Goodbye PT

[Algenon5]

It looks like Pure Terror/Brutal Tales/Grunt Film are collectively closing shop.

Lurker Al

[Den-CnB]

Saw this:
http://necrobabes.org/public/board.htm

# ++ Pure Terror presents "Stungun Strangler Kills Lady Boss" (New Movie) + GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE! ++ - Pure Terror PPV 02:07:44 1/28/11 (0)

# *** Brutal Tales PPV: GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE ON NOW! *** - Jasper 01:39:16 1/28/11 (0)

# * GruntFilm Going Out Of Business SALE! * - GruntFilm 01:27:56 1/28/11 (0)

Dennis

[Algenon5]

Dennis, are you as surprised as I am that this hasn't generated any comments?

Al

[smudger]

Well, I am not entirely surprised. Gruntfilm haven't made anything but "females killing males" films for a long time, while the other two have been producing less and less, it seems to me. And it seemed to me they were just losing interest or running out of ideas. I have many of the earlier stuff from all three, but I haven't been tempted by anything they have offered up recently.

Or is it a case of a general market downturn?

[Algenon5]

I completely agree with your assessment of all three studios, Smudger. I'll add that I had a couple of Grunt videos that were so poor technically I dumped them. Nevertheless I think its surprising that a top 25 producer going out of business hasn't even made a few ripples.

Al

[Sandi]

I can only comment by his (Grunt Films) posts elsewhere when he advertised there. It doesn't matter about my personal preferences about his material, but for me it seemed always to sensationalize, certainly in his advertising, the violence and graphic nature of it all.

But beyond that, the one who posted for Grunt Films did not 'come across' as much other than a pig, to use a word I never use. I found his posts very distasteful and pretty arrogant in the manner he dealt with Others, and his attitude certainly not 'market savvy' for his material, to say the least.

I would expect the fringe Producers to drop away slowly in any economic environment, but I have no idea what the numbers are for any Producer. I just never liked the person behind the monitor who posted, so though I do not like saying this if someone's income is taken away, good riddance to a bad apple. Sorry to those of you who enjoyed his work, but I am merely being honest.

I only speak for myself, but he is surely not the only Producer from whom I would never buy, simply because of the attitude he displayed toward Others in his posts. I perceived a very non-positive attitude toward women, also, rightly or wrongly.

Quite a well-known and admired Producer for his work and innovations years ago also falls into that category for me. I don't like those who put down Others, women or men or whomever. And I surely would never help them to further their income, and would speak whenever 'proper' about my feelings. We women are surely the vast minority of the buying market for 'our' material, but that will never stop me from exposing an arrogant one for who he/she is, by letting them speak for themself and allowing Others to judge. It's very difficult to hide a vast superiority complex even online.

Sandi

[smudger]

Well, I would suspect that he was a producer who didn't have any fetish himself, and so no clear understanding as to how the community thought. A lot of his descriptions were certainly OTT, and some of the work was not to my taste at all, but a few were- though the overacting often wasn't. He didn't come across as unpleasant to me though, simply that he thought the hyperbole was what was needed.

[LadyAsh]

I always got a creepy feeling about him. Most of the guys on the boards are great and I would trust them. Somehow, he seemed to love the brutality and stressed it as the selling point. That in itself meant I was not interested and stopped reading his posts. For myself, I am only interested in those who produce films and love their actresses/victims.

[Chris B]

I know Todd has been "going out of business" for a few years. He is another NW US producer, and i have worked with much of the same talent he has used. I have never heard anything negative about the way he treated his models, actors, or any talent. Only negatives were the typical "trashing the other producer" type comments from certain models. I think he is just jaded by the heaping amount of producers that are flooding the market. The key is to be: interested in the fetish, good to your talent, including paying well, being active in the community, and always keep your stores/sites up to date, and full of the right content.

I have learned so much about this business by learning from the best, and worst producer(s), making bad personal, and business decisions, as well as taking a leave of absence, without letting people know, when all that really matters is the way, you as a producer, treat your talent, and your customers. I have several fetishes, including erotic death, feet, high heels, skirts, and rough sexual play, and I believe it translates into my work.

I have gone down the tubes, and am on my climb back to the top. I think that I found a way to appreciate what I have, instead of pouting about what I don't have, or goals I have yet to achieve. I can understand how a producer like PT/GF/ BT. is going out of business in this economy. It's hard to find reliable fresh talent here in the NW, without running expensive ads in the stripper/prostitute magazines, especially now without Craigslist's "Adult Gigs".

I wish him all the best in his life and business. The last time I emailed him (several times) to ask about a particular model he worked with, he never responded. I guess he has no respect for me as a producer, actor, or colleague. Or, maybe he was just really busy. haha

It feels good to be back in the game. Thanks Todd!

[Den-CnB]

Dennis, are you as surprised as I am that this hasn't generated any comments?

Al

I just reported their posts. I don't post anything about other producers unless it is positive. Many producers will and have not make it in this economy and most have dropped productions.

Dennis

[Den-CnB]

Btw, the reason I don't comment about producers as many are competitors and makes no comment or statement about others and or consumers who can say what they want. Just wanted to clear up any confusion that I am making no judgment on others' posts.

Dennis

[Chris B]

For the record, I am not trying to come off as negative about any producers either. i am just a tell it like it is guy, and am going to do so in any forum. I know first hand what goes on behind the scenes of the forums, as well as, behind the studio walls. There is a heap of trash talking. It only makes the people who are true to the game stronger, and thicker skinned. I appreciate the opportunity to post my opinions no matter what others' opinions are of me, or my work. I am doing it for the love of the fetish and work a second job to pay for productions.

Good luck to every producer that gets the chance to do what they love.

[Pennpaul]

I was expecting the clientel to voice their concerns or opinions. I have kept mum. However, I do buy from competitors in order to judge my work and ideas. The producer of these three shops seemed to practice deceptive advertising. The models were generally excellent. They were show-all gals that we all like.

Choice of perp costuming sometimes turned me off as seen in promo photos. Thus I have only bought one video at best.

The flood of producers has caused a severe downturn in buying, no doubt. Many of the newest stores need more experience and training. Scene continuity oftens suffers due to trying to keep too much footage.

My 2 cents

4P

[JohnM]

I guess I will comment. Ish.

I knew Todd since about 1998 after seeing a movie he wrote called The Necro Files: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203726/. Followed by a sequel I think he directed called The Necro Files 2.

Later, he had a site marketing extreme horror---more "unrated" type movies, but was selling some Ruemorgue films. At the time, I was creating labels and nice boxes and shipping him our movies to sell. That deal ended after a year or so, when the money made was not worth all the work to prep the videos.

A few years later, I was on my own. Somehow we connected--I think I was looking use studio space, but he only rented himself. In conversation, I found out he had produced some cinema-type horror movies and was looking for a place to market them. So, I told him about Nicheclips and his store was born.

I noticed, he was a very agressive salesman--launching several stores. He had a strong belief in is projects and was very proud to advertise them to the max. He did not do hardcore, but often made it seem like he did. In the fine print on his stores for a while, was a disclaimer. Over the years, that disclaimer disappeared. I often thought his ads sounded like a carny on his soapbox touting his wears. It was actually very entertaining.

I have been doing this a long time, as have others. Sometime, I like to give unsolicited advise. Usually, it is perceived in another way, so I rarely do anymore. In any case, I tried to explain to Todd that the style of ad he presented might not be coming off as he perceived. He and I decided not to communicate anymore after that.

Most recently, one of my models worked for him--one of his last few shoots I think, and was not the happiest about her experience. However, she did work, she did get paid. Her concern was more that Todd did not seem happy about doing this anymore and that vibe was evident throughout the process.

So, there you go. I think he probably was not a fetishist. While it is perfectly fine to not be a fetishist and produced this content, maybe in the long run, it helps.

I get burnt out a few times a year. It is natural. But, I always find ways to get excited about it again because of my personal fetish. Of course, I love filmmaking, editing, and being creative as well---and I am sure he did too. But, because of the content and the stigma of shooting it, limited resources and other challenges, it can be stressful. But, I have never not wanted to do it anymore. Perhaps when I get really old....but then again, doing this, might keep me young. :-)

Anyhow, I wish Todd the best and hope he finds happiness in what he does.

JohnM

[Algenon5]

The Closing notices on all three stores had said March 31st would be their last sales day. However, this morning during my weekly check on what's new at NicheClips, I noticed all three stores are gone. I'll leave speculation on this development to others.

Al