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D.I.Y. Or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist

Ron Asheton , Mike Boner , Michael W. Dean  |  NR |  DVD
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

Price: $7.95 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Product Details

  • Actors: Ron Asheton, Mike Boner, Lynn Breedlove, Dave Brockie, Simon Clifton
  • Directors: Michael W. Dean
  • Producers: Michael W. Dean
  • Format: Color, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: English, French, Italian, Spanish
  • Region: All Regions
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Mvd Visual
  • DVD Release Date: November 16, 2004
  • Run Time: 55 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000089Q5W
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,970 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "D.I.Y. Or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

This documentary features interviews with Ian MacKaye (Fugazi), J Mascis (Dinosaur jr.), John John Jesse (Demonic Erotic painter), Jim Rose (Jim Rose Sideshow), Jim Thirwell (Foetus), Lydia Lunch, Mike Watt (Minutemen), Richard Kern (Filmmaker), Ron Ashet

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
(20)
4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Every artist should see this film! January 14, 2005
Format:DVD
This is a great movie! It deals with artists who do their art just because it's what they do. The film maker interviews artists of all types from painters to musicians to dancers. It's not a "How To" guide as some other reviewers mistakenly thought, but it does give you a look into the lives of artists who are really doing it. People who do their own thing on their own terms. For those of us that believe that is how it should be, this is an extremely well done movie, and definitely worth watching.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Burn This Video December 10, 2003
By A Customer
Format:DVD
"Pleasure is the ultimate revenge, and I love revenge..." chortles Lydia Lunch on the D.I.Y. or DIE DVD, a video handbook for the independent artist. Created in the spirit of Abbie Hoffman's Steal This Book, D.I.Y. or DIE isn't just the artist's DVD guide to doing it yourself and surviving-it's more like a sermon as to why D.I.Y. and following your own happiness without selling out is the better route. And to prove they put their money where their mouth is, the DVD has no region restrictions or even copyright protection and buyers are encouraged to burn non-commercial copies for friends. D.I.Y. or DIE is a labor of love, by indies, for the indies.

Discussing important survival subjects such as Inspiration, Publicity, Dealing with Adversity and Commerce, the film sidesteps things like tools and technique, giving the audience more of a pep-talk to put some fire under their own creative asses. Creator/director Michael Wareham Dean says in the film, "If you need an Independent Artist for Dummies book, then being an independent artist is not for you."

Read more from this review on [...]

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, Practical, and Entertaining May 12, 2007
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dean taps into the core of the punk rock DIY ethic by interviewing independent musicians, photographers, performance, print, film, and graphic artists. These artists are both entertaining and have profound things to say about independence, integrity and working outside of the "culture industry." The message is solid and inspiring while it isn't sugar-coated. A solid film and one to copy and share with your friends. (Its encouraged!)
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic view of the artistic life August 18, 2006
Format:DVD
Portrayals of professional artists in American culture are often unrealistic (would anyone know who Jackson Pollock was if Peggy Guggenheim hadn't been paying his rent?) and/or sad (being an artist is about being depressed/tortured/chemically dependent, etc.). Michael Dean offers us a view into the lives of artists who recognize that their chosen profession requires dedication, hard work, and perhaps a slightly unconventional view of the world. Those who are looking for a step-by-step guide to 'making it' as an artist won't find that here, everyone has to find their own way. That's the basis of the DIY ethic. If you need a reminder that it IS possible to live your life as an artist, you'll be reinspired by the film. If you wonder whether you have to 'sell out' to be successful, the film will offer some answers. A very useful movie for anyone in the arts, thinking about an artistic career, or those trying to understand artists better.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the way films should be made! September 16, 2003
Format:DVD
Loved it! I bought the book $30 Film School by Michael. In the book he referred to the film quite a bit so I bought it as well. The book was great and the film was just as good. Both left me feeling completely inspired. Hearing the words of so many other artists, and being able to completely relate, gave me hope for the future of art. I plan on buying this DVD for everyone I know as a Holiday gift this year!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Damn inspirational video June 7, 2003
By A Customer
Format:DVD
The interviews have a comfortable feel. They are light hearted and fun, and make you want to be an artist. The interviewees are intelligent and well spoken; they are people you may of heard of, you may not of heard of, but you will be glad you heard speak.
Some of the tech and production may be a bit rough - but it has a good spirit.
You want to see this film.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars How NOT to be a starving artist. April 19, 2013
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A very strong message that resonated well with me. Artists who complain about starving should take a look. At least if one continues to be unhappy, they may come to a realization that they are not being swept along by forces beyond their control.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars DIY February 26, 2013
By Charles
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this film and couldn't have asked for a better price or faster shipping. I'd recommend this film to anyone who is trying to make it as an artist, starving or not.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars DIY
Pretty good film of doing it yourself. Worth checking it out for sure. If your looking for step by step instructions then look some place els. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Tatsuya
1.0 out of 5 stars The Perversion was Distracting
I guess there's some merit for this film, and they do address some legitimate issues, but it should be rated "R" or "X.". Read more
Published 6 months ago by Charles Charpentier
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be Required Viewing for Independent Artists
This inspiring and fun film should give any struggling independent artist a shot in the arm. A musician himself, Michael Dean has the right punk rock-inspired DIY attitude to make... Read more
Published on April 1, 2010 by R. Rebold
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Stuff from MWDean
I've read Dean's $30 Film School and it's a great guide for the beginning filmmaker so naturally I wanted to check out his first film. Read more
Published on July 31, 2008 by SPX
5.0 out of 5 stars rock the film world
Tired of the same tired old jive in film....let's see rogue cop goes bananas...............then make your own. This book puts the power in your hands to change it all. Read more
Published on April 10, 2008 by Audie O'Fyle
5.0 out of 5 stars An Affirmation.
Being an independent musician and ravenous film buff, I was obviously drawn to this movie for the title alone. Read more
Published on January 10, 2008 by John of I_infect
3.0 out of 5 stars It is what it is...
I'm not sure why someone thought the movie was how to be a filmmaker unless they were confused with the book $30 Film School that was written by the same guy. Read more
Published on September 28, 2004 by artgirl66
2.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring?
I just watched that DVD. The message of the piece could be summed up thus:

Just do it! Be an artist and create!

So? What else is new? Read more

Published on December 28, 2003 by Donald Ptahotep
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