The Bikeriders Movie - A Tip For Filmmakers & How to Deal with "The Critics Who Can't!"

  There is a saying, Those who can't- they critique. Those that can, they Do!

As an Executive Producer- who comes from the biker culture and who owns a 1%er biker movie myself in dedication to the guys who changed me and my life during my darkest time of addiction- I was blessed to make a movie starring two-time academy award nominee Bruce Dern who played my dad, UFC champ Chuck Liddell as my husband, and Emmy winner Gil Bellows as the leading villain.

My movie also starred many cast members from Sons of Anarchy such as Kristen Renton and Rusty Coones. However- after the release, over 1.3 Million dollars spent and two years in the making, I killed that whole thing because of all the hell we went through with our con-artist distributor. With the fact that our Oscar winning car salesman (Sales Agent) never got us a deal as promised, and our own Producing leader talking smack to all the cast as to why I had to change things in the story- which costed another 70,000.00 by the way to make it make sense.  Its my movie- and money invested and the initial cut, that he had 100 percent creative control of. We paid them for four months to edit it and it needed to be redone. My investors said get it fixed, NOW. No explanation on my part needed. We just had to get this thing sold at this point. 

I know that The BikeRiders went through some release issues and they had to push the release date back.  

 My man and I- he is a "Bikerider" himself- we had been looking forward to seeing this for months. I know many members of MCs were looking forward to seeing this movie. And this was a good movie in the eyes of people in the lifestyle. The movie was pushed back on the release date due to the SAG/AFTRA strike- I can only imagine that they delt with the same exact hell upon shooting and the release that all movies deal with. We were glad to see it finally came out.

True "Bikeriders" don't give a shit that it was told by a woman. We do have story worthy experiences too. Isn't that something? 

I bring this up because I watched some home video making YouTube critics who never been on a bike or Harley in their life- and they definitely never been around an MC, who sat on YouTube and say to audiences that it's a problem for the movie to be told from a women's perspective...I thought wow, talk about an ignorant person who clearly has never been in the biker environment, but speaking on our behalf based on exaggerated stereotypes.

The Ol Lady is on the back of the bike day in and day out, and she is with him day in and day out, she is all in with him, she takes risks just by being his other half, she sleeps at night with him, she wakes up with him. She has his back too when necessary...probably more so than anyone. You have to be one true badass woman to be a one percenter Ol lady (I consider it Out Law Lady) 

The Bikeriders is based on real people but not based on a true story. Kathy is a real character that was interviewed for the book. She told her story as she wanted it told. Oh a woman! That would never happen!!!!! Of course it would. 

She wasn't discussing any exclusive club business- she wouldn't even know that nor want to know that. As the club grew and expanded, she was in the fight for her husband.  

Hey- Im a woman and Im writing this...how about that!

The public view on women who marry men in the "Bikeriders" life is really over the top. Im glad this movie showed them as the real people they are. Of course, Kathy can go have normal conversations with the Boss. When you are in a relationship, you go through a lot together, the people and the culture is your whole world.

When I attended Bike events in which I hosted with the Boss of Tampa Bay- the guy who would call me to attend events in other territories with, so I had the ladies back just in case. Thats how it was and we were close. But women would grab me in the bathroom and ask if I was ok. They would ask if I need help or a way out...I said "what?! I am safer than I have ever been in my life.

The truth is It's other people that need to worry if they choose to cross the line. I myself have been through unbelievable story lines.

My life inspired me to bare my soul getting the funding and investing 1.3 Million to make a movie- it was written by a man and it was a disaster. Unfortunately the Producers we hired- and Oscar winning Producers, the corporate guys, were the bad guys to me... fake ass guys in tight ass pants robbing grandmothers if they can. Then the lady distributor is the wicked witch of the west. Fudged reports so she kept all our revenue. So yeah- I have learned a thing or two on both ends of the lifestyle spectrum. 

 But one thing I know in biker culture is that Women are with their husbands day in and day out. Nobody knows that man better than his wife. Why wouldn't a woman tell her and her husband's story with respect?  Women were there. Kathy was there. She fought for her husband. She went through just as much hell trying to keep him alive, with her and safe. Women are protectors too. Believe it or not, there are men who meet a woman who he doesn't want to be without her and vice versa. They matter to each other. That is their partner. The person they share their life with. The Brotherhood is important too and a totally separate life. That she be respected and supported too. It is not abnormal for a wife to also support his passion for brotherhood. To let him be himself and do what he loves. She will just trust him and make her presence known to the "hangarounds" and strays. 

There can be a great biker movie without throwing anyone under the bus. Nor does it have to be filled with fake ass glamorized shootouts and tits from start to finish. A couple shots here and there is it and its real. This movie humanized the culture. Did you guys know that these guys are human? The Good and some real Bad. Many have wives- many who they are loyal to. Did you know that? In fact, it takes a solid man to be loyal. They probably fall into 1% of the population, but they exist. Many men bring their wives whenever they can. Anyone who participates in extreme partying- no matter where your at- from Wolves of Wall Street to Bikeriders can expect hell to go down, that goes with the territory. So, with that aside...

Like the line in the movie: A group of guys who couldn't follow a rule to save their lives- made up all these rules.

When it comes to the "critics" I personally watched many YouTube reviews and found that only 1 person, Demons Row- who did a review on the movie came from the 1%er lifestyle- so he can talk legitimately about it.  I was happy to see that we were on the same page exactly.

Demons Row YouTube gave a great, straight forward review. He didn't cut people down in an abusive way- He didn't give two shits about it being told from a woman's perspective. That was Benny's wife. His other half.  As a woman, I too, give it a great review. I commented on Demons Row video on the subject as I agree with his review from start to finish, and the ending is what it is. We wish Benny would have gotten retaliation for Johnny, but he ended up living a simple life at home now in Florida with his wife- who was with him from day one. And like all other dedicated women- she went through a lot to be there for him. And truth be told- sometimes you go through your crazy shit and in the end, you just want to be home with the few ones who showed you what real dedication and loyalty is.  

We also agree that it is refreshing to see the filmmakers did not give in to the pressure of changing the story by adding "Wokeness" elements. They stuck to the culture as it is. Nothing against sexual preferences- But it would have confused a real story if we had to put emphasis on characters sexual preference- we don't care who sleeps with what- we want a good, solid movie. As a filmmaker myself, the way it works in Hollywood is that when you make a union project (SAG), you receive incentives for making a leading character a nationality other than white (which is great, but this was based on real people and their nationalities were white) and a leading character who has a sexual preference other than straight. Or a leading character who identifies as all kinds of things as they search for their identity...but they cannot be heterosexual.

As far as the accents- myself being from Minnesota and being made fun of with my accent for years when I first moved to Florida, I felt confused by the mixed sounds of the accents- kind of Ny, Boston and Midwest. But then I heard the real Kathy- which you can search on YouTube- and Jodie Comer nailed it. She sounds just like her. All the Actors did awesome. If you go back to those days, the accents were a bit different and these actors researched and studied. In the end, they did perfect. So please, before you criticize, do your research.

My experience in Hollywood is being an Actor for 24 years and an Executive Producer. The online critics are annoying. They don't understand the damage they do to people who work so hard to bring these stories to life. Do they care? They should start. 

I feel everyone who attacks a movie online, should be forced to Produce, Finance, Write, Direct, Star in, and distribute one. 

In my experience and why I am so passionate about this industry and protecting the underdogs in it is because we set out to make a great biker themed action thriller but went through pure abusive hell upon the release and distribution deal by the industry people we trusted. We spent well over 1 million dollars only to read reviews from punks who purposely set out to sabotage our two years of blood sweat and tears. When distributor and sales agents scammed us for everything, I took my asset from the distributor and off all the streaming platforms. Done with these industry animals. 

  Like I said There is a saying, Those who can't- critique. Those that that can, Do! In other words, it's pretty easy for critics who have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to certain lifestyles such as The Bikeriders nor who understand the business of filmmaking, to get themselves involved by   writing uneducated reviews. I see so many people in their bedrooms tagging themselves in a video they make cutting down people's work or writing a review tearing the film and its hard-working staff and talent apart. They do this in anticipation of themselves receiving a million hits directly piggybacking off belittling the work of others. It's flat out stupid looking. Constructive criticism, I appreciate. But the bullying, as a filmmaker who knows what it takes to put a feature film together AND get it out there on streaming platforms- I think it is disgusting. make a movie yourself- with your own money- get it out there- then you can cover all of the aspects of filmmaking that you were uneducated about or unaware of- because negative talk about actors, writers, directors has the power to destroy their life. They are just trying to eat just like you. So if your going to be a mean person- do it constructively.   

I know for me- I never forget the names of the low life's who cut movies down in a disrespectful manner. I think they should be a little smarter than that in this looney tune world we live in. 

There is this lady from Geek Tyrant her name is Jessica Morris Fisher- she wrote some awful things about our movie- however, biker movies and definitely the biker lifestyle is not her thing. So this is where I tell her to stay away from us filmmakers and the biker lifestyle! I liked Geek Tyrant, but having writers such as her, makes them look bad, in fact it makes them an unreliable source. They should have used educated filmmaking critics who provide constructive criticism based on formal training they have received on things they are knowledgeable on. Not someone who sits home drinking beers with crumbs on her exposed belly as she puts out negative verbal slayings toward people who don't even care to know who she is. You gotta watch yourself, honey. I will be following her career and everything she writes. I think its sweet that she is a mother. Maybe you should focus on being a mentor for those kids.

After all, these at home critics are banking on success by tagging the very movie and it's cast that they are cutting down and tearing apart. Remember that, they are looking to go viral. They are bullying others to get noticed or to get even. 

Filmmakers and talent- Please do not get discouraged!!! They do it to EVERYONE. EVERY MOVIE. EVERY ACTOR. EVERYTHING. 

When I see a bunch of random nobodies tear apart movies as if they are famous filmmakers with a solid 5-star rating, I always have to say hmmmm. Here is what I can tell you, there are two different categories these hide out in my bedroom eating cereal bullies come from. 

Number one is the people who worked on the production, who tried to get a job on the production and who were on the business side of the production and didn't get along with someone on the production team. I see this on every single movie I ever done. On previous films I worked on, there was so much bad blood between the Director and crew or financiers, etc. People who walked off set or were fired often do not let their anger go. Understandable, yet they destroy the lives of everyone involved and write bad reviews on IMDB and everywhere the movie is promoted. I understand where they are coming from- because I am the scrappiest girl known, however, it's extremely selfish to destroy innocent people who were there to do a job.  I don't know about you all but I'm not the type of person who just gives permission to be disrespected. Could you imagine if we did these movies based on what the critics say it should be done? 

I personally know, my life- my views, my interests and my upbringing is NOTHING like this whiney chick Jessica Fisher of Geek Tyrant who is looking to get noticed off my dime. Write about what you know; Disney and chocolate. Stay the hell away from my money and my people. 

If you're not in the industry, can you imagine every time you went to work on something, you deal with a whole host of miserables tearing it down in online reviews as it is clear they are looking to use your name to get noticed?? These are randoms who have never done a film in their life! They have no skin in the game whatsoever. One may say, "you signed up for this." Um, no we really didn't. This is the way the world has progressed into being a manipulative online environment where people hurt people to tag off their success. Thats the reality behind it. 

Many of them review types of films they don't even watch!!!! If you hate the biker lifestyle- why are you reviewing a movie on it?

That brings me to another point. Many of the reviews made by critics that are negative, are done so to intentionally hurt the film and certain people involved. When we make a movie, it is during the production process that we know exactly who is going to write negative reviews about the movie. It is done at the mouth of the few cast or crew who are bad apples. It is also done by people who want to be hired who do not get the job. We have many moving parts on a production and we always must get along with everyone no matter what- sometimes it doesn't always work out that way and then BOOM- we see them destroying the movie online! 

I know our distributor had a couple of writers talk horrible about my movie to get at me since I pulled it from her. I didn't care. 

I hope you appreciate the movies for what they are. In the real world of filmmaking, it consists of talented people who are pretty much paying to play their part in telling you a story. Because the industry screws over every single worker in it. They stand under the bright lights to be recorded in a lens that would place them in homes all over the world as they take you on a journey knowing they face humiliating ridicule as certain groups of viewers project their shortcomings and defects of character onto us. 

Independent Filmmakers are people who are risking a lot, sometimes their lives as they know it (by funding and working for free) for the art they believe in. Filmmaking is a world of people who are doing things that the critics bullying them would never have the strength, balls, nor talent to do. Let's show a little appreciation. 

Much love,

Queen Berserker Krista Grotte Saxon

https://Filmmakerberserk.com