Third Window Films Discussion Thread

[Yami]

Does Sono only want them presented on physical media or something like that?

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by Yami

Does Sono only want them presented on physical media or something like that?

It's not that, it's that they've been released internationally without his authorisation and without him getting money for them so he's really against this

[Yami]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

It's not that, it's that they've been released internationally without his authorisation and without him getting money for them so he's really against this

Ah, I see. That's really not on. I'll steer clear of buying them then - here's hoping that someone does release them officially though.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Me too. I've been dying to see his early work with English subtitles but that's really not okay. I'll refrain from those iTunes downloads and wait for an English friendly box of his unreleased movies with English subtitles.

I hope my taking a moral stance on this actually pays off and SOMEBODY can release a set sooner rather than later. Preferably TWF. I know you guys have been looking into it and the legal issues. It would be a dream if you worked it out.

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Me too. I've been dying to see his early work with English subtitles but that's really not okay. I'll refrain from those iTunes downloads and wait for an English friendly box of his unreleased movies with English subtitles.

I hope my taking a moral stance on this actually pays off and SOMEBODY can release a set sooner rather than later. Preferably TWF. I know you guys have been looking into it and the legal issues. It would be a dream if you worked it out.

yeah i'd like to. if the legal issues clear up. best is if he takes back the rights himself, as Tsukamoto did, and then we can deal directly so he gets the money himself.

in the meantime got a big backlog of titles i need to release so need to hope those do well financially

thinking i may do a steelbook for HANABI which will be super costly for a company like mine, but since it's one of my fave films i'd just really love to do it...

[rapta]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

yeah i'd like to. if the legal issues clear up. best is if he takes back the rights himself, as Tsukamoto did, and then we can deal directly so he gets the money himself.

in the meantime got a big backlog of titles i need to release so need to hope those do well financially

thinking i may do a steelbook for HANABI which will be super costly for a company like mine, but since it's one of my fave films i'd just really love to do it...

Could do a digipack or something? Dunno which is more costly of course. The Kitano titles are definitely getting separate releases then? I will want to buy all three!

[huntauk]

I'd certainly back a special edition of Hana-Bi, it's my favourite Kitano film! Just out of interest how much is the difference to produce a regular blu and a Steelbook? Do Scanavo get a fee for every for every title/batch produced, or is it just obviously for using the more expensive materials for packaging production?

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by rapta

Could do a digipack or something? Dunno which is more costly of course. The Kitano titles are definitely getting separate releases then? I will want to buy all three!

actually, I wanted to do a 3-pack at first to save money for both myself and the consumer, but Gareth Evans wanted to release each individually by this artist (http://www.mariebergeron.com/), who recently won the FILMDOO artwork competition, so going with that. Though having brand new artwork done for each so will be nice packaging!

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by huntauk

I'd certainly back a special edition of Hana-Bi, it's my favourite Kitano film! Just out of interest how much is the difference to produce a regular blu and a Steelbook? Do Scanavo get a fee for every for every title/batch produced, or is it just obviously for using the more expensive materials for packaging production?

if only doing 1000 units, it's a little over £2 per unit more expensive, which drops down to about £1.50 or so if making 2000, so need to make 2000 in one go. Plus need to order 12 weeks before the release or else pay an extra 70pence per unit on shipping. And preparing releases 12 weeks before is very hard as normally one doesn't get paid for 2 months after a sale, so it's essentially shelling out money over half a year before a return as need to prepare authoring and other materials way ahead of time too...

[rapta]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

actually, I wanted to do a 3-pack at first to save money for both myself and the consumer, but Gareth Evans wanted to release each individually by this artist (http://www.mariebergeron.com/), who recently won the FILMDOO artwork competition, so going with that. Though having brand new artwork done for each so will be nice packaging!

Ah right, sounds good though! Each will have cool designs I'm sure

[Ben_C]

When it comes to Kitano films on blu, they could be wrapped in a bit of old newspaper and I'd still buy them

[huntauk]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

if only doing 1000 units, it's a little over £2 per unit more expensive, which drops down to about £1.50 or so if making 2000, so need to make 2000 in one go. Plus need to order 12 weeks before the release or else pay an extra 70pence per unit on shipping. And preparing releases 12 weeks before is very hard as normally one doesn't get paid for 2 months after a sale, so it's essentially shelling out money over half a year before a return as need to prepare authoring and other materials way ahead of time too...

That's quite a risk, hopefully it will pay off. I'd like to think it would have a fighting chance of hitting 2000 sales - hopefully the special packaging will encourage more blind buys to boost the figures. Cineasia proof of how close the margins are for the niche Asian cinema market over here.

Think Zavvi's over saturation of the SB market has potentially damaged the packaging's premium status - plenty of decent titles struggle to sell out their limited edition pressings even at sub £10 price, may be worth holding back an amaray release until the SB sells out to encourage sales. I'll certainly pick up all 3 Kitano's and hope that Violent Cop and Sonatine eventually follow - Same with Gemini if A Snake of June sells well.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

actually, I wanted to do a 3-pack at first to save money for both myself and the consumer, but Gareth Evans wanted to release each individually by this artist (http://www.mariebergeron.com/), who recently won the FILMDOO artwork competition, so going with that. Though having brand new artwork done for each so will be nice packaging!

I'm not a steelbook collector, but I'll certainly buy whatever release I can get my hands on, really looking forward to getting these on blu.

[thirdwindowfilms]

Originally Posted by huntauk

That's quite a risk, hopefully it will pay off. I'd like to think it would have a fighting chance of hitting 2000 sales - hopefully the special packaging will encourage more blind buys to boost the figures. Cineasia proof of how close the margins are for the niche Asian cinema market over here.

Think Zavvi's over saturation of the SB market has potentially damaged the packaging's premium status - plenty of decent titles struggle to sell out their limited edition pressings even at sub £10 price, may be worth holding back an amaray release until the SB sells out to encourage sales. I'll certainly pick up all 3 Kitano's and hope that Violent Cop and Sonatine eventually follow - Same with Gemini if A Snake of June sells well.

can't afford to do both steelbook and regular edition, so will do limited edition of 2000 dual format steelbook and then wait a long time for normal edition

[tenia]

I'm no insider so that's just my 2 cents, but it looks like the Kitano BDs would sell well even if the packaging is simple.

Maybe it would be wiser to save money for content rather than the packaging, except if there's the distinct possibility to use the "better" packaging to make consumers pay a premium for it ?

A slipcover, or a reversible artwork à la Arrow, might be cheaper and more efficient to both save costs on packaging while attracting customers.

As Cinematt wrote, if it's a steelbook, well, that's nice and I'll probably pay the premium and get it, but I'll probably buy the Kitanos anyway, even if it's only an Amaray with no slipcover, no nothing.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I'm just one consumer but I'd like to say that I personally don't like the packaging idea for Hana-bi. I'd prefer all amaray releases. Long, long response to the subject, primarily for Adam but anybody else not keen on the idea of a steelbook are obviously welcome to read. I just didn't want to leave a big wall of text for those who don't care lol

[Show spoiler]For one thing, I don't like steelbooks. They get damaged too easily and often come dinged or scratched in the post before I even get my hands on it. For the record I do try to be careful but accidents happen either by myself or friends. Given that you're only producing 2000 copies, I don't imagine you'll be able to give replacements to those who get a damaged copy in the post. Frankly I wouldn't even want to ask for a replacement. I'm a fan of TWF and I understand that it would be financially damaging to you for me to have to ask and I don't imagine there'd be only one person whining about recieving a damaging copy.

Steelbooks are for collectors and if you're going to produce them, I think it's fair to say you have to be able to accomodate these types of unfortunate incidents which lead to instantly angry collectors wanting a mint copy. It's just a piece of metal without much worth as something to look at or to resell should someone choose to do so.

I'm not a collector of steelbooks. I don't like them. I have some for one reason or another, usually due to that being the only good option at the time and half of mine have arrived damaged in some way. It makes the product off putting and doesn't make me want to slide it off my shelf.

My second point is that unless you plan on selling those steelbooks for £14 or less, I doubt I could afford it. I've had to cut back due to the exchange rate between Australia (where I'm from) and the U.S and U.K. £10 per movie is typically my budget. That's $20 AUD. The exchange rate sucks and has for a while. £14 (SHIPPED) would be almost $30 for one movie and I was planning on buying all of the upcoming releases.

These are my problems, and not everyone shares my feelings or logic about steelbooks or having a budget while also supporting labels at almost full price where possible. This is one mans opinion and I am really not looking for a debate on this. I'm just sharing my thoughts as a consumer, a fan and as someone who doesn't like steelbooks since this is an important decision you're making for yourself, financially speaking, and also for fans.

Many will no doubt rejoice if this is the decision you choose to go with and I'd be happy for them. They'd feel as I would had I got my regular amaray on release day. I hope I made my own personal feelings clear and that it's somewhat helpful in this process.

I'm a fan of feedback and firmly believe in its importance.

[rapta]

I must admit, I'm not against steelbooks entirely...but if it means an inflated price, it could have the reverse effect on sales across the upcoming Kitano titles (assuming they're coming out around the same time still). If Hana-bi was to be released as a steelbook at a higher price than the other two (Dolls and Kikujiro), I'd have second thoughts about cashing out for the latter. If they were all of equal price, I'd be more inclined to buy all three rather than wait for the other two to fall in price.

Steelbooks are great when they're done right, and properly protected on delivery. I still get steelbooks, but generally only collectors' ones (Eureka, Arrow).

I'd much prefer cheaper amaray editions - as others have suggested, reversible artwork or slipcovers (or maybe custom card packaging, or collectable slipbox to hold all three), would be preferable if it's both cheaper to produce and to sell.

If I had my own way, I'd just love a digipack boxset (e.g. Kelly Reichardt Collection, Kurosawa Samurai Collection) or slim cases in a slipbox (e.g. Carl Th. Dreyer Collection, Artificial Eye sets), but if Gareth Evans would prefer separate volumes then amarays will do. Less hassle, and keeps everyone happy. You could always team up with a retailer (e.g. Zavvi) and produce steelbooks at a later date, if it makes financial sense.

[Refused]

I'd really rather not have a steelbook. They look tacky, often feel cheap, get scuffed and dented easily, more expensive. Bleurgh. Just give me a regular amaray.

[Ozu Teapot]

Originally Posted by thirdwindowfilms

can't afford to do both steelbook and regular edition, so will do limited edition of 2000 dual format steelbook and then wait a long time for normal edition

Yeah this is bad news for me. I won't buy a steelbook. But on a more positive note I will buy the regular edition after that long wait!

[Yami]

I would never buy a steelbook if I had the choice, but I have no problems buying it if it's the only one available (like in the case of A Streetcar Named Desire).