The x-rated film partially shot at Ball State University has created a substantial buzz since its release last week, but has not seen substantial sales.
Jeff Ray, director of all Priscilla's stores in Indiana, said "Vampire Diaries" would have been more successful had it come out in February when local media first reported on it.
"It was a hot subject for awhile," Ray said. "It's doing well, but maybe not as well as expected."
"Vampire Diaries" director Christopher Gregory said Ball State took legal action to keep the film from being released, but Provost Terry King denies this.
According to Gregory, a Ball State "official who wanted to be off the record" contacted Gregory's attorney in February, saying the university was attempting to stop the release of the film.
Soon thereafter, Gregory said, he received a call from the president of the American Civil Liberties Union, who told him the ACLU supported the film's release. Two weeks later, an "unnamed source" from Ball State called him, saying "the matter is dead," Gregory said.
"To my knowledge there has been no action by the university against [Gregory], and I think I would know," King said. "Why he's claiming that, I have no idea."
A Freedom of Information Act request found no legal documents regarding a Ball State case against Gregory or the release of "Vampire Diaries."
King said that while Ball State regrets allowing Gregory to film on campus, he doesn't think the release of "Vampire Diaries" will tarnish the university's reputation.
"I'm not sure that that kind of movie gets wide viewing," he said, "and as far as I know, it in no way depicts Ball State or refers to Ball State in the movie."
In October 2002, Gregory contacted Joe Trimmer, director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, requesting use of the VBC grounds for filming. Trimmer gave Gregory permission to use the VBC grounds to film "Bride of Dracula" during semester break in December 2002 and "Nightscream" on August 6 and August 7, 2004.
When Trimmer approved the use of the VBC for filming, Ball State was unaware it was giving a porn director permission to film on campus grounds, King said.
"Basically, [Trimmer] was duped," King said. "The director informed us they were doing some sort of gothic horror film and in no way indicated this would be happening."
Gregory submitted a resum+â-¬ to Ball State indicating he had worked for major film and media companies, including Disney, Lucasfilm and KTEH, a San Francisco PBS affiliate TV station.
King, however, said he doubts the claims on Gregory's resum+â-¬ are accurate.
"Judging from the fact he told Dr. Trimmer one thing and did another, I would have the tendency to doubt whatever he says," he said.
Although his resum+â-¬ indicates he worked at KTEH in 1999, Gregory said in an interview he worked there in 1994. KTEH employees said they have no memory of Gregory working at the station. The resum+â-¬ shows Gregory directed episodes of MTV's "The Real World: San Francisco" in 1997, but the series was actually filmed in 1994.
Gregory also said he debated a Rev. Hammond on the FOXNews talk show "Hannity and Colmes" sometime during the "third week of February." FOXNews archive searches reveal nothing related to Gregory or Hammond.
"Vampire Diaries" is available for $39.95 at Priscilla's on McGalliard Avenue, $32.99 at Pleasures on Wheeling Avenue, $24.99 at Pleasures in Anderson and $28.99 at Sensations in Anderson. Ultra X Video in Indianapolis has the movie on order.
Emily Holtz, cashier at the Wheeling Avenue Pleasures, said "a few" customers called to ask about the movie, but the film has "not been much of a big deal" at the store. Pleasures has rented the movie out six times but has sold none of the twelve copies in stock, she said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
