to become part of this "company" are realize, recognize, evaluate, read, believe, share, imagine, et al...it screams of late-night infomercials.
And the fact that some guy is making a "commitment to serve as the Chief Creative Officer," is hysterical. "I commit to make up a company and spend your money...just send it along."
I appreciate the desire to do something good but...I don't think so. I think the missionary fund or welfare square would make far better use of my $120.
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"My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
Interesting that at the bottom of the first article, there is a carefully-worded disclaimer to ensure that no return-on-investment is implied, and that it is a "membership" organization (like Costco or Sam's Club, I guess.)
I'd rather give that $120 to Bountiful. This place offers the best bang for my entertainment buck by far!
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
You know, the thing about a membership to Costco is that, in the words of Cousin Eddie, "It's the gift that keeps on giving all year long!" At least there, you can get some decent goods at a decent price, and if you upgrade to Executive level membership, they give you a check back for X dollars based on purchases over the year that can be used towards more goods purchased from them. I just wish the rebate check(s) from them and their AMEX could be cashed or deposited, so that it really is true cash back instead of just a coupon for X dollars at Costco...
I don't see AAMPS as even providing that much of a benefit incentive to buy a membership. Oh, and this moniker of AAMPS... I have to laugh... it is the abbreviation for a major IT system my firm developed and implemented and supported for years at my leadership team's main client. It eventually became obsolete and they replaced it with something new...
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
It wouldn't kill them to offer something substantial, such as a free movie ticket every year. All they really offer is the chance to make suggestions. I can do that right now for free by writing a letter to any movie studio I wish.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
I really think Keith Merrill means well by this effort. I do believe it is a legitimate attempt to make films that people want but getting them more in the process. It does not appear to be another MLM scheme. I just don't know if it will work and I don't have $120 to spare to help the attempt. It is true, you vote with your dollar but there are a lot of others voting that don't have my values and they seem to have more clout.
This is not an attempt to make more "Mormon" movies but family movies. They do state a movie may be rated PG-13 due to some mature content but not in the form of violence as found in Passion of the Christ or in a sexual sense. You really have to read all the information to know what it is about and what they are looking at making (I read about AAMP a couple of months ago).
How about if we form The Bountiful AAMPS Membership Consortium. We collect a couple bucks from everyone, and then we just get one membership. And, we all benefit from the membership. We could really confuse them by sending in opposing recommendations from ostensibly the same member on the same film project. he he he! And then, say we win a contest to visit the movie set... Imagine the consternation when they have to accomodate a dozen or so of us instead of just one.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
)? What do you assess the ability for the venture to be successful as? Are you willing to fork over $120 to become a member who, if you continue paying the annual membership fee, may someday be given some stock options or stock if/when they go public?
And then, say we win a contest to visit the movie set... Imagine the consternation when they have to accomodate a dozen or so of us instead of just one. 
