How Movies Actually Make Money? (Top 4 Revenue Streams) 2023

When I was a kid I always used to wonder how these movies actually make money, as I was a kid back then, I didn’t realize there are a number of ways by which moviemakers make money.

The film industry is one of the biggest industries in the world, film producers spend millions of dollars on a single film, and to cover that investment they did in making a film, they use different revenue sources.

The movie business is a big money maker. But how do movies make money? Let’s take a look at the different ways movies make money.

Movies make money through ticket sales, home video sales, and merchandise sales.

1) Ticket Sales

Ticket sales are the most important source of revenue for movie studios. Movie studios get a percentage of ticket sales, so they rely on ticket sales to make the most of their money. You have seen your favorite actor or actress often say go and watch our movie on theatre, by doing so they generate revenue.

2) Home Video Sales

Home video sales are another important source of revenue for movie studios. When a movie is released on DVD or Blu-ray, people can buy or rent it to watch at home. Movie studios get a percentage of these sales, so they also rely on home video sales to make money.

3) Foreign Sales

Foreign sales are another big source of revenue for moviemakers, usually, moviemakers sell their right to foreign territories and it really helps them in covering the budget they have spent on making a movie.

Sometimes foreign sales become the main source of revenue for moviemakers, it has been seen often a time when a particular movie performed better in other territories than in the origin country.

4) Merchandise Sales

Merchandise sales are a smaller source of revenue for movie studios, but they can still add up. Movie studios often license their characters to be used on products like clothing, toys, and games. They also sell movie-related merchandise like DVDs and Blu-rays. So even though merchandise sales are a small part of how movies make money, they can still contribute to a movie studio’s bottom line.

5) Selling it to OTT platforms

Another major source of revenue for movies is by selling them to OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. In recent years, there is a big rise in the number of OTT users. Many movies these days are released on OTT platforms instead of cinema halls and this shows how big the OTT industry has become. Currently, Netflix is the biggest OTT platform, and movies maker sell their movies to Netflix for handsome amounts.

You can sign up on Netflix to watch your favorite movies, however, you do need to purchase the subscription but it is definitely worth it. You can also get NetFlix free trial to watch movies on NetFlix for a limited time.

 

The film industry is indeed a billion-dollar industry and do you want to know about the richest actors in 2022? check out this video:

Conclusion

As you can see, movies make money through a variety of sources. Ticket sales are the most important source of revenue, but home video sales and merchandise sales can also add up. So next time you’re wondering how movies make money, now you know! Have any questions about how movies make money? Let us know

What is a movie director? All Responsibilities of a Film Director

There is a lot of misconception among people about what is actually a movie director and what’s the role of a director in any movie. When I was a kid I also used to ask myself why is there any need for a movie director, I always used to think that film actors and actresses are all we need to create an amazing film.

However, when I grew up I begin to understand how this complete film industry works, and there is a very big team of people behind making a film.

I know many of you are also unsure about the role of the movie director, don’t worry you will get your all doubts cleared today in this article.

So, let’s first analyze what is a movie director.

What is a movie director?

Movie directors indeed play a very important role in film production, basically, you can say a good movie director is a heart of a movie.

They are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production, from pre-production through to post-production. This includes managing the cast and crew, ensuring that the project stays on schedule and within budget, and making sure that the final product meets the standards set by the studio or producer.

However, we have seen a lot of evolution in the role of a movie director over the years, If I talk about the early days of Hollywood, directors were used to getting selected by their technical ability rather than their vision or creativity.

However, in the new generation of Hollywood, we have seen that nowadays film directors are those who brought fresh ideas and style to the industry.

Now a directly not only need to be a technically proficient but also need to highly creative, with a very strong hold on art and business making

Now I hope you understood what is actually a movie director, now study in detail the responsibility of a film director.

Responsibility of a Film Director

As I just said a film director is a very reputed position and has lots of responsibility. Below are some responsibilities that a film director needs to take care of.

  • A film director needs to be responsible for the overall vision and creative direction of a film.
  • A film director needs to develop the film’s visual style and overall aesthetic
  • A very vital role of a film director is to work scriptwriter to develop the words into a film’s story and characters.
  • To oversee the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of filmmaking
  • A film usually has a big team of producers, cinematographers, editors, production designers, actors/actresses, etc all these things are managed by a film director.
  • When a film is started, it starts with a decided budget, a director needs to take care of completing the film on time and within the decided budget.
  • To liaise with distributors and exhibitors to market the film
  • To watch rough cuts of the film and give feedback to the editing team
  • To attend premiers and other promotional events for the film.

Also Read:

How do I become a Film Director?

If you’re interested in becoming a movie director, it’s important to understand that the path to success is often long and difficult. There are no shortcuts; you’ll need to put in the hard work and dedication required to make it in this competitive field. However, if you have the passion and talent required, it can be an immensely rewarding career.

 

10+ Ideas to Pass Time at home when you are Bored!

I know how it feels when you are at home, all alone, and have nothing to do, trust me I have been there, and it feels very frustrating sometimes. So, don’t worry today I am here to tell you some ideas that can help you pass time at home when you are extremely bored.

There’s no need to be bored at home – there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained! Here are some ideas:

10 Ideas to pass boredom at home

1. Get creative in the kitchen.

Whether you’re a master chef or can barely boil water, cooking is a great way to pass the time and make something delicious. Experiment with new recipes, or just make your old favorites.

2. Catch up on your reading.

Whether you’re into fiction or non-fiction, books are a great way to escape reality and explore new worlds. If you don’t have any physical books on hand, there are plenty of digital options available as well.

3. Get moving.

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t get some exercise. There are plenty of ways to stay active indoors, from yoga to jump rope to dancing around your living room.

4. Learn something new.

Use this time at home to learn a new skill or hobby. Whether it’s perfecting your poker face or learning to play the violin, there’s no better time than the present to start something new.

5. Catch up on some sleep.

With all the extra time at home, there’s no excuse not to get a good night’s sleep. So curl up in your coziest blanket and catch some Zs!

6. Connect with friends and family.

Just because you can’t physically be with your loved ones doesn’t mean you can’t connect with them. Pick up the phone, Facetime, or write a letter to stay in touch.

7. Play some games.

Whether you’re dusting off an old board game or exploring the world of video games, playing games is a great way to have some fun and take your mind off things.

8. Get organized.

Use this time at home to finally get your place in order. declutter your closet, organize your desk or deep clean your kitchen. You’ll feel better about it!

9. binge watch your favorite show.

We all have that one show we’ve been meaning to watch but never seem to have the time for. Now’s your chance

10) Chat with random people online

Last but not least, whenever I feel bored at home, I often open any random video chat website such as Omegle TV, and start talking to random people. It is really fun to chat with people across the world and sometimes you can make lifelong online internet friends. So why not give it a try?

Conclusion

It can be frustrating when you are bored at home but there are plenty of ways I shared above that help in kicking boredom. Do let me know how you feel about it and also I would love to hear from you your ideas to pass time at home.

How to Fix When One AirPod Not Working (Easy Fix)

Air pods are one of the efficient ways to simplify your work to hold the phone. Also, some of times you will encounter problems that are related to usage. Because the troubleshooting issues might occur whenever you are finding to use it. Whenever you are encountering problems with the air pods not working, try to check on the solutions which are given below.

Because of the user request, the official site is giving away free advice and solutions to overcome the problems.  Here is the article which completely tells about the various aspects to solve the issues regarding the air pods.

There is a problem if your AirPod only plays music in one ear. Low battery charge or unclean Air Pods are only two examples of the relatively basic explanations.

Given that there is no single explanation for the Air Pods issue, there is also no single solution. The most effective approach is to proceed through troubleshooting procedures until the AirPod functions properly once again. However, there is also a service program for Airpods pro sound issues.

The following steps are a complete option for you to check on the things in better ways in different steps apart from this also provides for the people to access it and done.

Simple solutions for resolving the errors

Here are some of the simpler solutions which will help people to identify the matters in order to have a better experience of things in easier ways. The solutions are,

  • One AirPods dead battery is the commonest and most usual cause of its malfunction. Even if your AirPods were charged at the exact same time, one of them may run out of power before the other since AirPods have distinct battery life rates. Check the remaining power in your AirPods or in your battery widget, and charge them if necessary.
  • The audio in your AirPods may not be getting to your ear buds from your device properly. In such a situation, attempt a Bluetooth reset. Go to Configurations > Wired headphones on an apple device, iPods shuffle, or iPad. Slide this same Headset toggle from off, wait a few times, and then slide it quickly to on/green.
  • It’s time to re-configure your AirPods. Go to Configurations > Wireless > push the I adjacent to the Ear buds > Forget The above Device > Forget Device around an iPhone, iPod touch, as well as iPad to accomplish this. That disconnects your device from the AirPods. After that, insert this same AirPods within their case, press and hold the case’s button, and adhere to the setup instructions displayed on the screen.
  • One AirPod may not have audio because it has built-up debris that prevents sound from escaping. That might be earwax, dust, or even lint. Examine your AirPods, and clean them if the speakers appear to be clogged.
  • Although reinstalling isn’t very likely to fix the issue, it’s quick and easy to do, so it’s worth attempting. A device’s active memory is erased on a restart, and the settings to turn on the settings in order to have better experience on the air pods.

Wrapping up

This is all about the solutions and simple answers for the fixing methods which are involved while one airpod is not working. At the same time, you also have the thing to check on the things for make-up works and give services to the system. All the apple products need to be checked in regular interval periods to time to use them for longer duration. Also you can check onto the other online websites in order to have better experiences which are related to the apple air pods. I hope that the article is helpful for a new user to check onto the solution in an earlier stage of problems.

 

How To Change System Language Settings On Windows 11

Windows 11 has offered the features for the User to change System Language Settings, here the user is allowed to add multiple language keyboards, language packs, and regional layouts for the system. Moreover, you need to know the measures to undergo for changing the language and grab a few points about it and it is related to your product key. Here the major techniques to change System Language Settings On Windows 11 are given below in detail.

Procedure for Changing System Language Settings On Windows 11

Generally, You don’t need an activated Windows copy and it works exactly on the free version. Most of the desktops are running on the free version and they didn’t attempt to register the product key. Follow the below-given techniques to change the system language in the latest Microsoft operating system.

Step 1: On the system screen, click on Windows and go to settings.

Step 2: Select the “Time and language ”option in the main menu.

Step 3: Now, select the “Language and region” option to get more options.

Step 4: tap on the “Add a language” option.

Step 5: On the search bar, search for your preferred language.

Step 6: For instance, I searched for English (India).

Step 7: Click on the option that displays English (India) and then click on the “Next” button to proceed further.

Step 8: Now, select the “set my default display language” option for setting your preferred language as the system’s default language.

Step 9: here, the software starts downloading the package that you selected from the Microsoft server. You have to wait a while patiently for the downloading process. It may take time to download the package and it depends upon the internet speed.

Step 10: Once the package is downloaded, click on “Sign out”, after the package is saved on your device.

Step 11: Then log in to the PC and go back to the settings. Finally, the Windows display language will be changed to your preferred language, as I have chosen English(India).

Moreover, the entire process of changing language in Windows 11 will take a couple of minutes and the downloading process may be delayed or quick installation that depends on the internet speed. Here, You have no restrictions in the language department and install any packages that are available in the library.

Changing System Language Settings On Windows 11 for single Language

Here we can see the procedure for changing System Language Settings for a single language. In simple words, we can change according to the user’s native language. Let us see the steps in detail.

  • On the system screen, click on Windows and go to settings.
  • Select the “Time and language ”option in the main menu.
  • Now, select the “Language and region” option to get more options.
  • Tap on the “Add a language” option.
  • On the search bar, search for your preferred language.
  • For instance, now I search for my native language French.
  • Click on the option that displays Hindi and then click on the “Next” button to proceed further.
  • Select the “set my default display language” option for setting your preferred language.
  • Here, the OS didn’t download the package because it is already saved in the system from the beginning.
  • Then log in to the PC and go back to the settings. Finally, the Windows display language will be changed to your preferred language, as I have chosen French.

Conclusion

Generally, Windows 11 displays the default language as English, and you have an option for changing languages according to your preference, as we say in the above article in detail.

How to Fix Apple Watch Not Syncing With iPhone

The Apple Watch is an excellent accessory if you own an iPhone. It is a wearable smartwatch that allows people to achieve a variety of tasks like making phone calls, sending text messages, downloading music, and reading emails. The Apple Watch should be synchronized with the iPhone that you own. Sometimes, it will not sync with the iPhone due to some minor technical issues. Here, we are going to see the guideline for How to Fix Apple Watch Not Syncing With iPhone in detail.

Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on:

 Here is the simplest method to fix Apple watch not syncing with iPhone, that is toggle Bluetooth on and off. First Check if your Apple Watch is displaying a “Disconnected” message when you swipe up to access the control center. To connect it quickly, bring those two devices close together and then press the ping control center option on the Apple watch. The Ping option is nothing else than the vibration mode. And do the same thing for Wi-Fi.

Finally, restart your Apple Watch and iPhone simultaneously, to see if they synchronized with one another. If the Apple Watch has synced then there will be a green phone icon appears at the top of the screen in the control center.

Toggle Airplane mode on/off:

After trying to enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, still, your Apple watch does not sync with your iPhone, then try this technique. Toggle Airplane mode on and off. Go to the control center of the Apple watch and turn it on and wait for a while and turn off Airplane mode again. When Airplane mode stops sending signal transmission these re-syncs the Apple Watch and can force it to connect to the iPhone.

Log in with the same Apple ID on both devices:

Generally, all your Apple devices are linked to your Apple ID. So, if you want them to work in collaboration, all you need to do is log in with the same Apple ID on both devices. Unless you do this log-in process, you will not receive any notifications or calls, and Apple Watch won’t sync your data with your iPhone.

Update Software in your devices:

Make sure that your both iPhone and Apple watch are running under the latest version. If not, you should update your software on Apple devices. For checking and updating the iOS new version on your iPhone, you should follow the following steps.

  • Go to settings>General>Software Update, there you can see your version of the software.

Same as on the Apple Watch, Open the App and follow these steps to check and update the new version of iOS.

  • Go to settings>General>Software Update, there you can see your version and update the software.

Hard Reset the Apple watch :

A quick reset can fix a bug that may temporarily stop your Apple watch from syncing with your iPhone. For resetting do follow these steps.

Step 1: First, unlock your Apple Watch using the password.

Step 2: Press and hold the power button and the digital crown simultaneously until you see the Apple logo and release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen. Then Apple Watch will go through its start-up criteria and will reset by itself.

Conclusion:

To summarize, in this article we have learned the technique of How to Fix Apple Watch Not Syncing With iPhone in simple and easiest methods. If you’re excruciating with an Apple Watch not syncing with iPhone then these techniques will do some favor. There is nothing else to worry about, it may be a minor bug problem, if you do these steps, it will automatically fix itself.

How to Enable and Use Quick Note on iPhone in iOS 16

This article will teach you how to easily enable Quick Note on iPhone in iOS 16. So, if your device is currently running on the latest iOS version and you want to use Quick note then keep reading till the end.

Some people are fascinated by the usage of the iPhone for various reasons. One among them is the security purpose and speed usage of the things in various aspects. Among the uses of the iPhone, the features are highly influential compared to other android operating systems available to the people.

Whenever you are really into the deal of using the iPhone, first you have to undergo quick factors for finding things in easier ways.

People are wandering to use the quick notes available on the iPhone iOS 16 in order to take important points. But at the end of the day, it would be in vain because of the unused options available on the iPhone.

Here is the article which clearly explains the various options which are spotted through the site for the people to maintain their usage. So let’s get into the article and read about the facts which are really needed for the people to understand and make use of it in all ways.

What is the usage of a Quick Note?

With the release of the iOS 16 and macOS Monterey, Quick Notes were added to that same Notes app. You can add thoughts and links to any location around either iPad as well as Mac by using this function. As it is a new one, the considerations and usages are friendlier in nature for the people to make use of it for various reasons.  Apple has finally made it available to iPhone users using iOS 16.

Quick Notes allow you to rapidly jot down simple notes and sync with every one of the Apple devices. So you’ll be able to access those Quick Notes through the iPad or Mac in the future.  You can make use of this in all the ways and methods as the third-party apps are also colliding for the usage of different tricks for the user to make it much easier. For instance, a Yelp listing link published inside Quick Notes could lead you directly there.

Steps to Use Quick Note on iPhone in iOS 16

Are you waiting for the steps? Then get on to learn more about things for a better understanding of things in easier ways. You can easily make use of these things in order to find the matters for future references whenever you are using the quick note system. The steps are,

  • Initially, you have to launch the Settings app for performing the tasks. And then tap Control Center as you descend the page.
  • Turn on Access within Apps by flipping the switch and make sure to check on the subtitled “More Controls,” scroll down.
  • In front of Quick Notes, tap the Plus symbol. To start moving Quick Notes to the desired location in the Control Center, we use the three parallel lines somewhat on the right-hand side.
  • Exit the Settings application. So through this, you will be able to complete the task in easier ways. Also, there are certain things that really need to be seen and admired in all ways.

Ending thoughts

When you are a new user of the iPhone 16, then this is a perfect article to make use of the quick notes on it. Because many people, they are not having familiar thoughts with using the iPhone settings as it is a little difficult to understand. Also, they are superior in nature compared to that normal android settings. Other options and features are available on the online websites for people to make use of in all ways. Surf over the better sites for knowing more things which are in additional range for the people to make use of the iPhone in all the ways for the user to know.

The Filmmakers of Vito Movie

Jeffrey Schwarz (Producer / Director) is President & CEO of Automat Pictures, a leading producer of studio EPKs (electronic press kit), Blu-ray and DVD content, original TV programming, and feature films. He has contributed to the success of dozens of major studio releases for directors such as Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, Wes Craven, Rob Reiner, Joe Dante, Barry Sonnenfeld, Paul Verhoeven, John Carpenter, Chris Columbus, and the Coen Brothers. Television productions include Starz’s Sex and the Cinema, In the GutterHitchcocked! and Shooting the Police: Cops on Film, and IFC’s Reservoir Dogs Revisited and Still Swingin’. Automat Pictures provided exclusive backstage content for the 2010 Academy Awards produced by Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic. In 2008, Jeffrey premiered the GayVN award winning feature documentary Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon, a portrait of adult film star Jack Wrangler. It is distributed by TLA Releasing and had its television debut on the LOGO network. Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story, about the legendary Hollywood showman, won the 2007 AFI Fest Documentary Audience Award among many other festival honors. It was released in 2009 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. He is currently in production on I Am Divine, an independent feature documentary about John Waters’ legendary muse. A New York native, Jeffrey attended SUNY Purchase’s Film Department. His first job in the film industry was as an apprentice editor on The Celluloid Closet, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s film adaptation of Vito Russo’s seminal book.

Bryan Singer (Executive Producer) Since his debut feature film, Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Public Access, Bryan Singer has consistently entertained audiences by directing films that can be characterized by his bold visual style and richly drawn characters. Bryan first gained widespread attention in 1995 with the mystery/thriller The Usual Suspects, which won two Academy Awards ® for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Subsequently he directed the feature films Apt Pupil, X-Men, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns, and Valkyrie. In television, Singer directed the pilot and serves as an executive producer on the Emmy® and Golden Globe®award winning FOX series House, and also served as Executive Producer on the ABC Emmy® and Golden Globe® award nominated series Dirty Sexy Money. Singer has directed and/or produced a myriad of other projects through his Bad Hat Harry Productions banner, a motion picture, television and video game production company he formed in 1994. A few of his producing endeavors include the feature length documentary Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman; the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries The Triangle; the genre film festival favorite Trick ‘r Treat; and the upcoming sci-fi web series H+ for Warner Brothers. Most recently, Singer has returned to the X-Men universe as producer on X-Men: First Class, a prequel based on his original story. He is concurrently directing the epic 3D live action film, Jack the Giant Killer.

Philip Harrison (Editor/Co-Producer) has collaborated as editor with Jeffrey Schwarz on the documentaries Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story, No Day But Today: The Story of Rent and Never Sleep Again: The Making of A Nightmare on Elm Street. He has also edited The Last Lullaby(2008 San Diego Film Festival Audience Award), On These Shoulders We Stand (2009 Outfest Special Program Award), Bam Bam and Celeste (2005 Toronto Film Festival premiere), and Die Mommie, Die! (Special Jury Prize for Best Performance at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival). Philip is a graduate of the SUNY Purchase Film Department, and was an editor at the 2006 Sundance Director’s Lab.

headshot-lottiLotti Pharriss Knowles (Co-Producer) is a co-owner and partner in Weirdsmobile Productions, Inc. Chastity Bites, their first feature film which Lotti wrote and produced, is currently in post-production. She also produced the short films Weak Species, based on the writings of cult author Dennis Cooper (Winner, Best Short – FilmOut San Diego, Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival and Great Lakes Film Festival) and Shadow.Net (Winner, Best Thriller – Dragon*Con Independent Short Film Festival, Golden Ace Award – Las Vegas Film Festival), and the world premiere production of her play Because They Have No Words…No Words was nominated for two 2007 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for Best Ensemble and World Premiere Play, and was published in 2011 by Northwestern University Press as part of the anthology Katrina Onstage. Lotti is currently a co-producer of Jeffrey Schwarz’s upcoming feature documentary I Am Divine. She holds a B.S. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, and an M.A. in Theatre from University of Illinois at Chicago.

David Quantic (Director of Photography) VITO is David’s first feature documentary for Automat Pictures. Other DP credits include Rise Up and Shout!, a feature documentary that appeared on the Sundance Channel, Transatlantic a short film David shot and directed in Berlin, and Cuando Los Autobuses, a feature documentary shot entirely in Spain that is currently in post production. David began his photography career in New York City after graduating from Southern Methodist University with an BFA in Studio Art. In 1999 he moved to Los Angeles where he attended the MFA Directing program at UCLA. He completed the program in 2004 and is currently living, writing, shooting and editing in Los Angeles.

Miriam Cutler (Composer) has an extensive background in scoring for independent film & TV projects, as well as two circuses. Her passion for documentary film has led to a focus in non-fiction with credits including award winning and festival favorites: Academy Award nominated Poster Girl (IDFA,Telluride, HBO); One Lucky Elephant (LAFF, IDFA, OWN); Family Affair (Sundance, OWN); The Fence (Sundance, HBO); Desert of Forbidden Art (PBS Independent Lens, Cine Eagle Award); Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech (Sundance, HBO); Emmy Award winner Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (Sundance, HBO); Thin (Sundance, HBO, Emmy Nom); Chris and Don: A Love Story (Telluride, Theatrical); China Blue (Toronto, IDFA, Independent Lens Audience Award); Absolute Wilson (CineMax, Berlin); Lost in La Mancha (Telluride, Berlin, BAFTA nom); Scouts Honor (PBS, 2 Sundance awards); Pandemic: Facing AIDS (HBO); Licensed to Kill (Berlin, 2 Sundance awards) and more. Miriam Co-Produced as well as scored One Lucky Elephant. She has served as lab advisor for the Sundance Institute Documentary Composers Lab, as well as on documentary juries for the Sundance Film Festival, Independent Spirit Awards, International Documentary Association Awards, and American Film Institute’s Film Festival Awards and is a Society of Composers and Lyricists Board member. She has also co-produced live jazz albums on PolyGram/Verve for Joe Williams (two Grammy nominated albums), Nina Simone, Shirley Horn, and Marlena Shaw as well as independently released albums of her own songs and soundtracks.

Jon Glover (Associate Producer) has worked on television and film documentaries for Lucasfilm, Ltd., 20th Century Fox, HBO, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, A&E, Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel. In addition to researching for the Emmy-winning series Biography for A&E he has produced and researched on such notable documentaries as: Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy, I.O.U.S.A., Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants and Where I Stand: The Story of Hank Greenspun. Jon has worked with Automat Pictures on past projects for Starz and HBO. Vito is his first feature documentary with the company.

Adam Robitel (Associate Producer) is a filmmaker, screenwriter, editor, and actor. On the screenwriting side, Adam’s original screenplay based on America’s first serial killing family is being fast-tracked by producers Don Murphy (Transformers/Real Steal) and Susan Montford (In the Mountains of Madness). The Bloody Benders, an unholy blend of western epic, horror, and love story is being packaged with a high-profile director at its helm. On the acting side, Adam’s motion picture debut was Fox’s X-Men, where he was thrown like a rag-doll by an eight-foot mutant. Adam landed a leading role in 2001 Maniacs, a comedy-horror remake of the 1964 cult classic, starring with Robert England (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Lyn Shaye (Insidious). Robitel has subsequently starred in 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams, an adaptation of Steven King’s One For The Road, and Image Entertainment’s Chillerama, heralded as “the ultimate midnight movie”! Robitel also runs RMW (Robitel Media Works LLC) a film / TV / web production/post-production company that specializes in content creation from concept to completion. Robitel graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with a minor in acting. He is thrilled to in some small way, participate in the legacy of Vito Russo.

Taryn Teigue (Associate Producer) joined Jeffrey Schwarz’s company Automat Pictures in 2003. She oversees many facets of production, including research, coordinating shoots and locations, travel arrangements, clearance, and countless other responsibilities. While still an undergraduate at South Carolina’s Francis Marion University, Taryn developed and produced an episode of The Focus Show for a local news station in Florence, SC. After graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications, she has served in several different areas of the entertainment industry, including On-Set Key Production Assistant for Media Masters, Inc. Taryn has developed skills in virtually every aspect of production, giving her a broad technical knowledge she still utilizes today. She served as associate producer on Schwarz’s previous documentaries Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story and Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon.

Vito Movie Director’s Statement

After coming out and becoming secure in my identity as a gay man, I naturally gravitated toward films with LGBT themes. This was the early 90s, and movies like My Own Private IdahoThe Living EndPoison, and Swoon were formative. These films were outré, edgy, and empowering for a young queer. Even though I was a newbie, there was one book that everyone knew was the bible of gay film. It was called “The Celluloid Closet” by somebody named Vito Russo. This book combined my two favorite obsessions — homosexuality and the movies — and I devoured it. Vito introduced me to a whole world of images I had no idea existed, and helped me see films in a new way. As an activist, Vito knew that the key to acceptance was visibility and championed sympathetic and realistic portrayals of our lives.

When I found out that Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Freidman were making “The Celluloid Closet” into a film, I jumped at the chance to be part of it. Working with Rob and Jeffrey as an assistant editor on The Celluloid Closet film adaptation gave me a chance to help them bring Vito’s vision to the screen. It also allowed me to get to know Vito Russo, only three years after his death from AIDS. All of Vito’s research for “The Celluloid Closet” was at my fingertips — interviews, articles, videotapes, lectures — and best of all, Rob and Jeffrey’s extended conversations with Vito himself. Beyond his work as a film scholar, I learned about the years Vito spent battling AIDS as both a person with the disease and a passionate and angry agent for change. Although he didn’t live long enough to see much of the progress he had been hoping for, his work forever changed the landscape for those living with the disease.

The idea of a film came about when I realized that Vito participated in every significant milestone in the gay liberation movement — from Stonewall to ACT UP — and that his story was also the story of our community. A documentary could contextualize how he and his gay liberation brothers and sisters were able to begin to overcome homophobia and oppression, and emerge from invisibility to liberation. We are all living the end result Vito’s work, and our freedom is his gift to us.

As time marches on, a new generation of LGBT youth is coming of age without knowing about pioneers like Vito Russo and how he made it possible for us to live proudly and openly in the world. Vito’s message of standing up, speaking out, and living passionately and bravely in the face of adversity is something we can all aspire to, regardless of sexual orientation. More than twenty years after Vito’s death, members of the LGBT community around the world still face prejudice and persecution, and HIV / AIDS is still a crisis. Vito knew the goal of equality goal of equality and justice would not be achieved in his lifetime, but that it would come to pass. It’s my hope that this film will celebrate one of the founding fathers of the LGBT movement, and allow his work to once again move and inspire us all as we continue the battles that he once fought.