In order to help raise some dough for the upcoming Angry Video Game Nerd movie, series creator James Rolfe has opened up... WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! Back up! An AVGN movie!? When did this happen? Actually, I tipped the news to Dtoid when it was originally announced last fall, but it never got posted. Now that the staff has foolishly given me greater posting privileges, I'm no longer restrained!
How would a movie based on an Internet game review show even work, you may wonder? As James describes it, think of how Wayne's World was adapted for a feature length production. Of course, considering this is the Nerd we're talking about, a sh*tty videogame will play a major role. For such a momentous occasion, James will be tackling his most oft-requested subject -- E.T. for the Atari 2600.
Still, I'm certain there are concerns that James is biting off way more than he can chew, most of these fears coming from people who only know him as the Nerd. In truth, he's a very accomplished filmmaker who has a large body of work outside of AVGN -- from horror shorts during his film school days to a regular stint on Spike. In fact, the Nerd was initially a side gig while he pursued his true passion. No matter how this movie turns out, I guarantee quite a few folks will be surprised.
But the movie can't happen without a little fan support...
Undertaking such as massive project is never cheap, so James has opened a page on indie fundraising site IndieGoGo in order to reach a goal of $75,000. With over 100 days left until the deadline, fans have already pitched in 15 grand. There are also gifts for those who want to chip in a little extra, from a copy of the film's script for a $50 donation to an executive producer credit for an unfeasible 20k splurge!
The most eye-catching gift is the one attached to a $1000 donation -- an invitation to be an extra when shooting begins in the spring. There have already been casting calls in several cities, so this option exists more for those who couldn't make an appearance to those events. It's not 20k, "Uncle Pennybags" outrageous, but it's not chump change either. Still, it might be cool to learn that a deep-pocketed Dtoider has made his or her way into the movie.
Regardless of how you personally feel about the Nerd -- whether you love his videos or can't stand the guy -- you have to admire the commitment and ambition to take his skills to the next level. If this movie helps James to eventually get his foot in the Hollywood door, I'll gladly toss a couple of pesos his way. What about you guys? Does this news make you excited / concerned?
Tony Ponce (aka megaStryke) is a culturally confused, Canadian-born Puerto Rican who grew up in Japan and South Florida ... yet can only speak English. He specializes in writing features and maintaining an immaculate goatee. Likes: Any and all things related to Mega Man, Contra, Castlevania, 2D, PB&J sandwiches, applesauce, and candy corn.
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While I think James Rolfe as a person seems to be a pretty decent guy,the AVGN shtick lost its appeal to me years ago. Seeing that stretched out into a movie could be painful to watch. Can't see myself donating,but good luck to him anyway.
Cinemassacre and Team TGWTG (as well as a few others).
Are basically TV for me I watch there stuff all the time, and it just doesn't get old for me. I love a lot of the stuff at both sites and with them providing me such entertainment for free I like to give back through donating and DVD purchases. Plus its still cheaper than cable.
I'm sure all Karutomaru means is that his first console was an SNES and possibly that he was born at either the end of the 80s or the start of the 90s. I certainly don't have much love for the Atari generation because that wasn't what I grew up with.
I'll toss $50 his way. Board James and AVGN have been entertaining me for many a moon, and I actually offered to pick up a fairly obscure and expensive Japanese game for him at one point if he was interested in playing it, and unfortunately I got no response, be it due to being when he was launching his movie or just disinterest.
Either way, James Rolfe has earned some cash from me for his work, and I'm glad to send it his way.
Sorry, but I'm not fond of the guy. All that I've watched seems to just substitute a sad attempt at shock value using expletives for humour. I just. Don't. Dig it.
The Nerd was great, it made me laugh out loud, it gave me interesting back story to the development of the games he played...
And then the Superman 64 video came in. From there on, the character was overexaggerated, Rolfe's acting turned from believable to simply goofy and the whole concept of the show lost its appeal when it stopped reviewing pop culture-inspired games. Remember when Halloween brought games from movies like Friday the 13th, and Halloween? Now all we get is a Frankenstein game I'm sure no one has heard of.
Anyways, I'm still supporting Rolfe. If he wants to make this, I say he deserves it. And if, in between, I find the movie to be more like the classic AVGN videos, then even better.
Have to admit I do watch a lot of the stuff on Cinemassacre especially the monster madness every year. I don't really have any spare cash to donate but I wish I could. I know theres people who don't like Rolfes work sometimes but I do admit the amount of work that goes into each video shows he has a real passion for it and thats admirable.
His very first review was of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, not exactly the cutting edge of modern day pop culture. But just this past year, he's had episodes about games based on Star Wars and Steven Spielberg movies, so I don't know where the idea is coming from that he doesn't still tap into pop culture.
I'll be donating about $5 or twice that if I can afford it. I'd donate more but with all the games coming out lately I just don't have the extra cash. I'll be sure to pick up the DVD when it comes out though.
I... I like the pure AVGN videos and I love it when James does a video straight, I haven't liked any of his cinematic efforts. Obviously enough people do though, so I wish him the best of luck.
Even though there hasn't been a lot of Nerd videogame reviews lately for the last couple months, I still support James Rolfe. I really like watching his videos and always anticipates his next videos, but I don't have money to donate to him. Heck, how could I when I don't even have a credit card/paypal, etc, yet. Someday, when I get money and a CC or PP, I'll donate money.
The AVGN is the biggest reason I got into retro game collecting, and his videos were also my gateway drug to The Nostalgia Critic and ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com. These guys are true pioneers of internet TV, and with all the entertainment and inspiration I've gotten from AVGN, I can certainly send some money his way. James signed my copy of E.T. at MAGfest last year, which alone is worth at least $5 to me. :D
Buwhat? I mean his shorts are entertaining, sure, but how is he going to turn his hate and obscenity fueled show about old games into a movie? Well, I guess Wayne's World didn't really make sense as a movie and that worked out. Dunno.
I wish him the best. I'd like to see him do something else other than the Nerd for his feature film, though. I didn't know he did anything different until now, so I'd like to see more of what he's capable of besides his already popular character.
I'll definitely contribute to the movie, but I'm gonna need a part-time job first. Probably at least ten dollars, if not more. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to this!
I find it a little strange that none of the donation options actually intitles you to the actual film.. But whatever I'll still be donating for sure. Maybe the 200$ package.
I donated 25$ before and now 30$ just because I really like his work. He brought me hours of entertainment and making a movie is his dream. It's just fair to give something back.
@Gaidenrider: Yeah, some episodes are not that good, I admit that but I can't say that I think they are bad. They are just not as high quality. Short films like Mr. Bucket on the other hand really stand out I think. James has talent and I really like to see what he does with some budget. Maybe it'll be horrible, maybe not. We have to wait and see.
if the proceeds of this film would go to a charitable source, kinda like what penny arcade does, then I'd donate. Simply donating to glorify himself or whatever the hell he's trying to accomplish with this...not so much.
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Contest:
9:00 PM on 10.17.2011 | 
Cinemassacre and Team TGWTG (as well as a few others).
Are basically TV for me I watch there stuff all the time, and it just doesn't get old for me. I love a lot of the stuff at both sites and with them providing me such entertainment for free I like to give back through donating and DVD purchases. Plus its still cheaper than cable.
Stick to the 15-20 minute videos, I don't need a full film.
Either way, James Rolfe has earned some cash from me for his work, and I'm glad to send it his way.
The Nerd was great, it made me laugh out loud, it gave me interesting back story to the development of the games he played...
And then the Superman 64 video came in. From there on, the character was overexaggerated, Rolfe's acting turned from believable to simply goofy and the whole concept of the show lost its appeal when it stopped reviewing pop culture-inspired games. Remember when Halloween brought games from movies like Friday the 13th, and Halloween? Now all we get is a Frankenstein game I'm sure no one has heard of.
Anyways, I'm still supporting Rolfe. If he wants to make this, I say he deserves it. And if, in between, I find the movie to be more like the classic AVGN videos, then even better.
His very first review was of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, not exactly the cutting edge of modern day pop culture. But just this past year, he's had episodes about games based on Star Wars and Steven Spielberg movies, so I don't know where the idea is coming from that he doesn't still tap into pop culture.
@Gaidenrider: Yeah, some episodes are not that good, I admit that but I can't say that I think they are bad. They are just not as high quality. Short films like Mr. Bucket on the other hand really stand out I think. James has talent and I really like to see what he does with some budget. Maybe it'll be horrible, maybe not. We have to wait and see.
That was his second review, his first was Simon's Quest.
You're right, I totally forgot. Jekyll and Hyde popped up in my head because that was the first time he appeared on camera in the Nerd persona.