For every filmmaker who has maxed out their credit cards and never seen a dime in profit, this story will be sure to drive them crazy. A pair of brothers have shot and produced a feature film for "no-budget" (or at least a very minimal budget) and earned a reported $200K in iTunes sales.
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Not a single dime was spent on filming or producing the movie. The brothers' only expense was hotels, food and taxis which they would have incurred had they been on vacation instead of shooting a film.
The movie climbed as high as #43 in iTunes Top 100 Movie chart and has grossed over $200,000 in profits. There was no expensive marketing budget, either. Most sales were generated by word of mouth or circulation on social networks.
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Still, good for them. The world could use more talented artists getting their work out there.
Isn't that like saying I haven't spent money on an entertainment center since it's the same amount of money I would've spent if I had spent it on booze instead?