Unbox, iTunes put on Hewlett’s ‘Dog’
A little film has rustled up some big publicity via its online film debut. MGM’s “A Dog’s Breakfast,” directed by “Stargate Atlantis” star David Hewlett, went live
It’s now listed as the No. 2 downloaded movie on Unbox.
“We’ve got such a huge loyal and tech-savvy fan base for this film. What better way to premiere it than on their home turf, with an online iTunes and Amazon release,” Hewlett said in a statement.
The actor/director is trying to put together an online simulcast to reward his fans for their help in promoting the black comedy. The trailer reportedly has logged more than a quarter million downloads on YouTube.
Hewlett, who is into heavy flacking on his web site, describes the dark comedy as “a head smacking, bone breaking, fiancé bashing romp, with a family that just loves themselves to pieces.” (The dog ate his hyphens, apparently.)
Aside from this detour, the film is going straight to video on Sept. 18. It can be preordered now
‘Prom Queen’ has date with Amazon Unbox
“Prom Queen,”
During its 80-episode run on MySpace, the series was sponsored by the likes of New Line and Fujii water. Episodes whizzed by at 90 seconds each. The Unbox feature version runs 2 hours-plus, without commercials. The series follows five prom queen candidates as they cope with “love, gossip and betrayal.” The finale came a few weeks ago with the big dance debacle. A new series with the same cast is set in Mexico and debuts in August.
“Prom Queen” received broadband Emmy nominations the past two years. Eisner’s new media studio Vuguru produced and distributed in association with the webisode creatives at Big Fantastic (“Sam Has 7 Friends”).
Co-creator Chris McCaleb told The Daily Reel, “Perhaps the greatest value the Internet has yet offered is the ability for anyone with a great idea and a camera to show their work to the world.”
Eisner’s non-statement on the Unbox deal reads: “By teaming with Amazon Unbox, we are making it possible for ‘Prom Queen’ fans to download and watch the entire series as a feature-length title whenever they want. The wonderful thing about producing in the new-media landscape is that fans can reach shows like ‘Prom Queen’ on a number of platforms. Amazon Unbox gives shows like ‘Prom Queen’ longevity and serves as a new mass medium and unique way for the show’s followers to watch.”
Amazon’s digital video download service requires Windows XP or Vista and works via TiVo’s computer-connected boxes. Sorry, forward-thinkers, no Macs allowed.