Home Theater Forum http://www.hometheaterforum.com Subject: Live Chat with Vini Bancalari, President of ELITE ENTERTAINMENT Date: January 25, 2000 Thanks everyone for coming this evening... At this time... I'd like to introduce the President of ELITE ENTERTAINMENT... Mr. Vini Bancalari. Greetings from snowy Maine! Vini, before we begin, could you give us a little history of ELITE ENTERTAINMENT? Well, we started Elite as a Laserdisc company. Remember those things? There appeared to be a void that needed to be filled. Working for a LD distributor, it was clear that horror/sci-fi & cult films were just not getting the attention they deserved. We saw this as an opportunity and began Elite in 1994. Our first release was the THX remastered version of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. To be honest, we thought that we'd put out this title and get back to our real jobs. Well, one thing led to another and before we knew it..... we had a full catalog of LD titles. As the DVD format was introduced, we made the natural transition to this new format . Vini, how many titles are released through ELITE on DVD at this point/ Somewhere around 15. I just never had the time to count them. Okay...At this time we are going to open the floor to questions. First up, is GeorgeReis I loved HORROR HOSPITAL and TOWER OF EVIL. Any plans for more British horror from you on DVD? Our list of upcoming titles is growing and changing daily. Yes there will be more British horror. Unfortunately, we can't discuss them yet until they're all signed & sealed. Next up is Seymour... Hi Vini, you probably get this question a lot, but the RE-ANIMATOR DVD has become something of a collector's item. My question is? Is it really out-of-print, and if so, are there any plans for a re-issue? No. RE-ANIMATOR is NOT out of print. It's simply tied up in legal limbo. We've been asked by the film's producers to place the title "on hold" until they clear up their issues. The good news is that it looks like we'll be able to fill all back orders within 2-3 weeks. Let's keep our fingers crossed. I see a lot of great vintage genre films scheduled for release on Elite DVD soon; will the upcoming Elite DVD of THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (1964) be letterboxed at 2.35:1? Yes. All films will be in their original aspect ratio. And starting with COMMUNION, they will all be enhanced for 16X9 TVs. Are you really doing LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT? If so, how did you acquire the title? Will it be uncut? Does someone have VHS rights? Sorry. It looks like you've heard an untrue rumor. At this point Elite has no plans to release that title. I am anxiously awaiting the German Horror Classics set. Any reason for the delays and what can we expect compared with the Caligari and Nosferatu already out there? Well, the reason for the delay is simple. When working with older elements, we've come across many unexpected problems. Our goal is to deliver the best possible transfer of these films. As far as what you can expect ...all three films have been digitally restored and are complete with all original title cards and shown in the original B&W as opposed to sepia tone. The disc which contains CALIGARI, also has the only survivng footage from GENUINE, a vampire picture shot by the same director. Also, all three films contain original art, lobbies, posters and hand drawn charcoal artwork. Very cool. Is it true that Elite is doing a Paul Naschy collection? Will WEREWOLF VS.. be uncut? Yes, it will. We're also trying to get Mr. Naschy to do a commentary track (through an interpretor). Most of Elite's releases (so far) seem to be American & European films. Any chance of Elite tackling 1950s-1960s Japanese live-action horror/sci-fi/cult flicks on DVD in the future, titles that haven't already been aquired by other home video companies, films like GOKE: BODY SNATCHER FROM HELL (1968)? . Well, at this point we have no plans for these films. Our plate is very full. This year alone, we're planning to release approximately 35-50 titles. Compared to 8 or so, last year. I'll never turn them down if we come across them. But, for now I guess the simple answer is no. Can you talk about CASTLE OF BLOOD as a future Elite release? Well.....we haven't announced it yet but..........we begin production on that film next week. This is just between us. Shhhhhh. DONE What are some of your most anticipated releases for this year? Im glad to hear that production is stepping up! COMMUNION is getting a lot of attention. We're hoping to get Chris Walken on the commentary track with the director, Phillipe Mora. That's going to be a big title. We're also doing another Phillipe Mora film..HOWLING 3: THE MARSUPIALS. I think that should do very well. We're also in the process of announcing a new concept for Elite and the DVD format.....the KILLER CREATURE DOUBLE FEATURE! The concept here is to recreate an evening at the drive-in. Complete with cartoons, countdown clock, concession stand ads, coming attractions, intermission, etc. and on audio track number two ..... we will recreate the drive-in sound we all remember fondly. So if you choose, this will send the audio to the front left speaker only. We plan to make this track sound like garbage. Just like we remember. I saw LADY FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA'S GREAT LOVE and SCREAM OF THE DEMON LOVER on a recent ad on the Web site. Are these in the works? Will they be uncut and widescreen? Yes- they will all be uncut and wide. We're in the process of transferring LADY F. this week. So far it looks great! The German Classics set sounds wonderful and worth the wait! Any chance, in the future, of working on some of Fritz Lang's silent work, particularly the rarely seen Nibelungen epics? You guys must all be psychic. There's a F. Lang box set that we're talking about. That's really all I can say at this time. Any chance of getting any AIP films from MGM? They do nothing with the great catalog of drive-in classics! Unfortrunately, the majors don't like licensing their product to other companies. In some cases, they's rather sit on them and do nothing. Sad. "Ok since I just arrived in this chat and i dont't know if this question was asked Will you be licensing the evil dead 2 commentary to anchor bay and will you be doing the dvd of texas chainsaw massacare 2? Yes and no. The deal for the commentary track was made just last week. Anchor Bay owns the DVD rights to TCM2. How do you go about licencing films for DVD...what I mean is, do you have a list of titles that you want to do ahead of time, and hunt for the owners, or do the owners "peddle" their film libraries to you (and other companies) to see who will "bite", a combination of both, or what? It's really a combination of both. It also helps to have a good reputation in the industry. Filmmakers like their titles to be presented in the best way possible. It's really a small industry. And you'd be amazed how quickly word can spread. Your Night of the Living Dead disc is so terrific that I wonder if you could ever do a similar job with Dawn or Day. Also, I suppose Romero's studio films are out of the question? (Warner missed an opportunity with Creepshow, I thought, with no Romero/King commentary) I know, I was dissapointed too. It would have been a great track. Unfortunately, we don't have the DVD rights to either DAWN or DAY. Vini, now that you have a great many films like HOWLING III coming out on DVD, does this include rights to VHS? Or is it dependent on a certain film by film basis or can you license them to another company who handles VHS? It's really on a case-by-case basis. If VHS rights are also available, sometimes we'll pick them up as well and sub-license them to another company that's in the VHS business. New line recently released a special edition of a nightmare on elm street on dvd with not as many extras as the box set i noticed the commentary was the same but some extras were missing that were on the ld did this have to do with rights?...since elite did the ld No. I offered all of our "extras" to them but all they were interested in was the commentary. They really wanted this to be a "New Line" project. Can't say that I blame them. It's a beautiful box set. Will you be getting any more films from Richard Gordon? The four previous ones you did look stunning! Fabulous job! Thank you. As of right now, there are no plans for any more R. Gordon films. He's a great guy and a lot of fun to work with. I was just suggesting perhaps putting the 1961 horror anthology series, Roald Dahl's WAY OUT on DVD. I don't think any of the majors own it. Well, it's a great idea. We're considering a "classic" horror/sci-fi anthology series as well. Again...can't really talk about it yet but hopefully soon. I know this may not quite fit your content type, but have you ever considered something like Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane? Or Bad Taste? Not quite Evil Dead but... They're both on our evergrowing wish list. The down side to having such a small company is that we can only handle so much. As our company grows, we'll make every effort to step things up and increase the amount of releases. Great movies..though. Vini, first off thanks for putting me in the Fan Testimonials on the DAWN Box Set a few years ago. You taped me at the Romero signing, and it still freaks me out! My question is: If you could pick any one film to put out on DVD..what would it be? Wow...that's a real good question. I've been fortunate to have worked on and released many of my personal favorites. EVIL DEAD was the one I really wanted. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD was always a special film to me. I really don't have an answer for you. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll get back to you. I heard a rumour that Elite might do a "Peter Cushing Collection." Can I keep my hopes up for something like that in the future? Yeah, you can keep your hopes up but........at this point there are no plans for that collection. Sorry. Following up on my RE-ANIMATOR question if that's okay... Can you say anything about the legal issues that are holding it up? Reason I ask is that if it involved the commentary track, I was wondering if it might have to be re-edited or eliminated when the legal dust clears. I can't discuss the legal issues but I can tell you that it has absolutely nothing to do with content. When we hopefully are given the green light to resume shipping, it will be the exact same disc as before. I havea question to interject here - it came via email and I promised the individual I would post it...He says the EVIL DEAD 2 is MOVIE ONLY on DVD, and wanted to know if he should wait for a DVD SE or buy the LASER on EBAY? As I said earlier, a deal was made between us and Anchor Bay for the commentary track. This means that a S.E. DVD is in the works from them. However, I don't know what other extras they plan to include. This was the only thing we supplied them with. Can you tell about the DVD of JACK THE RIPPER due out soon? We're in the process of restoring it as we speak. It will be an anamorphic transfer and will contain the trailer. It will also contain rare stills and lobby cards. Great flick! I know it's a bit early yet, but do you know if that AllDay DVD of Friz Lang's 1000 EYES OF DR. MABUSE will come out this year, and if so, roughly which quarter of 2000, do you think? Peter, I have no idea. I'm sorry. Any chance of Texas Chainsaw Mass Pt 2 on DVD? If so, when? We don't have the DVD rights to that one. It will probably come out from Anchor Bay. What about more Franco films? It's possible. Let's see how well RIPPER does. It's real tough with these European films. You never know how well or poorly they will do. We know that Franco has a HUGE following.......the question is how many of those people have a DVD player? I guess we'll know that answer soon. Vini, thanks for the chat..I am eagerly looking forward to COMMUNION which was a great surprise when I saw that Elite had acquired it. How did that come about? Great story. The film's director Phillipe Mora was mixing sound on his latest picture. While working in the studio he got into a conversation with his engineer about horror films. The engineer talked about this small company called Elite and reccomended the he hook up with us. A couple of days later I received an e-mail from the engineer giving me Mr. Mora's phone number. We hooked up and quickly hit it off. He is a very talented filmmaker and a great guy. Before we end the chat, my partner has requested the very last question, so I give the floor to PARKER... Vini. Thanks so much for joining up here tonight. You talked about your company a little. How many do you employee and do you send the films out to a DVD plant for processing or do them yourself? The company consists of myself, my wife, Lisa and my three dogs. All work is done off site and supervised by myself via the net, check cassettes and DVDRs (recordable DVDs). Thank You everyone, for such a great chat. This was one of the most well-oiled chats we have had to date. Thank You, Vini, for being our guest here tonight. I need to thank SID for helping hook VINI and I up on this chat. Thanks, Sid It's been my pleasure. Thanks to everyone for participating. It was fun! Yes thanks so much Vini. thanks vini! Thanks Vini! Thanks Vini! I will buy many Elite DVDs soon (especially the "Drive-In" DVDs)! Keep up the great work Vini! thanks very much vini Thanks Vini!!! thank you Thanks ! [21:18] *** Disconnected Session Close: Tue Jan 25 21:18:02 2000