The Movie Blog Might Be For Sale
Posted by John Campeaon 05. 08. 2007in News Chat
Timing in life is a funny thing. Sometimes things just fall into place in a very cool way. Sometimes it aligns so perfectly that it’s almost eerie. And sometimes nothing seems to happen at the right time. Here’s the situation:
The other day on my personal blog I put up a post talking about what I’m going to do next after “The Movie Blog”. Don’t get me wrong… it’s not that I plan to leave it, or that I don’t LOVE it… I do LOVE it… but as the last episode of Star Trek TNG said, “All good things come to an end”. I’ve just been wondering about what John Campea does next whenever “next” time comes. When The Movie Blog has run its course, what will I do next?
Tonight, I got an email from a contact at a studio asking me to call. So I called and we chatted informally for about an hour. They know about the stuff I pulled together at Comic Con this past week for Pathology, and apparently they appreciated the stuff I’ve had to say over the past year about the online movie community… and I guess they think I’m a pretty good communicator. Anyway, they’re thinking about creating a position sort of like “Director of Internet Media Relations” or something like that.
The basic idea is that they want someone on staff who understands the online community, the bloggers and how we work… to consult with the studio, and specifically to work with and develop relationships with the movie blogging community to get them more involved and give them more access to movies the company is producing and would be releasing.
Right now, most of the studios either just ignore bloggers, or interact with this new Blogging generation the same way they do with traditional media… and that just doesn’t work with us nearly as well.
I’ve got to admit, the idea is quite exciting. I am a communicator and relational by nature. I love the movies. I love the online movie community. To work more hands on in the industry is quite appealing on one level. However, it would mean having to remove myself from The Movie Blog… and that isn’t so appealing. So I’m not sure what to do.
It wasn’t a firm offer anyway. I think they were just letting me in on what they’re thinking, and wanted to gauge what my interest would be. Like I said, it was more of an informal discussion, but I think they might want to fly me out in the next few weeks to discuss it more.
Over the coming days, I think I’m going to get in touch with a couple of the other Online Movie guys that I have a good relationship with to get their thoughts and opinions on what they think I should do or look out for. I’ll keep you guys updated. If I end up moving on… anyone want to buy a movie blog? Bidding starts at $20 Billion dollars. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
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John Campea who has written 6783 posts on The Movie Blog
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John, say it isn’t so… don’t become one of these spin doctors that you hate so
First of all… congratulations… It would be a sad day to see the movie blog go away… it keeps me occupied at work lol.. and i dig the reviews on movies.. you have my taste in movies so i know what not to look for.
Hey there Haole,
I see what you’re saying man… but the role (as I understood it) wouldn’t be marketing. It would be a much more relational role free of spin (at least i think so)
Good words though man… and I will keep it in mind.
John, this is great news for you. Congrats. And also, this saddens me :\. I’ve been coming here every day for years. Top site on my bookmarks, lol. But still, look at this. You just started a blog for movie folk, haha, and now look at where you are.
Don’t sell out, goddammit!
Hey Kristina,
HA! Ok, it’s only “selling out” if you give up something you love or believe in just to get bigger money…
I personally don’t think it’s “selling out” if you’re also moving on to something that you think you’ll totally love and would want to be a part of (besides… I don’t even think the money would be all that great) :P
But thanks for the warning. :)
John, What reason did they give you for ending TMB? Thats bullshit. Be careful, they maybe trying to quite you. They know your not afraid to talk shit and say they suck… they maybe trying to control you. Its a bit paranoid, but you never know. The suits are bastards and we all know that. However, if its a good career opportuinty, best of luck. Don’t sell the site though, it wouldn’t feel right if someone else said welcome to the movie blog.
I bid 30 Billion Internet Dollars… and that includes Doug Nagy. Don’t think your going to take him and run of to Hollywood. And if i purchase, do i have to feed and shelter Rodney & Darren?
Thats my offer.
(*Please note: 1 Biliion Internet Dollars currently = 44 cents.)
John, if this is the end, then its been a hell of a run, Beejag will shed a single tear in honour of the movieblog as it once was.
(Congrads though if the job ends up working out)
well i hope u would have some creative rights or else everything u built will be a sham!
your a cool guy and even though we all disagree sometimes i think if the same basis of what u started was left then it would be great.
wait 4 more years though and it could be a MYSPACE type endeavor hmmmmm!
“It would be a much more relational role free of spin (at least i think so)”
I say don’t do it. A world without the uncut podcast is a world I don’t want to live in anymore.
seriously though, think about it. It may be a great opportunity, but you’ve put 4 years into the movie blog. 4 years man. If you do it, at least make sure it’s one hell of an offer
Job or no job, I just think it’s great that a studio is finally looking at the bloggers as a group that deserves to be addressed. I think it shows great foresight. Is there a reason you didn’t mention the studio John? Are you not allowed to say at this point?
I would be sad to see the site go, BUT I think it’s a great opportunity for you John! Either way congrats!!
John…
The creator of “Digg” Kevin Rose is reported at a net worth of over $60 million dollars for his site. Some top 100 list by CNET. That site is only 4+/- years old. (Don’t take that as a meaning to sell)
I see what I would do – I would keep the site going a bit longer. Site’s like this and others on the net are growing and no one can deny that! This site has soo much those others don’t have, most of which is the ‘community’ feel. I have been to this site everyday for longer than I can remember and I don’t know what I’d do with out it. My brother Shane will lose his shit when he hears this…This is his home. That offer is very pretty, and suductive, so ‘I’ – with my paranoia – would be very curious (apprehinsive) about it. I don’t usually listen and take others opinions, but this site opened my eyes to so many things and would be a shame indeed to loose what its become. The community site is growing know and perhaps that may help, but the “Round-table” and “Uncut” series is not there. Sure others can go to NowLive and do their own, but it won’t be the same…John, you and Doug are this site and even if it gets sold it will no longer exist. For me, if I were in your place and had to decide it would be like loosing a child – friend – or brother…
I have been reading comments from people for sometime know and have actually began waiting to see what certain peoples thoughts about various movie subjects are; (Phil Gee, Darren J Seeley, Alfie, Naught, Kristina, Robert(wolf), Dark_venmon, Doug, and my brother Shane Razey…etc.) I actually wait to see peoples rebuttal
Hey dude,
In then end no one but you lives with you 24 hours a day. Can you live with yourself?
Do what’s right for you in the long run, even if it means alienating a few folks until you bring down “the man” from the inside.
Best of luck from a fellow Saskie, you’ve EARNED it!
James Davie
i hope you don’t because i love coming here read your coments i don’t always agree but if you have to it would be a sad day.
John, congrats on getting the interest of folks beyond the site. You gotta keep in mind that the point in life is to always be moving forward. So while the site is great fun and you obviously love it, if an opportunity presents itself for you to move forward in your life and career, and grow as a human, you must take it. The purpose of life is to grow, and one cannot grow if one does not strive beyond the status quo.
Good luck, and I’m sure you’ll find good people to take care of the Blog in the meantime.
Hey John,
I have to admit that I could never imagine the movieblog.com without you, Doug, Darren and Brux, but whatever makes you happy and wealthy (you deserve it :o). As one of your first fans, it makes me a little sad to think of you migrating to LA for future success, but it makes me happy that a small-town guy from Hamilton, Ontario can succeed in big-time Hollywood.
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that there will be a Films4FoodFest part deux some time in the near future.
Mandy
As Ben Stiller in the Starsky & Hutch remake said: “Do it. Do it.”
Anybody that found that movie funny? I did.
Anyway, this sounds like a great opportunity, if there will be a real offer. Just give the Movie Blog to Doug! Erm, maybe not. He might brake it ;-)
I havent always agreed with the things you have said john and at times i think you can be a bit emotional in your posting but you have always come uo with a good defence when you are called on your rants, that is due to you logical intelligence. I think you will be good at this job and offers dont come like this every day so if they offer you the position go for it anyway that doesnt stop you from posting here even if someone else does host it, maybe the DARK TIMES of doug have already started, ‘ The king is dead, Long live the King’ I fear for us all
I remember in one podcast you said, if you do nothing else but TMB until the day you die, you’d die happy.
Now, I am not saying you should stick to TMB til the day you die, but I suspect this is where your heart is John. If you become a millionaire selling this site I’d be happy for you but not for myself and all the other long time readers.
If you really are interested at the challenge the job holds, can’t you take it while also maintain this site? I suggest making the site bigger, more commercial, with you only holding the position of editor. I know it’s not easy but if you do quit this site, and the Roundtable, I will feel betrayed, and consider it personal. THERE!
Ok I’m just kidding.. Do what is best for you, but keep in mind a great number of people love your ramblings.
Cheers.
Do it. You could really help make studios understand the Internet and how blogging affects movies. You could really help make a difference. It would suck not having you on The Movie Blog, but this is a brilliant opportunity for you, and it would be selfish of all us Movie Blog visitors (fans?) to hold you back.
John,
I’d be sad to see you and the movie blog change/go away/be run by someone else, but there is nothing wrong with taking chances and moving on in your career.
You truly have a love of movies and the industry. I say, “go for it” and do us proud.
Good luck in whatever it is you decide to do.
I keep expecting an announcement of some type the defines the end of The Movie Blog’s existence and this may be it. It sounds like an excellent opportunity if it comes to fruition for you John.
Its been a heckuva of a ride and when it ends, we are all going to miss it.
Whatever happens, hope things work out for the best.
Only you can know what is best in your interests.
I’d hate to see you leave, themovieblog just wouldn’t be the same without you, and I’d sure as hell miss the podcasts :-(
Frankly, John, I think it is time to weigh your options.
I’ve been listening faithfully to the podcast for more than a year, now, and I sense that the formula has reached its peak – you and the gang are at the top of your game, but I fear you will probably start to repeat yourselves (actually, I have had that feeling a few times lately).
So, why not quit on a high note? You will hear a lot of people complaining about your decision, but, man, this is YOUR life, and you have given a lot of it away for our entertainement and enlightenment, so you don’t owe us a thing.
So, I will say: if you feel this new opportunity is something that will give you pleasure and pay your bills, GO FOR IT.
This sounds awesome! I think you should definitely take this position if you have the chance. I know it would be sad to see you go, but you got to keep going until you get as high as you can possibly go, even though you may need to give up some other things you want to keep so much.
Funny, the calendar doesn’t say April 1st…..
I think I am about to lose my shit.
.
Advise from the peanut gallery:
sleep on it.
This is great news for you, but not for the international friends. But you have to think about what is best for you
What can I say Giavonni. You have loads of advice to pick from here and your friends who mentioned. Now if you’ll let me give a little.
1. It’s awesome you got a new opprunuty and you’ll be moving up in the world (congrats) it’s like my dad once said you can never be to sucessful.
2. On the other hand this thing could bite you back in the ass big time. Those podcasts help me work through the week and wind down on the weekend. Not to mention you guys have the best movie news and are the best website.
3. As for my closing let me say this. Make a list of pro’s & con’s. After that go over every single piece of advice you’ve received. then think about what does your mind tell you, your heart, your gut and your soul want? And then pick which one the feels like it has the right path.
P.S. You might want to sleep on it to
That’s very interesting… the thing is that on a site like this your personality IS the site, so how could someone else take it over and have it still be “The Movie Blog?”
Vic
Yeah if you left I don’t know how this site could go on without you John. Your the main reason I come on every day to see whats going on in Hollywood Movie news and it’s one of my favorite sites out there. But hopefully you will figure out what is the best situation and either way if you stay or go you’ll still be the man.
OK…but what about doug?? Just because you move on does not mean doug has to. ALso would you quit the podcast??? I would miss that much more than the blog
John, I’m a realistic gal. I know that you gotta pay the bills, and if this job thing works out, more power to you. BUT, I really LOVE this site and the folks who come here, and I will be very upset if you shut it down. This is the main site that I go onto every day to get movie news and just chat with the people who come here. It’s one of the few sites that actually patrols the fucking trolls and kicks their asses out. I had to stop posting on another site recently because the administrators there found it amusing to act like pricks and attack the people who post on their site, and it drove me insane. I’ve found a safe haven here to hang out, and it’ll suck if you pull the plug.
Also, I’d hate to see you turn into some studio’s bitch. I’m not saying, I’m just saying……
And even if it stays open without you, I’d miss you:(
Hey John,
congrats..
Just wondering if you dont do the movie blog anymore with the postings and the revires, is there any chance you could at least keep doing the podcasts…??
Cheers
I 100% agree with the comments made that this site is as good as it is because of your personality. The way you write as if you’re talking to friends, and then also in the podcast when you ARE talking to friends. I’ve read this for so many years because I think you have great things to say, and you are very personable when you articulate them, and I would hate to lose that, as all others have said before.
If you do take the job, find a way to keep it. Maybe they can sponsor it, and you can do a lot of features on cool stuff that THEY are doing, but you keep the site and run it the way you have been for years.
John, it’s your money/site/love/future. If you want to leave, then that’s really your choice. But just know that you’ve done a lot for us fans, and we all appreciate it. Honestly, this is the best damn movie-related blog on the net, and I’d hate to see it go.
Maybe you can have it so that others run it, and you simply make guest apperences? It wouldn’t be the same without you though…
Besides, whether it’s marketing or not, they do want you so that they can make more money, and less flops.
It’s up to you, and whatever you decide on, I wish you the best of luck!
I hope that if you do decide to sell it you still make guest apperances.
I love movies,love talking about them so I would be interested in buying it.
Ah – John shows his true colours at last! Opinionated and “just doing it for the love of the movies” – until the suits offer him some money to be their internet lackey. Because it’s true – they don’t understand it. Well, nice job Locutus.
It’s human nature to want to be wealthy and happy. If you can get millions for this site then sell it. Start another site if you want to continue blogging.
John,
I really don’t think you should do this. If you leave TMB, the studio will own what you can and cannot say. There will be no way you’ll still be able to keep this job, or at least share an honest opinion about whatever movie the studio you work for is coming out with that week. That’s what’s great about this site, is that you can say whatever you want to, without fear of answering to anybody, and talk with fans who feel the same way you do. That will probably all disappear once you sell out to a studio (and yes, it is selling out, be it intentionally or not).
I really enjoy the TMB, I listen to it at work and as I’ve told you before, it makes the time fly by. You guys make me laugh and give me things to think about throughout the days.
If and when you guys leave, life will go on, but a void will be created that I fear can never be refilled completely.
Everyone:
.
Not to twist John’s arm (much) but some of the down sides:
.
New owners would change the format
.
Movie industy would not pay as much attn to us when John’s gone.
.
New owner sells our email addresses to porn spammers. (Boo. and you know they would eventually.)
.
Doug and Rod and Sharon here would stop posting as well.
.
Now I’m depressed just thinking about this……
I Would Keep the format the same. Why fix what isn’t broken. I hope you don’t go john but if you must then mark me down as interested.
If you wanna chat about this, let me know.