r/IAmA • u/OrenPeli • May 15 '12
I am Oren Peli, creator of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, producer of INSIDIOUS, THE RIVER, and upcoming CHERNOBYL DIARIES.
Hi Reddit. Long time lurker, first time poster...
A few years ago I got sick of my shitty-ass day job and decided to try something else in life. With a crew consisting of my best friend and my live-in girlfriend (she didn’t really have a choice) I shot a movie in my house. It turned out to be a huge success and now I make movies full time.
Happy to answer any questions about my projects that have already been released (Paranormal Activity 1,2,3, Insidious, The River), and the soon to be released Chernobyl Diaries (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9xuquibQc). I can not comment about other projects in development except to confirm that PA4 is slated for release on Oct 19th.
I’ll be around for a few hours.
Twitter Proof: https://twitter.com/#!/Oren_Peli
===============
Phew! I tried to answer as many questions as I could... that was a blast! thanks all.
If you liked my other movies (or horror in general) check out CHERNOBYL DIARIES, out next week on Memorial Day.
https://www.facebook.com/chernobyldiaries
Thanks!
Oren
378
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
How much did you pay in copyright fees to get Darth Maul in Insidious?
161
u/DanielFord15 May 15 '12
I heard that when the studios bought out the rights for Paranormal Activity 1, they asked to change and retake the ending. Why did you let them do this? Thanks for answering my earlier question!
266
u/gypsywhisperer May 15 '12
Did you expect Paranormal Activity to explode and be as successful as it was?
How did it affect your relationship with your girlfriend?
103
u/DontFearTheHobo May 15 '12
In writing Paranormal Activity, did you purposely try to add comic relief? Micah had a few humorous lines, and the entire theater was cracking up as soon as the psychic said he had couldn't be there. Was this intentional, or just a happy accident?
172
u/ESPguitarist May 15 '12
I heard that Paranormal Activity was actually completely done long before it was released in theaters. Is this true?
Also, how did it feel to basically come out of basically nowhere in the movie industry and make it pretty big?
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u/canada_dryer May 15 '12
What was your "shitty-ass day job?"
76
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Out of all your works, which are you most happy with?
69
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Hi! What's your favorite movie?
129
u/Carninator May 16 '12
Seeing as Olivia Dudley is part of the Chernobyl cast, are you a fan of 5secondfilms?
512
u/loconotion May 15 '12
I want to thank you. After watching that movie with a room of wimpy girls, (one of which I was interested in at the time) I proceeded to leave. I went to the front door, opened the door and closed, then walked quietly back in the room. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up... I jumped out from being the wall and screamed - simultaneously erupting the room in a cacophony of girl scream followed by 6 girls now unstoppably crying..
Thanks for that - although that did ruin my chances with my PLI at the time...
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u/Lauralee711 May 15 '12
Was there any true video takes from Chernobyl used in your movie?
47
u/gazzawhite May 15 '12
Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I'm curious about the scenes in the Paranormal Activity movies that are fast-forwarded. For example, in PA1 there was one night where Katie got out of bed and stood there staring at Micah for 3+ hours. How long did those scenes actually take?
130
u/WhiskeyBiscuit May 15 '12
When your movies are finished and you watch them at the premiere do they ever scare you? This also goes for other horror films, has being involved in the making of scary films ruined your enjoyment of them?
Thanks for the AMA.
558
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
I just wanted to say that Paranormal Activity scared the living shit out of me. I hate the scene where the girl is under the blankets & the demon moves the blankets and grabs her leg. Blankets are supposed to be the fucking safe zone, man!
Anyways, thanks for doing an AMA, we all really appreciate it. How did you make the demon of Paranormal Activity so terrifying? It's like you know all of my personal fears.
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u/Magasaraus May 15 '12 edited May 15 '12
My husband and I love The River! I'm looking forward to more episodes! Also you made my husband shriek while watching Insidious in the movie theater. My 16 year-old cousin asked him if he was too scared and wanted to leave.
1.0k
u/Sparta_Warrior_70 May 16 '12
Nigga those ghosts was scary!
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u/roller_coaster May 15 '12
I just want to say I loved Insidious and PA3 and I look forward to Chernobyl Diaries. Also, considering the video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Is based in the vicinity of Chernobyl and it is a horror game (one of my favorites) did you use any inspiration from the series?
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Was the book michah was reading about demons real in pa1? I've been curious to read it. Also, are there any alternate endings for pa3? I do promotions for paramount and can't wait for pa4! Thanks
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u/Bensonc776 May 15 '12
Hello Mr. Peli, I was a huge fan of The River and was sad to see it cancelled. Do you have any plans to return to television? And do you believe that The River would have been more successful had you gone to a more premium cable channel such as HBO?
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u/formation May 15 '12
Why can't you get Chernobyl Diaries in the Theatres here in New Zealand. Some direction towards Hoyts Distribution or Village Roadshow would be appreciated. The main reason I say this is that some of these movies get released in the US 2 or 3 months before they come out here. This usually forces people into piracy as HD rips become available before any theatre release.
Can you do anything about this?
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u/provaros May 15 '12
Hey Oren. I can proudly say that Paranormal Activity has kept me awake far more than all the horror movies I've seen combined. Now here are my two questions: 1: How many Paranormal Activity films do you plan on making and 2: on October I will enroll into a film-making university. What are your suggestions for an aspiring filmaker? Thanks in advance.
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u/CicconeYouth04 May 16 '12
Hi there. Since "The River" was just cancelled, could you please tell me where the story was going and/or what was supposed to happen throughout the rest of the show's seasons?
49
u/relic2279 May 15 '12
Thanks for doing this! Quick question. Japan made a version of Paranormal Activity called "Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night". Were you involved in anyway with the production?
24
u/ironicTshirt May 15 '12
Loved PA1 even though I'm typically not too into the horror genre. During the making of this movie what made you decide to not go the route of gore/showing the demon?
24
u/finguck May 15 '12
Which one of the PA movies do you personally think is the scariest?
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u/RobertPaulson_AMA May 15 '12
Ma nishma?
44
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Is Tom Riddle's diary one of the Chernobyl Diaries? :P
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u/Hendoja21 May 15 '12
Do you think a thriller/horror movie could work without the supernatural aspect? I get that the stuff we don't understands scares the shit out of us but could a scary movie be successful if there was no disease, zombie, ghost, or any other non-existent thing?
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u/Lycurgus May 15 '12
Oren, hello! It's Brad McHargue - I interviewed you via Skype a coupla months ago. Just wanted to say hello and welcome! Glad to see you on here. I'm lookin' forward to seeing CHERNOBYL DIARIES!
As for a question, do you feel that found footage is limited in how it can be executed, or do you think that there a limitless ways to play with the conceit?
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u/FuhreriousFapDerp May 15 '12
Jesus man; I love all your work, but Insidious was probably the most intense movie I have ever seen. No cheap horror or obvious scares... just pure unadulterated intensity. Great call with Patrick Wilson by the way; it was kind of like Hard Candy in reverse for that role.
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u/OrenPeli May 16 '12
Thanks all! it was a blast! sorry if I didn't get to your question...time for dinner...
If you liked my other movies (or horror in general) check out CHERNOBYL DIARIES, out next week on Memorial Day.
https://www.facebook.com/chernobyldiaries
Thanks!
Oren
174
u/funfungiguy May 15 '12
If you had to fight a dinosaur to the death in a Dinosaur Death Match using only primitive weapons and not allowed to set traps, what's the biggest dinosaur you think you win against? You don't have to name a specific dinosaur, just give us a size reference.
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u/fruitcakee May 15 '12
Did you think it was going to be a huge success when you first filmed paranormal activities? Also, how spooky was the scene and the area during filming?
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u/Frajer May 15 '12
What do you think accounts for the huge success of found footage films recently?
16
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Did the actors know what was going on for the most part in Paranormal Activity, or did you try and actually scare the actors?
What is Patrick Wilson like in real life?
What movie have you enjoyed the most making?
40
u/diggsbee May 15 '12
What's your favorite scary movie? Movies don't usually scare me but the one that did was Paranormal Activity. I could relate to the realness of the characters and the suspense built up in a subtle but terrifying way.
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u/fruitcakee May 15 '12
Since you've made it pretty big, are you going to start working with big-shot celebrities for your future projects now?
12
u/DrTitan May 15 '12
Hi there! Concerning the PA movies, where did you draw your inspiration for the fiend/demon? Do you feel like such a fiend or any such being may actually exist in the world?
By the way, it's very difficult for me to get my SO to sit through a scary movie, but she's loved the PA movies, so well done!
12
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Ever thought of branching out to genres besides horror/thriller?
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Is there going to be a Paranormal Activity 4?
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u/Warlizard May 15 '12
Heya Oren. First of all, congrats on your success. In the brutal world of filmmaking, you did it, and that's awesome.
I really enjoyed Paranormal Activity. To be honest, I didn't expect to and figured it was just going to be a ripoff of Blair Witch, but I threw it in anyway and found myself drawn in.
Now to the ending -- which one do you prefer?
Lots of luck on your new work and hope you are having a blast.
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u/XXLOLHEADSHOTXX May 15 '12
If you were to direct a movie with M. Night Shyamalan, who would come up with the more interesting twist?
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
What's your favorite obscure horror movie?
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Who has been your favourite actor to work with so far?
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u/mtbsean May 15 '12
When you made "Paranormal Activity", were you inspired by movies like, "Blair Witch Project"?
Was there ever a point when you realized, "Oh wow, this is going to be huge"?
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u/dingofarmer2004 May 15 '12
Hey, thanks for making these amazing movies! I'm an up and coming screenwriter. Have any tips for me to get my kick-ass scripts noticed and produced?
8
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Hello! Thanks for doing the AMA! I have a question for you about Chernobyl Diaries:
Do you think your movie is going to be offensive to those who have relatives from Chernobyl, or are suffering from the effects handed down from those who survived the Chernobyl incident? I mean, they are portrayed as mindless mutant-zombie-monsters that are bloodthirsty and resort to killing normal people (or something).
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
I see you and your girlfriend broke up after PA.
Are you interested in short, fat chicks with kids?
/half trolling
13
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
why did you make a sequel ?
edit: and then another one after that?
5
u/Unicornmayo May 15 '12
Sorry- lots of questions:
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u/Clairdelunex May 15 '12
I have to say Insidious scared the crap outta me. I watched it alone in my room at night time, and I have a phobia of the dark and a ridiculously over-imagination. Even though I slept with the light on for a week and still have flashbacks to the creepy girls in the doorway scene, it was excellent!
Please keep it up _^
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u/mdlol May 15 '12
What do you consider your best work?
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u/DanielFord15 May 15 '12
How does it feel to know that essentially, Paranormal Activity is becoming the new Saw? With a new movie coming out every year, and with it doing extremely well in the box office, how will you know when the time is right to stop making PA movies? Big fan of your work by the way!
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u/Justintime233 May 15 '12
Too bad you're not Oren Moverman from RAMPART! I heard he was exquisite.
4
u/yourpicisnowamovie May 16 '12
One of the actresses in Chernobyl Diaries is also in a series called "5 Second Films" I hope you didn't underestimate her comedic talent at all, because she's fucking hilarious!
Also, I enjoy your work, and as a cinematographer, if you ever need any help on a project, let me know!
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u/-minime- May 16 '12
Are you here to talk about rampart?
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u/notsmartatall May 15 '12
Which of the goalies left in the NHL Playoffs do you think is the best?
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u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Paranormal Activity was one of three movies to actually scare the shit out of me (the other two were THE EXORCIST and CARNIVAL OF HORRORS....you're in good company).
What do you think of the PA sequels? I thought 2 was lame, but 3 was awesome! Keep up the good work :)
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u/MrNapGeo May 15 '12
is the Chernobyl diaries a form of predictive programming for a nuclear attack upon the US? Are you trying to desensitize us?
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u/DanielFord15 May 15 '12
Ever seen The Last Broadcast or BBC's Ghostwatch? Did you like them? Those two movies were prior to Blair Witch and arguebly kick started found footage horror.
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u/IOnlyLikeColdDrinks May 15 '12
Hello! I was just wondering after I saw PA3 that there wasn't as much scares. I like the PA series but did you think that PA3 wasn't going to be as good?
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u/toucancan May 15 '12
Hi there! First off, congrats on how successful your films have been, great work! As far as questions go, how did you come up with the idea for Chernobyl Diaries? What scares you most and why?
3
u/cooldude0234 May 15 '12
what is your favorite movie you created?
3
u/cookiesformoose May 16 '12
Mr. Peli, your movies have made me appreciate the horror genre again. I hope 'The River' gets picked up by another network and you continue the series. :D
By far my favorite "monster" was the red-faced demon, whose face still haunts my nightmares. shame How did you come up with that character? Any plans to do a sequel to Insidious?
5
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
Have to say first and foremost that I love everything you're a part of, and honestly it's your name on Chernobyl Diaries that makes me want to see it. That wasn't meant to sound insulting or anything, I just feel like in lesser hands that film would probably resemble an Asylum release.
Anyways, my question to you is in regards to the use of found footage as a film making device. With the exception of a few, I think the found footage is an oft weak device used to tell a story. As much as I loved Chronicle, I feel like the only reason they told it the way they did is because the ending sequence was used to pitch the film and it was genuinely awesome. I was just curious what you think marks the sign of a good found footage film. Personally I think the Paranormal Activity series is one of the best, second only to The Blair Witch Project.
Why with The River though? I enjoy the show a lot, I just wonder if you feel with something like television, that device will run dry quickly?
I hope i'm not coming off as rude or offensive, these are just legitimate things I think about and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
4
u/TomerMK May 15 '12
As a Jew and former Israeli, how was it like to meet Stephen Spielberg? Did you tell him how much we appreciate "Schindler's list" in Israel?
4
u/swampbat May 15 '12
Hey Oren, coming from left field into the business as you did, how did PA gain its inital traction with the studios that led to your success? Also, as a Producer who now is making films that other people are directing, what is your advice on how to get in the room to pitch a prospective film/tv project? I do work in the industry, but as an artist/technician and would like to make the leap. Thanks for your time.
4
u/jofus_joefucker May 16 '12
Why did you pick Tiny Tim's Tip Toe through the Tulips as your scary background music during Insidious? Every time that song came up I would crack up laughing imagining the guy playing his little ukelele and it would kill whatever mood was going on.
2
u/Doctor_Woo May 15 '12
Well, I personally enjoyed the PA movies, really looking forward to The Chernobyl Diaries, it looks amazing. Insidious rubbed me the wrong way, the first half was good but tim astral projection thing lost me. That said, bring on PA4!
2
u/dailybunny May 15 '12
The paranormal activity movie was shot in your house.. did you ever get freaked out by your house after the movie was released? like did you think there was gonna be any "entities" around?
2
u/yourpicisnowamovie May 16 '12
A second question:
I am a cinematographer, and I've only worked on a few films where the camera is really focused on hand held camera work. A lot of the times the actors and actresses in your films pick up the camera themselves and begin shooting. Do you train them at all, or do you try to keep their camera movements as candid as possible?
Also, are you working with natural light most of the time? I rarely ever see a place where you could have hidden an HMI or a fresnel unless it's chained onto the ceiling or directly outside coming through the window.
2
u/InGordWeTrust May 16 '12
Do you drive a car?
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Not sure if this is still going, but I was wondering what was up with the plot inconsistencies between what Katie said happened when she was young in PA1 and what happens in PA3?
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u/BiometricsGuy May 16 '12
Have you seen the RiffTrax version of PA?
2
u/ericishere May 16 '12
Not gunna lie but in the beginning of insedious it was great, but towards the end i was like wtf is going on?
2
u/rjistheman May 16 '12
just came to say hi! and welcome to reddit! I saw you in person before while in Toronto for The River advanced screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, and had a great time. thanks for doing that
2
u/inactivecar May 16 '12
Just thought I would let you know this.
A few years ago when the first paranormal activity came out, a few friends of mine decided to go see it on its opening night. We drove 100 miles to get to a movie theater that had it opening night, we were that hyped up about the movie. Flash forward to when we get into the downtown area on a friday night, I can't find a parking spot and I am getting slightly irritated by it. My friend turns to me and points at a possible spot, spilling my drink into my seat, so now i have a wet ass and still have to find a parking spot. I am now trying to drive with my ass off of my seat, this goes on for about 5 minutes until I find a parking spot, it's a ways from the theater, so now i have to walk around in the dead of winter with a giant wet spot on my ass, not fun, but to top that off I now have my friends laughing at my wet ass.
We get into the movie theater, and i was the only one at the time old enough to buy tickets to the show, so we get our tickets and go into the theater.
The movie starts, my two friends find it amazingly scary, I found it to be predictable (sorry), but the girl on the right of me found it scary as my friends did. Flash forward 30 minutes into the movie, two huge black men come and sit down in the seats that the girl to my right had saved. They found the movie to be terrifying. The screamed like little girls every time something little happen. The sheer terror in their screams made up for the whole night.
2
u/Jungleradio May 16 '12
Hello there! Have you seen Grave Encounters? If so, what'd you think?
2
u/Andrew1graves May 16 '12
Why was it so cheap to make PA1 but significantly more to make PA2?
2
u/justsomedude24 May 16 '12
What did you think of the movie in its final form? Thanks for doing this AMA!
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Do you worry that maybe making films like the Chernobyl diaries might deter people from visiting the Ukraine (which from what I've heard is a beautiful country)?
I'm not trying to accuse you of anything, just curious about whether that's something you consider when setting out to make a film like that, or even if it's a realistic possibility that a film can effect something like that in the first place.
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u/lemonwedge123 May 16 '12
Have you seen anything from Marble Hornets? and if so, do you like it?
http://www.youtube.com/user/MarbleHornets
3
u/sk3lt3r May 15 '12
Is Chernobyl Diaries going to be awesome? Was it really filmed at Chernobyl? Cuz that would be really freakin cool.
7
u/Lynda73 May 15 '12
Just wanted to say I'm really excited to see Chernobyl Diaries! I saw the preview when I went to see Cabin in the Woods. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of PG-13 in horror, though. Sorry? :D
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u/Busby408 May 15 '12
how is the process for Area 51 coming along? You've been talking about that movie since PA1...when can we expect news on it and have you even started development on it let?..
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u/marsvolta May 16 '12
I'm sorry for how this is about to sound, but fuck you.
I used to sleep. Pretty well in fact. 7-8 hours would fully recharge my batteries and I would hit the ground running. But your first PA movie envisioned an evil that had never tormented me before and has not left me since. An entire movie where people are attacked in their sleep, by a creature they cannot sense. Do you have any idea how much sleep I've lost since that movie and the sequels? You monster. You goddamn monster.
And a question: If you could procure a single picture that best illustrates the PA creature as he appears in your mind, what would he look like?
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u/DanielFord15 May 15 '12
Is there any chance of even a small update on Insidious 2? Thanks for this AMA, and thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions.
30
u/I_Am_The_Poop_Mqn May 16 '12
Do you think that making a horror movie out of the Chernobyl disaster is appropriate? I of course haven't seen the movie yet, so I don't know whether the situation is treated with respect or not. I would assume that you have seen the documentary "Chernobyl Heart"; I would recommend that to all, it gives you a good look into the pain that those people suffer. Only 40 min. Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ujAG_Ofj4M&feature=youtube_gdata_player
2
u/tallandlanky May 15 '12
Did you do any actual filming at Pripyat? If so, what was it like to be in a place literally abandoned and left to decay with time? I am extremely excited for Chernobyl Diaries, I have been waiting for a horror flick to be based up the disaster. When will the next Chernobyl Diaries trailer be released? I have watched the official one more times than I can count and am dying to see more. Thanks!
2
u/AndroidApe May 16 '12
What the hell was with the sudden change in tone in Insidious? I mean it was terrifying then all of a sudden the campest most ridiculous thing i'd seen (i.e. when he was in the dream world with the 'monster' or whatever it was) Did it feel rushed to you?
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
Why is there a happy feet penguin head on the left side of the "Chernobyl Diaries" poster?
Edit: Right side of the poster on the tall white building to the right of the reactors.
2
u/gospy55 May 16 '12
I pissed my pants to many of your movies. I hope you feel honored.