Chance : Media , Discussion,

[taralicious]

Xita,

A tribute to Willy Wonka just because of your signature line.

Always nice to see another person be a friend to my favorite movie from childhood on.



"I never had a Chance to watch,

Never an Amber song to sing,

But suddenly all of it is mine,

What an amazing thing.

'Cause I've got a photo and poster,

I've got a copy of Chance on DVD,

And with a copy of Chance, it's a Amberiffic day

(Sung to the tune of "I've got a Golden Ticket" from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.)

-My apologies to Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

[xita]

Yay go Willy Wonka, I sang along

- - - - - - - - - - -
"The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last."

-Willie Wonka

[GiftofAmber]

I wonder how many orders they'll need for a shipment. Maybe this way Feena wouldn't have to carry all those DVDs *fingers crossed that this works*

[kajo 2000]

Some online articles promoting the sale of Chance DVDs/videos:



From IGN:

Quote:

---

IGN FilmForce Weekend Shopping Guide 7/11/03: Take a Chance on Buffy's Tara



If you've got some time on your hands or just money to burn this weekend, IGNFF attempts to point you in the right direction...



If you're anything like me (and if you are, I may have to charge you a license fee), then you've probably been waiting to find out how to see/own Amber Benson's self-produced independent film Chance.



Benson, as Buffy fans well know, played Willow's significant other, Tara. Written, directed, and starring Benson, Chance is a dark comedy about a twenty-something on the always perilous quest for love. The film also stars James Marsters (Buffy, Angel), Andy Hallett (Angel), and Christine Estabrook (Nikki).



Now, what I'm about to say might sound odd, but trust that there's a reason behind it. The VHS or DVD of Chance (whichever is your preference) is free when you purchase an autographed Chance production still or theatrical poster directly from the official site. Click on through and check out the offer – it's a great little film, and well worth picking up.

---

From BBC Cult:

Quote:

---

Take a Chance

10th July 2003



At last you can see Amber Benson's previously unavailable, critically-acclaimed film Chance.



Living in the twenty-first century isn't exactly easy. Trying to find true love in this crazy mixed-up world isn't a piece of cake either. Sometimes, you simply have to take a chance.



Chance is a dark comedy created by Amber Benson, which showcases her talents not only as an actress, but as a director, writer and producer. In the film she portrays the title character, Chance, a twenty-something girl looking for love in all the wrong places. Through it all, Chance is determined to find The One.



Chance also features James Marsters (Spike) as Simon and Andy Hallett (The Host on Angel) as Jack.



Although the film has been well received at film festivals and Cult's own London screening last year, Chance is currently unavailable to buy. But if you log on to the Chance website you can get your hands on a copy for free, if you purchase a signed print or poster.

---

From Aint It Cool News:

Quote:

---

Friday, July 11, 2003



In other "Buffy"-related DVD news, "Chance," the dark romantic comedy feature written and directed by Amber Benson (and starring Benson, James "Spike" Marsters, Andy "Lorne" Hallett and David "Mr. Mustard" Fury), is now available! Learn how to obtain your copy here!



As long as we're plugging stuff, please note that Amber's impossibly prolific frequent collaborator, Christopher Golden, just saw publication of "The Gathering Dark," the fourth novel in his "Shadow Saga" series about a heroic ex-vampire. View the cover and read the prologue at www.christophergolden.com.



Amber and Christopher will also have a new "Ghosts of Albion" prose novella serialized on the BBC website this month, while his new "Dr. Fate" series for DC Comics is due any minute now, and the new "Buffy" videogame he scripted, "Chaos Bleeds," is due next month. Whew!



I am Hercules!!

---

Edited to add: Teenes of TBC&S has written a fan review of Chance after attending the screening at Sacramento in March. You can read it here (it obviously contains major spoilers).

---------

"I want to be Byron... because I want to date young boys." Amber Benson

Edited by: kajo 2000 at: 8/6/03 11:58 pm

[sheila wt]

From Little Willow:



"Chance is scheduled to be screened at DragonCon - www.dragoncon.com - at 8:30 PM on Sunday, August 31st in the Buffy Track room."



Edited to add: Huh-huh, I just checked the website... be very, very careful if you go there. Julie Catlin-Brown will be around. If you hear a woman screaming, move yourself against the wall ASAP and don't say *anything* related to your life story.

--------------------------
"She had tasted Willow on her tongue, and she had worn Willow on her skin. There wasn't a shower in the world that could have washed that away." (Terra Firma, by Tulipp)

Edited by: sheila wt at: 8/29/03 7:30 pm

[urnofosiris]

lol Sheila, and also don't give her any gifts, just put them up on ebay yourself and take the money and run.

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



She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture.

--Patsy Stone

[VicariousSmoochies]

I was at DragonCon. Saw Chance. Fantastic film. Well worth any Julie Caitlin "She Devil" Brown escapades. She came up to me and the two other ladies I was with and begin to vent about Cons and how she has worked them for 5 years for virtually nothing. This was unsolicited information. I'm minding my P's and Q's waiting to get James Marsters autograph and low and behold, there's the woman spewing her feelings. We were good little children and aligned the wall properly, however, so were were not scolded as harshly as those at Moonlight. A plug for Amber. James Leary said she is a "wonderfully nice, very beautiful and incredibly intelligent person." (Okay, I added the intelligent part, but he agreed.)

Tara: It's not really so much about hating the men...

Willow: We're more centered around the girl on girl action

[Repost Moderator]

Originally posted by Hostile 19

---

BuffyFest will be hosting a screening of Amber Benson's independant film "Chance". Q & A with actor Jeff Ricketts will follow the screening.



BuffyFest is in San Diego on October 11, 2003. More information at http://www.BuffyFest.com.

[rezeaka]

Oh my GOD! I haven't been this excited since...well......after we saw Amber in July at Moonlight Ripoff!!!







The holy grail of films just arrived in my mailbox today!!



!!! C H A N C E !!!



I can't wait for work to be over for the day so I can go watch it again and again and again!



I'm going to scan the case & disc and post it so anybody that wants to can see it in a couple minutes.



ETA: links to scans:



case front (small)

case front (large)

case back (small)

case back (large)

disc (small)

disc (large)



Amber & the rest of Benson Entertainment Rocks!!!!!!!



-annie

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

"Why do you try to hold on to what you'll never get a hold of? You wouldn't try to put the ocean in a paper cup."



~Ani Difranco, 'Hour Follows Hour'

Edited by: rezeaka  at: 9/15/03 1:32 pm

[Isychos]

Yes, I just got mine today to!! Im off to watch it right now!

The sky is blue and all the leaves are green. The sun's as warm as a baked potato. I think I know precisely what I mean, When I say it's a Shpadoinkle day.

[scifiacid]

Hi all. Now that most of us have seen it, or will soon, I wanted to announce that I have now up online the Chance Fanlisting. It can be found here: chance.amberbenson.org. For those who do not know what a fanlisting is you can check it all out over at thefanlistings.org. I hope all who love the movie will join!!

[BFR from Paris]

I just finished watching it (got my DVD today) and I really enjoyed it



Just like with fanfics, I'm not good at giving feedback, but i'll just say I laughed a lot and was really into the movie (except when my mom called me, right after the scene where Chance complains about her mother calling her all the time )



Also, about the outtakes at the end... what is this thing that Amber does with her eyes?



To sum up: great movie!



Christine

[maudmac]

Amber wrote this for the 2003 Sidewalk program. It's accompanied by a photo of Amber with about 15 or so fans at Sidewalk last year. (And faces the page with the synopsis of Ghosts of Albion, which screened at this year's festival.)

Quote:

---

SIDEWALK PERSPECTIVE with Amber Benson



Every year about this time, my Mom and I hop into our giant gas guzzling SUV and hightail it across America usually trying to cram three days worth of driving into about one and a half. (I truly believe that we are the direct cause of any ulcers Erik Jambor, Sidewalk's Festival Director, has developed.)



Last year was no exception. We got to Birmingham with about 14 seconds to spare - my Mom had driven the last leg of the trip through night and we both needed a shower. But we Benson women are troopers: we just sprayed deodorant over every exposed piece of flesh in the car and changed into more evening appropriate togs - all within a stones throw from where the reception was being held. Needless to say, thank God for tinted windows. And that was just the start of the insanity.



The guys at Sidewalk had graciously invited me to screen my film CHANCE at that year's festival. We tried to warn them. We knew that nuttiness was about to ensue. But you can't really prepare anyone for the onslaught of craziness that occurs when "Amberholics," "Kittens," and other assorted "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Amber Benson fans get together. Luckily, Birmingham accepted everyone with open arms and lots of food and drink. Let me reiterate... lots of food and DRINK. Oh, and really awesome films, too.



Sidewalk was commandeered last year by my peeps. And the really cool thing is that a lot of them are coming back this year... quite a testament to the coolness of Sidewalk itself.



This year I won't be able to attend the film festival - I'm stuck selling my soul to Hollywood for cash.



But I'm sending Erik a bottle of Mylanta to remember me by.



---Amber Benson

---

---

Walking in space we find the purpose of peace. The beauty of life you can no longer hide.
Our eyes are open, our eyes are open. Our eyes are open, our eyes are open wide, wide, wide. -- Walking In Space

[urnofosiris]

Thanks Holley, that was great. She really cracked me up a couple of times. You know the Chance script reads like a good and funny book. She can do everything (except maybe dance ), sing, act, direct, write. She could write books, she could write sitcoms, what the heck, she could write a sitcom for Aly and I could die happy.

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



She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture.

--Patsy Stone

[GiftofAmber]

Ok, I had some pretty hefty expectations because, well, it's Amber, but wow, when I finally got to see Chance, Amber surpassed all my expectations. I don't usually like films like that (I'm an anime addict), so the fact that I was glued to my seat was pretty impressive for me! I couldn't stop laughing at various parts of the movie. This is the type of movie I'd be willing to show all my friends because they need to buy a copy too.

[Warduke]

Thanks Holley, Amber is such a sweetheart and real funny too

---

Lil' Trevor : Always the life of the party.

[emma peel]

Thanks a bunch, Holley.

Janice

[BFR from Paris]

What's up with Amber and deodorant? LOL

[emma peel]

Gosh, it was a year ago today that we got to see the world premier of Chance at Sidewalk in Birmingham.

Hi to Jimmi, Katie, Chris and Toni who I know were sitting near me at the Alabama Theatre. Hey as well to Holley, Paul and the rest of the Kittens that I can't remember off the top of my head.

Wow, time flies. Now I have my very own DVD of Chance from Benson Entertainment.

Gotta love those Benson women!

Janice

[sheila wt]

I thought about it this morning... wow, where did the time go???



And what could be a more wonderful celebration to this first anniversary than watching Chance again?



I had a wonderful time at Sidewalk. What a pleasure to meet all those kittens! Pity it was over so soon.



One year ago, when the movie ended, my first thought was "I so have to have this movie!"... it's like a dream coming true...

--------------------------
"She had tasted Willow on her tongue, and she had worn Willow on her skin. There wasn't a shower in the world that could have washed that away." (Terra Firma, by Tulipp)

[emma peel]

Thanks for helping me make up my mind, sheila wt. I'm sitting here at the 'puter,wondering what I should watch tonight recently purchased from eBay (lots of Bette Midler, a new Mary Woronov DVD, The New Women)...???

Janice goes "duh" and realizes she's gotta go watch Chance again and celebrate the one year anniversary.



Janice

[Still Waters Run Deep]

Well I got the DVD and I watched and thought 'I liked that, but............'



Was I disappointed? No, not as such but there was something I could'nt put my finger on.



Was I too old for it? Was it a little too 'slacker generation' for me? Was I expecting to laugh out loud? well it was billed as a screwball comedy.



So I've been sitting on it, and guess what? Little bits have insinuated themselves into my consciousness [no, not those ] and so I will re watch it in the revised expectation of enjoying the way it snuck up on me.



also, for other reasons [see crappy thread on kitten] I'm not quite ready to watch it again.

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

love and kisses

Still Waters



..... I want to be Willowhand again, Wah!!

[Iamyouknowyours]

Warning slight spoilage ahead (nothing you wouldn't probably know already from interviews but I thought I'd warn).















My little review of Chance



What a truly delightful movie! Quite impressive for a first time writer/director/producer, especially considering she wasing act in it as well. I can see the Annie Hall inspiration clearly in the flashbacks and jumping around. That's a good thing. Woody Allen is cetainly someone I admire (except, perhaps, for his dating practices). The music is a nice touch, young and fresh. I can't say that I've seen music used in that manner in a movie before. Certainly rock/pop musicians have composed scores for films (Elton John for The Muse, Tom Petty for She's The One), but I have never seen footage of the musicians themselves interspersed with the story. It was also fun to hear an entire cast talk entirely in Amberspeak. At first I was appalled at the acting. I'm not used to Amber's speach patterns on anyone but herself. Add to that the bordering on caricature characters ... but soon I realized it was meant as a stylized piece a la Igby Goes Down and the movies of David Mammet, Al Brooks and Woody Allen. I grew to like it quite a bit. Have you ever noticed that Amber left to her own devices speaks fast and pauses somewhat sporadically? Well it works for her. The Ferris Bueler like monologues were the highlight of the film for me.



James was great (yes Joss I know what he looks like in a dress and it's funny. Still not gonna watch Angel.) I'd like to see him play more losers, though he probably won't get those sorts of roles with the platinum hair. I also loved the bug guy. Of all the characters he had to be my favorite. Is Nick's wife the british girl from the bar? Because if she is he is a lucky guy. And I'm sure he enjoyed her scenes immensly. She was awesome. I do wish Emma could have stayed in the film though The boat scene could have used her. The parents were hillarious, though a bit over the top. And Amber gave a performance I'm hoping will win her more comedic roles. It was nice to see her play a character so polar opposite of Tara.



As a character study piece it was great, but the actual story line had some of the flaws common in new writers. Andy Hallet and the tofu cheese guy didn't need to be in the film (I still love you Andy!) The were fun but didn't further the plot. The parents and crying guy bordered on unneccessary as well. They could have easily been used a lot more, or a lot less. The need for them in the film is questionable as it stands right now. While they were certainly amusing, none of their scenes really helped Chance grow or change as a person. And although she did grown by the end of the film, I would have loved to see Amber's script explore that even more. She also took a big risk by making the character of Chance a rather unlikable protagonsist. Luckily Amber had the charisma to pull it off. In the hands of a lesser actress, Chance could have become down right agrivating.



Over all I think it is a nice little film. I can see why she had trouble with the distribution. Sadly, I think if it had been done on film instead of video it would have had a better chance at wide release. Though the picture is good video is just a harsher medium and looks less polished. I understan her reasoning behind chosing to go digital though. It's much cheaper and faster to edit, perfect for low, low budget films. Then again it was a Hell of a lot funnier that My Big Fat Greek Wedding (though personally I found more humor in The Hours than in that film.) It always seems to me that the least deserving indie films are the ones that actually get scene by the masses. Go figure. I'm thrilled I got to see it though. I think Amber has a bright future ahead of her in all aspects of the film industry.



Well, that was my $2.00 (it was a little long to be just 2 cents). I'm sure a lot of you will probably disagree with parts of it and that's cool. It's just my opinion of it. Oh, and does anyone else think that premise of Chance could be turned into a charming sitcom? Ok, I'm really gonna shut up now. Promise.

[urnofosiris]

Interesting review, but now I want to add my 2 eurocents. I can't quite agree with your assessment of the cheese guy and Andy Hallett. Surely not every character and scene needs to advance the plot, but even so, in this case I think at least Andy Halletts character does. Chance is trying to find her way in the world and in love right? She dates loser after loser and finally she falls for a guy who is actually nice and decent and he turns out to be gay. I thought counts as a plot point, but also Chance seemed to be used to getting what she wants, or rather any guy she wants (she just had some questionable taste up till then) and now she met a man she can't get, and she had to get over that. I think that was a nice character growth moment.



I don't want to overanalize it though, like Amber herself said once, it isn't brainsurgery. It is a screwball comedy and that it is. The dead bug guy did not do much for the plot other than be funny and unexpectedly sage before he went away. It was a fun movie and cleverly put together, the back and forth in time could have gotten confusing , yet it wasn't, it helped keep the pace going. The way some of the scenes switched were timed to perfection to add to the joke. Like when Chance is describing Simon and the scene switches to him trying to sell shit through the phone. Brilliant. I know much of this has probably been done in other movies before, but it was combined and done really well in this one.



There have been many many many movies (including indies) I have enjoyed far less that have gotten more public recognition and praise than this one, it does not seem fair. I am satisfied that it isn't just my Amber colored contact lenses through which I watched that have made me praise this film, it really is good, it should have gotten a deal, a big one. Maybe one day it will be "rediscovered", that would be lovely and we will still be the lucky first who got to see it.

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



She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture.

--Patsy Stone

Edited by: DrG at: 9/25/03 11:13 pm

[Iamyouknowyours]

I enjoyed your two eurocents. I'm in the process of rewriting some of my own screenplays so story structure has been on my mind



More detailed SPOILAGE, don't read it if you don't wanna know:





















I found the bug guy interesting and signifigant because he is the first person we ever see Chance connect with emotionally. His leaving is the first time she shows any trace of vunerability, admits that she's scared. That is a huge step for her. She had to make the realization that she can emote and survive in order to form a (hopefully) real and lasting relationship with Simon. It's all the more clever and unpredictable, because Bug Guy is the person throughout the movie that Chance has been the most detatched with.



Andy (forget the character name, sorry) was delightful as always, but I still feel he was unneccessary (you don't have to agree of course, that's why they call 'em opinions). Chance had a crush on him, yes, but nothing ever came of it. She never saw him again. He certainly didn't dominate her thoughts or actions. She only seemed to obsess over him while at the club. After that he was forgotten. I didn't really get that she was after him because he was nice, it seemed that she just thought he was hot to me. Even if it was establishing her search for mister right, it still was never touched on again. If she had been the one to talk to him and discover he was gay, that might have forced her to realize that the perfect guy (for her romantically speaking) is someone who doesn't exist. And the reality, though smelly is much better than the fantasy. But her issues with him were barely brought up and then never resolved. The parents, though I'd lived to have seen more of them, did have a complete story arc. Simon's scene with Andy was likewise unneeded. It only stated what we already knew, Simon is in love with Chance. I think James is a good enough actor that we already got that loud and clear. Now were these scenes still charming and amusing with clever dialogue? Yes. Are they going to make or break a silly screwball comedy? Probably not. But I think it would have benifited the movie to have lost his character or else resolved his character arc. Tofu cheese guy was funny but didn't really do anything except make fun of stoners/vegetarians. That's cool and all, but it didn't really do anything for the movie.



Done rambling now

[TKOLove]

After these wonderful reviews of Chance, I'd like to touch on what I believe to be the most important factor in the movie. Please scroll down a bit...





















How freakin' funny was, "I want to bone you this instant, or I'll go insane!" ??? The lyrics to the songs keep me in stitches. Between Alyson's Michelle in American Wedding, ("I call it 'bone-ing'") and Amber's guitar guy, I've developed a new and deep appreciation for a word I'd not heard used since I was in junior high school. I love it!! And no, I don't really think that was the most important part of the movie. I still think the whole darned thing was great. And I've not yet received my prescription for my Amber-tinted contact lenses...though I really could use them. I'm currently having a hate-hate relationship with my glasses...uhm...but I don't suppose that's really the issue here.



Anyway...

I think Milton the Bug Boy was very important...he did show us the softer side of Chance, and he reminded her to always keep her door open -- no matter how disturbing the people on the other side might appear to be. It keeps you open to new things, new perspectives. Loved when she rushed out to hug him...thinking he was Simon. Great reaction by Amber.



Jack being around gave Simon an outlet for saying out loud the things he couldn't truly bring himself to admit. Yay, Jack. And so funny was Chance's "I've apparently left my brain at home" scene when the poor boy just wants a cigarette. Lovely...just so good.



Chance's parents were a hoot...and I about fell out of my chair when it was revealed that Mom's "experimentation" was the cause of the whole fiasco with Ms. Types-a-lot. The jiggly tart was actually proud that she can type 25 wpm. Go Amber!! I so love that kind of humor. And I can type at least 27 wpm, by the way.



In my opinion the cut-to scenes featuring Chance's reactions to Simon and Jack's conversation in the park are...well...abso-bloomin'-lootely on the mark. Yet another chance (excuse the wording) for us to see her at just a bit more vulnerable moment than usual.



I see Chance and Simon entering into their version of "happily ever after" with obstacles to overcome. Simon has to truly convince Chance that she deserves to be Made Love To...it's not just about f**king, it's ok to believe...to feel. And Chance, poor Chance has to convince Simon that deodorant is indeed a friend to all.





~ ThatKindOfLove

[urnofosiris]

Quote:

---

But I think it would have benifited the movie to have lost his character or else resolved his character arc. Tofu cheese guy was funny but didn't really do anything except make fun of stoners/vegetarians. That's cool and all, but it didn't really do anything for the movie.

---

But it is a comedy and both characters provided scenes that made me laugh, so it did that. I really can't see how it would have benefited the movie to not have those scenes, unless someone can think of scenes that might have even been funnier or equally funny, yet more plot oriented. In general, if someone is only going to write things that are pivotal to a plot and focus too much on that, things might run the risk of looking a bit forced I think. In this case we are following the well and woe (a Dutch saying, but I think it translates ok) of Chance, we are watching a small part of her life and not everyone she meets or everything that happens has to make perfect sense or have an important impact on either her or us. All of this aside, if you were to look at every movie ever made and would take out every scene that might not add to or be necessary to the plot, most movies would become a lot shorter, which in some cases might be a good thing , but in a lot of cases might also make the movie less enjoyable.



Anyway, it didn't occur to me (a layman, who's not in any way officially trained in the art of writing and story telling other than what we are all taught in highschool) that a certain character was superfluous or that it might have been even better if such and such had been left out of it. The only thing I regretted was the fact that the guy with the guitar kept interrupting Chance kissing that woman.

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



She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture.

--Patsy Stone

[BFR from Paris]

Quote:

---

The only thing I regretted was the fact that the guy with the guitar kept interrupting Chance kissing that woman.

---

No kidding!

[Iamyouknowyours]

That's right! Damn guitar man and his timing. Hehe. Nick's wife and Amber were very hot! Too bad they never let a W/T neck licking scene into the WB. Drool.

[umgaynow]

OK...so I finally got my Chance DVD last week...and I must say...I was always a fan of Amber's when she was on Buffy...but I think that was in large part hormonal...she was an actress playing a character...BUT, now that I have seen Chance...I am in awe!! This woman is a goddess!!

I mean, I have been in video retail for going on 12 years and needless to say I watch a LOT of movies and after so many years of studio dreck I have become quite the aficionado of independent and foreign and avant garde fare...and I must say Chance is not just a case of "Wow, this is pretty good for a movie written, directed, etc. by an actress" This is an amazing film...my only negative response being that I wish it was longer...would probably make it a lot easier to get a distributor as well.

The first time I watched it, I was like "OK this is interesting, amusing, Amber looks especially luscious etc." But I watched it again with a friend last night and found myself laughing out loud again despite the fact that I knew what was coming. I adored the non-linear format and also the music...is the soundtrack available to purchase?? But mostly I caught meself really intensely thinking about the movie as I was watching it and simultaneously realizing that Amber wrote it, not that I wasn't aware of that...just consciously watching it that way and thinking "My God, this woman is both brilliant, hilarious, deeply talented and completely nuts" Either that or she would just be someone unbelievable to hang out with. So intelligent and such a wonderfully twisted take on the world..My kind of woman...then there are those eyes, those lips, those curves but I digress...I only hope that someone out there in a postion of power with a studio sees this movie and realizes what a major talent our girl Amber is and gives her a deal to make a full length film with a decent budget so she can really let that incredible mind of hers run free...I personally can't wait to see the results...Amber darlin' you rock!!!