Out of Sight, But Not Out of My Mind - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Filmmaker · 09-07-2001, 07:51 PM

I'm looking for a little insight here. I am extremely interested in getting my hands on some of the student films and/or early nonprofessional films of many of our greatest filmmakers (let's avoid judgment calls on that issue) and yet, with few exceptions, none of these films are available on any home video format, DVD or otherwise. For my personal interests, I would love to get a hold of early efforts like:

"The Alphabet" and "The Grandmother" (dir. David Lynch)

"Firelight" and "Amblin'" (dir. Steven Spielberg)

"Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads" (dir. Spike Lee)

Warner recently released another title I've been desperate for on their SHORT #10--George Lucas' THX-1138 4EB: ELECTRONIC LABYRINTH but, other than that, the world of early films from the modern greats on home video is a wasteland. Anyone have any educated guesses as to why? Other than perhaps embarrassment on the part of these directors at the sight of their works back when they were green, what other factors are at play? Think of it--only a relative handful of DVDs would have to be sold for the release to be profitable. Additionally, these films would be very inspirational and informative to the hopeful filmmaker-wannabes of today. I just can't believe that embarrassment is the only force at work here.

A secondary question--since the bulk of these early films are owned by their respective creators, rather than a studio, who would I contact to show my interest in their release? 'Cuz I really doubt Spielberg's gonna have the time or inclination to worry about my hopes and desires, ya know...?

------------------
Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part...

A curious mix of the best and worst in motion picture entertainment--that's right, it's Filmmaker's DVDTracker list!
...and the fun doesn't stop there--check out how the madness all began with Filmmaker's Laserdisc Tracker list!

billyslits · 09-07-2001, 09:34 PM

I think "The Alphabet" and "The Grandmother" are going to be released as supplements on the upcoming "Eraserhead" DVD. I know they've recently undergone an HD transfer along with a couple other early Lynch shorts: "Six Men Getting Sick" and "The Amputee." All of these short films are very intense and scary as hell.

tycho282 · 09-07-2001, 09:37 PM

THX-1138 4EB is coming out on DVD? When? This is great news! What is this Short #10?

Much obliged.
--Chris

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On second thought, let's not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.

Filmmaker · 09-07-2001, 10:28 PM

tycho282, go here for details (although you can probably find it for a better price at another store):

http://www.express.com/product_movie...CTNUMBER=20411

I've owned it for several months, and it's trés cool--easy the most innovative and unique student film I've ever seen, and I think it really shows what kind of filmmaking Lucas would like to be doing if the STAR WARS fanboys would get off his ass for five minutes...

billyslits, if you're right about the Lynch films then BLESS YOU!!! WHOO-HOO!!!

------------------
Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part...

A curious mix of the best and worst in motion picture entertainment--that's right, it's Filmmaker's DVDTracker list!
...and the fun doesn't stop there--check out how the madness all began with Filmmaker's Laserdisc Tracker list!

[This message has been edited by Filmmaker (edited 09-07-2001).]

09-07-2001, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Filmmaker Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite	Out of Sight, But Not Out of My Mind I'm looking for a little insight here. I am extremely interested in getting my hands on some of the student films and/or early nonprofessional films of many of our greatest filmmakers (let's avoid judgment calls on that issue) and yet, with few exceptions, none of these films are available on any home video format, DVD or otherwise. For my personal interests, I would love to get a hold of early efforts like: "The Alphabet" and "The Grandmother" (dir. David Lynch) "Firelight" and "Amblin'" (dir. Steven Spielberg) "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads" (dir. Spike Lee) Warner recently released another title I've been desperate for on their SHORT #10--George Lucas' THX-1138 4EB: ELECTRONIC LABYRINTH but, other than that, the world of early films from the modern greats on home video is a wasteland. Anyone have any educated guesses as to why? Other than perhaps embarrassment on the part of these directors at the sight of their works back when they were green, what other factors are at play? Think of it--only a relative handful of DVDs would have to be sold for the release to be profitable. Additionally, these films would be very inspirational and informative to the hopeful filmmaker-wannabes of today. I just can't believe that embarrassment is the only force at work here. A secondary question--since the bulk of these early films are owned by their respective creators, rather than a studio, who would I contact to show my interest in their release? 'Cuz I really doubt Spielberg's gonna have the time or inclination to worry about my hopes and desires, ya know...? ------------------ Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part... A curious mix of the best and worst in motion picture entertainment--that's right, it's Filmmaker's DVDTracker list! ...and the fun doesn't stop there--check out how the madness all began with Filmmaker's Laserdisc Tracker list!

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09-07-2001, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
billyslits Actor Join Date: Jun 2001	I think "The Alphabet" and "The Grandmother" are going to be released as supplements on the upcoming "Eraserhead" DVD. I know they've recently undergone an HD transfer along with a couple other early Lynch shorts: "Six Men Getting Sick" and "The Amputee." All of these short films are very intense and scary as hell.

09-07-2001, 09:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
tycho282 Actor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Aurora, IL, USA	THX-1138 4EB is coming out on DVD? When? This is great news! What is this Short #10? Much obliged. --Chris ------------------ On second thought, let's not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.

09-07-2001, 10:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Filmmaker Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite	tycho282, go here for details (although you can probably find it for a better price at another store): http://www.express.com/product_movie...CTNUMBER=20411 I've owned it for several months, and it's trés cool--easy the most innovative and unique student film I've ever seen, and I think it really shows what kind of filmmaking Lucas would like to be doing if the STAR WARS fanboys would get off his ass for five minutes... billyslits, if you're right about the Lynch films then BLESS YOU!!! WHOO-HOO!!! ------------------ Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part... A curious mix of the best and worst in motion picture entertainment--that's right, it's Filmmaker's DVDTracker list! ...and the fun doesn't stop there--check out how the madness all began with Filmmaker's Laserdisc Tracker list! [This message has been edited by Filmmaker (edited 09-07-2001).]