Anything Goes

I'm really getting tired of listening to movie & TV soundtracks that consist simply of pedal points (usually in D-minor) ostinatos, simple scales & chord progressions, with neither dissonance nor catchy themes. Soundtracks like these all sound the same with no personality or distinct characteristics...

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HEY!!

WE CAN DO THIS!!

LET´S GOOOO!!!

A YouTuber’s self-financed and self-distributed sci-fi horror film is overturning industry expectations after it made it big at the box office over the weekend.

“Iron Lung,” an indie video game adaptation from YouTuber Mark Fischbach (better known as Markiplier)...

Expand post

HEY!!

WE CAN DO THIS!!

LET´S GOOOO!!!

A YouTuber’s self-financed and self-distributed sci-fi horror film is overturning industry expectations after it made it big at the box office over the weekend.

“Iron Lung,” an indie video game adaptation from YouTuber Mark Fischbach (better known as Markiplier), pulled in $18.19 million at the domestic box office on opening weekend, according to final figures from Comscore. That’s more than six times its reported $3 million budget.

The film, which Fischbach wrote and directed, played in 3,015 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. It came in a close second to the Sam Raimi-directed horror-thriller “Send Help,” which took the top slot at the box office by amassing $19.1 million domestically. It also surpassed the Amazon MGM Studios release “Melania: Twenty Days to History," a documentary following the first lady, which rolled out in over 1,500 theaters in North America.

A growing spectrum of creators — from Addison Rae to MrBeast— have leveraged their social media prowess to make headway in traditional film, TV or music. Fischbach has more than 38 million subscribers on YouTube, where he has built a massive brand around his gaming playthrough and commentary videos since he joined it in 2012.

“To see really savvy creators and influencers ... parlay their small-screen YouTube success either onto traditional television or onto the big screen is remarkable, and I think we’re going to see more of it,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends. “You never know where the next big hit is going to come from.”

Based on a 2022 sci-fi horror game of the same name, the movie follows a convict, Simon, who must pilot a submarine on a faraway moon, navigating its ocean of blood after an apocalyptic event caused all planets and star systems to vanish.

Fischbach stars as Simon, alongside fellow YouTuber Seán William McLoughlin (better known as Jacksepticeye), who also played the original 2022 game on his channel.

The game’s creator, David Szymanski, appeared shocked at the film’s popularity, posting “What the f---” on X.

In a YouTube livestream Sunday, Fischbach also got emotional seeing the box office numbers. Competing with the likes of Raimi, he said on the stream, felt like “kind of a hero moment to showcase indie filmmaking is possible.”

“And maybe if that could inspire someone to keep making films, that’d be pretty cool,” he said, composing himself through tears. “And maybe if it could open up a door for other people to do their projects independently and know that there could be success in it, I think that’d be pretty cool. I think that might be actually really cool.”

Link:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/how-a-youtuber-s-self-financed-hor...

Maurice Vaughan

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3 people like this
3 months ago

Hi, Aldo Gonzalez. Welcome to the community. It's great to meet you. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. www....

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Richard "RB" Botto

I could argue that there's nothing better than being exhausted by your own optimism, Aldo Gonzalez. Usually means you're putting in the work. Nice opening salvo. Great to have you on Stage 32....

Meriem Bouziani

This is so true. Big dreams carry deep exhaustion, and both consciously and unconsciously, we look for reasons to give up.

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1 person likes this
- Angelika Ursula Heeg
3 months ago

I notice my head first, Angelika Ursula Heeg. I try to get my thoughts in order.

Angelika Ursula Heeg

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Maurice Vaughan yes, but have you ever thought about why you are confused in your head in those situations? Your head isn’t the problem. It begins in your nervous system and there’s always a reason fo...

I haven't thought about why, Angelika Ursula Heeg. Thanks. And I overthink a lot sometimes too.

View all All comments

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2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Maurice Vaughan A lot of people don't think about that. And it affects so many things. Thank you for sharing your experience....

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2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Angelika Ursula Heeg
3 months ago

You're welcome, Angelika Ursula Heeg. I bookmarked your post and saved the picture.

Amanda Toney

Thanks for posting this Angelika. I believe in the power of meditation and breath work and it can instantly help cure pressure and anxiety if you lean into it.

Suzanne Bronson

Hey Angelika, this is Suzanne from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Acting to Anything Goes, as it fits much better there. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!

Michael Dzurak

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Angelika Ursula Heeg
3 months ago

Very useful graphic, Angelika Ursula Heeg. Thanks.

I've experienced that when pitching and speaking in front of people, Angelika Ursula Heeg.

Maurice Vaughan and that’s what I do. I help people to understand their fears and transform it into strength. Most is the reason for their fear a situation from the childhood they never thought about....

I never thought about it that way, Angelika Ursula Heeg. Thanks. And fear of failure a great theme for a movie/show!

That's what I say Angelika Ursula Heeg Stress is fear of the future. If you are always present, you cannot feel fear and anxiety,

Hey Angelika, this is Suzanne from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Acting to Anything Goes, as it fits much better there. The discipline lounges are specificall...

Suzanne Bronson many thanks. Good to know to post in an other lounge.

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1 person likes this
- Immanuel Chellah
3 months ago

Opportunities in life and my career, Immanuel Chellah, like getting a ghostwriting job a while back that led to other jobs.

Immanuel Chellah

That’s a great example. One opportunity opening the door to others. I’m hoping for a chance like that too. Timing really does shape careers in unexpected ways. Did you expect it to lead to more?

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2 people like this
- Celso Araújo
- Immanuel Chellah
3 months ago

I hope you get those opportunities, Immanuel Chellah! I didn't expect that opportunity to lead to more jobs, and it led to me being able to pitch my spec scripts to the director-producer....

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2 people like this
- Celso Araújo
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

That’s really encouraging to hear. Thank you for sharing that Maurice.

It’s amazing how one unexpected opportunity can open doors you never planned for.

Wishing you continued success with those pitches.

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2 people like this
- Immanuel Chellah
- Celso Araújo
3 months ago

You're welcome, Immanuel Chellah. Thanks. Hope you have a lot of success on Stage 32!

Oleg Mullayanov

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2 people like this
- Shayla Anne
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Hi! Did you make sure that you sent it to a trusted editor, Shayla Anne? If so, don't worry, the answer will definitely arrive.

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1 person likes this
- Shayla Anne
3 months ago

Hi, Shayla Anne. You could email writerhelp@stage32.com and ask.

Shayla Anne

Hi Oleg Mullayanov It's through stage 32 services!

Thankyou Maurice Vaughan I'll do that now :)

You're welcome, Shayla Anne.

That's incredible for indie filmmaking and indie Horror, Mark Films! I'm excited to see Iron Lung!

Mark Films

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Michael Dzurak
3 months ago

Totally agree with you Maurice Vaughan and gives us hope to do our own thing and not wait for permission. Cheers!

3 months ago

You're right, Mark Films. I've been thinking about making an audio drama series. I might come up with a new story idea or turn one of my script ideas/scripts into an audio drama....

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