"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[JAGUAR1977]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Yeah I concurr
Well, that's really not a "new " question hehe.

Let's face it, it's the only question in town. All other news is fluff and fillers until Paramount/Universal announce something.

Rght now they are just pissing off ever more Blu-ray owners!

[IMind]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

You also need to take into account encoders. Sony (as far as I know) doesn't use the same encoding houses and Fox and Disney, so the encoders used and the talent involved could be very different.

I'd think the encoders and talent would just be scratching the surface. While there's definitely something to be said for higher bitrates and PQ... it does seem a little capricious to attribute a perceived lack of PQ simply to a lower bitrate on the Blu-ray disc.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Hey PM by no means do I want you to get in trouble.........

Then e-mail that query to Bill Hunt over at the Bits and ask him to get his arse back onto this forum and post the reply with his answer here.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by mhafner

Where is that posting with the paper?
..........

I didn’t post it yet.
It’s not online, so I just can’t provide you with a simple link. It’s a journal article from several months ago that I have to scan myself or ask my A.A. to do so.
I don’t have a scanner next to my computer.

When I get the time, and after a re-read if I think it adds value to the discussion, I will scan and then post for your perusal.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by spicynacho

There was a story on NPR this morning about Steffan Sonnenberg (sp?) who is a digital colorist. They said that they were among the most unsung heroes of the movie industry and I believe it, when I got in, I googled his name and didn't find anything. It sounds like they do "airbrushing" for video, among other effects. They said that 95% of films get this treatment and many stars have it written into their contract that they will get touchups to cover up their imperfections. How come we never hear about these guys or even see them in the credits but we always know who is the best grip boy? It sounded as if they were very influencial to the outcome of many movies. This guy had worked on everything from Mission impossible to PoTC and Sweeny Todd (where he drained most of the life out of people and made it so dark).

Surely they work with the Director and DP to get the look right, but the way they were comparing Sweeny Todd from the original print to the final result it sounded like they had made it dramaticlly grayer and darker.

Basiclly I was just wondering why is it we never hear about these guys?

Because they are super-busy working and I think as a generalization they (the big names) enjoy keeping a low profile and letting their work speak for themselves.

They are recognized and awarded praise by various industry groups.
See…………………….
http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.c...ees-announced/

^ Scroll down to “300”. Stefan is a working digital colorist as well as founder and Pres. of Company 3.
Technicolor, EFilm, and Company 3 do the vast majority of the DI work in Hollywood.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

It's St Patrick's Day; sorry but nothing else is acceptable!

But thanks for the sentiment
Do you have any Irish blood in you?...........

Yes, a smidgen.
Apparently, to use the canine terminology, I’m somewhat of a “mixed breed” or “mutt”.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by db01

Dear Penton Man, I just wanted to say a big thank you to yourself and all of the insiders for all of your time and effort, it is much appreciated, even if it is not said enough.

Thank you.

[Penton-Man]

P.S.
And please everyone, stop with the PM’s regarding a projected debut date for LoA on Blu-ray. For the record, I really can’t tell anyone anything in a PM that I couldn’t post publicly online anyway.

I will tell you that the film will not debut on Blu-ray in 2008.
I doubt that it will even debut in 2009, as Close Encounters of The Third Kind, barely made any money factoring in all the work/expense that was put into it.

Such is the business.

[Mystery Clock]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

... as Close Encounters of The Third Kind, barely made any money factoring in all the work/expense that was put into it.

Such is the business.

I'm actually impressed that it made any money, considering the modest size of the installed base when it went on sale and the absolutely stunning amount of work it must have taken to assemble, master and stitch together all three versions of the film with two lossless soundtrack tracks... not to mention all the extras, the outstanding packaging, etc.

Going forward, I really hope that it ends up turning a tidy (if slow) profit for everyone involved. And Mr. Spielberg is to be absolutely thanked, clapped on the back, hand-shook, knelt down before or hugged for supporting the release of this gem on BD so early on.

So PM...now that you've put LoA to bed for 2008 and perhaps 2009...

...where's Jurrasic Park?



-John

[spicynacho]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

P.S.
And please everyone, stop with the PM’s regarding a projected debut date for LoA on Blu-ray. For the record, I really can’t tell anyone anything in a PM that I couldn’t post publicly online anyway.

I will tell you that the film will not debut on Blu-ray in 2008.
I doubt that it will even debut in 2009, as Close Encounters of The Third Kind, barely made any money factoring in all the work/expense that was put into it.

Such is the business.

How big of a dissapointment was CE3K on Blu Ray?

Planet of the Apes remake disappointing?
Waterworld disappointing?
Gigli disappointing?

[JAGUAR1977]

Close Encounters is on my list, but not at the premium pricing.

$20 and I'll snap it up on Amazon.

[BillCable]

Barely making any money is better than losing money, no?

PS: I own CE and absolutely love it.

[1974]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

P.S.
And please everyone, stop with the PM’s regarding a projected debut date for LoA on Blu-ray. For the record, I really can’t tell anyone anything in a PM that I couldn’t post publicly online anyway.

I will tell you that the film will not debut on Blu-ray in 2008.
I doubt that it will even debut in 2009, as Close Encounters of The Third Kind, barely made any money factoring in all the work/expense that was put into it.

Such is the business.

You guys did a great job with Close Encounters, but I'm afraid its high price affected the sales numbers.

[Anthony P]

you guys did a great job with CE3K and anyone that does not get it makes a disservice to themselves.

[blitz6speed]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

you guys did a great job with CE3K and anyone that does not get it makes a disservice to themselves.

Lets be realistic man. I rented it from Blockbuster and LOVED IT! Then i checked to see how much it was. 40 something bucks at best buy B&M and 35 bucks on amazon. Sorry, no movie is worth that price to me. I waited and then amazon had it on sale for 23 bucks, and i bought it then. The price is EXTREMELY high, i understand its a top tier item, but its still a older movie and really, there are tons of movies to pick from at much cheaper prices. Gotta have priorities!

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

Lets be realistic man. I rented it from Blockbuster and LOVED IT! Then i checked to see how much it was. 40 something bucks at best buy B&M and 35 bucks on amazon. Sorry, no movie is worth that price to me. I waited and then amazon had it on sale for 23 bucks, and i bought it then. The price is EXTREMELY high, i understand its a top tier item, but its still a older movie and really, there are tons of movies to pick from at much cheaper prices. Gotta have priorities!

Agreed. It's listed retail price is $49.95!

I also took the chance to buy it when it dropped to $23.95, I think it was in December.

[JasonR]

I will NEVER, pay as much as they want for it. STUPID

[TetonWolf]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

P.S.
...as Close Encounters of The Third Kind, barely made any money factoring in all the work/expense that was put into it.

Such is the business.

CE3K is probably the most stunning BD I've viewed to date. It was as overwhelming as when I first saw it in Westwood 30 years ago. I don't think Sony will have any trouble making plenty of profit from it once BD volumes increase...the recent Digital Bitsy awards had it in several of their top 10 lists. Please don't lose heart...your efforts on CE3K are much, much appreciated by many of us. And it is worth every penny you are charging for it.

[blindcat87]

Agree completely. People are acting as if this is a standard catalog release. I have paid more than this for Criterion Edition DVDs and Laserdiscs with equivalent or even less content than what Sony included in this package.

If there are not enough fans in the BD game for studios to recoup the costs of restoration, production of premium content, and all of the other costs involved in super special editions of classic films, we are not going to get any more of them any time soon.

I really have trouble understanding how anyone can look at this title as a whole and call it overpriced. I tend to be a movie only sort of person in general, but when a studio gives worthwhile content and treats a major classic with the attention it deserves, I have no problem paying them for all of the extra work and bonus content that is more than the usual fluff. Sure $20 for a standard catalog release, but there is a reason this title was up there in the Bitsy awards along with the Blade Runner Ultimate Edition and that one was definitely not overpriced.

This sort of attitude really has me concerned about WB''s ultimate edition plans for their classic titles. They are not going to charge the same price on these ultimate releases that they do for standard catalog releases and if theyy meet with the same attitude, those of us who like collecting classic films in such editions are hosed. It also does not bode well for Criterion getting into Blu-ray anytime soon which is really sad.

PS I would also like to add my thanks Penton for going the extra mile to get us the PS3 update news from the overworked CE guy.

Chris

Originally Posted by TetonWolf

CE3K is probably the most stunning BD I've viewed to date. It was as overwhelming as when I first saw it in Westwood 30 years ago. I don't think Sony will have any trouble making plenty of profit from it once BD volumes increase...the recent Digital Bitsy awards had it in several of their top 10 lists. Please don't lose heart...your efforts on CE3K are much, much appreciated by many of us. And it is worth every penny you are charging for it.

[1974]

For me it wasn't overpriced, but for the general public I'm afraid that's a different story especially considering the biggest demographic group of BR player owners.