In just a short while, I have become a big fan of Mark “Markplier” Fischbach and his debut feature, Iron Lung (which he also stars in and adapted for the screen). Based on the indie horror game created by David Szymanski, the film displays an excellent understanding of the horror genre, a total “less is more” creep fest that had me holding my breath. I’ve been thrilled to see the film have the success that it has. Of course, I’m anxious to have a copy in my hands soon.
Plier self-distributed his adaptation to the tune of nearly $50 million at the box office, making it one of the top 5 highest grossing horror movies this year. Not bad.
As far as when we can expect digital and/or physical copies though, Plier plans to take a creative approach. Part one of said plan involves getting Iron Lung up for digital purchase on YouTube. Part two sets up a new system within YouTube where other filmmakers can do the same with their films, as he explains in the videos below.
Said Plier, “The reason Iron Lung‘s digital release has been taking so long is because I’ve been taking the extra steps to work out this deal where I can become this aggregator so that other people can benefit from it. That’s the goal. And that’s what I’ve been trying to do. And there’s a lot of legal loopholes to do it, and there’s a lot of setup to do it.”
Continues Plier, “But I’m on the final phase of setting that up. And that means that it’s almost ready. I’ll have the ability to get movies up for sale on YouTube.”
If successful, Plier would be opening the doors for creators to not just upload videos to Youtube, but monetize through digital purchases and rentals along with ads. That would be huge, and I hope it works.
Mark goes on to explain that he’ll have a DVD/Blu-ray machine that will auto-produce copies of Iron Lung in his home, allowing him to self distribute the film on physical media.
For those who missed Iron Lung, the film follows a lone prisoner forced to pilot a rickety submarine through an ocean of blood on an alien moon,
In my review of the film for Dread, I wrote that Iron Lung, “drowns audiences in blood-soaked, deep sea terror”. So, yeah, you could say I’m a fan.
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