a john carpenter question like no other

[outoftimejedi]

Alright, listen up!!!!! On the import versions of they live, prince of darkness and starman, all have some really kool stuff on there from JC himself, audio comm ect, the us versions have NOTHING. I have heard stories that these features were like exclusives to those european people that put out the dvd's, is this true? Can poeple from overseas own certian things like that, and are not the studios just overseas versions of univ., sony ect? Know that i mean? I hope we will see these kool features over here sometime soon, it does not look like it tho, as i have seen the reissues for TL and POD and not extras to speak of, also, does anyone EVER think that we will see a SE of escape from LA, i love this film, i recall seeing a feature on in with showtime, like a making of thing, AND both john c and kurt r have said they would love to do an audio comm for the film, that could be reissue material right there, but the film does belong to the mighty P, anyone hear anything about this one or the other films, please let me know, thanks

[videoworx]

I'm pretty sure PoD and They Live have already been announced for re-releases in the US (this time by Universal, not Image), and they WILL include commentaries and 16x9 transfers...but I'm not sure if it was info from the rumor mill on digitalbits.com, or actual release info from Universal (who are notorious for contstantly delaying releases). I have no idea about Escape from LA, but with the upcoming release of Escape from NY, I would think the distributor of LA would want to cash in on it...

[wadew]

Don't hold your breath on EFLA, Paramount blows

[larphillips]

Originally Posted by outoftimejedi

Alright, listen up!!!!! On the import versions of they live, prince of darkness and starman, all have some really kool stuff on there from JC himself, audio comm ect, the us versions have NOTHING. I have heard stories that these features were like exclusives to those european people that put out the dvd's, is this true? Can poeple from overseas own certian things like that, and are not the studios just overseas versions of univ., sony ect? Know that i mean? I hope we will see these kool features over here sometime soon, it does not look like it tho, as i have seen the reissues for TL and POD and not extras to speak of, also, does anyone EVER think that we will see a SE of escape from LA, i love this film, i recall seeing a feature on in with showtime, like a making of thing, AND both john c and kurt r have said they would love to do an audio comm for the film, that could be reissue material right there, but the film does belong to the mighty P, anyone hear anything about this one or the other films, please let me know, thanks

Back in the wild and wooley days of Laserdisc and early DVD, commentaries used to be something that the filmmakers wanted to do... whether it was to inform, explain or excuse... they had a specific agenda and so they recorded these. Back then, the people being recorded were not paid. Usually, some craft service would be brought in, and maybe a little adult beverage, but that was it. It was a labor of love (or spite, if you will.)

Things started to go downhill on two fronts at the same time. As items went out of print and rights changed hands, the people that produced the original commentaries claimed ownership of them. They wanted a fee paid to use them (as high as they could get), otherwise they would sit on them. Around the same time, the demand for commentaries was getting pretty high, and the people who would be doing the commentary started demanding payment. Once payment entered the picture, you have to add royalties and the other details that are included when you start to involve studios, managers, agents, lawyers, etc. Now using commentaries from other versions, editions, etc. became complicated and expensive.

So to answer your question directly, just because there is a commentary on a movie for another region, even if the same studio has the foreign and domestic home video rights, it is not necessiarily an easy or cost-effective option to use it. And yeah, Kurt and John may want to do a commentary for Escape From LA, but they also may want major bucks to do it too. And don't blame them for greed, blame the system.

[MrE26]

The specs for the new R1 discs are commentary free. The R2 commentaries were recorded exclusively for the European releases & as the rights are owned by a different company (Momentum i believe, who also put a very nice Wes Craven commentary on their Shocker disc) then Universal would have to either Momentum to use the commentary or pay JC to record another (If he's willing.) They obviously think this is not worth the time & expense.

[jtorrance]

I think Carpenter said it himself: "In Germany, I'm a genius; in France, I'm an auteur; in America, I'm a hack." (quoted from memory, correct me if I'm wrong).

[Riddick]

John Carpenter is not a hack!!

He's one of the best






learning these color letters is fun!!!

[Griggi]

I have all three R2s.

The R1s WILL NOT have the commentaries.

They Live and PoD were commissioned by Kinowelt, a German company. They originally released the DVDs -- they must have struck a deal with Momentum.

Starman won't get done because the studio thinks the costs would not be recouped because interest in the movie is not large enough.

[larphillips]

Originally Posted by Griggi

Starman won't get done because the studio thinks the costs would not be recouped because interest in the movie is not large enough.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... on the question of Studio's unwillingness to do something due to perceived market demand, they only way they'll ever know if there is interest is if YOU LET THEM KNOW. They are not some institution right out of 1984, they are a customer oriented business who want nothing but to make money.

Here is a good plan of attack.... organize a group, more than five and less than ten, and have everyone write letters. No e-mail (although you can do an e-mail along WITH a hand-written letter), because snail-mail gets attention. Everyone space their letters apart a bit, because if they all come in on the same day, then it looks like a 'campaign.'

Anyway, write the letter out throughtfully and passionately. Explain why you want to see your favorite movie released and what features would lure you to buy it. Stress that you would buy this film. Stress that you are not alone in feeling this way. Make sure the letter is succinct, no more than 3/4 of a page, and with the proper spelling and grammar. If you want them to take you seriously, you don't want the letter to read like you are an idiot. Make sure everyone's letters don't appear the same. If they suspect a form letter, then the impact is lessened. The letters should be mailed to: the head of the Home Video Division, head of marketing, head of public relations, the director of the original film, the producer of the original film and the production company of the original film.

Once the first wave of letters is mailed out, wait a week or three. Gather together a few more participants, and do it again. You can mentioned that you had written before, but don't seem like a crazed stalker. The best thing you can do is to mention that you have talked to others, and they agree with your proposal. This will make them pay attention to the increase in mail volume on that subject as well.

If you get a response, that is fantastic... it means they are listening! If it is a positive response, a quick note back saying how excited you are and that you'll be the first in line when it is released will do the trick. Don't ask for anything for free. You are coming to them as a paying customer, they are counting on your dollars. IF they do send you anything for free... shill for them like there is no tomorrow. Post to boards, write and post reviews, be a true evangelist for them. Want to stay in their good graces? Print a hard copy and link to every place your words have made it online and mail that packet, with a nice letter, back to the person who sent you the free stuff. You'll be on their goodie list after that.

Now, if you get a form letter back or no response at all, DON'T get hostile. Anger, name-calling, threats, etc. don't work and can get you into hot water. You'll never make your point or win your argument that way. This is the test of a true fan. In the face of negativity, you press on. Keep doing what you have been doing. Writing letters every other week or so, and keep adding new recruits. As I said earlier, it is best to start with a small number... even if you have a ton of people already. You want to show a groundswell of interest, so keep your troops in reserve.

If you finally get your way, spread the word. Tell everyone about the great new release and why they need to buy it. Make the sales figures back up your argument. If it works, and it's a big hit for the studio... or even a modest profit maker, they are going to take you a bit more seriously next time around. They are always looking for someone with 'insticts.' Oh, and make sure you thank them. Politeness is the rule, and the sugar you'll need to stay near the edges of the 'inside.'

Anyway, that is my advice, formally from the inside... it works, but it's up to you.

[Lo Pan]

Yeah, you can do all that...or just get the imports like the rest of us did.

[Notoriousaurus]

On a "campaign" note. Back when the DVD File was "DVDTalk" remember them days? I created an e-mail that was essentially a one man petition to get Cherry 2000 out on DVD from MGM. I e-mailed MGM daily, the same email, and they knew it was me. For months I would get the same response every 5 or so letters. "We are looking into the release of this title, but it is not high on demand" or something to that effect. Well I think the same guy goes through all the email, cause the day before they announced it I got a simple email that said "okay "

I like to think I made a difference, or maybe I didn't. Nonetheless, I own Cherry 2000 on DVD, and while it is lite on extras and doesn't have the original cover art... I own Cherry 2000 on DVD!!!

[larphillips]

Originally Posted by Notoriousaurus

On a "campaign" note. Back when the DVD File was "DVDTalk" remember them days? I created an e-mail that was essentially a one man petition to get Cherry 2000 out on DVD from MGM. I e-mailed MGM daily, the same email, and they knew it was me. For months I would get the same response every 5 or so letters. "We are looking into the release of this title, but it is not high on demand" or something to that effect. Well I think the same guy goes through all the email, cause the day before they announced it I got a simple email that said "okay "

I like to think I made a difference, or maybe I didn't. Nonetheless, I own Cherry 2000 on DVD, and while it is lite on extras and doesn't have the original cover art... I own Cherry 2000 on DVD!!!

Cool! It does work, people. When you always here them talk about 'demand' do you know how they come up with these terms? Blind fucking luck. There is no formal process, just a bunch of people sitting in a room trying to remember titles. The more you, as the public, can 'remind' them of titles and proove there is demand, the better chance that you have of getting your favorite disc out there.