• This week, Kevin finally revealed what sounds like a plan that’s been in the works for quite some time. After months of hints, regarding a second chance to see “Red State” inside smaller, “Mom and Pop” style independent theaters, whisperings that Labor Day would be a big chance to see “Red State” for fans, and other rumors and speculation, we now have clear details.
  
  Starting Labor Day weekend (September 2nd through September 5th, 2011), the awesome distributor Lionsgate will bring “Red State” to the Video-On-Demand (VOD) circuit for a limited run. We’re not positive on the debut date yet, but we’ll speculate either September 1st or 2nd for right now. Targeted price is $10 though this may vary, depending on your cable or satellite provider’s setup. If you’re in any doubt, give your local cable company a call to see if they’ve got “Red State” on their VOD schedule for September. If they don’t, demand it! As soon as we get details on what services will offer the flick, we’ll let you know. Yes, this will be the full, uncut film in all its beautiful digital picture and sound quality, so plan on setting up a “Red State” premiere party with your friends and family for the weekend. Make it a part of your Labor Day.
  
  Then, in October, on a yet-to-be-announced date (likely a Monday night, though), theaters across the country will host a digitally syndicated one-night-only chance to see “Red State” with a simulcast introduction and Q&A, LIVE, by Kevin Smith himself, followed by an exclusive live episode of the great “Hollywood Babble On”. Kevin’s inviting the large chains to jump on board with this, as well, and we’re hoping they do — So make sure you talk to your local theater’s manager, big or small, and let them know you’d be down for a night of “Red State” this October. As Kevin wisely says, fans will not only pack seats on a night that theaters are traditionally empty, but spend a ton of cash on concessions to boot. Our plan is to promote the heck of of any theater hosting the show, so once you find out your theater is hosting, let us know so we can add it to a master list that we’ll be putting together. The $20 ticket price is a total no-brainer. We’re there.
  
  All this, along with a ton of fantastic back story and detail, from Kevin’s latest Red Statements blog. Some highlights from this are ahead — This is Kevin at his finest, one of the best blog entries we’ve ever read from the man, as it not only covers his thoughts on the “Red State” distribution model, but the new world for independent film:
  
  “…Saying what I said at Sundance didn’t shut doors, like homey suggested it would. Instead, it got me invited onto many more lawns. What he saw as an implosion was really a simple reinvention: almost a commercial for Kevin Smith, 2.0. And that commercial worked: in the last six months, I’ve inked deals for a book and two television pilots, started an online radio station, lost 70 pounds, renewed myself as an artist and revitalized my career just in time for me to opt out of the movie biz altogether after Hit Somebody – my next (and last) film.”
  
  “…We made close to one million bucks from 15 screenings, including $160,000 from the Radio City Music Hall show (which gave us the tenth best per-theater average of all-time). Add that million to the nearly $5 million in foreign sales to date (including Canada – which never feels foreign to me), VOD and Home Video deal, and streaming. Guess where that puts our four million dollar film? IN THE BLACK!”
  
  “…In the last decade, specialized film marketing has become as costly as studio movie marketing: there is no difference. It’s not like Fox will give an indie flick a cheaper commercial rate during American Idol. If you see a commercial for a movie on TV, that means huge chunks of money are already being spent on that film’s behalf, in an effort to hip the world the movie’s coming. Grand idea, but cost-prohibitive to those of us unwilling to spend another wasted nickel reaching out to an audience that just wants to stay home and see the flick at their convenience. I know my audience and I don’t have to spend money to reach them.”
  
  “…From this day forward, every buck that Red State makes is a buck of profit. And we were able to do that without spending money on marketing. People know only one way to release movies anymore: with commercials, billboards, paid ads. But I’m committed to doing Red State pure: I never want to spend money to make money when I don’t have to. All I’ve gotta do is use my special effect and bring the movie with me when I Q&A.”
  
  And here’s the actual announcement on what the show in October is all about:
  
  “…Like let’s say Red State is showing at your local multiplex. But then right after the movie ends, a live, interactive Q&A with the filmmaker starts, beamed into the theater via satellite. Even if you’re not there in the room, you’re Tweeting questions from your theater and getting responses from the guy on the big screen. And then, after three hours of movie and interactive Q&A? Boom: LIVE PODCAST! That’s four hours of once-in-a-lifetime entertainment for less than $20: a movie, a show, then another show. And y’know how we’ll market it? Via Twitter and my podcasts and in-theater trailers. So it’s not gonna cost us much but time and effort, which makes for lots more profit (the key motivator for all patrons of the business of show).
  
  So that’ll be fun for me and the audience and might actually get people into the theater for something new and different without simply buying their interest via pricey commercials or billboards. But what if it’s not playing in a theater near you?
  Don’t worry: I’ve got you covered there, too.”
  
  
  And then, on to the VOD news:
  
  “…Lionsgate was where we were always hoping Red State would wind up, before we decided to release the flick theatrically ourselves. Even their modest theatrical marketing costs (the lowest amongst the boldface name studios) were still gonna be too much for our $4million dollar art film. But we were gonna need a partner for Video-On-Demand and Home Video, so we reached out to Lionsgate after Sundance and begged them to be our VOD/DVD/BluRay partner. We didn’t have to sell very hard: mind you, this is the company that released Dogma in 1999. This is also the only company brave enough to theatrically distribute Vulgar (back when such things were still possible). They’ve got a history of nutting-up with weird material.
  
  So starting Labor Day weekend, you can see Red State in your house for like $10. If you gather up ten friends and watch it together, then it’s like a buck a pop. I used to feel like any release that didn’t include TV spots and newspaper ads was somehow a failure, until I remembered that I don’t make the Avatar or Hangover II type of flicks that demand a theatrical experience in the first place. In Red State, I made a hardcore, mid-90?s indie flick: it’s raw, it’s nasty, it’s funny, it’s strange, and it’d be doomed at the box office if it had to run the traditional gauntlet. But once you realize the game is rigged, you can change the game. If you can’t win at rugby, change it into football. Make up your own rules.”
  
  
  There’s a lot to love about this posting and news. Let’s count the ways…
  
  1. “Red State” has already made enough profit to be totally in the black. That means, before a national release anywhere, investors and actors are all paid, and the costs are fully covered. Amazing.
  
  2. Kevin had the opportunity to make exactly the movie he wanted, the cuts he wanted (after basically inviting the audience to a nationwide concert-like tour that also allowed him to determine a few trims at the Sundance debut).
  
  3. “Red State” will remain totally uncut, and the way exactly the director intended.
  
  4. The theory that a film needs to have massive ad campaigns and distribution plans to make serious money has been blown out of the water.
  
  5. Fans across the country will get the chance to simultaneously participate in what has to be the largest audience ever for a one-night film and live event with Kevin and co.
  
  6. Instead of asking the audience to come to the movie, Kevin’s bringing the movie directly to the audiences who want it.
  
  7. WE GET “RED STATE” AT HOME THIS SEPTEMBER!!!
  
  Our take: Even though some may speculate this is a change in direction, Kevin’s doing exactly what he wanted, just like he did when he bought the film at Sundance. We’ve been hearing hints from Kevin about this whole “mom and pop” theater idea, and September debut for a long time now, and he’s been careful to not let the details slip — Though now that they have, looking back, you can see that this was the plan all along. Kevin’s changed up the entire system for distributing a movie, and he’s MADE MONEY doing it. Not only profit, but given birth to an amazing, unique, pure film unlike anything he’s ever done before. Tune up your TV sets, folks, as “Red State” will be hitting VOD this Labor Day. You can bet we’ll be hosting a huge screening here for all our pals to enjoy the flick on VOD, and also on hand at our favorite local theater here in the Central PA area for the October event. Stay tuned, it’s gonna be an exciting couple of months for “Red State”…And then, on to “Hit Somebody”!

• It’s late here on the east coast, so we’ll be chatting about this a great deal tomorrow/later today, but we just wanted to get something out there fast for the fans. Kevin has confirmed that fans will be able to enjoy “Red State” IN THEIR HOMES via Video-on-Demand starting LABOR DAY WEEKEND with the awesome Lionsgate handling the distribution. Price is expected to be around $10.
  
  Then, in October, for ONE NIGHT ONLY, you’ll be able to enjoy the film digitally in a theater near you, complete with a live, nationwide interactive Q&A session and live podcast following the screening. Tickets for these yet to be announced venues will be just $20.
  
  More details and commentary on this fantastic news, and Kevin’s amazing blog post, soon — For now, read it for yourself at the official Red Statements site.

• With Kevin & Jen back stateside after the Italy trip, things are starting to get back to business as usual with SModcast and SModcast Internet Radio — That is, of course, meaning that the news is coming in fast and furious, involving new live appearances, iTunes downloads, show news, and heaps more. Here’s a breakdown of all that was revealed on the great SIR this week (and if you didn’t hear it live, why aren’t you listening – it’s free!) :
  • SModCost deets have been totally revealed, and as a fan, there’s every reason to join up. First off, for just $37 bucks, you’re covered for AN ENTIRE YEAR (almost half of the monthly $4.99 cost). To start, you’re going to get exlclusive access to archives and never-before heard content from the network. You’re also going to be the first to get ticketing offers for major events — Yep, buy tickets and get the best seats before ANYONE ELSE. That alone is worth well more than the annual fee for a fan. But yes, you’re getting ALL that content, and a lot more special surprises and treats as the months roll on. Hit this link and become a support of SModcast, and a proud SModCost member, today. Premium, CD-quality content starts rolling out regularly this July.Be a part of SIR! The live call-in at 855-YES-SIRS (855-937-7477) opens up during the live broadcasts for your chance to join the crew live, on-air. Listen to “Plus One Per Diem” Monday through Friday mornings starting at 11 AM EST / 8 AM PST.SMoviola becomes the latest SModcast network show to take over iTunes this week – Not only can you now sMubscribe to it, you can get the official episode #1, “Valley Girl”, immediately delivered to your eardrums – FREE! Coming soon, “The Breakfast Club” and “The Rocketeer”. Subscribe today and get immediate notification as new SMoviola becomes available. It’s already the #1 rated TV/Film podcast on iTunes! Prefer video? Watch the “Valley Girl” Q&A right here courtesy of FilmLinc.In just over a month of life, SIR has already logged some amazing guests — Fans are calling Joe Rogan‘s stint from Monday one of the best podcasts they’ve ever heard. We’re loving the banner tucked away neatly in the lower right corner of the official SModcast site — Page through it and take a look (and listen, via direct links) to all of SIR’s great guest appearances.Don’t forget, the first and original SModcast, when recorded, arrives on the network and for download every Sunday – Last week’s #173 came to us direct from a recent Lovitz appearance, and #174 will be available perhaps even by the time you’re reading this.After kicking butt on the network during the Italy trip, there’s rumblings that we’ll be getting daily doses of Bry, Walt, & Ming on SIR — Details soon.
  
  SIR is back on the air Monday morning — And don’t forget, get in on that SModCost pricing while the gettin’s good – Best bargain of the year, and you help support all the amazing FREE content that continues to reach the global masses of the interwebs.

• Kevin Smith’s panels have constantly sold out to standing-room-only crowds at the annual San Diego Comic Con. With this being the biggest year yet of SMod, there’s some special stuff happening there this year. Right now, you can buy tickets for two exclusive shows at the House of Blues in San Diego, and you don’t even have to be a ‘con attendee. Hit the top of SModcast.com for links to purchase table and bar tickets for both “Hollywood Babble On” and “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old”, both going down on Friday, July 22nd. There are just 100 seated tickets and 200 standing/bar tickets for each show, so don’t delay. $37 gets you a seat and $26.99 gets you in the door. Tickets come down as PDF files, you print and bring ‘em with you, nice and easy. If you want to see both shows, you’ll need tickets for both.
  
  JUST ANNOUNCED – Kevin will moderate a panel featuring Star Trek captains William Shatner and Avery Brooks at the Con this year, in conjunction with Shater’s new documentary taking a look at the actors who have taken the Trek captain’s chair over the years. Epix HD will debut the film and offer fans a chance to interact directly with the panel, though this will likely be the MUST SEE headline event of the Con this year. Typically, you need to line up just for tickets for events like this at the Con ahead of time, but we if hear anything further on how you can get a seat, you’ll have it here. Stay tuned.
  
  And don’t forget, See SMOD network programs recorded LIVE at the Lovitz, Universal Citywalk, every Friday and Saturday night. The Huffington Post shares a look (scroll down) at what you’ll see in person. Not local? SeeSMod has all your upcoming tour dates from around the globe.

Sometimes, an article just captures a key moment in Kevin’s career so perfectly, we just wanna run it — This Financial Times piece, where they chat him up about the birth of the new SModcast Internet Radio, is one of those:

Radio activity
By Matthew Garrahan
The hills above the junction of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue are lush and green, with large houses nestled together on narrow, winding streets. It is a quiet, serene neighbourhood , a surprise, given the area’s proximity to the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, but that is one of the reasons the film director and writer Kevin Smith decided to move here a decade ago.

With an edgy sensibility and a taste for spicy dialogue, Smith, the director of films such as Chasing Amy, Dogma and Red State, has never really been part of the Hollywood establishment. Yet the portly director could not have chosen to live in an area more closely aligned with the entertainment industry.

Plenty of stars live in what is one of the city’s grandest enclaves. Dame Helen Mirren has a home nearby, for example, as does the director Penny Marshall. ‘Morpheus [Laurence Fishburne, the star of the Matrix films] lives around here too,î says Smith, easing himself into a chair in his living room.

Smith and his wife Jennifer, a former journalist, bought their imposing three-storey Mediterranean-style house from the actor and director Ben Affleck. Together with their 12-year-old daughter Harley ñ a vast portrait of her hangs in the entrance lobby they have turned Affleck’s former bachelor pad into a welcoming family home. Smith, clad today in an outsize orange and blue ice-hockey shirt, says he got a good deal from the actor, a long-time friend who starred in several of his movies. Affleck renovated the house but gave Smith a great price. ‘He put a bunch of loot into it and sold to us for exactly what he bought it for.’

There is a terrace outside on the first floor that opens out on to a rooftop pool, and a little gate at the top of the stairs to stop Smith’s dogs from bursting in to the room unannounced. Inside, the walls are adorned with prints and paintings including one work by street artist Shepard Fairey, who created the iconic image of Barack Obama before the 2008 presidential election. There is also a pool table and a fully stocked bar, although Smith doesn’t drink, marijuana, rather than alcohol, is his drug of choice.

The most unusual aspect and the reason we are meeting ñ is that the living room also doubles as a fully functioning internet radio station, where Smith and Jennifer record a daily morning show that is streamed to about 100,000 listeners around the world.

Smith launched Smodcast Internet Radio (SIR) in May and broadcasts live Monday to Friday, building on the success of his podcasts, which attract as many as 300,000 listeners at a time, and his fans on Twitter, where he has 1.8m followers.

The move into radio came about partly because, after almost 20 years, he had grown tired of the movie business. ‘I’m done,’ he says. ‘It’s been awesome but I can retire from film knowing I made enough movies. The radio thing makes it easier to walk away because I have something else to do. I will continue to work … I just won’t be in film.’

The radio shows follow a simple format: he and his co-presenters riff on the day’s news, with no subject off-limits or too racy for discussion. It is a big departure from film, which has undergone some big changes since Smith first directed Clerks in 1994. There are fewer companies around to release the movies that Smith liked to make while the cost of releasing movies has skyrocketed. ‘If you’re telling a story that’s off-kilter then you can’t do it [anymore],’ he says. ‘It requires $10m-$20m on marketing.’

With his last film, Red State, which explores fundamentalism in the US, he raised eyebrows at Robert Redford’s Sundance film festival when he screened the movie for potential distributors only to announce that he would be releasing the movie himself. He was roundly castigated by many in Hollywood and admits to being surprised by the reaction. ‘They were like, ‘Kill the heretic!’

What he wanted to do was go directly to the audience, without compromising the content of his work ñ or incurring the expense of a studio marketing campaign. So he did, taking the film out on the road across the country, Barnum & Bailey-style, promoting each screening on radio and local television and appearing in live question and answer sessions after the film had been shown.
Smith’s vast online following helped. ‘I just wanted to see if it could be done,’ he says. ‘Marketing is all about reaching an audience … well, I reach an audience every day.’

Contrary to expectations, the film, which had a budget of $4m, has already earned enough to pay back Smith’s investors and, with more distribution deals in the offing, it should earn a healthy profit. This is not to say it was easy. ‘There were days when I was up at four in the morning selling the tour to the other side of the country. It takes a real dedication to the art form, to the product, to take it to the streets yourself.’

But why would one of the most outspoken and funny filmmakers of recent years want to quit the silver screen for internet radio? ‘It seems to be the most accessible art form,’ he says. ‘Unlike film, which is way too expensive.’

He has secured a growing list of sponsors for SIR and was in the black from day one. But the continued success of the venture depends to a large extent on his wife Jennifer and her willingness to be on the air from her own home five days a week. So far, the omens are good. ‘She’s the big lynchpin here,’ he says. ‘Everything depends on her digging it.’

Yet as I look around at the memorabilia from his film career, I cannot help but feel that Hollywood will be more boring without Smith around to liven things up. He has never been one to toe the industry line self-releasing Red State is a prime example and has never let film get in the way of other interests.

Smith also writes comics and tells me about a poetry reading he once held at the house when Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-Man, mercilessly needled a fellow guest who turned out to be John Lydon of the Sex Pistols. The punk rocker ‘didn’t take it very well,’ he says.

There are newspaper cuttings on the wall ñ including the interview Jennifer did for USA Today when she first met Smith 13 years ago. Was it love at first sight? ‘A fat man is never confident, he sighs.
He may lack confidence but with an army of fans behind him and a killer sense of humour that shows no sign of losing its edge, it would be unwise to bet against the great Hollywood outsider in his new venture. ‘I’m lucky enough to not work for anyone anymore,’ he says, laughing. ‘I can just work for the audience.’

My favourite things: Artwork

‘It’s beautiful, man’

Statuettes of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck from ‘Dogma’

On the statuettes of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck from the movie Dogma, by the sculptor Clete Shields:

‘I saw some pieces he had done for Pulp Fiction and loved them. So after Dogma I had Clete make them for me, Ben, Matt and Jason Lee. Quentin [Tarantino] has his own pieces in his theatre at his house.’

On a portrait of Harley Smith, by Gottfried Helnwein:

‘He does these giant pictures that look like photographs but if you get up real close you can see these tiny brushstrokes. I got home from work late one night after it had been hung up and went to the farthest wall and looked at it for a long time. It’s beautiful, man.

• Keep your browsers tunes to the official “Red Statements” blog , where Kevin will reveal some major news regarding the film (likely in tandem with some announcements on S.I.R. next week). Last we’ve left the film, we’d heard rumors of a way that U.S. fans can see “Red State” by Labor Day (only 2 months away). We’re speculating an exclusive pay-per-view engagement, possibly, so tune up your big screen sets or get ye to a Best Buy with your credit card. When the blog’s updated, we’re hearing it’ll be chock full of upcoming ways you can see the awesome “Red State” for yourself, if you haven’t already had the pleasure.
  
  The UK will get the film in a nationwide release on September 30th, though a date is all we’ve got so far. With that UK date official, you can bet the farm on the fact that the US will have a shot at it before then. We’re hoping for some more theatrical chances to catch it, as well, including the previously mentioned tour that would bring “Red” to smaller neighborhood and art house screens.
  
  Last we heard from Kevin, he’d had a magical experience watching the flick with the great Quentin Tarantino. We’re looking forward to reading what’s next.