Article: Internet-based movie reaches 4 million views

I recall what Scott VanO (cinematography instructor, CFS) would ask us to do at times:

"Okayyy...one of you go online and find the Top Video on the Internet."

"Sooo....what did you find?!"

"Does it look like a job of an amateur? Or a home-made video? What do you find?!"

"You always, ALWAYS find that it's a professionally done video. (Amateur works don't make it.)"


I came across this article, which reinforces the same fundamental. This "unusual amateur film" has taken the (online) world by storm; of course, it's been made in the professional way. Goes to show you never know where you may reach with a story well told!

And...they took on which film of all? Lord of the Rings Trilogy! On $5000/-! Unbelievable.

Check out if you haven't...


Excerpts from the Article:

Since release in May The Hunt For Gollum has been seen by over 4 million people all over the world. Made on a tiny budget of £3000 and distributed via the Internet, the film is an astonishingly high quality 40 minute movie made in England by unknown director Chris Bouchard.


Viewers have said the high quality visual effects, solid acting, camera and spectacular choreographed fight sequences make for a film that pleases fans of books and films alike. Having been marketed purely through word of mouth, it became one of the most viral videos on the net.


With a score of 7.2/10 on IMDB and favourable reviews on social networking sites, the filmmakers appear to have crafted a very unusual amateur film that has satisfied the hardest to please fans, including several Tolkien societies.


Several of the crew have now been picked up by professional films and BBC productions. And yet others are working on another Rings prequel due this December called Born of Hope. Director Chris Bouchard has since had offers of funding for his next project.


Article: Internet-based movie reaches 4 million views

Film: Hunt for Gollum (39-min)