Chance now available on VHS and DVD

[AmbersSecretAdmirer]

"Chance" is a damn fine film which also showcases Amber's enormous talent.

Edited by: Warduke at: 5/12/04 8:17 pm

[guardian146]

When I bought my copy I made all my friends sit down and watch it with me. None of them had ever watched Buffy before. They thought it was the funniest thing...it is now part of our movie night line up.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm dancing like a monkey!!! - GIR

MONKEYS - Ian: MacHall

[Dana5140]

Just came across this review, sorry if it was posted in the past:

CHANCE

by Mike Watt

(2003-06-29)



2001, Un-rated, 72 Minutes, Benson Entertainment



“Chance” is a movie about finding your way through the minefield of your twenties, when you don’t quite know who you are and you’re scared to death of finding out. Writer/director Benson plays the title character, an aimless trust-fund baby who has plenty of theories of the meaning of life, but whose life just doesn’t have much meaning. In her search for fulfillment, she tortures her neurotic roommate Simon (Marsters), endures the potential break-up of her New Ager parents (Ricketts and Estabrook), has a same-sex encounter with a narcoleptic English girl (DiFiglia), and falls in love with a handsome lounge-singer (Hallett), who turns out to be gay. Now take a good look at your own life and decide if it’s similarly complicated.



Best known for her role as “Tara” (a.k.a. “Willow’s girlfriend” for those outside the know) on the hit show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, Benson has crafted a unique debut feature film here. She uses her A-minus-list co-stars to a great effect (particularly Marsters and former “Nikki” star Estabrook) and manages to get fun, quirky performances out of each of them. The main thing that will strike viewers – after they get past the shock of seeing the “Buffy” stars performing outside the “Buffy” realm (hey, some people have a hard time with this!) – is that “Chance” is very funny. Not just the dialogue, but the characters themselves, they’re true to themselves, even when treading the line between character and caricature, they all have their quirks, neuroses almost to the point of surrealism, but when you realize the world is being filtered through the perception of the title character and narrator, you understand where they’re all coming from. To “Chance”, many of the people around her are not “people”, per ce. They’re creatures to be endured and tolerated. The only one on Chance’s planet is Chance, and the fun is watching her realize that she’s not superior to them, and she can’t control them.



At first, “Chance” comes off like an ambitious student film, with Benson breaking the fourth wall, talking directly to the camera, and the narrative jumping all over the place before the audience is settled into the rhythm, not to mention a strolling troubadour with an acoustic guitar (composer Aaron Fruchtman). But after a few minutes of adjusting, you start to realize what an impressive achievement “Chance” really is. This was a labor of love for all involved. There’s a misconception in the world that TV actors make buckets of money, but they’re working-class joes like the rest of us. Benson scrimped and saved to make “Chance”, and everyone was paid with the “deferred payment” Monopoly money system. Shot on DV without benefit of “Frame” mode, “Chance” looks like video, but has a rich color scheme to it, both lighting-wise and in terms of art direction provided by mother Diane and sister Danielle.



For the time being, “Chance” is without a distributor, which is a shame, not just for “Buffy” fans, but for anyone who might enjoy seeing this nifty movie.

[Hemiola]

If the film keeps having difficulties finding a regular distributor or finding a place on the festival circuit, why not offer it to a cable channel such as IFC ("Independent Film Channel"), where it would surely find an enthusiatic audience?

[Iamyouknowyours]

Well I tried showing Chance to my parents (non-Buffy fans) but they didn't really get it. I believe their exact words were "that's interesting."



I think the DVD times review is pretty dead on. Amber is excellent at writing diologue and developing characters. The main flaw of Chance, which I've said before, is the story structure. The plot is a little cluttered and some scenes don't advance the story, making the viewer wonder why they are there. (A scene being funny isn't reason enough alone to be in a film. Even screwball comedies need to have a plot.) After watching a torturous night of student films at LACC, I am even more impressed with Amber's work. Since this was basically her student film/learning experience she did an excellent job of it. It's funny, fresh and original. The script is remarkably good for being her first one and she gets some wonderful performances out of her actors. The film makes you fall in love with the characters, most of which aren't too far from people we actually know in reality. And the DV looks great, even though she decided not to try to film look it (a gutsy move that may not have paid off distribution-wise but I think really works for the style of the film). I can't wait to see what how her future writing and directing projects will come out. Go Amber!



I also think that writing with Chris Golden is probably the best thing for her. He's well versed in the more technical aspects of writing, which is all she really needs to strengthen. She already has a wonderful imagination, and that's much harder to come by.

[Dana5140]

Does anyone know who runs the email at Benson Entertainment? Is it family? They sure are friendly in their emails, let me tell you. I just ordered the DVD and they have been keeping me posted on my order.

[littlecrazy80]

Most of the time Diane Benson runs the emails.



*lil´c*

"I am S-E-X-Y" Amber at the FedCon



SweetAmber ~~~ Amber Board

[urnofosiris]

Quote:

---

Well I tried showing Chance to my parents (non-Buffy fans) but they didn't really get it. I believe their exact words were "that's interesting."



I think the DVD times review is pretty dead on. Amber is excellent at writing diologue and developing characters. The main flaw of Chance, which I've said before, is the story structure. The plot is a little cluttered and some scenes don't advance the story, making the viewer wonder why they are there. (A scene being funny isn't reason enough alone to be in a film. Even screwball comedies need to have a plot.)

---

Do you mean to say that every scene in a movie has to further the plot? I don´t believe that would make a movie better, nor do I agree with the statement that even a screwball comedy needs a plot. It think it is subjective, maybe for you every movie needs a plot and every scene needs to be part of that plot, but I would not state it as a general fact. For me a plot is not always necessary for a movie to be entertaining and I know I am not the only one who feels that way.



Sometimes I just watch a movie for the great effects, or because of a specific actress or actor (I bought Taboo, oi), or the humor etc. A good plot/story can obviously make a movie better or more accessible, but it´s not always a necessity if the movie has other qualities that can appeal to the audience enough to compensate for lack of plot. What exactly is a plot anyway? Does American Wedding have a plot? Jim and Michelle are going to get married, which is the excuse for a lot of funny scenes linked together to make that wedding happen and to make the movie, but in a sense those scenes all stand on their own, like sketches. I mean, was it necessary for Michelle´s mother to have her face smothered by two huge breasts? Not really, but it was funny, at least I thought is was. For me, that is reason enough for that scene to be in the movie, I did not mind all the silly slapstick that had nothing to do with a plot.



Chance is looking for love in all the wrong places. It´s a familiar theme/plot, but all scenes leading up to the inevitable ending (finding love right under her nose) seem far more part of the plot than they do in American Wedding. I feel the humor in Chance is more cleverly written and portrayed (not referring to the acting, which I loved equally in both movies) than the AP humor. I enjoyed both movies immensely for different reasons. One is a commercial success, one has not gotten the chance (ha ha) to become one. Some people will not get AP, some people will not get Chance. I doubt whether this is mainly because of the plot or whether every scene is part of a plot.

Edited by: DrG at: 6/3/04 11:36 am

[sprhrgrl]

this could be just a rumor, but it was posted on the amber benson livejournal community.



Amber Benson's independent film that she wrote, produced, directed, and stared in, Chance, is about to be picked up for distribution. SmallPlanet Pictures is in the final stages of contracting the distribution deal. This is great news of course for all the fans.

Some things to look forward to that SmallPlanets would like to do for Chance... a new DVD cover design, actor commentay by Amber Benson, James Marsters, & Andy Hallet, and possibly a deleted footage/bloopers.



i'm not sure, perhaps this is related to the theatrical release mentioned in the "notes from amber" in nerissa picadizo's post here?



small planet pictures has a website here. they're the ones that distributed a family affair, which i'm pretty sure has been discussed somewhere here.



xox



http://www.smallplanetpictures.com/

Sweetie, I'm a fag. I been there. - Tara (Dead Things shooting script)

[Dana5140]

In answer to the last post, this was from Essence of Amber, just a week ago:



Hi folks I just double checked with the terrific folks over at Benson Entertainment. At this time there is not a deal to put the film into theatres and put the video into stores such as Blockbuster. However things are being worked on to possibly accomplish this.



Diane also wants to thank all the fans that love and support Amber and of course Amber's film Chance.



My 2 cents:

Business being business there are so many things that need to be hammered out. So folks this is not a done deal. Hollywood is like that, things change in a heartbeat. So it's a possibility, which would be so neat! Maybe we could keep our fingers crossed and say a few prayers that a deal could be worked out. Then we could really spread the Amber love around.



But deals like this take time. sigh....



So not to worry about not getting your copy of Chance. Benson Entertainment has not been asked to stop selling the movie.

[littlecrazy80]

For all the European Kittens. Chance is still available at Amber´s official German website.



*lil´c*

"I am S-E-X-Y" Amber at the FedCon



Sweet Amber ~~~ Amber Board ~~~ Fred the Elephant ~~~ Danielle Benson ~~~ Danielle Board

[pocket gnome]

:: sigh :: people keep getting my hopes up





{edited to fix a mishap with smilies}

Edited by: pocket gnome at: 7/14/04 7:03 pm

[WebWarlock]

New word.



Benson Entertainment has announced they have sold out of Chance DVDs (North America versions)!



They have a distributor now and will start selling them again very soon.



Check out the Chance website for details.

www.chancemovie.com



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

Me: I think I'll have a mid-life crisis and bring home a little red convertible Vette.

My wife: Fine, as long as you don't bring home some little red-head.

Edited by: WebWarlock at: 7/28/04 2:37 pm

[RaVeN]

I really need a job so I can buy this.. well for other reasons to but you know this comes first..

------------------

To see her was to love her, and love no one but her.. and to love forever...

Edited by: RaVeN at: 7/28/04 1:05 pm

[Dana5140]

Webwarlock- the link seems to be broken- any idea what is up?

[BFR from Paris]

replace .us by .com

[AmbeRocks]

anyone knows if there's news for the north america situation?

just when i had the money to buy it, no more copy for me



just hope i'll be able to order it soon!

There is such a variety of well-invented things that the earth is like the breasts of a woman: useful as well as pleasing - Nietzsche

[PuddleOfL0ve]

i'm sorry if this was already posted... there are 21 pages for this thread after all... same on me for not looking at every last one of them.. but... is there a way to see this movie without paying so much? i am all for supporting an artist you like... but is there a way for broke college students to see this without spending so much money... renting would be great... because then one could watch it and then if they absolutely loved the movie they could support amber and go out and buy the movie.... so... yeah... is there any other way to see this movie other than ordering it??

[tarawhipped]

PuddleOfL0ve-



If my years in videostore management hell serve me correctly, the problem with renting Chance is that I don't believe it's been picked up by a distributer (someone correct me if I'm wrong), which is why it's being offered directly from Benson Entertainment. Anyway, that means that no video store could carry it, unless they're doing so illegally. I think your best bet is to try to make contact with someone who already has it, maybe they'll send it to you on loan. I waited too long myself, so I'm hoping they print more copies soon.



Hope that helps!

-Cameron

Edited by: tarawhipped at: 9/20/04 5:37 pm

[SilverWingedNemesis]

Maybe try ebay....?



I'd make you a copy... but.. my ex kept it.. and the pictures.. *frowns* so i'll have to buy another myself..



sowwy...

"Life is eternal; it has no beginning and no end. The loving friends we meet on our journey return to us time after time. We never die, because we were never really born."

[littlecrazy80]

As far as I know Chance will have a distributor for North America. The Bensons are still working everything out.



And ebay isn´t a great option. The last NTSC DVD I´ve seen there, was sold for over 155 USD.



*lil´c*

"I am S-E-X-Y" Amber at the FedCon



Sweet Amber ~~~ Amber Board ~~~ Danielle Benson ~~~ Danielle Benson France ~~~ Danielle Board

[PuddleOfL0ve]

$155? Thats crazy! I can't believe how much money people spend on materialistic things. Well actually I can, I used to do it myself , now I can hardly afford to fill my gas tank





I just want to see it.. I dont have to own it!!

[taralicious]

Any money spent on Amber which goes directly to Benson Entertainment is money well spent in my book.

It's also money which goes to help keep alive the creative processes of the written word and scenario by offering an intelligent life-affirming alternative to the heinous and risible glut of reality tv and teen sex romps which flood the cinemas.

[BFR from Paris]

PuddleOfLove: if you come by Paris, you're welcome to watch it at my place! And btw, I'm totally willing to organise "Chance" screenings for Kittens who couldn't buy the DVD



Now, just so you know... I don't have a home theater system

[PuddleOfL0ve]

taralicious - good point. if i had the money i would be glad to be spending it on Benson Entertainment. I reread my post and it sounded a little harsh... and i didnt intend it to be... if i had the money i would be buying things too... Now even though Willow and Tara are on many of the BtVS DVD's i can't bring myself to buy them... maybe the whole not having any money thing is having an effect on that... i would rather spend my money and have it go to Benson Ent. than some big corporation that has more money than they know what to do with....or towards the "films" that you perfectly captured in your description.....



bfr- thanks for the invite but i doubt i'll be seeing paris any time in the near future....

[WillowRTaraM1]

Hi guys! I just got this email from Little Willow and needless to say I am beyond excited!



Good morning, everyone!



Benson Entertainment has signed a contract with a

distributor for CHANCE.



Due to this contract, CHANCE cannot be sold in North

and South America. Anyone in the Americas who has

recently ordered the VHS will get their copy, but no

new orders can be placed at this time.



Benson Entertainment will continue to sell CHANCE to

the rest of the world. In other words, people from

Europe, Australia, Asia, and anywhere other than North

and South America can still place their order for

CHANCE at www.chancemovie.com/



The distributor is Small Planet Pictures. A theatrical

release may be in the cards next year. Stay tuned to

the CHANCE site and Amber's site for more details!



www.amberbenson.us/



Little Willow



Go Amber!! Congratulations to everyone involved in the making of Chance. It truly is a brilliant film to say the least. WOW to a theatrical release... that would just be amazing!! This is GREAT news!!!!!!!!



Jackie

[helpful information perha]

Congrads to Amber for getting a distributor!



Info on Small Planet

http://www.smallplanetpictures.com/contact.htm



they don't list Chance yet

their site has play dates/ordering info and trailers for other films they distribute

Contact info for them is listed - perhaps we should send them congrads for landing Ambers film? (if they know about her following they may work harder to get the film into a theater near you or we could ask if they might get the WB to air it given WB's recent push for movies)





Now how do we order from these folks - cuz hey - xmas is coming!!!

Edited by: helpful information perhaps at: 12/1/04 10:45 am

[littlecrazy80]

OK I admit it I´m excited too.



Hopefully the Bensons are able to bring Chance to Europe soon.



*lil´c*

"I am S-E-X-Y" Amber at the FedCon



SweetAmber ~~~ AmberBoard ~~~ Sam´s melody

[Avern]

Iam so SAD cos i ordered Chance I only get 2 signed photographs of Amber (so its cool but...:-( )..
And I dont get a DVD....

[Dorothy]

awww *hug* you'll get it, sending packages abroad can take a while especially with border checks and all.