'Copying Beethoven'

[Peter]

For several days I was unable to access the site. To reply to your question:

We got very mixed critical response in the U.S., but the big ones - the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Chicago papers - praised the film. The boxoffice in the U.S. has not been good, and the limited release has been further limited. I must tell you that I have been keenly disappointed by the marketing effort for this film, which has been lackluster and unimaginative in my view. However, the film opened in Spain to very good response and has made nearly a million dollars there, which is quite remarkable for that market. It will continue opening worldwide over the next couple of months, and I will post the countries as soon as I learn them. Please have patience; we are hoping for great things abroad.

Thanks for that - looking forward to seeing the film soon in the UK - I wouldn't hold out much hope though from us as we tend to follow the US, anything without endless special effects, Bradd Pitt or Tom Cruise is beyond us. However the rest of Europe will be interesting to watch, a far more cultured lot!

[Joy]

I should add that I recently learned that the soundtrack of the film is now available on amazon.com.

I bought several as Christmas presents for family and friends!

[Joy]

Thanks for that - looking forward to seeing the film soon in the UK - I wouldn't hold out much hope though from us as we tend to follow the US, anything without endless special effects, Bradd Pitt or Tom Cruise is beyond us. However the rest of Europe will be interesting to watch, a far more cultured lot!

What a sad state of affairs although I am not surprised in the least knowing what movies do exceptionally well over here. They have to include violence, super action, computer graphics and some sex to balance out the lot. Oh, well.....

[susanwen]

For several days I was unable to access the site. To reply to your question:

We got very mixed critical response in the U.S., but the big ones - the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Chicago papers - praised the film. The boxoffice in the U.S. has not been good, and the limited release has been further limited. I must tell you that I have been keenly disappointed by the marketing effort for this film, which has been lackluster and unimaginative in my view. However, the film opened in Spain to very good response and has made nearly a million dollars there, which is quite remarkable for that market. It will continue opening worldwide over the next couple of months, and I will post the countries as soon as I learn them. Please have patience; we are hoping for great things abroad.

It is discouraging. It suggests that other producers will be chary of offering artistic movies in the U.S. Will the movie turn a decent profit overall, do you think, considering world views, CDs, DVDs, rebroadcasts on television? There has been precious little advertising in the Washington, DC area. Nobody I talk to has even heard of it. The Washington Post ran a small ad the first week, but there isn't any advertising in today's paper, and I don't recall seeing any lately. I recognize that there's a limited budget, and maybe they can't afford much advertising, but if they don't advertise, how will anybody know to go see it?

[srivele]

I think we will be lucky if we break even worldwide. As I mentioned, I was very disappointed in MGM's effort to publicize the film. Many people could not find it, though we received some very good reviews in major markets. I think I mentioned that the New York Times critic, who gave us a wonderful review, only learned of the film's existence through this website. But I am glad the film was made and had a chance in the theaters, and I continue to be grateful to all our members who showed such interest and support.

[Peter]

I think we will be lucky if we break even worldwide. As I mentioned, I was very disappointed in MGM's effort to publicize the film. Many people could not find it, though we received some very good reviews in major markets. I think I mentioned that the New York Times critic, who gave us a wonderful review, only learned of the film's existence through this website. But I am glad the film was made and had a chance in the theaters, and I continue to be grateful to all our members who showed such interest and support.

Nice to know the New York Times critic visits us - hello!

The lack of publicity is disappointing and surprising considering the success of Amadeus, even 'Immortal beloved' had far more exposure - how did they do it?

[terry]

I'm sorry, also because I read somewhere that Holland made some changes in the script that you didn't approve, is it right? I will be the referent (or at least I'll try) for Italy, when it gets here.

[terry]

On IMDB site, the next release countries. In Europe, Poland and Nehterlands (one of the forumists is dutch..). Let us know your news No italy

[ruudp]

netherlands...EXCELLENT news indd...I'm dutchXD...

[srivele]

The director did make a number of changes which we did not authorize. Also, significant changes were made during the editing process. But that, alas, is the film business.

[Preston]

The director did make a number of changes which we did not authorize. Also, significant changes were made during the editing process. But that, alas, is the film business.

Would you be able to briefly describe some these changes? Did they significantly hurt the film?

Kind Regards,
Preston

[Hollywood]

The director did make a number of changes which we did not authorize. Also, significant changes were made during the editing process. But that, alas, is the film business.

Don't you hate when that happens? But as you mentioned that's Hollywood for you. You'd have a better chance of making the film you wanted if you could afford to pay for it yourself as an independent film.

I just wish that I could find out when this film will be coming to Vienna. It looks like it'll be hitting every other European country before we get it here in Austria. Maybe they are "saving the best for last".

Going off topic here for a moment but srivele I just noticed you are in Pasadena. I grew up in neighboring Eagle Rock. Small world...

[srivele]

Would you be able to briefly describe some these changes? Did they significantly hurt the film?

Kind Regards,
Preston

I think I'll save them for my memoirs. Suffice it to say that it happens on every film. That is the nature of the film business. A script is not sacrosanct, as it is in the theater or in poetry, for example. It is considered a blueprint for the film, and as such, can be modified at any point in the construction by any number of people. It is a truth I have been forced to accept, and to live with.

[srivele]

Don't you hate when that happens? But as you mentioned that's Hollywood for you. You'd have a better chance of making the film you wanted if you could afford to pay for it yourself as an independent film.

I just wish that I could find out when this film will be coming to Vienna. It looks like it'll be hitting every other European country before we get it here in Austria. Maybe they are "saving the best for last".

Going off topic here for a moment but srivele I just noticed you are in Pasadena. I grew up in neighboring Eagle Rock. Small world...

Yes, I do hate it when it happens. After fifteen years in the business, it is only recently that I have made my peace with it. Copying Beethoven cost about 11 million dollars to make, and, alas, I don't have that kind of money. But we continue to try to produce our own films, in order to retain some control over our material. In the future, this will mean, among other things, that either my partner or I will direct.

How did you get from Eagle Rock, CA to Vienna?

[Hollywood]

Yes, I do hate it when it happens. After fifteen years in the business, it is only recently that I have made my peace with it. Copying Beethoven cost about 11 million dollars to make, and, alas, I don't have that kind of money. But we continue to try to produce our own films, in order to retain some control over our material. In the future, this will mean, among other things, that either my partner or I will direct.

How did you get from Eagle Rock, CA to Vienna?

I have heard a lot about what goes on behind the scenes in the TV and film industry from my borther who has been in the business for about 20 years. He's not a writer but a prop-man and he has worked on many Hollywood films and TV shows. Hollywood has always been in its own world and those who hold the purse strings are the one's with the most power. I wish you all the best with producing and directing your own films in the future.

Now as to how a gal from Eagle Rock got to Vienna. I could say that it was on a 747 jet but the truth is that I always wanted to live here since I was about 9 years old. Through my first introduction to Beethoven's music when I was in the 4th grade was the start of my love affair with Vienna and Austria. I knew back then that I would live in Vienna one day and that dream finally came true when I was in my 30s. I have been living here now for almost 13 years and for the last 8 of those years I have been living in Heiligenstadt (located in Vienna's 19th district) not far from the house where Beethoven lived when he composed his Sym. #2 and his Heiligenstadt Testament.