Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[pedromc69]

The Darkman cover is awful first time i say this about a scream factory movie.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Seymour

People that need/want them? And you agree that every SF BD should include them, so what's the problem. I just made a point, that the newly commissioned artwork they pay for has no effect on sales at all, but the inclusion of ENG subtitles probably would. Seems pretty logical...

I'm not arguing with you that English sub's will add a FEW more sales, (likely less then 1% total of all sales however) What i am arguing is your insistence that English subs make a bigger impact then a flashy new cover or slipcover, and/or that they are essentially worthless as it pertains to copies sold.

-People already assume that all DVD/Blu Ray releases have English subtitles (if the film was shot in America) so that's really not a selling point for most people since it's assumed that they're already included on the release. (It doesn't matter if they are actually on there or not since people just assume so and don't bother checking.)

-Catchy covers do still catch the eye's of people all the time, whether that's old fans or new fans, flashy art does still attract people to look at a release and ultimately possibly make a purchase. Therefore, flashy artwork DOES impact sales in a meaningful way, where as English Subs would not meaningfully impact total sales.

I don't doubt that including English subs would in fact add a FEW more sales for the few people that actively look for them, however to say that the few people that purchase a film because of that, outnumber the number of people that Blind Buy based on what they see in front of them on the cover, is just false. If people weren't drawn to flashy covers and unique artwork then there'd be no need for Commercials, special displays, Slipcovers, or all the crap in the front aisles of a store. Impulse buys (Brought on by flashy cover art for instance) push FAR more people to make a purchase then the addition of text in a movie.

I'd be willing to wager that in the order of importance on a new release, the addition of english Subs would fall to bottom behind Picture Quality, Audio quality, Special Features, and yes even Cover art and whether it includes a slip cover.

[NoirFan]

The thing with English subs and/or CC, is that while they may be preferred or even essential to x percentage of potential customers, for the other, vastly larger percentage, they are completely irrelevant. It's not like, say, an interview featurette, which may be of major interest to some, minimal interest to others, and of zero interest to a few. With English subs/CC, either you need/want them, or they never even cross your mind at all. The first group are an extremely small one relative to the second group.

[NoirFan]

Has Cliff ever said anything about The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)? I'm about to buy the Australian disc, but would consider putting it off in the hopes of paying half the price for a domestic release with extras.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Has Cliff ever said anything about The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)? I'm about to buy the Australian disc, but would consider putting it off in the hopes of paying half the price for a domestic release with extras.

I've never even heard it brought up. So, there's that.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by demonknight

I've never even heard it brought up. So, there's that.

I hadn't either, but it is an MGM horror title (the DVD is OOP), and also a post-60's one. I wouldn't expect a CE release, but possibly a $13.xx release with an interview or two.

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

You don't think the gory, bold, cartoonish covers emphasizing the actors/characters/monsters appeal to teenagers and early 20-somethings who may otherwise be unfamiliar with the movies? I have no empirical data to back that up, of course, but it makes sense to me.


Edit: Of course, with Best Buy not carrying most (all?) of these, chain stores a thing of the past and most people making their purchases online, a colorful cover designed to attract the casual browser in a store may in fact no longer be necessary.

A lot of stores in Canada carry Scream titles. So strange that apparently nowhere in the US does. I wonder why Scream doesn't go after better distribution. I know stores don't want to carry as many catalog titles, but I'm sure they can prove that they have a large enough following.

Either way I doubt these new covers increase sales. Scream has a following and their name alone helps sell the movies. And I'm sure most of us buying these titles are movies fans and don't need a new lavish cover to attract us to them. I doubt a teen is throwing down $20+ for a horror movie that they have never seen, they would probably just grab the DVD from the $5 bin.

They should just put the money they spend on the covers towards something else, and put the original art on the slipcover! I doubt you would hear too many complaints about that. They could even use the alternate cover for an original alternate design or foreign poster art.

[demonknight]

Wrong place to ask, I know, but something has genuinely puzzled me. Next year, there are two Paranormal Activity movies coming out (one in January and One in October). By now, I have accepted this, but the one in October, the sixth film, is called Paranormal Activity 5. The actual fifth one is called Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Is this some sort of mistake, or what?

[HyperRealist]

The Town That Dreaded Sundown is $12.19...

[FelixFlankin]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Wrong place to ask, I know, but something has genuinely puzzled me. Next year, there are two Paranormal Activity movies coming out (one in January and One in October). By now, I have accepted this, but the one in October, the sixth film, is called Paranormal Activity 5. The actual fifth one is called Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. Is this some sort of mistake, or what?

The one in January is a spin-off. The main series continues with 5 in October.

[redrunner97]

Originally Posted by Seymour

I suppose if they're simpleminded and/or slightly retarded. But aren't these teenagers/young people just as likely to download it (legally or not) if they're not familiar with it? It's not like SF BDs are available eveywhere, where folks are likely to stumble upon them accidentally. Consumers have to search them out, and they probably have some idea of what they're getting themselves into.

So to answer your question: No, I don't think the artwork has any effect on sales.

Edit: I just noticed that you amended your original post.

Um.

I don't think retarded criminal teenagers are roaming the streets just looking to pirate films made 20-40 years before they were born...

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by FelixFlankin

The one in January is a spin-off. The main series continues with 5 in October.

That's really stupid. Just leave the Paranormal Activity out of the spin-off title, or just don't number "the real 5".

[coolrivers]

Originally Posted by pedromc69

The Darkman cover is awful first time i say this about a scream factory movie.

I usually love the new scream factory art (except for The Howling). This not so much and I dig Ghoulish Garry's art.

[redrunner97]

The spin-off is for "latino audiences" according to Paramount.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Um.

I don't think retarded criminal teenagers are roaming the streets just looking to pirate films made 20-40 years before they were born...

[dmarvin]

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

The Town That Dreaded Sundown is $12.19...

Is this the only SF title on sale?

[stylesclash516]

Originally Posted by Seymour

But aren't these teenagers/young people just as likely to download it (legally or not) if they're not familiar with it?

I resent that (I just turned 20 last month)!

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by stylesclash516

I resent that (I just turned 20 last month)!

I wish I could resent that. I watch most of my Scream Factory titles on YouTube before saying "I might buy that!" The people put them up, let's say, less than legally.

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Um.

I don't think retarded criminal teenagers are roaming the streets just looking to pirate films made 20-40 years before they were born...

As a (criminally retarded :P) 16 year old, I blind buy horror cult releases way more than any other genre, to the point where I pretty much only blind buy horror movies, and never watch them before hand.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

Um.

I don't think retarded criminal teenagers are roaming the streets just looking to pirate films made 20-40 years before they were born...

You didn't understand what I was saying. What I meant: someone might buy a movie based on the cover alone if they were simpleminded (ie not many people). But what's more likely--most teenagers would probably rather download a movie they've never seen (or buy the cheaper DVD) vs plunking down $20+ for the blu-ray.

Bottom line is: the commissioned artwork is a waste of money, and it would be better spent on things like quality control, making sure all of their blu-rays have ENG subtitles, etc.