it²i²

it2i2 - A Critique by a fan.

While I appreciate that for one person to create a film and distribute it independent to the masses is admirable, it has to be remembered that film goers are far more sophisticated these days and expect more than just a good story (which it2i2 certainly is - Hollywood will come knocking or steal your idea Bob). By the same token, the audience will also notice the sophistication of the titles, the special effects, the links, the varying quality in everything and above all will notice the inconsistencies / continuity issues of which there are a noticeable few. I also found the picture quality changed (inside the car was lower).

The titles were done on a computer and are very obvious - although this doesn't detract from the film itself, but the over all experience and I guess I'm nit-picking by saying that.

£6000 (the FULL film cost) is a drop in the ocean for a Hollywood film but that shouldn't detract from the fact that when people have to pay the same price as a regular DVD (www.it2i2.com) they will expect similar quality and not 43 minutes of a long trailer (rather than the 81 minutes stated on the DVD cover - this for me personally was the biggest disappointment). I didn't buy the DVD for the extras and to be honest wasn't that enamoured by what I saw - if they were just extras I could forgive, but I feel they were fillers and unfair to make fans buy them without asking for then. I wanted just the film.

If it would have been advertised as a 43 minute film for £15 I'm sorry but I would have passed. You need to give what you promise - 43 minutes is not really a film in my book. Now I have made my point, I couldn't have done it and no doubt few could, but I wanted the film that was advertised and feel I only got half of it. I guess I'm disappointed as I wanted more.

I'm sure Robert's heart and soul went in to the film and it was a lot of work, but we can get that any time of day down at the local video store. I expected more from Robert because I've read all his novels and was hoping for more.

Don't for a minute think I'm not a fan of it212 because I think the idea is brilliant - Robert is a brilliant inventive writer (Brother Nature is one of my all time fav books). it2i2 needs money behind it to realise its potential - enthusiasm isn't enough to bring this project to full fruition. Robert I love your creativity, your enthusiasm and your dedication. Don't try to do it alone mate. Show us what you could do with money behind you. Take it2i2 to Hollywood as your portfolio - if that doesn't impress them nothing will. Do it.

Dave43

Thank you for such a detailed analysis of the it2i2 project, and I have to agree with much of what you said. It does actually run for 43 minutes, but I totally agree, it isn't long enough and you listed the reasons this was the way it turned out. However, I have heard from many people who bought the DVD that they really enjoyed it, some even found the ideas we tried to explore thought provoking and worrying. One of the things we said all the way through the production was…'Oh, I just wish we had a budget, then we could do… blah blah.' However, for a £6000 budget I do feel we did a pretty good job. As for the extras, although also shot for zilch and produced very cheaply, I think they are worth watching, the interview with Prof Warwick in particular was really interesting. We would all love to make it2i2.2, but I have held back until something comes of this one, and I can raise the finance to make it 'properly' and pay the people who work on it properly, (everyone got paid, just not very much) Also, since the sudden arrival of the You Tube phenomenon, we would now make it in a very different way, maybe releasing parts of the show early to build up a bit of interest. However, I'm really sorry you didn't think it was long enough, and I don't think I ever called it a 'movie' because it clearly isn't that, it's a 'show' that's been shot on video and released independently. I did put my heart and soul into it as you stated and worked very hard to make it, as did many other people, and all I wish is that a few more people could see it. One day….