Peter Nellhaus

By FocusFeatures.com  | April 28, 2009 @ 11:13 am

Tell us about your blog.

I generally write about films and filmmakers that interest me. While there is an emphasis on Asian films, my blog isn't devoted to a particular era or genre. Basically, it is about discovering or rediscovering worthwhile films, and sharing what makes the film of interest.

How would you describe your readers? Do you have much contact with the people who read you?

My readers are the brightest, most intelligent people on the planet. Contact is sporadic. I've had some email correspondence. I have also had the chance to meet with Brian Darr and Michael Guillen when I visited San Francisco. Even though I don't get comments, from what I have read on Technorati, I have an international readership.

Tell us how – and why – you started your blog?

My ex significant other encouraged me to use my continued enthusiasm, as well as formal education in Film History, to create a blog. This seemed like a viable way to not let my BFA in Cinema Studies not be a total waste. It also seemed like a good way to score some free DVDs.

Describe your blog day – do you work at home? Go to a café? Sit in an office?

Since I currently have a day job, I usually watch a DVD every night, but do most of my writing on my days off. It's all done in my home. Some pieces are worked on over the course of several days. On my days off I usually see a couple of films.

How do you find things to blog about and how do you decide that a entry is worth being in your blog?

I try to cover older films newly released on DVD, some films theatrically, or a film that piques my interest. Sometimes it can be spontaneous, as when I wrote about The Young Ones. I do prefer to keep writing something positive about the film in question. When I do get a screener, I make it a point to have something posted on or before the release date. That said, as much as I like getting free DVDs, I'm still going to be critical. Some companies are OK with that, but I stopped getting screeners from another company that mostly released softcore junk. Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for just a few months convinced me that there are too many Asian films and filmmakers unknown to western audiences.

What is your favorite blog entry?

I have some special affection for the piece on "Battle of Blood Island".

What was your most popular/controversial blog entry?

I wrote about Louis Hayward last Memorial Day. My comments section become the meeting place for many of his fans. I jokingly call the entry my unintentional Field of Dreams. I built it and they came.

Is blogging the new path to fame and fortune?

A teensy bit of fame. I've spent more than I have ever earned from my writing.

What separates journalism from blogging?

Nothing. The choice of medium used for communication is a false dichotomy. There is good and bad writing in both. The blogger does have greater autonomy in what is written about, while the surviving print film critics have their path determined by their respective editors and whatever is opening that week at the multiplexes.

Who are the bloggers that you read religiously?

Girish was the first. From there, Campaspe and Andrew Grant. Also Flickhead, Cinebeats, Michael Guillen, Brian Darr, Marilyn Ferdinand, Jonathan Lapper (who is now going by his real name, Greg Ferrara), Dennis Cozzalio, Arbogast and that lovable scamp, Nathaniel Rogers. Also WiseKwai to keep up on Thai film. And I'm going to miss Tim Lucas. They write about films that interest them, and in several cases have inspired me to see films I might not have otherwise.

How has your life changed because of your blog? Has it gone in any new directions because of your newfound prominence?

Aside from getting free DVDs now and then, I've gotten press passes to the Denver International Film Festival, and I was consulted on programming some Italian horror films at the Miami Beach Cinematheque when I lived down there. I also received acknowledgment for my support of Benten Films which quite surprised me. Also unexpected was that producer Roy Lee wanted to get in contact with me after I wrote about Alone, which had just opened in Thailand. Otherwise, it's still a pretty quiet life.