Roger-corman-drive-in-youtube-channel-paid-subscription-400-classic-b-movie-films-essential-224x168Of all the filmmakers of all time, few can claim the sheer volume of titles to their name as Roger Corman -- never mind his other accomplishments. The 87-year-old director, producer, writer, and occasional actor is still active in his 60 year film career, during which he has coached countless high-profile auteurs, fostered the careers of several notable actors, and earned a 2009 Honorary Academy Award. He has also already denied services such as Hulu streaming rights to his extensive ~400 film canon even for an offered $5-6,000 per film (to be paid to him) -- but has agreed to launch "Corman's Drive-In" as a $4/mo paid YouTube channel in the summer. Read on for more details.

Below is YouTube's 'trailer' for "Corman's Drive-In," which, according to MassLive:

...will cost subscribers $3.99 per month for a rotating selection of 30 movies, refreshed with new interviews and clips from films that are in production. It is set to launch in June.

Courtesy PR Newswire:

Roger and Julie Corman have worked together since 1972, when they signed Martin Scorsese as the director on "Boxcar Bertha," a career-launching move. Since then, Julie Corman has produced more than 30 films in the last three decades. "I have always approached filmmaking with the desire to reach a broad audience, and YouTube is clearly where the viewers are now," said Roger Corman . "In today's ever-connected marketplace, I couldn't think of a better platform on which to unveil "Corman's Drive-In."

Corman's canon of over 400 films includes such well known and iconic cult titles as "Deathrace 2000" (voted the greatest 'B' picture of all time), "Grand Theft Auto" (Director Ron Howard 's feature directing debut), "The Fast and the Furious," "Crybaby Killer" (Jack Nicholson 's first film), "Fire on the Amazon," (Sandra Bullock 's first film), "The Intruder" (William Shatner 's first film), and "Jackson County Jail," (Tommy Lee Jones ' first film), among many others.

Corman has been a mentor to a virtual who's who of American filmmakers, including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, James Cameron, Peter Bogdonovich, Jonathan Demme, John Sayles, Joe Dante, Gale Anne Hurd and many others. He helped launch the careers of actors such as Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone, Sandra Bullock, William Shatner, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and many others.

I should say, a little late in into things though it may be -- the man truly needs no introduction, though perhaps a memory-jog for the proper scale of perspective on his tour-de-force career. I think it's fascinating Corman chose YouTube as the venue for his Drive-In, especially when other more 'reputable' streaming services of TV-bound content had already fruitlessly engaged him for his work. Until I read about this development, I wasn't convinced any of the first-wave paid YouTube channels would pique my interest half as much as necessary to get me to fork over even the measly two or three bucks a month for a subscription. Now, given Corman's massive influence -- on several generations worth of Hollywood's best, brightest, and most-prized talents, no less -- the question isn't whether I'll subscribe to any paid YouTube channels, but whether I'll subscribe to any others beside "Corman's Drive-In." Where do I sign up?

Will you guys be subscribing to "Corman's Drive-In?" Why or, for goodness sake, why not? How does Corman's choice of YouTube for his canon's venue alter your ideas about YouTube paid channels?

Links:

[via NewMediaRockstars]

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