Quoted from Tommyp I call BS on that. By me watching a film on one of those streaming sites, I am making no money from it. What's the worst thing that can happen? I'm not paying my $15 or so to see it in the cinema, or my $5 to hire the DVD, I hear you say. BUT, if it is a good film, I will tell my friends and family about it. Some of them are sure to buy, hire or see in it in the cinema, which they may not have done without me telling them about it. Hell, I might even go with them. So by previewing the film, as I do on these sites, I am, by word of mouth (which is the best advertising) making good films make more money, and crap films make less money. One could even argue that the film industry are making more money due to exposure on sites like the one posted than if they weren't posted. Stealing a script, changing some character names, making it, and selling it IS making money, and is of course bad. Big difference in my book.

And I call BS on this.  You're not doing the studios any favors by stealing their movies. And you don't have as much pull with your friends as you may think.  They are also influenced by movies critics and what the honest viewers say.


Phil

Well it is a fact that word of mouth advertising is the best advertising.

Anyway I don't have anything to retort, because I've said it all before.

I'm sure production companies are still making their zillions of dollars with these sites up... because if they weren't, don't you think they would put more effort into taking them down?

It's like jaywalking. Yes, it's illegal, but many cops do not care if you do it, and the ones that do give you a warning.

Phil, I do understand your point, but I stick strongly to mine. Maybe it's because I'm young? I dunno... I might change with age, but at the moment, I do not feel bad for "stealing" movies.

And please, at least I am honest about my dishonestly.

I HATE people that think it's okay to steal from anyone because "they make tons of money anyway". This goes for all of us trying to protect our "Intellectual Property". Why the hell do you bother registering your scripts if you think it's okay for someone to steal it?

Regardless of one's stance on piracy, I don't think it can be compared to stealing a script. No matter how much a movie gets hurt by piracy, there's money coming from somewhere and while the people behind the movie might be getting screwed out of their percentages, a lot of them still got paid for their jobs. If someone steals your script, not only do you not make a cent but they get all the credit for your hard work and creativity. So it's more than just money being lost for the screenwriter. They lose everything. What any movie loses from piracy is variable. No matter how wrong you think piracy is, you can't compare something to nothing.

And besides, what exactly is the film industry doing to counteract piracy? It's not like they can do anything, really. Piracy's here to stay. But honestly, it seems like what the industry's doing only makes things worse. Jacking up the prices? They risk alienating even more audiences by trying to cover their bets. There's plenty of turds out there who download movies and music for the sheer accessibility of it but a lot of it is also a response to the poor quality of the product. Also, the studios aren't helping themselves by not screening their crappy movies for critics. People automatically know they're bad when this happens and any good reviews they could've gotten are lost.

I won't argue that piracy isn't stealing. Honestly, that's impossible. Even if you download a movie and go out to buy it afterward, it's still stealing. I don't condemn it but really, it is what it is. Either way, it's not going anywhere.

Pia, please don't hate me! Now you put it like that, my point regarding that was weak, and I take it back. I still stick with the fact that pirated movies are possible making production companies more money than they would have if it was all above board.

James, I agree... It can't be compared to stealing a script.

I see a film at the cinema, or hire a film about once every two weeks, but I would be much more willing to see a film in the cinema if it was half the price. They would pack the place out.

Quoted from Grandma Bear 17" is more than enough for me.

If I were a braver man there's a good joke in there methinks.

Re

Quoted from James McClung Piracy's here to stay.

So's rape, murder, hunger and bigotry.  That doesn't mean we should condone it.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe So's rape, murder, hunger and bigotry.  That doesn't mean we should condone it. Phil

Not sure I'd lump piracy amongst any of those or even in the same ball park. Besides, I don't condone it and made no attempt to do so. I just don't think it can be compared to stealing scripts.

I'm trying to produce a reality show... A LOT of money is at stake. If people can watch the series for free, we the producers and the investors might not get our invested money back. This isn't peanuts we're talking about...

Now. Interesting a mod should post the link.

Had a look. Pretty damn good quality. Good selection too.

My view is this. Guy who watches a pirate probably not gonna spend the money for the original official thing anyway. If it all disappeared tomorrow do you really think sales and movie tickets are gonna sell far more. I don't think so.

The figures for piracy are like most statistics: made up on the spot.

86.2% of all statistics are bullshit.

I don't see the harm myself. It's like that "Home Taping Is Killing Music" rubbish in the 80s. Er no. You're making millions EMI you liars.

I'm with TommyP on this. I don't think the studios are exactly in the poor house now are they? And lumping piracy in with rape, murder, hunger and bigotry is just plain old silly/

Re is entitled to his opinions as are everyone else.

Nuff said.

Re

Quoted from dogglebe How many people, here, would be cool if someone stole your script?  If you're fine with it, then enjoy your films. Phil

There is a difference, there, I have to admit.

Only one person can steal my script and make money from it. After that, anyone who steals the script would be stealing from them.

Besides, there'll always be stupid people who go to the movies, who buy DVD's, etc.

On the other hand, I love going to the movies. Great experience, except when you're surrounded by stupid people who don't stop talking, or when the projector is off-center. So, if the movie is worth my money, and fuck buying food. I just bring it in myself, as I used to work at the theater, so they know me.

9 times out of 10, though, the movies I see are not worth my very-limited supply of money.

Last thing, Dog. Hollywood, and their neverending stream of money has about an 80-year headstart on my scripts. Hollywood would wipe its ass with $1,000,000. Now, for me, $1,000,000 would be the difference between living how I am now and living better. So, despite what you may believe, there is no comparison between pirating movies and stealing a script.

-Sean

don't call Phil Dog...

also, there's no "never ending stream of money from Hollywood". You have no idea what you're talking about!

Quoted from Grandma Bear don't call Phil Dog... also, there's no "ever ending stream of money from Hollywood". You have no idea what you're talking about!

I call people by their usernames by habit. From now on, I'll try to remember to call him "Phil", ok?

And, you're right. I have no idea what I'm talking about. But I know God damn well they have more money than I do. So, if they have money to burn on lame sequels and pointless remakes, all the more power to them. I wish them good luck and happy trails.

I have a creedo, I stand by. It's not forcing beliefs onto others. Don't try and change my mind and I won't bother, either. =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Last thing, Dog. Hollywood, and their neverending stream of money has about an 80-year headstart on my scripts. Hollywood would wipe its ass with $1,000,000. Now, for me, $1,000,000 would be the difference between living how I am now and living better. So, despite what you may believe, there is no comparison between pirating movies and stealing a script.

So, because the studios have made money off them, it's okay to steal from them, right?

Phil

Phil has never called himself "Dog".

Investors may have more money than you, but it's up to them what they want to invest their money in. It's not for you to decide if they made a sucky choice and therefore the product is for you to download for free.