Richard M S
Screenwriter
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 1,054
Thanks!Robert Crawford said:one time for five items. Use it by March 31st.
XB392
Crawdaddy
Thanks!Robert Crawford said:one time for five items. Use it by March 31st.
XB392
Crawdaddy
The Andy Hardy films were supposedly planned for future releases (store/mainline releases) at some point according to another HTF member that contacted a WB rep. I hope that's the reason we're not seeing them listed at this site.Richard M S said:It is also interesting to speculate about the titles not on the list, like the early Garland films, the Andy Hardy pictures and various missing musicals which I hope will get the full deluxe Warners box some day.
Excellent point, but in order to be fair here, I see some problems for Warner and their marketing strategy.Jeff Willis said:In a way, this story getting out there before the WB chat might turn out to be helpful for overseas customers since there will be plenty of MTF posts to reference at chat time.
You're welcome.Richard M S said:Thanks!
On all those issues, well said.Robert Crawford said:Excellent point, but in order to be fair here, I see some problems for Warner and their marketing strategy.
Yes, there is a big market for these titles from classic film fans, collectors and people just wanting their favorite films on DVD. However, the price point is rather high and without some kind of discounted pricing along with free shipping while also having to pay sales tax, these select DVDs could cost a consumer $22-23 a piece. That's not cheap for a DVD, especially for one that is without any extras and with packaging less than what consumers might get from DVDs bought at a retailer. At around 22 or 23 bucks, I could buy a Blu-ray disc cheaper than that from Amazon or other retailers.
Such a high price will affect sales and I understand Warner's desire to maximize profits, especially considering today's economic situation, but they need to realize that this economic situation cuts both ways here. Without a middle man in this marketing equation, they need to find a way to make these titles a little more affordable. Consumers even classic film lovers have less discretionary spending now a days so they need to, at the very least, continue these 25% off codes and possibly expand them for more than just five DVDs. Also, free shipping options should remain available for consumers.
Lastly, I don't know Warner's issues for not allowing these titles to be purchased from people outside of the United States so I'm going to speak to them, knowing, I am ignorant about the reasoning behind that decision, but you need to take another look at it. There is a big market for these titles from film lovers all over this world. If you really want to move some units on these titles then don't ignore these consumers. There are more of them than you realize and their passion for these titles are just as great as American film lovers. As I stated beforehand, I'll be the first to admit that there might be some issues unknown to me regarding not selling them to folks outside of the USA. However, it's really in your best interest to revisit this issue and try to resolve it so that film lovers everywhere can enjoy these titles as it will be more profitable for you to do so.
If Warner persist with the only U.S. sales policy, then they will just create a market of people buying the discs in bulk, then on selling them on Amazon.com Marketplace and / or eBay; most likely at inflated prices as international buyers revert to buying them from there.Robert Crawford said:Lastly, I don't know Warner's issues for not allowing these titles to be purchased from people outside of the United States so I'm going to speak to them, knowing, I am ignorant about the reasoning behind that decision, but you need to take another look at it. There is a big market for these titles from film lovers all over this world.
I have been thinking of this tooRichard MS said:It is also interesting to speculate about the titles not on the list, like the early Garland films, the Andy Hardy pictures and various missing musicals which I hope will get the full deluxe Warners box some day.
It would be a generous (typically for HTF'ers) offer, but even then a quick calculation - saying each DVD costs no more than $19.95 - a single shipment is going to work out at around £18. Well past the cost of your basic 'Essential Art House' disc, and deep into 'lovingly prepared' Criterion territory. Cost, with a plunging £, would be a huge factor here.Patrick McCart said:Unless WB switches their policy, maybe some of us can run a "third party" mediator project for those in the UK exclusively on HTF. How about the cost of the DVDs, shipping, and a £1 fee?
I guess we have to wait till tomorrow to get some more clarification about the whole situation and Warner's general approach towards classic movies in the future.John Hodson said:It would be a generous (typically for HTF'ers) offer, but even then a quick calculation - saying each DVD costs no more than $19.95 - a single shipment is going to work out at around £18. Well past the cost of your basic 'Essential Art House' disc, and deep into 'lovingly prepared' Criterion territory. Cost, with a plunging £, would be a huge factor for here.
Personally, I'd be a tad uncomfortable relying on the generosity of others, no matter how well intended; you know how the British hate to put anyone to any bother...
After having had time to let it all sink in, this is my greatest fear as well.Marcel H. said:I guess we have to wait till tomorrow to get some more clarification about the whole situation and Warner's general approach towards classic movies in the future.
I have this bad feeling that they are going to cut the normal releases in favor of this new line. I hope I am wrong about this.
Yup; that's my thinking too.Marcel H. said:I guess we have to wait till tomorrow to get some more clarification about the whole situation and Warner's general approach towards classic movies in the future.
I have this bad feeling that they are going to cut the normal releases in favor of this new line. I hope I am wrong about this.
I think you might be right. And if this isn't a success, what happens next? Sorry for being a bit doom and gloom.Marcel H. said:I have this bad feeling that they are going to cut the normal releases in favor of this new line. I hope I am wrong about this.
I've seen a number of these titles, and the quality is fine. Each master was vetted, many by Mr. Feltenstein himself. All are proper aspect ratio, and stereo where applicable. Any titles that did not make spec were eliminated until newer transfers become available. In this regard the list has been changing over the past few months as test discs were created.John Hodson said:I'll be very interested to see if these are on DVD-Rs, and if any effort has gone into the transfers.
If they could think of a way of doing it, they would. Even now non-domestic sales are limited so the studios just accept it - but they don't like it.Simon Howson said:Are you sure? I'd suggest that places like Amazon.com and DVDPacific sell thousands of DVDs to overseas buyers every day. If the studios were actually upset about this they would stop THOSE companies from selling DVDs.
Not wishing to go off track, but yes, you can (at a price). And, apparently there is a genuinely out-of-the-box all regions player currently on offer from an Australian manufacturer.Nebiroth said:I am fairly sure that you can't buy or modify a Region B player to play Region A discs