Titanic Fail

[BIG JIM Riffenger]

Well, it figures.  We find the perfect movie for our first Riff out of the gate: biggest box office numbers ever, Academy Award winner for Best Picture, untouched by iRiffers AND Mike, Kevin & Bill...

...we've been working on the script for two months, started recording two weeks ago...

...and today, RiffTrax releases their version.

It figures.

In the proverbial Rabbit and Hare scenario, it would seem that we are the Hare.

Well, we're going to finish and release it anyway, but just for the record... we've been working on our "Titanic" Riff for a while now.

Should... also... be funny.

For the record, we believe that Mike, Kevin & Bill picked up on our subtle hints as per the film were working on and stole our idea.

Devious, gentlemen.  We applaud you.     See those animated hands?  That's us applauding your deviousness.

You've won THIS round, RiffTrax...  but the war is yet unfinished!  Until next time.   Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa!


So... COMING SOON.

Big Jim Riffenger (also) Presents:  TITANIC

[Darth Geek]

I would think that having Rifftrax or other riffer groups do the same movie would encourage sales, actually.

[mr.b.natural]

I would think that having Rifftrax or other riffer groups do the same movie would encourage sales, actually.

It seems to be the subject of some debate.  Some say yes, others say no and those who say yes hold up the success of the various Twilight riffs as proof.  It would seem that some people like to compare and contrast different riffs and thus buy both.  It would require research to find out the truth and in the end it probably all just depends.  For example, Titanic is freaking long and has no cult appeal and therefore is unlikely going to draw in much of a crowd.  At least not for an iriffer who is competing against MKB, especially on a premiere riff.  Only the most devoted riffing fanatics would be willingly to go through that, and pay to do so.

I know you didn't ask for it but my advice would be to, as quickly as possible, release some free shorts or even whole movies on YouTube or something.  This will help demonstrate your riffing ability and possibly get you a little attention.  You should also make Titanic as cheap as you can possibly stand it.  It also doesn't hurt to grant the files to some forum members in exchange for ratings and comments as a promotional offer.  This will get the ball rolling.  Also, since this is Titanic we're talking about if there were some way to sync it with the VHS copy that might help since just about everyone has one of those because they were literally giving them away back then.  As I recall it's a two tape set so that may not be easy but it could possibly be worth it.  You could also release a VOD version through a torrent site like that Tygerbug fellow did to give people a chance to try your full work for free.

[FordPrefect]

I would think that having Rifftrax or other riffer groups do the same movie would encourage sales, actually.

I believe it mostly has to do with how big a seller the DVD you're riffing is, in addition to if it's widely available. Twilight was (and still is) a big seller for Rifftrax and the iRiffers who went after it also had good sales. By comparison, The Happening was not a terribly big seller on DVD. As a result, the sales were not as good for the Rifftrax or the Quiptrack that was released shortly before it. The real question is how many people have a copy of Titanic handy for this kinda thing? I'm betting at least a portion of the people who have Titanic on DVD (especially if they got it specifically for Rifftrax) will be interested in the iRiff as a way of further justification for the initial purchase or rental.

Of course it also helps if you're funny. 

[Thrifty]

I would think that having Rifftrax or other riffer groups do the same movie would encourage sales, actually.

I know I only buy iRiffs when there's a regular Rifftrax of it too.  I actually buy all the iRiffs that are copies of official riffs (or Rifftrax Presents), with the exception of that one fake iRiff for Red Dawn.

[BIG JIM Riffenger]

I would think that having Rifftrax or other riffer groups do the same movie would encourage sales, actually.

We pondered that very point for some time and decided that the best way to HELP it encourage sales would be to accuse the big dogs of stealing.  In a humorous fashion, of course.  All fun and games, we promise.

...Titanic is freaking long and has no cult appeal and therefore is unlikely going to draw in much of a crowd.

We also talked about this when choosing the vehicle for our first riff, and felt the cult appeal of Titanic is actually the very hatred the cult has for it.

I know you didn't ask for it...

We didn't, but we should have.  You advice is informative, fair and even-handed.

It also doesn't hurt to grant the files to some forum members in exchange for ratings and comments as a promotional offer.

Also, you're a prophet.  This was precisely our plan.  Care to add yourself to the list?  Message us.

Of course it also helps if you're funny. 

Honestly, one of the bigger reasons we decided to do an "untapped" film was to stave off any comparisons to the jokes of pros with decades of experience.  It's a bit intimidating when we have to go up against the guys who've been making us laugh since the fifth grade.

In all seriousness, though, it won't affect our riff one way or the other, we just wanted to declare that we weren't trying to ride on their coattails.

I know I only buy iRiffs when there's a regular Rifftrax of it too.  I actually buy all the iRiffs that are copies of official riffs (or Rifftrax Presents), with the exception of that one fake iRiff for Red Dawn.

We promise no fake riffs.  That's a Big Jim guarantee.



It is very encouraging to hear that there is no stigma amongst iRiffers against previously-plowed territory.  We would be very sad, indeed, if we NEVER got to riff an Indiana Jones movie.  Thanks for the kind words and thoughts.

[FordPrefect]

It is very encouraging to hear that there is no stigma amongst iRiffers against previously-plowed territory.  We would be very sad, indeed, if we NEVER got to riff an Indiana Jones movie.  Thanks for the kind words and thoughts.

Nobody has riffed Temple of Doom or Last Crusade yet. I'm sure there are customers who'd like to hear riffs for them. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones should also be fair game.

[BIG JIM Riffenger]

It is very encouraging to hear that there is no stigma amongst iRiffers against previously-plowed territory.  We would be very sad, indeed, if we NEVER got to riff an Indiana Jones movie.  Thanks for the kind words and thoughts.

Nobody has riffed Temple of Doom or Last Crusade yet. I'm sure there are customers who'd like to hear riffs for them. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones should also be fair game.

I like the cut of your jib.

Wait...

Scratch that.

Love it.

[Father Time]

You also have competition from me... or you will eventually. I want to do Titanic too, not because of it's box office draw, not because it's won best picture, not because I have some grudge against it (I haven't seen it in so long, I can't remember if I thought it was good). I'm doing it because I really like Titanic, the actual ship, not the movie (which as I said I can't remember). I have at least 2 or 3 different books on it, and I just find it incredibly fascinating. If the movie is as bad as people say it is ... expect hell.

Right now though I'm working on Clue, at least in theory I'm working on it. I've grown busy with school and I'm lazy.

I saw the sample for it, and I just didn't think it was that good, soo nothing will stop me now (although Clue will definitely slow me down significantly).

[BIG JIM Riffenger]

You also have competition from me... or you will eventually. I want to do Titanic too, not because of it's box office draw, not because it's won best picture, not because I have some grudge against it (I haven't seen it in so long, I can't remember if I thought it was good). I'm doing it because I really like Titanic, the actual ship, not the movie (which as I said I can't remember). I have at least 2 or 3 different books on it, and I just find it incredibly fascinating. If the movie is as bad as people say it is ... expect hell.

Right now though I'm working on Clue, at least in theory I'm working on it. I've grown busy with school and I'm lazy.

I saw the sample for it, and I just didn't think it was that good, soo nothing will stop me now (although Clue will definitely slow me down significantly).

We'd be glad to see it!

[mr.b.natural]

Just thought I'd let you know I sent you a personal message.  It's over in the upper-right corner of your screen. 

[bettertomorrowamy]

 

[BIG JIM Riffenger]

Just thought I'd let you know I sent you a personal message.  It's over in the upper-right corner of your screen. 

Ah, indeed!  Thank you.  Duly noted.

Mmm... sympathy.   

[Hor-RIFF-ic Productions]

Nobody has riffed Temple of Doom or Last Crusade yet.

Call me crazy (how dare you call me that, I'll kill you!) but I think ScottH was working on a Temple of Doom track?

[FordPrefect]

Nobody has riffed Temple of Doom or Last Crusade yet.

Call me crazy (how dare you call me that, I'll kill you!) but I think ScottH was working on a Temple of Doom track?

It's certainly possible that there are other people working on an iRiff for Temple of Doom, but nobody has completed one yet. Maybe these guys can contact ScottH about some kind of collaboration so they can combine their efforts and get a riff out for the film more quickly.