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Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction - Page 2

post #31 of 60
3/2/08 at 2:52pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
I will never understand this line of thinking. I guess the films themselves aren't the important thing with some people.

I have to agree with this sentiment. While I may complain about the packaging, it would never keep me from buying movies I really want on DVD (as long as the quality of the presentation is not compromised). That is why I've had to hold my nose and buy a number of these digipack monstrosities, releases in slimlines, etc even though my preference clearly is regular keepcases (more for consistency in my collection).

I didn't notice until I read this thread that WB was also rereleasing the first 2 Bette Davis boxes with new covers. Yikes ! These (and Joan Crawford Vol. 1) boxes are ones that I never got around to picking up and it looks like I might have to do that in a hurry (I have no idea if the new releases will use keepcases or not and I prefer the older slipcovers anyway).

-D
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post #32 of 60
3/2/08 at 9:34pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Budgell
I've got to agree with Robert here. Not buying a title for that reason is absolutely asinine.
No more so than refusing to purchase movies because they're bare bones releases.

We are all entitled to express our preferences in our own way, and if that means not purchasing because of dissatisfaction with some aspect of the product, then so be it.

I, too, hate the fold out digipaks, and have skipped several sets that I might have purchased had the movies been in individual cases. I do not like not being able to place my movies on my shelves in alphabetical order.

---------------
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post #33 of 60
3/2/08 at 9:54pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

.
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post #34 of 60
3/3/08 at 1:46am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod J
As far as the "general public" - "Joan Crawford 2" didn't make it to the BestBuy retail shelves.. Store Pickup: Not Available

That means no impulse purchase, you've gotta seek it out..

p.s. I don't call anyone asinine for their opinions (nice place you have here)
Not every release is going to make the retail shelves just too many dvds released for that to happened especially boxsets that take up a lot of valuable room for the retailers which is part of the reason why studios are changing their packaging. However, over the last couple of years, the general public has been more astute to use the internet more and more for their purchases which means this release is available for purchase. Also, that it's available from beyond just the usual suspects like Amazon.

Overall, this is a nice place, but just like anywhere else some people have difficulty in expressing their disagreement in opinions with less cutting words.





Crawdaddy
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post #35 of 60
3/3/08 at 1:56am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
Not every release is going to make the retail shelves just too many dvds released for that to happened especially boxsets that take up a lot of valuable room for the retailers which is part of the reason why studios are changing their packaging.

Crawdaddy

Yes, unfortunately the major retailers are the Studios' customers and not the ultimate retail purchaser. It amazes me (not really) that a BestBuy has room for over 6 dozen copies of blu-ray Superbad on the shelf week after week (who knows how many are in the back room), but can't be bothered to stock a copy or two of That's Entertainment.
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post #36 of 60
3/3/08 at 1:59am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod J
Yes, unfortunately the major retailers are the Studios' customers and not the ultimate retail purchaser. It amazes me (not really) that a BestBuy has room for over 6 dozen copies of blu-ray Superbad on the shelf week after week (who knows how many are in the back room), but can't be bothered to stock a copy or two of That's Entertainment.
There you go.....





Crawdaddy
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post #37 of 60
3/3/08 at 5:05am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

The packaging really doesnt matter or does it, granted i love the original art work as opposed to the photoshoped head floating in are , the the thing the concerns me the most is the presentation of the film its self then the extra features, but the film comes first. why else are you buying it!

as for changing the packaging , well with the ever growing collection and space at the house as well as the store shelves at a premium i welcome smaller packaging.as long as the dics are supported by something that doesnt fall apart easily.
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post #38 of 60
3/3/08 at 7:26am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Next to my DVD and VHS library, I also have a reasonably large book library.
And you know what? Almost no two books are the same size. Only particular sets or some specific "brands".

And they're even made of paper (exposed artwork) and cardboard: and most of 'em in excellent condition.

I never understood why all DVDs *must* be equal. I liked the snappers very much (for various reasons) and thanks to the bitching on the 'net Warner dropped those fine cases.

I must say, those actor set (the ones with a big photograph) are very interesting, and the way I decide to buy a specific one or not is like this: which of the movies in the set that I don't own already (or a poorer version) do I want. If there are enough of those (or perhaps only one I have been looking forward to) especially: it's a buy.

The casing plays no part in this. Even the 'Ford at Fox' case (huge, heavy), which I cannot even store in a normal way in my new HT ( ), was a no-brainer.
Those Warner actor-sets get a nice place on one of the special shelves (also sized to accommodate the Disney tins) in my DVD cabinets.

So, although I hear those people who want to build their DVD storage differently: I cannot agree with them personally. And I don't think studios should listen to those alone!
If cutting a few corners package-wise can make the sets more profitable to the studios - and thus increase the chance of us getting more of those sets - I'm all for it.


Cees
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post #39 of 60
3/3/08 at 7:42am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cees Alons
If cutting a few corners package-wise can make the sets more profitable to the studios - and thus increase the chance of us getting more of those sets - I'm all for it.
That's crazy talk.
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post #40 of 60
3/3/08 at 9:53am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
I have decided to return the Joan Crawford set. I have stared at it all day and I can't bring myself to open it. I know it will just look horrible. I'd rather be without than knowing this horrid case is on my shelf.

Why not just make your own artwork and package them in regular DVD cases? That way you get to keep the films you want and you can get the exact packaging you want.
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post #41 of 60
3/3/08 at 9:57am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Why not just make your own artwork and package them in regular DVD cases?

That's what I've with some art as mentioned above.
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post #42 of 60
3/3/08 at 10:00am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Everyone has their quirks and I mean no offense but it's just bizarre to me that the packaging style or inability alphabetize the titles in a box set has any effect on someone's purchase of a DVD.
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post #43 of 60
3/3/08 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Sorry I wouldn't want to create what would look like bootlegged artwork lol It is cool for those who do I would rather have studio made keep case artwork. I guess I really appreciate orginal artwork etc and the fonts that go with each film.

Some mentioned the fact that Best Buys stores etc don't seem to carry many of these sets Warner Bros releases. That is true but another trend I have noticed and the studio should note also is the fact each time they do carry one of the Warner Bros box sets they are never at a discounted price. In fact they are all priced at retail. What does this mean. It means that I can automatically go to my nearest Barnes and Noble and get it 10% off and still would be less than Best Buy! I have seen this pricing through out the last year or more with sets like Taylor/Burton, Barbara Stanwyck, Leading Ladies and many more.

So I don't think it comes down to the store needing shelf space to sale these titles they aren't stocking I think over a period of time Best Buy thinks well no one seems to buy these sets from us, then say well I think we won't stock some other future sets. It is because of pricing, has nothing to do with Oh this set is too big. looks at these keep cases who wants those!

If WB would have released these sep. I would have paid 20.00 each just to have the keep cases. I will say I'm not fully opposed to other style cases etc. I just think consistancy is the issue here.

They started the Forbidden Hollywood Collection in a digipack style case and I think that is fine since the second volume is in the same style. Most of us alreayd purchased the other sets of Joan and Bette so we just wanted the same style. Instead they went off course. Plus those plastic style case holders just wear easily. They needed something more durable.
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post #44 of 60
3/3/08 at 11:31am

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

I'm more surprised that people find it surprising that one would care about the way a product looks... I've not purchased many LP reissues because of terrible low-quality revisionist cover art. Why is it so surprising to some that people complain about DVD packaging. I'm amazed that there are apologists in this department who continue to make comments like "it's the presentation and transfer that's important". Obviously... but that's completely unrelated and has nothing to do with the complaints at hand!!! It's like if I were talking to a car salesman and said I thought the model we were looking at was really ugly and he responded that the seats are comfortable... That's pretty asinine! There's no reason for ugly artwork, it's not cheaper to make it ugly than it is for the studio's art department to produce appealing covers. So therefore there should be no excuse for crap like MGM's recent Apartment DVD. I'm not suggesting that Warners is anywhere in the realm of such incompetence but I also don't understand why they don't remain with the formula that has garnered universal positive feedback from supporters over the years. Browse every single thread of WHV press releases from '05-'07 and the resounding feedback in response to the product aesthetics. Why the need for change? This isn't such a big deal to me for this particular studio, at least not yet. I'm quite satisfied for the most part with Warners decisions (I do think the latest Sinatra releases are awful). But I am tired of reading comments from people in these threads who come in to post with the sole intention of making pointless "my concerns are not your concerns" comments. If you don't have a problem with cover art or don't care... find somewhere else to post!
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post #45 of 60
3/3/08 at 12:34pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

I think complaints about packaging are legitimate ... and a legitimate reason for not purchasing the offending sets.

Having said that, it is the films that are important and I will pick up the Davis and Crawford digipaks reluctantly even though I think that packaging smells like my cat's litter box on a bad day!

Indeed, had Warners followed through with individual releases I would have paid the higher price for their individual releases rather than saving on the set.
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post #46 of 60
3/3/08 at 12:35pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
But I am tired of reading comments from people in these threads who come in to post with the sole intention of making pointless "my concerns are not your concerns" comments.
If one person is allowed to say they don't like the cover, I can say that worrying about a cover makes no sense to me.
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post #47 of 60
3/3/08 at 12:42pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

The reason why people are posting that is valid though. Whether the studios will admit to it or not, they have representatives that browse these forums regularly and often times it will be used in the guise of studio feedback.

The "worrying about cover art is silly" posts however are frivolous. I don't care about Star Wars but I didn't post on all five-hundred-plus pages of that mega thread saying so. Likewise I don't post on BluRay forums because I've no interest in the current format; I won't register just to repeatedly state that.
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post #48 of 60
3/3/08 at 12:42pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
I'm more surprised that people find it surprising that one would care about the way a product looks...

I agree with everything Marco above says. Many people have said it is the film that matters, not the packaging. If that is the case you might as well be satisfied if the disc is supplied in a brown paper bag. Collecting is not just about the film, it is about the whole appearance of the product including the packaging. That's one reason why I for one will never be interested in downloaded films. I am unlikely to actually watch a DVD out of my 1,000 plus collection more than a few times a year but what I do want is an attractive package to keep within my collection. For me, that includes original artwork. I have far more Warner Bros titles than any other studio, partly because of the artwork which they have utilised to great effect on their titles.
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post #49 of 60
3/3/08 at 12:44pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas R
If that is the case you might as well be satisfied if the disc is supplied in a brown paper bag.
Yes. Well, as long as there's a case and the name of the movie is on it, I'm happy.

This is a useless discussion. The people who fret over the cover and the look of the spines on their shelves are going to continue to do that. And I'm going to continue to not understand how anyone could place any importance on something like that.
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post #50 of 60
3/3/08 at 1:16pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

in response to TRAVISR message.

Some people could care less about the overall presentation and to them WB should ship them in a ziplock and you can house yours there. I like to take care of my dvds and I think a great product should be heightened by a great box set presentation. The outer box image is nice but doesn't stack up to having a nice keep case for each title. Some people will never care about cover art.

I figure since I can't get my keep case fo them then I will just netflix the movies and then WB loses the money I would have paid for the set. they won't notice but my bookcase will.
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post #51 of 60
3/3/08 at 1:59pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
The reason why people are posting that is valid though. Whether the studios will admit to it or not, they have representatives that browse these forums regularly and often times it will be used in the guise of studio feedback.

The "worrying about cover art is silly" posts however are frivolous. I don't care about Star Wars but I didn't post on all five-hundred-plus pages of that mega thread saying so. Likewise I don't post on BluRay forums because I've no interest in the current format; I won't register just to repeatedly state that.
Marco,
I'm sorry you don't like the posts that disputes your claims about the packaging, but it wouldn't be fair for the studios to let the vocal anti-packaging faction to speak their mind like everybody is in agreement with that stance.




Crawdaddy
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post #52 of 60
3/4/08 at 1:53pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Well people who say they don't care about packaging Robert, aren't really disputing the issue either way. They are stating it is not a concern of theirs, which is another thing entirely and what I find futile about the repetitive exertion of these posts. If you don't care, why bother? It's obviously enough of a marketing concern to the studios who hire staff in their art departments to design these things... so why not steer the studios in the right direction and let them know when they've "got it" and when they're missing it entirely. DVD's are going to come packaged in some sort of case regardless, it might as well be one that's befitting the contents (hopefully) and not some photoshopped marketing mess.

WHV had achieved perfection in this area over the past few years; They were the one studio that you could count on for consistency in regards to this. Beautifully designed poster art and simple amaray or slimline keep case covers for box sets and individual releases. It's simple, cost effective, nicely done and perfect for shelf storage. Collector approved and supported! Now they seem to be hiring new 'talent' to take them elsewhere and in many peoples opinions on this forum and others, they should not.

In 99 out of 100 % of the time, original poster art (as initially used in the film's marketing campaign) with a basic keep case or slim case is all that's needed and wanted from consumers. Especially for classic movie releases.

That's all I'm saying...
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post #53 of 60
3/4/08 at 2:17pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
They are stating it is not a concern of theirs, which is another thing entirely and what I find futile about the repetitive exertion of these posts. If you don't care, why bother?
Based on the amount times that I see a "I don't like the cover art" post, the studios are not listening about to the critiques so complaining about it seems just as futile and repetitive to me.
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post #54 of 60
3/4/08 at 2:29pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

There are many cases where they have.

Studios like Criterion have actually altered covers due to feedback and it's pretty darn commendable when you realize the thought put into a simple cover design by clicking through the Crit. blog and reading past design entries.

Anyway, that's a pretty careless and cynical attitude to take... glad that's not the approach to voting/elections in this country.
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post #55 of 60
3/4/08 at 2:41pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Voting and DVD cover art are not even remotely comparable.

Like I said earlier, people are going to keep complaining about the cover art and I'm going to continue to think it's a weird and pointless thing to worry about. Neither of us will change and neither of us will see the other's point of view so it's probably best to just drop it here.
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post #56 of 60
3/4/08 at 2:47pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod J
The packaging was the reason I didn't buy the new Crawford set (no need to replace laserdiscs for that kind of package). The Davis set will be a little harder to resist but it's getting easier. Individual slim-line cases would have been fine.

this is absolutely absurd.
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post #57 of 60
3/4/08 at 3:40pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

For the record, I really didn't think the Crawford set was bad. My stance is just in regards to nice packaging in general. I've never not bought a set because of a cover... but I will shamefully admit that it took me weeks of picking up that new Apartment DVD from retail shelves and having to drop it right back down due to it's unsightliness before finally purchasing and swapping covers. Perhaps an ocd tendency?
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post #58 of 60
3/4/08 at 5:21pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

I have to go with the "packaging is strictly secondary" bandwagon here. Not buy a movie simply because of its packaging? I simply can't fathom that. Release "Chilly Scenes Of Winter" in a plain paper bag with a picture of vomit on it and I'll snap it up in an instant and be eternally grateful. (Maybe even actual vomit...)


To me, packaging in the end is marketing. I'm pretty damn sure I've never decided against purchasing a CD or DVD because of its packaging. And truly, for me at least, most of DVD's, once watched, sit in neat rows gathering dust until the next time the urge hits me to pull them out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Powell&Pressburger
I have decided to return the Joan Crawford set. I have stared at it all day and I can't bring myself to open it. I know it will just look horrible. I'd rather be without than knowing this horrid case is on my shelf.

Really, I think you have way too much time on your hands. Wouldn't your day have been better spent, y'know, actually watching the movies? I'm sure there are forums for art designers and packaging enthusiasts (and I denigrate neither. Really, to each their own). But I'm afraid my enthusiasms/sympathies lie elsewhere.

As for knowing that horror is on your shelf...well, there are a lot of horrors in this world that we know exist, but try out best to put aside in order to go through our daily lives. And, I feel, a DVD package is toward the lower end of them.
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post #59 of 60
3/4/08 at 6:34pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

.
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post #60 of 60
3/4/08 at 8:19pm

Re: Warner Bros. Crawford and Davis Sets / No distinction

I get that people really like the original art. I do as well. But I don't understand the feeling that it determines if I'll buy the film or not. It was never a part of the cinema going experience. You didn't get the art with your ticket. It was a separate thing that hung outside the theatre.

You didn't get it in the early days of DVD. You didn't get it with the vast majority of laserdiscs. You certainly didn't get it with vhs's, some of which artwork was HIDEOUS. So in the home video business, original artwork has been a very short period in the scheme of things. But it certainly didn't dictate whether a film was worthy of being owned. I loved it while WB did it, and I love that 20th Century Fox is doing it now. But it's all gravy. The meat and potatoes underneath matter more to me.

The best argument I've heard in this discussion was Sean's: the prior Warner boxes made it easier to sell, trade or give away a film you didn't care for or already had. That was a great point. I certainly liked that capability, and I'm going to miss it. (Although I guess from this point on, most WB sets won't contain previously released titles like some of the earlier ones did.)

I also remember plenty of complaining about WHICH original art was used sometimes (especially with King Kong.) I think the studios can't win sometimes. People look for reasons to be unhappy. I remember as a kid DREAMING of being able to own my favorite TV shows and movies. Now it's a very affordable reality and we're still finding things to whine and bitch about.
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