Fire at Universal Damages Video Vault! - Page 2

TravisR · 06-02-2008, 03:32 PM

I can't believe that Nikki Fenke's blog was wrong... again.

Hank Dearborn · 06-02-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey3rd

reports are now that UMG had moved their Masters from that vault so that nothing was lost. Hits magazine has posted:

MASTERS NOT DESTROYED BY UNIVERSAL FIRE: Reports that this weekend’s fire on the Universal Studios back lot destroyed a video vault which housed thousands of original Decca, MCA and ABC recording masters, including a wide range of music from Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters to Judy Garland and the Carpenters, are unfounded. A UMG spokesperson insists: "Thankfully, there was little lost from UMG's vault. A majority of what was formerly stored there was moved earlier this year to our other facilities. Of the small amount that was still there and waiting to be moved, it had already been digitized so the music will still be around for many years to come. And in addition to being digitized, physical back-up copies of what was still left at that location were made and stored elsewhere." (6/2a)

That's what they are claiming anyway. Who knows where the truth actually lies. I'm hearing from some of my sources that Andy MacKay, the head of Universal music is supposed to be completely distraught over what was lost. Somehow if it is as minor as they are trying to spin it, I doubt he would be so upset. I have a feeling we may never learn the absolute answer but I think far more burned up than they will ever admit.

Stephen Bowie · 06-03-2008, 02:55 AM

This was apparently sent out in an e-mail to theaters with upcoming Universal repertory bookings and appears to contradict what Uni was telling the press:

Quote:

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that yesterdays fire destroyed nearly 100% of the archive prints kept here on the lot. Due to this we will be unable to honor any film bookings of prints that were set to ship from here. Over the next few weeks and months we will be able to try and piece together what material we do have and if any prints exist elsewhere. For the time being please check your rental confirmations and look under shipping instructions. If the print was set to ship from the studio then you date is now canceled. If the shipping instructions say ship from Deluxe then those dates are still good.

Hank Dearborn · 06-04-2008, 02:11 AM

I am talking to some of my inside sources and this is way worse than Universal is telling anyone. They are really spinning this big time. Anything that they had 2-inch masters on, those are gone forever. For instance, the show Don Adams Screen Test, gone. Any specials, such as the Herb Alpert one, that they had a 2-inch tape on, gone. As for filmed TV shows, all of the transferred videotape masters are gone. Yes, they still have the original film elements but considering their astronomical in-house costs, are they really going to bother with many of these shows? I doubt it. So companies that are relying on existing tapes for their releases like Shout, Timeless and Arts Alliance could be out of luck.

As for the music that was lost, which is also being covered up, such things as The Carpenters unreleased recordings all burned up. Right now Universal is reporting it their way but as the artists start to find out about their recordings being destroyed you are going to hear it.

Joe Tor1 · 06-04-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank Dearborn

As for filmed TV shows, all of the transferred videotape masters are gone. Yes, they still have the original film elements but considering their astronomical in-house costs, are they really going to bother with many of these shows? I doubt it. So companies that are relying on existing tapes for their releases like Shout, Timeless and Arts Alliance could be out of luck.

Does this mean what I THINK it means for shows like IRONSIDE and MC HALE'S Navy -- both of which I collect from Shout Factory?

Can anyone confirm or deny? Also, how does this affect the wonderful WOODY WOODPECKER sets that have been emerging from Universal?

Robert13 · 06-04-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Tor1

Does this mean what I THINK it means for shows like IRONSIDE and MC HALE'S Navy -- both of which I collect from Shout Factory?

Can anyone confirm or deny? Also, how does this affect the wonderful WOODY WOODPECKER sets that have been emerging from Universal?

I just posted the same thing about Kate & Allie. Hopefully, when the show is licensed out, the entire series is sent. Otherwise, it could mean trouble for the remainder of series Universal has licensed out.

MatthewA · 06-04-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert13

I just posted the same thing about Kate & Allie. Hopefully, when the show is licensed out, the entire series is sent. Otherwise, it could mean trouble for the remainder of series Universal has licensed out.

I would doubt that they would have all the tapes in that case, since Kate & Allie is only syndicated domestically by Universal while owned by FremantleMedia. They probably didn't receive the originals when they made the edits for syndication back in the 1980s. Even so, as I have said countless times, most videotaped shows have 3/4" copyright deposits stored at the Library of Congress (and I pray that they're following building and fire codes to the letter over in D.C.). Filmed shows used to have prints sent to the LoC, mostly 16mm, but some in 35mm.

It's shows produced and owned by Universal that are at the greatest risk. That means any videotaped show or filmed show that was edited on videotape could be lost if what Hank is saying is true. No offense, Hank, but for once I sincerely hope you're lying.

Plus, they claim to have backups. Is that also untrue?

God, this feels like a bad dream come true.

Ethan Riley · 06-04-2008, 12:26 PM

Hank, with all due respect, you don't know the facts and you're letting it get out of proportion. Just let the real info come in before you get everybody all upset. Richard Carpenter says he still doesn't know what was lost, but that he has copies, backups and some masters of everything he ever recorded. That's one good thing, eh?

MatthewA · 06-04-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Riley

Hank, with all due respect, you don't know the facts and you're letting it get out of proportion. Just let the real info come in before you get everybody all upset. Richard Carpenter says he still doesn't know what was lost, but that he has copies, backups and some masters of everything he ever recorded. That's one good thing, eh?

He had the foresight to do so. Other musicians didn't think that far in advance, but some did.

We won't know all of the facts for some time to come. Whether Universal will be forthcoming with them is another matter.

Corey3rd · 06-04-2008, 01:24 PM

other musicians are contractually obligated to turn over the Masters since they are property of the record company.

This is looking like a complete disaster and by the folks at NBC-Universal downplaying the disaster, it might get them in trouble with the SEC since they were attempting to lessen the loss of destroyed assets by making it sound like only dupe videotapes were destroyed

DeWilson · 06-04-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey3rd

other musicians are contractually obligated to turn over the Masters since they are property of the record company.

This is looking like a complete disaster and by the folks at NBC-Universal downplaying the disaster, it might get them in trouble with the SEC since they were attempting to lessen the loss of destroyed assets by making it sound like only dupe videotapes were destroyed

But "Downplaying" the disaster could bite them in the rear when it comes to the insurance clams.