I am the Director of CRAWL OR DIE, Oklahoma Ward - Crawl or Die (2014) Discussion

[–] milligancharm 10 years ago

Wow, what a fun movie! I picked it up at Wal-Mart on a whim because it looked like one I would like and had some good reviews. I was blown away. It was so intense and stressful (in a good way). I love that it wasn't a shoot em up, and that the alien wasn't even the main issue. The sound of the creature as the primary soundtrack was really great too and added to the tension like crazy. Very well done! And for what it's worth, I wouldn't have picked it up I'm pretty sure if it had the original title, so right call there :)

So I didn't see it on here, but were the tunnels a set built, or were they actual locations that you used?

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Hello - Thank you very much for the words and question.

Yes, the tunnels were built - but real in the fact they were 50' long and solid - as in - once in the tunnel - the only way out was to crawl. We knew that if something were to happen - like and actor got caught or started to have a panic attack - they would have to be cut out of the tunnel if they could not be dragged the length of the tunnel ;-)

Very glad you enjoyed the film and hope you love the sequel as well ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] ImNotFromEarth 10 years ago

Hi, i saw this movie on imdb before, i remember passing on it because the reviews didn't look that great, and some of the messages, something about a nice ass, and i don't really care for movies that are simply about showing off how hot a gal is.

I just came across it on a search again and saw your thread. After reading, i haven't looked forward so much to seeing a movie in quite awhile, i'll see if they have it for rent tonight.

Anyway i wanted to say, wow, here's an actual film guy who's not afraid to get out in the world and say hi!

You mentioned that people on your end were against you're posting public, i'm curious, why? Not many people who work on a film will show themselves here, i'm sure that many in the film industry are under contract not to speak publicly about projects, but i'm curious what the reasoning is to not talk about your film?

You've obviously motivated more than just me to see the movie by posting here, if i hadn't seen your posts, i'd never watch the movie because of low ratings and the comments about the "nice ass", just knowing that someone put part of themselves into the project means i know it's going to be worth seeing. Nothing i've seen about the movie besides your posts show that.

fwiw imdb ratings mean nothing to me, except that it's a nice generalization tool, who has time to weed through a thousand movies to find one worth watching when i've only got a couple of hours on a day off etc..

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Hello - Thank you for the reply.

I hope you enjoy the movie. I mean that.

To answer your question - my distributor and other filmmakers tried a lot to keep me from coming on here. From their POV I suppose they felt the ppl that just love to go on tirades and trash a movie - some without seeing a movie - would be too much for me to handle - or - that I would come off as begging or defending my film to ppl.

I suppose that could happen - but hey - I worked very hard to make a film to get distribution - I'm very proud of the movie - so why not answer questions to people who have questions. I see no harm in that at all. Bad reviews or people who dislike the movie - I never argue with - that's their opinion and I'm truly fine with that. I deeply mean that - people have a right to not like something.

I also make a point to never defend the movie - for me - the movie speaks for itself. For me - that's enough. I have yet to ever find a movie that everyone agree's with. If that was going to stop people from making a movie - they should not be in this business lol ;-)

In fact - the only problem I have ever really seen on a board like this - is how some ppl get so upset with possible plants from the filmmaker writing good reviews - and at the same time ignore the fact their are two people whom wrote scathing bad reviews of this movie or use racist/sexist words in their reviews - whom have never seen the movie via their own statements about the movie - who joined IMDB just a week ago (keep in mind I fired a lot of people from the set lol) - and the same people on IMDB whom have a problem with possible plants giving good reviews - have said nothing about the opposite when that happens. Yet - I say nothing to these ppl nor attack them - again - it's their right to have opinions.

I decided to ignore the people telling me not to come on here - because if a fan wants to talk and has a question - to me - it would rude not to interact with the them. Ignoring the people supporting me or the film - just makes no sense at all to me at all.

In reality - if someone gave me a choice of having a board where opinions were 'not' free - I'd come down on the side of - let people talk and say what they feel they need to say - the good and the bad.

Me - well, I'm very proud of my movie. Very proud to have worked so hard to get a film distributed and on IMDB - so why am I not allowed to come on this board and talk with others whom like the movie. Why are fans of the movie not allowed to voice their opinions on this movie if they love it - and truth is - they are - just as the people who don't. ;-)

All good in the end ;-)

Thank you for the question - and I deeply hope you enjoy the movie ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] ImNotFromEarth 10 years ago

Well i did like the movie, what you were aiming at, the claustrophobic effect, you got that right, that was intense all the way through to the end. The monster character was pretty scary, i like that you didn't go with the cheap cg look, i think you're right on, if it isn't done right ($$$) it'll drag the rest of the movie down with it.

I guess a lot of people still have the idea that important people should be kept behind a curtain somewhere, separate from the people, the rock star mentality, but i think that's going. Most level headed people appreciate a chance to interact with a director, rather than knowing who a director is via some synthetic image. I shoot lots of video, 8-14 cams for live music, and can appreciate the amount of time and soul that gets sucked into a large project, i think you did a great job. Thanks for answering, and looking forward to the other movies in the series.

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Thank you so much for the review and posting your opinion on my film.

I like the -video-game - line - you know - I never drew that comparison - but you know what - my subconscious may very well indeed have been considering modern day video games when I was writing/visualizing the movie. I do tend to like very much video games that thrust me straight into the action and I always get frustrated when cut scenes come along with long diatribes of backstory. I know some people love that - I do not.

Fascinating - you may have hit something with that line in your review. I'm actually giving an interview today and I may bring that up ;-)

Thank you again for watching and posting and opening my eyes to something I may not have known on a conscious level about my movie ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Blonde2291 10 years ago

Just finished watching the movie, came to IMDB and gave 5/10 points.

The story is similar to the "American Cyborg: Steel Warrior (1993)" where they are trying to save the only woman who can give birth to a baby, and "Alien (1979)" where they are trying to save their ass in dark surroundings from - well, aliens!

The monster in "Crawl or Die" has a striking resemblance to the "Alien" monster. But it is not as smart. Even though it chased Tank all the way to the end, yet it keeps standing like stupid in the end - ready to be torched any time she pleased. But the claustrophobic environment created by tunnels has its desired effect.

In short, while the story looks partly borrowed from well known movies, the direction and the acting of Nicole Alonso has turned it into a good thriller. I hope the sequel has something unexpected and unique to offer.

I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. - Charles Dickens

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Hello,

First - I want to thank you for writing and watching my film. I mean that.

Sorry you did not like the film as much as I did ;-)

As for your thoughts on my film - well - I, with much respect - I disagree with a lot of how interpreted the film - but hey - my mom like tomatoes - I do not. ;-).

Thank you for watching and hope you enjoy the second and third film more ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] the_shining-482-383194 10 years ago

Hi, I have not yet seen this movie, but after reading through this thread I am now interested and will make sure to watch.

My question is in regards to the sequels and the making of the original. As an indie director with no crew or budget, was it always your intention to have this as a trilogy? Surely had it flopped nobody would have taken it on for a second or third time and you would have been in danger of putting out a movie with so many unanswered questions and no backing to make the sequels. Or did you have the backing from the beginning and always knew 3 movies would be coming out?

having not seen the movie but now knowing there will be 2 more, i am left wondering if the movie is obviously set up for sequels or could this film stand on its own and tell a story.

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Hello - thank you for writing.

I truly hope you enjoy the movie - I mean that.

As for your question:

I always knew I'd be making three films - the first one being so vague with all the backstories was intentional. Yet - I think this very specific type of storytelling - plopping down people smack into a situation and letting us live with those people for a few hours as they try to survive the situation - i think is risky but - I do think stands on it's own.

At least the test audiences felt that way.

What if it was a flop you ask - well, in the 'true' indie world - where no money is invested vs 'Hollywood Indie' where up to three million is invested - flop is not really a term defined. I mean - how would you define a 'flop' on a movie that has no budget. Even if many many people hated the movie - in one sense it would not effect whether one made another a movie or not and could in fact be considered a success if over 100,000 ppl watched it. I say that because the real job of an indie film is to find it's audience. We don't have money to buy ads - to pay for advertisement etc (that's where over half of a Hollywood Budget goes - PR. It takes millions to get a film in front of so many eyeballs and onto peoples radar) Me, being 'true indie' the only PR I have is bloggers/fans and me going out in the world and doing what I can to get people to know I have a movie available. I can't tell you how many Indie films never get over 1,000 viewings even when being given away for free - no matter whether the film is good or bad - people just don't know the movie exists.

So, if you make a film - whether people love it or hate it - but it's getting viewed by the public - well, that in itself is a HUGE success to an indie filmmaker.

I suppose - if I had made the film and only 100 people watched the movie - I would not have had the energy and passion to make a second and third film in this storyline. It would have stoppe me from making other films but hey lol - happily the film is gaining a large #TANKarmy fan base on twitter - our fan site has now over 130,00 members signed onto our newsletter and talking/supporting the sequel - we have over 40 great reviews by horror blogs and now Japan is making the comic book based on the movie. So - without any doubt - my fans have given me a TON of energy to tackle the second movie. Plus, while I made the movie going in knowing some would be upset with the story structure rules being broken - I also really believed that in this whole world - this film and the Tank character would have fans. I could have been wrong - but making films on any level is always a risk. I find - you just have to jump in - ignore what the outcome may be - good or bad and make the film with as much passion and belief as possible. It really si the only thing one can control. Everything else is really out of control - whether people connect with the story or not - is just... well.. no one knows for sure - no formula works all the time. It's all a risk really. How may financial flops does hollywood make - with tons of money and tons of talent in front of and behind the camera. A lot - simply because no one knows for sure what will work or not work.

Just as I assume that the people behind Robert Redfords movie ALL IS LOST knew that to make a film with very very little dialog ( I think ALL IS LOST had 22 words of dialog within the whole movie - way less dialog than mine and I loved that movie lol but many people hated that movie because of that ) would be tricky and cut out many many people - they also knew/hoped their would be an audience for that type of movie. They were right. I became a huge fan of that movie.

In the indie world - flopping is of no concern ( or IMO should not be). Another words - I don't think Indie Filmmakers should concern themselves with those type of worries - I understand if you have a huge a budget - or if Hollywood is making a film - they have a lot of money involved and tons of people and jobs are riding on the financial outcome of if a film makes a lot of money. But, in the 'true' indie world of filmmaking - how much a film makes should not be a factor. My movie - as I tell people whom want to know the budget is thus: I could get into an argument with Robert Rodriguez on who's first movie cost more to make - and I'd win that argument easily.

So - paying back people financially is not a concern for this type of Indie Film.

Honestly - that free's up us a 'true' indie Filmmakers - to be creative - to make non-traditional films. To experiment with story structure/visuals/settings etc. Hollywood can't do that much at all anymore - they have to make a ton of money back for the investors - for they invest a lot of money in movies.

Me - well - I invested my money. No one invested any PR into the movie for no one had money for that - no one invested anything in the movie other than a lot of hard work and passion.

I only have to pay myself back - and truthfully - just getting out into the world - meeting the fans of the movie - meeting all the women who love the character Tank - meeting the fans in Japan and talking with horror blogs that love the movie - well, at this stage - that's way way more than enough for me.

I hope that answered your question. I truly appreciate you stating you will see the movie - and I deeply hope you have a good time watching it ;-)

Thank You,
Oklahoma Ward

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[–] melissaraymond1990 10 years ago

This is so cool of you to come on here and talk to the fans! I honestly wish more directors would. You and Nicole seem to be two of the coolest people ever and it makes me root for you guys that much more. I am blown away by how much you both interact with fans on all your social media platforms. Love the movie. Love you guys. Will watch anything you make!

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Thank you for the notes.

I have been funded for the next two films after the Ain't it Cool News http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68742 review hit.

As for your notes - well - I don't personally like character build-up in movies. I will do a tad more - but I like the situation to define the character - that's me and the type of films I make. I am aware that many will not like that type of story-telling - and I'm ok with that. Some like that - some do not.

Keep in mind - not arguing with you - you simply like that in your movies. Most movies do that. I just don't. I've explained why I don't in several interviews so I won't go into that again and bore you.

Sorry the movie was not your liking - you may like the sequel more as like I said - I do a 'tad' more backstory... but not much.

Thank you for watching.

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] melissaraymond1990 10 years ago

Congrats on the AICN article! That's awesome! Are there any others I could check out?

Melissa Raymond

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] drgreenthumb1001 10 years ago

Methinks the lady doth protest to much about our heriones attire, or lack thereof.

Nothing wrong with having a scantily clad heroine, a hundered plus yeards of film is littered with them. WOnder Woman, is just one of the thousands of examples out there.

YOu could say that the excuse she needed to lose the pants was a bit tepid, I expected the pants to be used as a tourniquet, not wrapped around hands, small cuts, etc...but I digress, a sexy leading lady never hurts.

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[–] cliometrician 10 years ago

Wow! I just watched CRAWL OR DIE after reading the great review on "Aint It Cool News." Incredible tension, and Nicole Alonso was just awesome. Should have been released to theaters--it's that good. And many thanks to the director for bringing us some insights to the making of the movie.

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[–] spoken 10 years ago

Hi Mr. Ward. I fall into the Females 45+ age group and I gave this movie an 8.

Why? Because I sat glued, caught myself not breathing at times, my mouth dried up and I was so uncomfortable it still bothers me now.

I don't need to worry about things like production values (whatever that means) and budget; if a horror movie leaves me uncomfortable then it's a win.

I hope the DVD has loads of extras as knowing the ending takes a hair of the magic out of future viewings. So when will the DVD come out, and will there be any expansion on that particular underground critter's story?

Thank you for reading this.

--
This is the standard way to separate your sig from your posts.

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Hello Spoken!

Very sorry to take so long to reply. First - Thank You very very much for the kind words on the movie. All the hard work that goes into making a movie is so worth it when people reach out and share their experience and connection with film. For that I deeply Thank You.

The DVD is out now on Amazon and on our site [url]http://www.crawlordietrilogy.com we have few signed promotional DVDs still available. The sequel to the movie does tackle more of the backstory on the creature and more on TANK ;-) We start shooting the sequel in 2015 ;-)

Again - very glad you enjoyed the movie and we all are looking forward to delivering the sequel soon to all the fans ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] ScotsKev70 10 years ago

Kudos to you for keeping the messages going while this movie went to DvD.
I am way to watch it now and will let you know what i thought of it.

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Thank you,

I try to check in here as much as possible ;-) Of course I'll keep checking - I very much enjoy reading opinions and interacting with fans or people whom enjoyed the movie. I even don't mind interacting with people whom have problems with movie if it's done with respect - although I find that to be hard to find lol.

Again - thank you for writing and I look forward to talking more with people as we ramp to film the sequel this summer ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] allenalberson 10 years ago

Watching Crawl or Die right now, so far it's enjoyable. I'm about halfway though, and just logged here to find the name of the lead actress. Now back to the film

http://lorddixiesblog.blogspot.com/

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Thank you VERY much taking the time to write and leave your comment. I mean that. Thank you! I will make sure Nicole sees this comment - she currently preparing for the sequel which starts filming this summer ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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[–] mickecrown 10 years ago

Hello there.

I have never posted on this board, (or any other like it), before.
But I felt that I must give you my sincere appreciation.

This is not to boast, but I have worked in the international Movie business since 1974. being involved in a lot of areas in Sweden and Scandinavia. Theatrical distribution, owner of cinemas, video and dvd distribution and brokerage and aquisition and sales of video and TV rights for Scandinavia.

The last 8 years I have worked as a freelance translator/subtitler of movies, series and documentaries. I have to date handled well over 400 titles.
Among those a number of horror Movies, including some of the Asylum titles the last couple of years.

I am not a fan of horror Movies. But I have to say that CRAWL OR DIE grabbed me by the neck. Considering the budget I Think you have done a remarkable job.
Congratulations!

And I like to Think that I know a little about what I am talking about.
My father´s theatrical distribution company that I used to work for was the theatrical distributor of the old American International Pictures, (AIP), from around 1965 to 1978 or so in Sweden. Including Movies like The Wild Angels,
Squirm, Island Of Dr. Moreau, Food Of The Gods, and other worthy low- and mediumbudget Movies.

I can only say that while I was doing the translation and timecoding of CRAWL OR DIE from English into Swedish I was mesmerized by the tunnel scenes.

I do hope there will be a sequel. I, for one, would very much like to see what you can do with the Tank character.

Keep up the good work!

Yours sincerely

Mikael Jansson

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[–] arenagallery 10 years ago

Wow! Thank you very very much for this very kind and sincere comment! I mean that. Deeply.

We are in fact shooting the sequel this year and please feel free to go to www.crawlordietrilogy.com and join our mailing list to get all the info on the sequel before the public learns it. If you'd like. It's free and we interact with the fanbase there at least once a month.

No matter what - I truly mean it when I say thank you for the very nice compliment above. Just some fyi info - over the last eight weeks we have received on our social media sites numerous pictures of many fans in Sweden holding the movie and/or watching the movie where it was released on BluRay. Those pics pretty much make our day ;-)

Oklahoma Ward

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