Nov 23
it remains the same
On Friday I was supposed to be changing the price of the DVD and HD option from £17 to £19. I genuinely meant to do it, but the day unfurled a little differently than I expected, culminating in a trip to Bristol to party with some expected and some unexpected characters (and sometimes all in one). I didn’t get a chance to change the price and so I figured I would do it over the weekend. Sunday arrived sooner than expected and I was faced with the option of changing it. As you can see, I haven’t done so. I thought quite a lot about this, and spoke to one of the wisest people I know (my brother) about it to figure out why I should or shouldn’t do it.
Perhaps one thing you get here that you don’t always get everywhere else is transparency. I’ve got nothing to hide, and I’m honest in my representation of what I think, so what I write is a good indication of what I really believe. The bottom line for putting the price up was so that I could get more money. That much should surely be obvious. But I didn’t make this film in order to make money. Money is not the motivating factor behind this whole endeavour, nor behind unclesomebody in general. If money was my motivation I would put on a suit and get a job in the city. My motivation is to live a life I enjoy, and to share that joy with other people. It sound cheesy, sure, but that doesn’t make it less valid or less true. The HD download option is almost costless to me in terms of replication. I want people to see the HD download option because it’s definitely higher quality than the SD DVD version, and so putting the price up goes against this basic tenet of wanting to share it with more people. That is why the combo price will remain the same.
Those that have seen the film will know that I would have liked to have given this away for free. If there was a viable business model that allowed me to give it away and be able to live, then it’s the one I would have chosen. Unfortunately I’m either not experienced enough, famous enough, smart enough, or desirable enough to have found such a solution. Maybe one day I will be… or if you know of such a path, get in touch!
Once again, I just want to thank all the people who’ve been buying Between The Trees. When I’m writing out envelopes every day and I see someone whom I’ve never met but respect it feels good to know they will see the film. I also really appreciate the feedback that people have been sending it, and even though I haven’t responded to all of it, I have definitely digested it all! I’m the first to admit that I have a lot to learn (and I’ll admit this on my deathbed) so I do appreciate all critique and commentary that has been sent it!
Hopefully soon I’ll be back to climbing every day, because at the moment that still seems a little far away. My skin is like that of a man who’s never climbed before, only spent each day moisturising his skin and wearing gloves the rest of the time. Not an ideal state of being for rock climbing!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Whilst I think that giving away the download is a great idea I do think you should take it to
consideration the seemingly endless amount of time you spent recording and editing. I think Gordon
Geko said it best “time is money!” You need to consider cost of time and replication cost etc. Dont sell
yourself short your last film was great i enjoyed the north face stuff and would have happily paid the
going rate. People will pay what they think is a fair price. Everyone has to live!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Really enjoyed the film Keith. As with all climbing films it’s the failures rather than the successes that make it for me because that is the only way you can tell how hard something you have not climbed yourself is. You conveyed most of the story of the trip very well although I was glad to have read both your and Tyler’s blogs to fully understand the context of each ascent / attempt. To include all the detail of these texts in the film would have been impossible and it stands alone without them.
As the story of Tyler’s destruction of the forest is one of the most amazing I have read, I suppose it’s like a favourite book being made into a film. You want to see it but are convinced the film will not do the book justice. I think you did the story justice. Nice one.
As mentioned before, you deserve to make a few quid out of it so don’t be concerned about charging a fair price as Tim says.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Keith sir I salute you! you’re an example to us all with your honesty and enthusiasm. Great movie man, one of the best climbing movies I’ve seen and I’ve seen them all. The opening sequence with the chalk bag is superb and the sound track is excellent. In fact the whole film is brilliant. Makes me want to train even harder and stop being shite but also makes me just want to climb and boulder and have fun. More than anything it makes me want to go to font!
All the best,
Rodney.
P.s. Any news on cinema paradiso?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Just got back from the mailbox.
And what do I see?
A little white envelope.
Waiting for me.
I open it up and
To my surprise,
A climbing DVD
To please my eyes.
Thanx Uncle. It’s awesome.
Was the Daim intentional?
November 25th, 2009 at 7:00 am
The DVD arrived yesterday in germany. Thanks a lot. It’s fantastic. Nuff said.
Marv
November 25th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
….and it was a DAIM inside! Cheers!
November 26th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Thanks for the Chocolate, and excelent and funnt video.
Congratulations
Ferran Guerrero (Spain)
December 11th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Long time reader, first time commenter.
Got the DVD in the mail…have since watched it a couple of times. Great stuff! Really like the opening sequence. Great camaraderie between yourself and Tyler. So many sweet problems and an awesome soundtrack to boot.
Inspires me to climb harder and hopefully find that crush mode. Makes me want to get to Font.
Thanks and well done!