About the Rifftrax movie choices, and related stuff.

[ImOscardotcom]

I want to respond to the complaint that Rifftrax is doing too much new stuff and / or doesn't have enough variety.

Why haven't you guys done a western yet? Whats the matter are ya Yellow?

Or for that matter, musicals. Rent and the Phantom of the Opera are both recent, they both sold millions of DVDs and they're both begging for it! I mean, COME ON!

[Rude]

Give me a few seconds to write some thoughts, then fire away with questions.

Slow down, people! 

-Rude

[Minnesota]

Real question:

Do you read the suggest-a-trax forum?

[DarthChimay]

I'm sure you'll cover a lot of this in your first post, but I would like to ask:

How do y'all choose what movies to riff? What sort of criteria do you hold the movie up to? Is there a general type of movie that Rifftrax finds its mission to riff (e.g. MST went after old schlock flicks)?

[Bill Corbett]

All right then.

If I understand it correctly, those who are not happy with Rifftrax movie choices are thinking it's too heavy on the just-released films, and maybe too heavy on a certain genre or two.

I speak mostly for myself, but... I don't think we'd all disagree with that.  Riffers and staff alike would love to riff whatever we felt like, and it's not always the latest Hollywood fare.

But we do have to keep this operation running, and at present the bigger titles -- and the NEWER titles -- sell way, way better than anything more obscure.   This is true about certain movie genres, too.   And I don't mean a small difference, but 80% less revenue.

Rifftrax is still operating on thin margins, and can't keep in business like that.  At least at present, until the business is built up more.  It's really that simple.   And all of this stuff takes time.  

All that said -- we have aimed, and are aiming, for ways to mix it up more.  I.E. the shorts.   And there may be more ways to do that, coming up.  We're trying.

If anyone thinks that we're buying villas in Mallorca while laughing at you poor dumb rubes having to endure another recent Hollywood release, though, you're quite wrong.

If you're really unhappy with what we're offering, you have every right to make your opinion heard.  And if you still don't like what you're getting here, then cripes, you should exercise your right not to spend your money.    That's not only fair, it's logical.   You don't owe us anything.

But if you want to insist that we promised something we didn't, and that we're sell outs for not providing it, well... can't help you.

Yeah, I realize that was only one voice of a guy who was posting in anger.   But when you're in any kind of business, and in particular the entertainment-related biz, you simply can't please everyone.   I don't mean that sarcastically, at all.  You just CAN'T.

I'm more of a frequent guest here at Rifftrax than officially part of the company ( -- kind of a house guest that won't leave, if that image helps).  But as I've gotten more involved with it over the last two years, I've come to believe that the people who work there really do listen closely to feedback.  It's just that all feedback can't be acted on quickly, and some not at all if it means that the business can't survive.

That's about as serious as I'm capable of getting, but if you want to chime in, please do and I'll respond until my kids start kicking me in the shins.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Real question:

Do you read the suggest-a-trax forum?

Fun fact - all of those movies were on the Suggest-a-trax forum

[DarthChimay]

Give me a few seconds to write some thoughts, then fire away with questions.

Slow down, people! 

-Rude

What is this "patience" you speak of?

[Bill Corbett]

Hi Bill

Do you hate us?

While I'm back in Mexico for 3 weeks starting Monday, What do you recommend I do to get my mind off this subject of variety??

Mexico?

I'd say vodka.

That's the drink they're famous for, right?

[Bairman]

Give me a few seconds to write some thoughts, then fire away with questions.

Slow down, people! 

-Rude

His few seconds were up a long time ago.  He must be off on a bacon-hunt again.

[Bill Corbett]

What is the film that YOU (bill) would most like to riff next?

Two films I'd love to do:

1)  TITANIC

2)  BILLY JACK

Probably won't happen soon, though.  (Esp. since Titanic is 17 hours long.)

[Fortis]

Well, I'm satisfied...go have fun with your kids.

[Bill Corbett]

Mr. Corbett, you're a rich, successful playboy.  How do you answer the charge that you care more about the Benjamins, and less about your art?

Psssst...

I'm Batman.

[Bob]

"Operating on thin margins"?  

Damn, why is Rifftrax having thin margins but the shit heads who run oil companies are swimming in cash.     Not fair.

Anyway, here is a real question:

"Does Rifftrax let you keep all your frequent flyer miles, or do those corporate fat cats make you donate the miles back to them?"

[Raven]

As someone who reauthors the movies, my only complaint is the cost of the Brand New releases as riffs.  I wouldn't mind them once in a while like 300 and Cloverfield being availible the day the dvd is released.  But I'd prefer movies that have at least been on the market for 6 months or so, just so the $20.00 price tag drops a little to below $15.00 or I can pick up a used copy from a video rental place.  


On a personal note to Mr. Corbett..  The Over the Top live show was very funny and I had a great time despite you making fun of me for my beverage of choice at the bar after the show.  I'd love it if you guys would record the 3 man version of this or do some more awful 80's-90's movies.  My number one request would be the Van Damme movie Double Team.  Come on, it has Dennis Rodman for pete's sake.  Thanks for providing us means to talk directly too you.  It's pretty unheard of in entertainment of any kind to get this direct connection with the providers of our laughs.  

[Bill Corbett]

For those who posted before I wrote my lengthy thesis above...

Please see if I addressed your question there, and if not I'll try again.

(If you want your question answered... I can be bribed, you know.  Sell-out, and all.)