Veteran actor Matthew Lillard has stepped behind the camera as one of the founders of Midnite Movie Club, an NFT based project that allows holders to participate in what is described as the first-ever “Decentralized Movie Studio.” The Scream and Scooby-Doo star has teamed up with writer-director Bill Whirity to create the studio, and the two say their goal is for audiences to have more control over the movies that are made.
Lillard and Whirity say they want audiences to help decide what films Midnite Movie Club will produce. They are said to have a particular focus on genre films, including horror, sci-fi, action/adventure, and fantasy. They’ll be kicking off the studio with the production of Let Them Die, a vampire movie that’s slated to start production this summer.
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According to the press release, each NFT will allow one vote for its current owner, so the more NFTs one owns, the more votes they’ll be able to cast. Blockchain technology records each vote, and this group decision-making process will determine which films get greenlit as well as certain creative decisions made by the filmmakers during production. This includes which actors might be approached first for certain roles, as well as decisions about costumes, props, creature design, and movie poster design.
Community members will also have access to exclusive special features like viewing audition tapes, set photos and videos, concept art and storyboard, and participating in live AMAs and live tours from the sets. 5,555 NFTs will be offered up on the Ethereum Blockchain at 0.09 ETH for 1 or 0.08 ETH for 2+ (around $250-275 USD). The NFT will be mint on April 20.
Midnite Movie Club Looks to Revolutionize the Film Industry
Dimension Films
Matthew Lillard and Bill Whirity feel that going with NFTs for Midnite Movie Club is what needs to be done for the future of film. They compare the studio to something like a gym membership that offers exclusive perks to its members, and that getting involved with the filmmaking process offers so much more than what people typically expect from NFTs. How this will ultimately take off remains to be seen, but Lillard and Whirity are optimistic. They said in a statement:
Midnite Movie Club’s first movie, Let Them Die, will start production this summer. It’s unclear when the film will be released. Find out more at MidniteMovieClub.com.
“NFTs, blockchain and Web3 are the future of the internet. In the coming years, this technology will revolutionize many aspects of our daily lives and the film industry is no exception. Most people think of NFTs as just the artwork, but it is the underlying technology behind them that makes the Midnite Movie Club possible. The MMC is a private community, like a country club or a gym, and your NFT acts as your membership card. It is your key to the kingdom, so to speak, and it is how you cast your vote and help the filmmakers develop their films. We believe NFTs are a fun way to give members access to our community perks through a collectible item. There is a major crossover for collectors and movie lovers so offering NFTs as part of our project is a natural choice.”
