My experience with Repo the Genetic Opera.

I seem to be the exact fit for this movie's target audience, yet I hadn't heard about it. How could such a thing happen? I play roller derby, I'm a fetish model, actor in a local horror-themed television show, medical fetishist, and very involved in the local alternative community, yet I didn't know about Repo. It wasn't actually until a little while ago that I found out about the movie from a friend. Here's the scene.

I'm chatting with a friend online, and he sends me a link to a website. It's the Repo the Genetic Opera site. He tells me we have to go see this movie when it comes out. In fact, he says, I think this movie was made for you. See, I love opera. I love rock. I love the macabre. And I have a bit of a medical obsession. So, as you can imagine, when I saw the clips from the film, I fell in love. This was some time ago, and there wasn't a release date, but all I knew is I MUST SEE THIS FILM. So, I followed the website, watching clips and things and getting more and more excited. Eventually I saw they were doing a road tour. They were stopping in just a few cities. One of those cities was Pittsburgh! YES! This is where I live. Done, I'm seeing this movie. I count down the days, and my excitement grows. Now I talk to all of my friends about it, and no one has heard of it, and no one I know is going, just me and my friend that told me about the movie in the first place. So, I don't think it's going to be a big deal. It's being shown as part of a film festival. The day arrives, and I've decided that I'm going to be a big dork and dress up. I have all sorts of fun medical outfits, so I put together a fetishy nurse Repo-inspired outfit. I figure I'll be the only one dressed up, but who cares, it's fun, and I dress up in ridiculous costumes and such every chance I get. I call the theatre the day of the film to ask what time it's playing, and I found out it's sold out. Panic sets in. This can't be happening. I didn't think anyone had heard of it, let alone a sold out show. Apparently, it sold out a day or so after tickets went on sale. I plead with the lady on the phone, and she says there will be a few spots open, so if you go early you might get in, if you get a spot on this waiting list. So, I get dressed up, go early, and hope for the best.

I arrive at the theatre. I couldn't believe my eyes. The line was around the block, hundreds of people. I walk in to put my name on the list, and they inform me that there is a line to put our name on the list for tickets. I look out, and the line of people waiting was just as long as the line of people with tickets. It was also around the block. And I was not the only one dressed up. There were people dressed up as every character from the film spattered throughout the audience. So I go outside to figure out a plan. Just then Terrance Zdunich come out of the theatre and asks if he can take a photo of me for the repo website. Exciting! This is the writer! So I say, can you get me in? I'd called off work, gotten dressed up, and came down there. I'd followed the website for months. I had to get in! He was actually giving up his seats for fans because there were so many people trying to get in, so there wasn't much he could do. I walked up and down the line and found people with extra tickets. Score! I'm in. Relax.

I saw the film, and, of course, I loved it. But what amazed me more than the movie was the crowd. This was a movie with no marketing at all, but it was sold out. People were dressed up. People were cheering during scenes. People knew all of the lyrics to all of the songs and were singing along. I mean, it was incredible. I'd never seen anything like it. I thought I was a little crazy about it. Hell I dressed up, took off work, etc. But that's nothing. I mean, I live here in Pittsburgh. Later, while waiting in the crowd to get my poster signed, I heard people talking. Some people drove from Ohio. Wow. Then, I heard someone talking that came from Kentucky. Damn, really? Then, I heard someone flew in from Texas. Are you serious? Then, I heard someone flew in from Paris. Yes. Paris, France. All for a movie that no one had seen yet. People were waiting in line with homemade t shirts and gift bags for Terrance and Darren. People were getting things signed, and there were people so nervous they were shaking, and everyone was so damn excited. It was surreal. The atmosphere was amazing. I can see if this movie was made from a famous novel, like lord of the rings, I would expect it. Or maybe a comic book or a remake of an old show, anything. But this was getting this sort of reception and reaction from a film that no one had seen, and it was all an original story. I'm sitting here saying how weird it was, but I can't talk because I was part of that crowd, in costume, waiting for this movie for months. I was part of that excitement and that surreal atmosphere.

The movie did not disappoint either. It had an all-star cast. They all delivered. Sarah Brightman? Who would have thought? I am in love with her character, Blind Mag. I adore her. And it's not just me. After the movie, listening and talking with people, I didn't hear one bad thing said about the movie. People love this film. I love this film. I'm just sad that it's not getting the attention that it deserves in the mainstream. 7 theatres is not enough. This movie needs to open up everywhere. I wish Terrance and Darren the best of luck making this movie a success, despite what all of the critics say. The hard work they put in and the faith they had to pack up and take this movie on tour says something. But what says the most are the sold-out theatres wherever it has been shown. The crowds in costume singing repo songs, waiting for the doors to open. In Pittsburgh, the line of people after the film waiting to buy a poster and have Darren and Terrance sign it and say hello was out the door and around the block in the rain. The line wasn't finished until after 2am. The posters sold out half way through the line, but it didn't stop people. tThey were getting lighters signed, titties, shirts, scraps of paper, anything.

Last night was pretty awesome. I have a new favorite movie.

hugs and bruises,
Mel Practice

FIRST OFF - some good news for REPO - we have sold out every single stop on the REPO ROAD TOUR! I think the message is getting out there as TWO NEW CITIES have been added to the THEATRICAL release of REPO for next week 11/21

11/21 - Cedar Lee Theater in Cleveland, Ohio; and the Clinton Street Theater in Portland.

HELL YES!!!

A minor victory, but a victory nonetheless. So Cleveland and Portland - REPRESENT!!!!

Testify...

Anyway, onwards to STOP four on our ROAD TOUR we hit Kansas. My hometown.

Hands down, it's been the most nervous I have ever been at a screening - and by far the most apprehensive I have been on the ROAD TOUR.

For starters, it's my home town. But more importantly than it being my home town, it was the showing that my entire family was going to be at...

Now, while I might be a horror guy, and responsible for some of the SAW FILMS, my family, and relatives are anything BUT horror people. They're midwesterners.

For those of you that have seen REPO you will know there is a VERY SPECIFIC AUDIENCE for this movie. It doesn't really cross over to well into the mainstream.

And even those who do love horror films, might be off put by the music - so I am kind'a waging an uphill battle with my Kansas relative audience.

My Dad picked Terrance and I up at the airport, and rushed us home. As that night, my parents were hosting a reception before the screening at their house.

They had invited the entire 'BOUSMAN' clan.

The idea was, have a cocktail reception for an hour, then drive off to the theater.

As people started showing up for this 'reception' it was obvious from second one... WE WERE IN TROUBLE, aint one person here going to get REPO. But, whatever it's family...

My parents are great entertainers, and ARE fans of the genre - (hell my parents went and saw DEVILS REJECTS in the theaters) so everything would be okay...

So the reception begin, a lot of hugging, and kissing, and telling stories about when I was a kid...

And then it happened...

A door bell sounded...

My mother comes over to me, and whispers in my ear... "Darren, I think you have some friends outside..."

I walk up to the door, and there standing outside was about 10 decked out REPO FANS, True, HARDCORE REPO FANS... they were dressed in there all black attire, with make up, and black boots... and some in COSTUME.

See, part of what I love about REPO is it promotes being weird. Come out, dress up, be weird, REPO is a community.

So I had invited people off the REPO OPERA message boards to join us at my parents house.

Words can not describe how AWESOME it was to watch the REPO fans walks into the Party with the 'BOUSMAN' clan...

Silence... Record scratches... A stare down...

Bousmans on one side, the GOTH / ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY on the other...

And then, my father, the lovable LYNN BOUSMAN broke the ice... "WE HAVE A CHEESE TRAY! COME ON, IT'S NOT GOING TO EAT ITSELF"

And there it is people, my long hypothesized theory proven true... CHEESE HAS THE POWER TO UNITE EVERYONE.

Next thing I know, the REPO FANS are interspersed with the Bousmans, and everyone is jamming out to some REPO TUNES.

I have never seen my dad so excited...

Again, another reason WHY I love REPO so much... It unites people.

The Show itself was another overwhelming experience. When we arrived at the theater - a line stretched out as far as the eye could see.

People dressed in costumes, and those who weren't dressed in costumes, came dressed as themselves.

It was an amazing night. My family really loved the movie. And it was amazing to be able to share with them what had been so important to me for so long.

After the Q & A my parents invited everyone back to our house, and again, subcultures mixed.

The alternative having milk and cookies with the Bousmans.

If that isn't success than nothing is...

Thanks Kansas, and thanks MOM and DAD for once again proving to us why we made REPO... To bring people together for an experience, an EVENT - and our Kansas stop was defiantly an event.

Onwards to Pittsburgh.

dlb



- Darren Bousman

12 Comments | Permalink

REPO ROAD TOUR DAY THREE: CHICAGO, IL
3:26am, November 14, 2008

I went to a random audience member tonight - who was at the front of the line for the Chicago screening of REPO... I told him about the BLOG we have going with Bloody Disgusting, and asked if we could write a blog about tonight's experience.

This is RICKY REBEL from the REPO-OEPRA forums!

I have been promoting LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD throughout all of the REPO screenings - as every audience member has a voice... People have said there is no audience for this movie. I say SCREAM AND THEY WILL HEAR YOU!

Thank you Ricky for writing in...

"Re·pos·sess
a. To regain possession of
b. To reclaim possession of for failure to pay installments due

Op·er·a
a. A theatrical presentation in which a dramatic performance is set to music

Repo! The Genetic Opera
a. The Most Amazing Thing Ever Created.
b. Groundbreaking In Everyway.
c. A Fucking Masterpiece.

The date, October 23rd 2007, Bill Moseley, Paris Hilton and Anthony Stewart Head take the stage. My immediate reaction... "What in the hell is going on?"

Bill promises a new look at their new movie, my mind continues to be blown away. Paris comments on how fucking sick Bill and Anthony are, and then the clip rolls.

That night, that moment, my life would change forever.

At The Opera tonight, it had it all, blood, singing, and a killer cast. Repo! The Genetic Opera consumed my life. A few months shy of a year later, the forums opened up, and my story begins.

It was a community I will proudly say I am part of, THE REPO ARMY. Some call us a cult, some call us insane, some poke fun at us, but how do you think people reacted when Thomas Edison claimed he could make light out of basically nothing. He changed the world, just as Repo changed the face of the Goth Rock Opera subculture. The forum took over my life and in the best way possible, I’ve made some great friends and got close to two of the coolest people I have ever met, Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich.

I was devastated to learn that Repo was only getting a limited release. So I went wild and promoted Repo at every given opportunity. November 12th 2008, will be the day I’ll always remember, because today, I had my mind blown. Repo, despite the bad reviews by the 'critics’, was nothing short of a mind-numbing, seat-gripping, jaw-dropping experience. While it is being claimed as a failure to being the next Rocky Horror Picture show, I believe that Repo surpasses Rocky in its own sense.

The song "Zydrate Anatomy" is our generations "Time Warp" - A Little Glass Vial, A Jump to the Left - from the moment it begins, Repo will enter your mind and won't quit fucking with it until it's done, and when it is, your mind will thank you for letting it experience one of the most unique movies ever made.

So many critics claim that there is no market for this movie, but by word of mouth alone, Repo sold out the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, IL. All 750 Seats were taken as we sat in awe, some of us new to the Repo fandom, some of us around since is conception. Fat kids, skinny kids, black, white, brown, yellow, old, young, punk, goth, prep. No one felt out of place, because Repo is not just a movie, it’s an event, and an event that brings people you’d never think together. I'd like to personally thank Darren and Terrance, and Darren Smith, along with the cast, crew, and Lionsgate for making this movie.

I am proud to say that I'm a member of the Repo army, and I will always be proud of that.

- Ricky Rebel"

- Darren Bousman

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REPO ROAD TOUR DAY TWO: SEATTLE, WA
11:30pm, November 12, 2008

Guest blog by music producer Joseph Bishara

Greetings from Seattle... it's pouring rain here.

I had a fantastic evening in Portland last night.

We were to meet downstairs just before noon, but when my cell alarm woke me at 10:30. There was already a text from Darren saying he's in the lobby whenever we're ready. The man is tireless...

The day started with coffee and hearing about the latest release battles and strategies. It's always something... the nature of this crazy movie it seems.

Had a nice rainy drive from Portland to Seattle.

C.J. DeAngelus, bari sax player and stage musical director extraordinaire did the driving. Around 3:00 we arrive at the hotel which Bousman describes as ‘the kind of place hookers go to die'.

A stack of security notices sit in the lobby for the protection of guests (nothing but glamour on the Repo Road Tour).

The first room wouldn't lock, and they all smelled like a mixture of cleaning fluids and smoke, the residue of all types of illicit behavior hanging in the air.

All good though, there won't be much time spent there.

I'll be visiting my sister while here in Seattle, and Darren & Terrance won't be sleeping much, catching an early flight to Chicago.

After dropping off bags, we head over to check out the Admiral Theater where we'll be showing tonight.

It's a ship-themed revival theater, with the screens labeled ‘Pier 1' and ‘Pier 2'. Decent rooms though, with much better sound than last night.

Dinah, the theater owner graciously greets us and explains that they do Rocky Horror there, so they're used to the freaks coming out. We assure her there may be people in costume, but not to worry about rice or toast being thrown around. It's completely sold out, with a waiting list of people in case of no shows.

We walk down the street to eat, and the flip of a coin decides on the Chinese place across the street. Once we get in and sit down, the smell of cleaning fluid (again), a sticky table, and lack of anyone Asian anywhere near the place drives us away and across the street to a pretty good Italian place with a garlic festival happening.

Some coffee, a couple of hours of computer time in the room, then off to the theater.

We arrive around 8:45, showtime is 10:00.

Parking across from the theater we see costumes... lots of costumes; a bunch of Genterns, a couple of Pavis, GeneCo bandmembers, Ambers, Mags, a Shilo, a suited sanitation worker and a guy with a GenCo company badge (an unknown GeneCo employee...).

As we walk up we hear the crowd loudly singing ‘Mark It Up'.

When we get closer and are spotted loud cheers, then another song... Zydrate Anatomy. A truly awesome, completely humbling response!

We go into the theater to sort a couple of last minute details, and then have a drink at the upstairs bar.

As we're waiting for the film to start, the theater fills the few remaining open seats with people who are still outside in the rain waiting in the standby line. Again, the crowd breaks into more song - not just all the words, but every inflection, sound and moan is there. They REALLY know this music!

We intro the movie, and get it going.

A couple of more drinks at the bar across the street while the movie plays and a totally unnecessary shot of some apple something-or-other at Bousman's urging, then back to the theater.

Another very pleased audience!

Almost everyone stays for a long, liquor-fueled loose and uncensored Q & A.

Darren even announces he's drunk, apologizing for saying anything he's not supposed to...

Terrance is asked: "What's your job again?" to which he replies in his best Graverobber "...to steal, and rob... "GRAAAAAAAAAAVES!!!"

People love it, and he goes on to do a dead-on Buffalo Bill impersonation (told you it was loose).

A guy thanks us for making the movie, and asks if he can come up and get a hug. This starts a trend, and several other people ask if they can get hugs also.

We move out to the lobby to sign posters, tickets, pamphlets, postcards, as well as one pant leg and two girl's chests.

More hugs throughout, and loads of appreciation.

We hear stories of people driving from up to 5 hours away for this screening. People have so much love for this movie and the music, already creating a community around it.

More talk of a Repo convention - not if, but when.

The line finally winds down at almost 2 AM, and the tired but happy theater staff can finally go home.

I leave with my sister, and Darren, Terrance and CJ go back to the room for enough time to get in a short nap before a very early flight out.

The creative experience was rewarding enough, but now seeing a community build around Repo cements the fact all the hardships along the way were completely justified and worthwhile.

Special thanks to Dinah and the staff of the Admiral theater, and especially to everyone who came out, dressed up, and stood outside in the cold and rain to get in!



- Darren Bousman

8 Comments | Permalink

REPO ROAD TOUR DAY ONE: PORTLAND, OR
11:18pm, November 11, 2008

Guest blog by co-writer/creator and star Terrance Zdunich!

And so it begins… the 7-city, 7-night road tour of REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA! What's the Repo Road Tour, say you? In an effort to share our little rock-opera-that-could with audiences not currently part of our film's limited theatrical release, director Darren Lynn Bousman and I are going cross-country to screen our movie and to meet and mingle with REPO!'s fans in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Atlanta & Orlando. This should be one hell of a week!

DAY ONE: MONDAY: My alarm went off at 4:30 am after only 2 hours of sleep. I am forcing my eyes to stay open - sorry excuse for a grave-robber, eh? I had the best intentions of making yesterday a day of rest…but no such luck. It's 4:30 am. Darren will be arriving soon to drive us to the airport and I haven't even packed. I worked through the day Sunday, and into the night, trying to get all of my chores completed before embarking on today's trip. I knew that the nonstop madness of this tour week would leave very little free time for anything else, including sleep. It's 4:30 am. The tour hasn't even begun yet and I'm already running behind, already exhausted.

We're flying from Los Angeles into Portland at this ungodly hour. There, we'll be meeting REPO!'s music producer, Joseph Bishara, and REPO!'s stage play alum and soundtrack musician, C.J. DeAngelus, Jr. Joe and C.J. arrived in Portland earlier in the weekend to attend Saturday night's Road Tour Kickoff party at The Fez Ballroom. This night was put together by Eric Powell of 16volt, a musician on REPO!'s soundtrack. The party featured 16volt and Thee Casualty Company, local performance artists who dressed up as GraveRobber and a bunch of Zydrate Addicts to reenact REPO!'s "Zydrate Anatomy".

Laura, Darren's fiancé drives us to the airport. It's now 5:30 am. We listen to "Jesus Christ Superstar". The stereo is cranked and Darren and I sing along, reenacting the "Last Super" song. I hope that we don't get crucified tonight.

We get to the airport and go through security - the 1st of 8 times that we will be repeating this process over the course of the next 8 days. It was pretty painless, but as we board the plane, Darren receives a series of text messages alerting us to a possible pirating of our movie. Shit!

The plane takes off. I try to sleep. I can't. Darren orders us in-flight breakfast snack packs - a bad idea on an empty stomach and a tired soul - but we land in Portland with hardly a snag, grab our carry-on luggage, exit the plane, and go to retrieve our rental car. The woman behind the counter is one of those android clerks who looks you directly in the eye while continuously typing, never once glancing down at her fingers. She asks me to initial about 50 places on a rental contract. I have no idea what I'm signing, but I'm anxious to get out of the airport and see what the city of Portland has to offer.

We exit the airport lot. I drive. Darren attempts to figure out the car's navigation system. 10 minutes into this trek we are pulled over by a cop. He gives me a ticket for going 50 in a 35 zone. The officer was really nice and helped us with directions to our hotel so it was hard to stay angry about the ticket, but I try. In hindsight, I regret not taking a photo of us with the cop more than I regret receiving the ticket.

After about a 40-minute drive, which included navigating a series of confusing 1-way streets, we arrive at the Ace Hotel, our home for the night. The hotel is a cross between a winter lodge and a youth hostel. C.J. and I share a room with a "community" bathroom in the hall. There is no hot water. It's going to be a stinky night.

We meet up for a late breakfast then stroll the neighborhood, stopping inside a fetish bookstore and then a dumpy strip club (Portland appears to be full of these). One of the dancers - there are only 2 in rotation - has heard of REPO! We've reached our target demographic!

We go back to the hotel. I shut my eyes for a quick nap and then the 4 of us grab dinner and drinks en route to the theatre. Our cab driver confesses to us that he's into S & M. My kingdom for a tape recorder!

We arrive at the theatre. It's 8:00pm. REPO! doesn't screen until 10:00 and people are already lining up. A couple of fans recognize us immediately. One of them is dressed as Amber Sweet. They give us plates of Zydrate cookies - blue cookies with the letter 'Z' written in frosting. Another fan is handing out handmade Zydrate glow stick necklaces. We are here with our people and it feels great.

We walk across the street to a local bar and watch through the window as more and more REPO! fans line up outside, including a man dressed as GraveRobber. It's cold out, but our fans don't seem to mind. Many of them are scantily clad in REPO!-inspired corsets and fishnets. It's an amazing site to behold.

It's 10 minutes 'til show time. We finish our drinks and walk over to the theatre. The people in line go nuts. REPO! is completely sold-out.

We watch from the back of the theatre as people file into their seats. The seats are packed. We introduce the film. The lights dim and the movie rolls. The sound system is horrible, but the crowd is electric: they applaud between all of the songs, laugh at all of the right places, and the majority of the house stays after for our Q & A. Following this, we autograph REPO! posters and flyers and talk and take photos with our fans. Several fans discus with us the possibility of hosting a REPO! Convention next year. The night is a huge success!

It's close to 2am and we're in a cab heading back to the Ace Hotel. This cabbie is no sadomasochist, but he does tell us a series of very crude dick jokes before dropping us off at our hotel. We turn in to catch a few hours of sleep before waking up Tuesday morning to venture off to Seattle. We are told that this show is sold-out as well! The Repo Road Tour rules!

Love and thanks to all or our wonderful fans and supporters!

Terrance (your friendly neighborhood grave-robber)







- Darren Bousman

6 Comments | Permalink

A letter from a fan, and it's effect
10:49pm, October 7, 2008

I am so lucky to be in the position I am right now. A director - living and working in Hollywood. I remember growing up, I was living in Kansas - and I had just seen this movie PI by Darren Aronofsky It BLEW my mind. And reinstated the fact that I wanted to be a director. It moved me so much - that I sought out to find Darren Aronofsky and contact him. I will spare you the long boring details, but I ended up getting Darren's phone number - and calling him. Keep in mind - I am from Kansas and have never done a single thing in the movie business nor knew anyone in Hollywood. So I call Darren and tell him I got his number through a friend of a friend of a friend (which was a lie) - and wondered if I could ask him a couple of questions. Without missing a beat - he said "sure". He ended up talking to me for about 30 minutes.

To this day, I think back on that moment. Talking to him and thinking how cool it was that he would talk to me...

Every since that day I have tried my hardest to be available to fans. As they are the ones I work for. They are the ones that buy the tickets. And make things like SAW successful - they are the ones that allow me to keep making movies.

I always am in the REPO-OPERA (www.repo-opera.com) chat rooms - always on myspace. And while I don't respond to every myspace message, or fan mail - I do read them all. Each and every one of them.

I received one today, that I want to share with you. It was amazing - because this one letter - this one message recharged my almost dead battery. It was something that I needed to hear, if nothing else than to know I need to continue to fight, continue to push.

Doing REPO has taken a lot out of me. As it has been a full time job for over a year. From the moment I wake up, till the second I go to bed. It has caused a great deal of stress and turmoil in my life. And those who know me, know how important this movie is to me.

That is why the below letter is so important to me, and important for me to share with you.

If REPO succeeds or fails - is yet to be determined. But there are times I ask myself. Is this worth it? Is all the fighting, and bridge burning, and politicking worth THIS?

Then, I get a letter like this, and the answer is simple.

Absolutely.

"Darren,

I just had to say thank you.. On many levels first is basic, thanks for adding me to your myspace, but the second is much deeper than that. Thank you for making Repo! I really mean that from a very deep place in my heart. I grew up with Rocky horror when I was in Jr. High. I have said in the past that Rocky horror saved my life, gave me a place to go, and live where no matter what it was safe, to be who I was. I might have been miserable at home, or at school, I may have had my world turned upside down in adolescent turmoil, but rocky horror kept me at a sane, safe level....

Now later in my life I have Repo! I have not seen it yet, but I have the soundtrack. I find it to be a release for me in a very similar way that I had gravitated towards rocky horror all those years ago. It’s helping me to get in touch with a part of me that was lost, been lost, that I had been looking for and desperately trying to find. But now I have songs like 21st century cure, chase the morning, needle through a bug, and didn’t know I loved you so much and they are pulling those lost pieces back to the surface for me. Bringing me comfort, and some happiness in times when I live with a perpetually high stress level. Now I have a release again, I’ve been driving around with my windows down so that everyone can hear that great music, My husband comes home when I have it on and he starts dancing with me... and he never dances...

So if Rocky Horror saved my life, then Repo! Is helping me to find what life is worth. So for that I thank you, and I thank Terrance, and Darren as well. Please share this with them. I extend my feelings to you all.

-D"

- Darren Bousman

3 Comments | Permalink

Fantastic Fest and the Repo! The Genetic Opera TAKEOVER...
2:30am, September 29, 2008

Fantastic Fest...

Repo is not a movie for everybody... in fact, I would go so far as to say, some people will "hate" REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA. I guess we all knew that going in to make it. We were aware that it could - and would - alienate a big chunk of our audience.

Up until now, we had only screened REPO two times to the public, the last being Fantasia in Montreal.

Fantasia went over like a dream... But one could also argue - it was the first ever public screening - and it could have been a fluke...

So to us Fantatic Fest was the real test... Part of me was nervous... You spend so much time with a project - talking about it... Hyping it... that when it becomes time to actually screen it - for a live paying audience you wonder "Is this really good? Are people really going to love it as much as we do????"

Well our answers came swiftly in Austin Texas...

Terrance Zdunich, Joe Bishara and I arrived at the Alamo Drafthouse around 7:30. Our screening started at 9:30.

My brother was also with us. He had flown in from Atlanta with a couple of his friends. Since this movie is in danger of never really been seen - I told him. "Better come to this screening - cause knowing the luck of REPO you might not get another chance...."

As we walked through the door to the DRAFTHOUSE - it was immediately obvious. REPO wasn't going anywhere for a long, long time.

The lobby was full of people... Not just ordinary people. REPO PEOPLE!!! How did I know they were REPO PEOPLE?!? Because it took Terrance only one second to be recognized as "GRAVEROBBER" before he was stormed by a groups of young, goth girls...

Now, I have made three SAW films. Some would argue they were pretty popular. But NEVER was I malled by fans, and/or surrounded as if I was some celebrity... But all that was about to change.

After Terrance received the affection from every girl (and some guys) in the lobby, the attention turned to me.

It wasn't "HEY YOU ARE THE GUY WHO MADE SAW!!!" but "YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR OF REPO!!."

After the excitement kind of died down from the first wave of fans. The SECOND wave hit. And nothing I can describe in this blog can begin to tell you about the SECOND WAVE.

I have attached some pictures to try to help you understand what I am about to write... These fans were dressed up as characters from the movie. Not one, or two, or even ten. I would say more like thirty to forty. Now, what makes this all the more jaw dropping is, this movie has not yet been screened for public consumption. This is not out, in the main stream's attention.

Our little movie has very little support - and even less budget to market the movie. So to see these fans, healed a lot of wounds the last three months have brought.

But our night was just beginning - but we are HOURS away from the screening. And, get this - our first screening sold out so quickly - the Drafthouse addded a midnight show as well.

Now here's where it gets crazy. As more and more fans showed up, and waited in the lobby. More and more people came dressed in costume.

So it's like 9:20, the doors are about to open - when the singing started. People began to SING in the lobby - songs from REPO! Before you knew it - the majority of the lobby was singing ZYDRATE ANATOMY....

I looked at Terrance and nodded... We will BEAT the odds. REPO will win - though some would not like that to be the case.

The screening started right on time, and was received amazingly by the crowd. We followed the screening with a brief Q and A.

The first question asked, "Can we stay for the midnight show?"

As the audience began to line up for the midnight show - it was like looking out into a sea of carnival workers on Halloween night! Brightly colored wigs - crazy costumes, and some dressed as characters from REPO.

Songs broke out in the lobby of the Alamo Drafthouse yet again. And we had managed to sell out yet another screening - this one at midnight....

The midnight screening was so insane. We had over 40% of the audience seeing it for the second time - coming over from the earlier show. Throughout the entire midnight show - the audience sang along, and loudly with the screen.

Some of you will hate REPO... Some, will love it... But one thing is for certain - there is an audience for this. I met them in Austin, hung out with them.

In the end REPO will end like it began. Two guys pushing a massive rock up a very steep hill... But I wouldn't have it any other way.



- Darren Bousman

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I just scored an old school NES!!
3:30pm, September 1, 2008

So, I am not sure my week could get any better...

First, at the beginning of the week, my Nintendo (NES) arrived that I had ordered weeks ago... Now, keep in mind I am talking about the OLD SCHOOL NES... I pretty much have been playing Mike Tysons Punchout non stop, around the clock... DAMN YOU BALD BULL!!!!!

Now, if that wasn't awesome enough, also this week, I got to have lunch with one of my favorite actors, ever... William Forsyth... While recently people know Forsyth from THE DEVILS REJECTS, he has been around a while, doing bad ass movies as long as I can remember. Check out WEEDS if you haven't. It's from the eighties and solidifies why this man is a fucking genius. Not to mention THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOUR DEAD. Forsyth is one of those actors I have grown up watching and loving... He is in some classics... It's crazy, just seven years ago, I was casting my first short film... I had just cast J Larose, (SAW III, REPO) and we were sitting down, trying to figure out who else to get, and we both said William Forsyth... Now, at this time I had NO CREDITS, and had nothing to show for anything... So needless to say, going after Forsyth was all but impossible. Now, lets cut to seven years later. Here I am having lunch with the guy, and J is good friends with him as well, as they both do conventions together... It's crazy how life works....

So, some REPO updates. First and foremost... go to WWW.REPO-OPERA.COM, check out our NEW UPDATES!!!! I am so excited. Wiretree is the company who does all our web stuff, are fucking gentleman. They are continuing to update the site... And if you ask me, our site is becoming pretty bad ass!!!

I see MARK IT UP has been released, and received some very mixed reaction due do it's campiness. People need to understand this movie is equal parts horror, comedy, camp, drama. It sucks that individual clips have to be released. As out of context, nothing really makes any sense. But, I would rather have these clips out, than nothing. But that being said - watch the clip in context - Bill Moseley is nothing short of brilliant!

I am an internet dork... before becoming a 'horror' director - I was a 'horror' fan (and still am). Thus I patrol all of the message boards, the forums, the blog sites. And it's crazy the amount of press, and talk backs REPO is getting. Most of it, however having to do with Paris Hiltons performance. Or the LACK of release the film is getting. The speculations regarding 'why' only 10 screens. All I ask is, wait... Wait till November 7th - if the film is playing near you - go and see it... THEN make your mind up. But trust me when say, there is no way in hell to judge this movie on three web clips, and the casting choice of Paris Hilton (who is AMAZING in the movie by the way). In fact, there are a couple of opportunities to see the movie early, as REPO is playing in both Austin and Toronto in the upcoming month. It's playing TORONTO AFTER DARK, and FANTASTIC FEST! Two great festivals! Trust me, this is a movie that needs to be seen in a big, theatrical environment. It's really not so much of a movie, as it is an EVENT. It's like going to a concert.

Speaking of concerts- SEPTEMBER 30th the digital soundtrack of REPO is released. So MARK your calendars.

As much as I would love to continue typing on the blog - I just realized when they sent me the nintendo they also sent me Metroid! I have to go... That game isn't going to beat itself!

Talk to you all soon,

- Darren Bousman

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My Fear Itself episode is on TONIGHT!
6:02pm, July 17, 2008

That's right folks... Tune into NBC tonight - and check out the new episode of FEAR ITSELF!

This was a new experience for me - as I have never done anything for TV - and I really have never done ANYTHING where it had to be TV safe... That being said - don't worry I don't puss out the episode is as violent as you would expect... See the above picture for proof!!!

I was actually more than impressed with how much I was able to get away with!

It's a bummer though - as my first time EVER being on network TV and I will be unable to see it - as I am in Montreal - gearing up to show REPO tomorrow night!

The world premiere of REPO is tomorrow night and my stomach is in all kinds of knots. Not because I am scared of the reaction... But because I had bad airplane food!

But I digress... Tune into night on NBC and support horror on TV!!!! And check back tomorrow night WHERE I promise to blog about the world premiere of REPO! The GENETIC OPERA.

- Darren Bousman

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Time to kill some rumors - and make a few announcements!
2:24pm, June 18, 2008

Ok - so I am starting to see rumblings on the web - "WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH REPO?" We heard about his film YEARS ago - and still no release date - no trailer - NOTHING... First off - let me tell you I too feel your frustration. I wish it was out there for public consumption right now. But, sadly that is not the way it works. That being said, I have the advantage of knowing the release plan - and the next steps the movie is taking - so I can sleep a little easier at night.

Let me start off by dispelling some rumors:

THERE IS NO RELEASE DATE: There is a release date - and should be announced in the next couple of weeks.

THERE IS NO TRAILER: The trailer is AMAZING!!! Come to Comic Con and see it unleashed in all it's glory!

WE CAN'T HEAR ANY OF THE MUSIC: Starting in July we will start rolling tracks out for your listening pleasure!

THEY ARE NOT DOING ANY SCREENINGS: Come to Fantasia JULY 18th!!!!

As some of you may have heard Repo will be screening at the FANTASIA FILM FESTIVAL - it is open to the public - so if you want your early sneak peek Friday JULY 18th is the day to do it.

This whole process has been hard on me as a filmmaker. I was so lucky with the SAW films - because I was shooting with a locked release date already on the calendar - HALLOWEEN! This was the first movie I have worked on - where we went into it - without a locked release date. But matters were complicated more with REPO as it being a musical, we have to not only plan for the films release, but also the albums release. On top of that, REPO is not an easy film to market. It's a musical. A musical with PARIS HILTON, and SARAH BRIGHTMAN... People kill people... and then sing about it, and then dance around their dead bodies and sing some more.

But all the waiting and wondering is about to come to a screeching halt. As of July the Repo train starts to take off. We will be at Fantasia in Montreal on Friday the 18th, the next week we will be at Comic Con and doing a panel on Thursday 07/24.

Some of you will LOVE Repo... Some will HATE it... I am just excited that soon you can make that decision for yourself.

Until next time,

http://www.repo-opera.com (check back July 1 for the new and improved site)


- Darren Bousman

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Fear Itself debuts tonight, check out this bloody pic!
5:46pm, June 5, 2008

Tonight is the night... FEAR ITSELF debuts! Check your local listings and tune in 10pm on NBC.

I know there are some naysayers out there - HOW CAN HORROR exist on network TV? Tune in and you will see.

I myself wondered the exact same thing - and was terrified I was walking into a watered-down made-for-TV version of what 'they' think horror is. But FEAR not. This is not the case at all.

I have so far seen five of the episodes and they all indeed live up to the title.

People need to take them for what they are. This is NBC and not the theaters. So, NO you're not going to see the same style of violence that you would see in the SAW franchise, but that is not to say you won't see plenty of THE RED STUFF. In fact, I was more than a little surprised what I was able to get away with...

This is a HUGE step forward for horror. It starts with a seed and soon we have a FOREST. FEAR ITSELF is that seed - tune in tonight and let's show everyone that there is a huge market for MORE horror on TV, and elsewhere.

- Darren Bousman

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Welcome to my blog! Get ready for REPO!, FEAR ITSELF and much, much more!
1:08pm, May 30, 2008

Hey all! Darren Bousman here - wanted to let you all know I am about to drop some big news regarding REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA - FEAR ITSELF - and in the upcoming weeks - a new project I am working on...

My good friends over here at Bloody-Disgusting have hooked me up with this cool page - as a sounding board - to bitch - rant - inform - and talk all sorts of nonsense.

Real quick - let me bring you up to speed on what's been going on.

For starters - I just finished my episode of FEAR ITSELF. Doing TV is liked being kicked in the balls - repeatedly. I loved it, don't get me wrong, It was a great crew - great script - and AMAZING actors - but I have never done TV. When I am shooting SAW or REPO - I have like 30 - 35 days to shoot. And that is fast... But with FEAR ITSELF we had 8 days to shoot. Thats basically shooting 12 pages a DAY. It was insane. We are almost done with the edit - and it looks crazy! I am excited for you all to see it. Oh, I almost forgot - master musician and composer CHARLIE CLOUSER will be helping me out with my episode and lending his music and skillz!

On the REPO front! A lot of very cool, very exciting news on the way. I have been hyping this project for years - and soon, very soon you will all get to see what all this talking has been about. My friends at LGF have some insane and amazing ideas how to unleash REPO onto the world. Also keep checking back on REPO-OPERA.COM as in the upcoming weeks a ton of new content will be coming out. I know the release date was pushed - but worry not. It's all for the betterment of the movie. I am so proud of this movie - and I can't wait until everyone gets to see it...

SAW V. So on FEAR ITSELF I had DAMON am effects guy from SAW - he was one of the geniuses who builds all those great prosthetics (remember the brain surgery). Anyway - he showed me a ton of pictures from SAW V... Just when I thought SAW was running out of cool and disgusting ways to kill someone I EAT MY WORDS. I can't get into details - other than to say when I thought I had pushed the envelope as far as it could be pushed - I am shown it can be PUSHED infinitely further! WAY TO GO HACKL - the franchise is in good hands!

Lastly, rumors on the web spread like wildfire. HELLRAISER - SCANNERS - CHILDREN OF THE CORN... More so than being a 'horror' director - I would call myself a horror FAN. Nothing pisses me off more than BAD, or UNNEEDED remakes. But I will leave the rumor mill stirring for a bit longer...

Until next time,
dlb

- Darren Bousman

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