Deadline Hollywood came out with a story about the fact that Kristen Stewart's fans were e-mailing potential distributors for her film Welcome To The Rileys, encouraging the company to pick up the project.
Of course, it all started when the film's social networking got fans going.
@Welcome2Rileys was using Twitter (and Facebook) as a thermometer of interest, issuing messages such as the following:
From the WTTR twitter:
"We are making a deal for distribution that will really rely on you guys coming to support this!!! we want to help control the release we are using the social networking sites as evidence of a very strong desire to see this movie ALL over the world.
I told distributors that I could get 4000 people to buy advance tickets to the movie when it comes to their theaters.
I am compiling a list of people and the number of tix they would pre-buy to show them how much we all want this movie"
With the internet and film savvy of Kristen Stewart's fan community, though, things quickly progressed in the hands-on effort department, and that same Twitter page had to ask for things to slow up a bit.
"PLEASE!! you are all amazing, but please stop emailing the distributors. we got the message loud and clear. please please stop
they can't answer our emails because they r trying to get through all of your emails. I love you all. please stop the attack
you guys are animals!!!!!! those poor people!!! I know what they are going through when you all started emailing me... powerful"
Soon after, Deadline's article came out, saying:
I've learned that a slew of Kristen Stewart fans somehow got the personal e-mails of Sundance buyers who were circling her Jake Scott-directed film Welcome To The Rileys. In their avalanche of messages, twitters and texts, the Twihards are imploring the execs to buy and release the film starring the Twilight Saga heroine -- or at least get them DVDs of the pic. Among the surprised execs is Sony Pictures Classics' Michael Barker. The film is geared to an adult audience, but the filmmakers keep seeing mobs of young faces at every screening. Three buyers are said to be circling, but no word yet if they are being swayed, or just annoyed, by the email campaign. UTA is shopping the movie, which also stars James Gandolfini. No reports so far of Sopranos fans muscling buyers on his behalf.
Of course, the comments on the post were very clamorous, assuring the writer that the fans accused of e-attacking the distributors were not always "Twi-hards" nor "mobs of young faces." For example, a commentator named Erin said "Why does everyone assume that Kristen Stewart fans are twi-hards and teenagers??" As such, an update was added, saying "(UPDATE: The fans say they are adults, not teens.)."
The team was quickly coined "Rileys Rebels," among other things, and the Rileys twitter page stated that "Rileys Rebels, you amazing army!! your name made me think of "Rebel Yell" an old Billy Idol song. The lyrics totally reminded me of Mallory!"
If nothing else, the incident certainly proved that there was a wide audience available and interested in the film. The "shopping" distribution company has certainly learned that fact! Hopefully, then, they'll choose to distribute the project.
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