Thursday, August 18, 2005

Are We Cool?

I was speaking with Philip Morton over at Screenwriter Bones today, and he asked the question of whether or not D2DVD will "transcend the limitations" imposed upon it by the schedule and the budget.

I gave him a rather oblique answer (actually blathered off at the mouth a bit - big surprise there!) , but let me be more precise:

You can make Cool movies for D2DVD...

Because Cool doesn’t have a budget…
Because Cool sells (a lot)…
Because Cool sells itself, and you can’t stop Cool because, well it’s cool…
Because when you see or hear Cool, you know it right away…
Because Cool, when it’s done right, is cool…


Be cool..

11 comments:

Cunningham said...

And it also works for the Adult industry...

Just substitute the word "porn" for "cool."

Curt Purcell said...

Bill, I think the biggest challenge is to begin to think of d2dvd as a whole different medium from films shot for theatrical release. I think that, because dvd is linked in so many people's minds with movies that get theatrical release, it suffers from some misperceptions. The common view, I think, is that there are the movies you must see in theaters, the movies you can wait to see on disc, and then there are the movies that aren't even good enough to get theatrical release so they go "direct to dvd." The idea of making a movie from the get-go specifically for d2dvd release is pretty foreign and hard to digest if you're not an industry insider. Even I, when I see a disc on the shelf that I know never played anywhere, unconsciously can't help thinking of the last movie I hated in a theater, and thinking, "Jesus, this isn't even that good. Pass!"

When I think about it rationally, though, I think the medium has some tremendous untapped potential. In this blog, you stress the fun, pulpy, low-budget end of the spectrum. But doesn't d2dvd also hold the promise of some very desirable freedom from some very onerous restrictions that plague films shot for theatrical release?

For example, can't the whole ratings issue be sidestepped? Could d2dvd make it possible again for directors to profitably make adult movies that are also "real" movies, ushering in a second golden age of porn?

Then there is the freedom from time constraints. A d2dvd director needn't (at least in principle) be limited by established theatrical schedule issues. I can only think of one broad example of this freedom being fully realized and taken advantage of: Original Video Anime series. I love great big, sprawling epic series that can be watched in one sitting--if you don't mind sitting for 12 hours straight (I don't!).

Just a few thoughts on the topic, off the top of my head!

Cunningham said...

Re: wedding blog - thanks! good luck with your blog too...Oh, and you might want to think about evening out your meds. Just a thought.

Re: tres cee - oooookaaaaay...

Re: Curt - good points. However, the ratings issues can and can't be sidestepped. Currently, If you want wider distribution for places like Blockbuster and WalMart - you need the rating. If you don't have the rating you immediately go into a second tier of releasable outlets and they internally review the films which could take weeks.

This will change as DVD is distributed in more non-traditional outlets - 7/11's, vending machines, etc...

The studios are making sequels and Original D2DVDs as we speak, and they are very profitable.

JimMiller said...

I agree with Curt. I think d2dvd would do better if marketed and distributed differently. Get out of Block Buster and DVD rentals and instead team up with cable companies and do something more like on-demand video. Eventually, when broadband speeds improve, the d2dvd people could serve them up themselves over the internet directly to DVR devices. I would watch more d2dvd movies if they were priced lower than theatrical releases and were more convenient to obtain.

The market perceives d2dvd movies as being lower in quality (whether deserved or not), and therefore the d2dvd people need to use different distribution and/or pricing strategies.

Cunningham said...

Regarding the studio sequels - most people see them as being movies they didn't see at the theaters, thus we have Inspector Gadget 2 which makes millions for the studio.

What you're talking about Awful writer is indeed Video-On-Demand, and the same companies which make D2DVD movies now WILL be hip deep in the VOD world when the infrastructure is there. For the most part you're talking about companies that are very quick to react and set market trends.

The pricepoint for DVDs is falling as we speak, and it will be crucial for companies to rethink their distribution strategy in order to maintain profit. That means advertising on DVD's, non-traditional outlets, promotional tie-ins, merchandising, etc...

Grubber said...

I do think that D2Dvd has a reputation similar to what TV had say 15 years ago....now there is lots of dollars being spent and top actors are happy to work on a tv series.

I reckon due to the fact that D2Dvd can possibly take some more risks than the theatre releases, maybe we will see the next tarintino or similar come through this area, or the next Josh Wheeden, etc, etc.

There is definitely a bright future for D2Dvd in my opinion, and VOD will be a big part of it.

cheers
Dave

Cunningham said...

uh...no.

Cunningham said...

I look at it this way - they want my readers - THE PULPERVERSE. I must have some sort of desirable demographic (ha!) or numbers(okay) for them to want to try and get my blog traffic.

writergurl said...

Bill, those random "comments"? Congrats dude, you've been spammed. Yep, they've turned to blogs now. Fuckers.

Phil said...

Hey Bill, great comments, and no you didn't blather on, you're rather well focused and eloquent on your topics. We were talking about the "machine" of the d2dvd being in place that cranks these entertainment blueprints out that are serviceable movies. But you and I were also talking of the inspired creators (yourself being one) who could also take advantage of this system and design stories for it that might rise above the standard profit requirements. It's an interesting thought, surely challenging but manageable, and implies that this world you know so well could also become a stepping stone to other worlds that you could clearly master as well. Funny, I was mentioning you in a post on my site today, and came over to make sure I had your link correct and saw you mentioning me. PS: You have been spammed by some computer generated idiot that spouts babble and pastes links. I was hit on my other blog as well. Must mean you have good readership! Well done!

Curt Purcell said...

Hey Bill, you might want to enable word verification in your blog comment settings to keep out the spambots.