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January 14, 2005; Valley Center, CA -- Less than a week after the video release of Benji Off the Leash, stores have sold out and and emails have streamed into Benji's website (www.benji.com) thanking the producers for making a film that was not only entertaining and safe for the entire family, but full of positive messages.
"Thank you for never losing your values concerning what kids should see," writes Crystal, a mom. "I grew up watching Benji movies (they were my favorite)! The day Benji Off the Leash was released, I bought it for my 7 year old who has fallen so in love with Benji! And I know I don't have to worry about watching it first, to make sure it's really okay for her! Thank you again."
"We're not happy that some of the retailers have sold out," said Joe Camp, Benji's writer-director, "but we couldn't be more excited that folks care so much that they're taking the time to write. And so many."
"I have never ever seen a Benji movie in my life before," writes 9-year-old Ashton, "and this one was the best movie I have ever seen! Thank you so much! My Daddy and I just finished watching the movie and like I said, it was awesome!"
"My sister-in-law now holds this movie up as the best movie she's seen all year," writes Rick from North Carolina. "My wife cried throughout the second half. She just loves it."
"I just finished watching the new Benji movie," writes Elizabeth. "Great memories... last time I saw a Benji movie was as a kid (MANY years ago), growing up in Venezuela. Thanks for the new, great film."
"I picked up Benji's movie at WalMart last week for my girls," writes Carol. "They love watching it over and over."
"I don't know if that's good," commented Camp, "I mean watching it over and over; but we appreciate very much that folks care enough to write."
"Reports have come in from all over the country that stores were sold out. Blockbuster and Target especially," said Camp. "We're working with Goodtimes, our video distributor to get more product out as soon as possible."
Before production of the film, the producers, Camp and Margaret Loesch, spent a full year negotiating with Hollywood studios who wanted to finance the film but only if they could control the con
tent and destiny of the film. "They wanted control," says Camp, "so they could add in the off-color jokes, four letter words, and sexual innuendo that has become the norm in what Hollywood is calling a family film. Because the studio bottom line is solely economic, lowering the bar is their insurance policy. The line of least resistance."
After the third negotiation ended over control issues, Camp and Loesh raisied the money independently for both the production and distribution of the film, so they could guarantee parents that the movie would not only be fun and entertaining, but completely safe and full of positive values.
Benji Off The Leash, the character's fifth theatrical motion picture, was released on DVD and VHS on December 28 and is available everywhere.
For more information, see also:
Joe Camp's Production Journal from the Movie Location
A Special Message to Parents
Meet the New Benji
Movie Reviews
About Joe Camp
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