Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[ZeroRo]

Originally Posted by Driver78

Short of financial reasons, there's really no excuse for refusing to buy imports - plenty of US retailers stock them now - even Amazon. Refusing to go region free, well, that's a different story. People choose to limit themselves - that's on them.

Arrow's Battle Royale 4k is one I imported

[RevolverOcelScott]

In his new position, Einhorn will focus on content acquisition strategy and expansion, covering licensing, outright acquisitions, unscripted co-productions, creator content partnerships and new content development opportunities.

I don't see the AI aspect hurting the releases, as it seems he's mostly going to be on the acquisition side of things. No need to be worried until they give us a concrete reason to be.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by guccipunkstar

Guess they haven’t broken the news here yet..

https://variety.com/2024/film/global...ai-1236148380/

Shout hired some AI douche

Do you actually know anything about him to label him a douche?

[guccipunkstar]

I agree, still it seems like it could be a bad precedent to set, could be a slippery slope if they start using AI in restorations. That would be my final straw with them

[guccipunkstar]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Do you actually know anything about him to label him a douche?

“AI Pioneer” use your head they’re never good people when it comes to art. sorry if that slight comment upset you

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by guccipunkstar

“AI Pioneer” use your head they’re never good people when it comes to art

His Twitter account is absolutely horrifying too.

The biggest red flag I’ve ever seen.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by guccipunkstar

“AI Pioneer” use your head

I'm sorry, but do you think working in the AI field just automatically makes someone a douche? Because that is the most ridiculous thing I've read in some time. It seems very clear that you need to do some serious research on what AI is, and what it entails. You're almost certainly using some aspect of AI every day if you're online or have a smartphone. The headline says he's a Generative AI pioneer. If you do a basic Google search you'd find that is a field of creating completely new content with AI. It has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with using AI to restore films, nor does his connection to that field have a single connection to this position at Shout.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by guccipunkstar

“AI Pioneer” use your head they’re never good people when it comes to art. sorry if that slight comment upset you

He isn't going to be the one restoring/mastering the films. This is a non-issue.

[DrasticHandprint]

Missed out on Big Trouble In Little China.. was hoping it would still be in stock by payday on Monday. I coulda made it work, but oh well.

[annubis44]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm sorry, but do you think working in the AI field just automatically makes someone a douche? Because that is the most ridiculous thing I've read in some time. It seems very clear that you need to do some serious research on what AI is, and what it entails. You're almost certainly using some aspect of AI every day if you're online or have a smartphone. The headline says he's a Generative AI pioneer. If you do a basic Google search you'd find that is a field of creating completely new content with AI. It has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with using AI to restore films, nor does his connection to that field have a single connection to this position at Shout.

Generative AI pioneer = Unethical

Not that that would make him different from the majority of other businessmen. Or some people already at Shout! I imagine.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by annubis44

Generative AI pioneer = Unethical

Not that that would make him different from the majority of other businessmen. Or some people already at Shout! I imagine.

I see you've pre-ordered Late Night with the Devil. So you're supporting something you deem "unethical".

[guccipunkstar]

He made an AI Terminator film apparently, guess they can release stuff like that in the future

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by guccipunkstar

He made an AI Terminator film apparently, guess they can release stuff like that in the future

He was one of 50 filmmakers that was involved in it, and it was a not for profit parody created for private use. Maybe stop with the fear-mongering.

[annubis44]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I see you've pre-ordered Late Night with the Devil. So you're supporting something you deem "unethical".

First off, it's hilarious that you went to the trouble to look that up in my collection. That speaks volumes.

Second, yes, I freely admit I'm purchasing a copy of that film even though AI was used on the station identification art. It's bullshit that they did that and I don't think there's an excuse for it and I'll always point that out about the film and any other film that does it. Still, a lot of hard working artists worked on that film and I ended up enjoying it despite that black mark.

Just like I'm not going to sell all my Shout! blu-rays or stop buying their releases just because they hired a proponent of generative AI. I will however call it out because all generative AI is inherently unethical and I'll certainly reconsider if it begins to impact their products in a negative way.

Guess what, I still shop at Amazon and Walmart even though I consider both companies and many others to be terrible, because I still have to live my life. I try to support good things with my dollars but if I boycotted every company or film because an ******* was involved I'd never be able to shop anywhere or watch anything ever again (or visit this forum as a matter of fact). That doesn't mean I can't criticize it or call it out for what it is.

[starsteam]

I'm doubting this guy is going to have much correlation to their home video offerings, his focus will likely be acquiring and producing streaming content which is what Shout Studios is focusing on for growth.

“I am delighted to welcome Max on board. He has a distinguished track record in digital entertainment, AVOD, and FAST. Max’s extensive background and network in the industry make him an ideal appointment,” said McIntosh. “We look forward to Max playing a significant role in our overall growth.”

[Driver78]

Originally Posted by starsteam

I'm doubting this guy is going to have much correlation to their home video offerings, his focus will likely be acquiring and producing streaming content which is what Shout Studios is focusing on for growth.

Does this mean they're going to be focusing less on physical media or simply expanding their streaming output? Scary to think that labels are beginning to think of home video as more of a footnote.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by Driver78

Does this mean they're going to be focusing less on physical media or simply expanding their streaming output? Scary to think that labels are beginning to think of home video as more of a footnote.

Physical media doesn't even make up a quarter of Shout's profits. There's a reason they're Shout Studios now. It's not so much that they're less focused on physical media, they're just more than that now compared to other boutique labels. I think a lot of us here kind of ignore everything else they do.

Most of the properties they buy (as oppose to license), like Jim Henson's stuff, ALF, MST3K (wait it's all puppet shows?), the physical media aspects were not the primary reason of going after those titles.

[NeonStreetMelt]

The comments on DOTD's FB post about this are gold. The general ignorance regarding AI is both hilarious and disturbing. I've read books on this stuff...it's not going anywhere, and within a generation not hardly anyone will bat an eye about AI generated books/films/whatever. In regards to cannibalization of others' work....as if any human artist ever existed in some complete vacuum, and wasn't influenced either consciously or subconsciously by others' works that predated them, and what they grew up on. The human brain is going to literally be recreated synthetically this century...and their output will be no less valid than a present day human. We're all the sum total of our social programming/conditioning, and experiences, and our more complex machines will mirror that.

[ShoutFactoryOfficial]

Hey everyone - Shout! has no interest in using AI in creative processes such as key art design or film restoration. We celebrate the art of entertainment and honor that in every step of our process. We frequently collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, and producers and our ultimate goal is to honor the original intention of these artists.

[Nailwraps]

Thank you Shout!! That's a relief to hear.