Why I posted all of “DIY or DIE” on YouTube and Zune Marketplace
People keep asking me “Why did you post the WHOLE film on YouTube and Zune Marketplace and Zune.net? Are you Crazy” (on YouTube and Zune Marketplace now, coming to Zune.net the week of November 19th).
Here ya go:
(in no special order)
1. It’s my gift to the world.
2. I’ve gotten what I need to from this film, and then some:
–I MADE it. That was a triumph to actually finish a first film against all odds. And it turned out GOOD.
–The film has inspired many people They write me almost every day and tell me it got them off their ass.
–I’ve traveled the US and Europe with it, and had a blast. Free paid vacation for five months.
–I was able to write “$30 Film School as a result of making it. That seems to make a lot of people happy.
–Also, I make my much of living from that book.
3. I made the film to spread a message, not make money.
4. I think that posting the whole film might actually drive DVD sales, not reduce sales. This is a film people seem to want to enjoy in a room with other people. It’s hard to watch a movie with your friends huddled around a tiny little window on a computer monitor. (Though the ZM download looks pretty damn good full screen).
Hell, I put the DVD out without copy protection and encouraged people to make copies for their friends. Press and word of mouth from that drove sales. And that’s the DVD, not a small screen on a computer. The DVD looks and sounds a lot better.
“DIY or DIE” has sold over 4000 copies, and it’s on NetFlix, Blockbuster, GreenCine and on a lot of other video rental services, as well in some video rental stores.
I think that at this point, people who would dig the film have either already purchased or rented the DVD, or else they’ve not yet heard of the film.
I can’t imagine there are many people saying, “I’ve heard of that film, and really want to see it, but the DVD is EIGHT bucks, I’m gonna put it off.”
5. I want people to know they can show the DVD as a benefit for animal shelters, because I love cats.
6. I like attention.
7. If posting it online cuts DVD sales, I don’t really care. (see numbers 1-6).
(By the way, right after I posted this I got a Google alert that venerable Film Threat magazine has blogged this. It’s even on the front page at the moment.)
October 30th, 2007 at 6:02 am
This is incredible, Michael!! Thanks for posting this!!
October 30th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
I am a great admirer of your work; well, the two books you have written! I have yet to see the film, but just to let you know, after I watch some (or even all!) of it on YouTube, I am definitely going to buy a copy or two. I have friends at work who I know would definitely be into it, and I am sure they know nothing about it. Because although we had creative aspirations in our youth, we are stuck in corporate jobs all day that are sucking the life out of us! Your books have already gotten me excited again about making stuff,…who knows how many more people you will inspire with your film!
October 31st, 2007 at 12:17 am
Yay! Glad to have helped.
MWD
October 31st, 2007 at 1:26 am
Yeah, you just sum it up nicely!
October 31st, 2007 at 8:24 pm
i couldnt agree more. thats the problem with most people these days. gotta make a profit, gotta make a profit.. no. its not like we’re going to run out of money. geez. money see money do.
we will stand strong! come on! fight the power!
thank you.. freak.. freaks unite!
November 10th, 2007 at 5:49 am
[...] vielen mehr gemacht. Den daraus entstandenen Film hat er dann in 8 Teilen bei YouTube hochgeladen. Seine Gründe dafür kann hier nachlesen. Sympathisch und [...]
November 11th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Well, I was one of those people that said “I’ve heard of that film, and really want to see it” but in some parts of the world is very difficult to buy a DVD from the (american) internet… even if it’s 8 bucks, the shipping could be three of four times that amount… so that’s why I am trilled to finally get to see it. Thanks a lot! This is really inspiring.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
[...] The movie was cheap at $8 for the DVD with no copyright protection in place. In fact the cover of the disc tells you to, “Burn The DVD.” But now you can watch it free on YouTube. The filmmaker has listed his reasons for putting it on you tube here. [...]
December 20th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Hey, I really wanted to see this movie, I read your boo0ks. When I saw that you posted it on youtube I sat down and watched it. I wanted a copy but I am seriously broke right now, when I get some money again I plan to buy a copy and show it to my friends. I love cats too. Thank you so much for showing it where I could watch it. Have a great Christmas + New Years. You made my day, bro. Dirty Dave Phoenix, AZ
December 29th, 2007 at 11:23 am
hey michael,
cool job! I couldn’t buy the dvd in germany, so the youtube-thing is kewl!
have you considered to upload it to archive.org? they have the bandwidth and it’s kewl to provide your content worldwide! you don’t even have to worry about volume cost of providing!
keep on running your shit and thanks a lot, you touched & inspired me with your work (although I don’T believe in the Dean Foundation
knut
December 29th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
the Dean Foundation is like religion. You don’t have to believe in it for it to run the world.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Michael,
I just recently finished watching the film and just wanted to say how much of an inspiration it was to me..thanks for getting me off my ass…I finally have the courage to chase my dreams! Godspeed, and I look forward to your next work!
January 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
salut!
je suis francais, et je suis tombé sur cette page par hazard en me baladant sur wikipedia ^^^je n’ai aps vu le film mais deja je suis admiratif de voir comme certaine personne savent rester naturel pas juste le besoin de faire du fric mais aussi le plaisir de parager de transmettre un message, je pense que c’est le but de la musique, de communiquer.
traduction :
Hi!
I’m french, I was looking for something on wikpedia when I see your website ^^ I didn’t see the film and I’m already admirative of your work and to see like there are some people who are not interrested in money, who want to send, to share a message, I think it’s the but of music, communication, not consommaton.
Bye!
January 19th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Tom….I’m totally honored to have you say this. Made my morning.
Thanks!
Michael W. Dean
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Watching DIY or DIE on youtube tonight just prompted me to go out and buy a copy of $30 Film School. So I guess that’s not *exactly* a boost to your dvd sales (at least, yet), but, yeah.
Thanks!
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:17 am
Making it today is all D.I.Y….
Bob Lefsetz wrote an opinion piece called “Your One Big Break”. And at the other end of the spectrum: Michael W. Dean released a documentary called DIY or Die.
And both got me thinking about what does it mean to make it. Both got me wond…
February 15th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
[...] and Zune Marketplace. “Why would anyone put a whole documentary online for free?” you ask. Here’s the [...]
March 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
[...] this 8 part documentary from Michael W. Dean and then read his blog on why he put the whole film on [...]
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
[...] http://www.stinkfight.com/2007/10/29/why-i-posted-all-of-diy-or-die-on-youtube/ [...]
February 28th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
[...] http://www.stinkfight.com/2007/10/29/why-i-posted-all-of-diy-or-die-on-youtube/ [...]