Any rumors about Buffy the Vampire Slayer show coming out on Blu-ray?

[HDMe]

Originally Posted by Drewbee87

I just love the "If you're a fan of the show, you shouldn't want 16:9" argument. You can be a fan of a show and still prefer seeing it another way. Since I love the show in 16:9 more than 4:3, I guess that makes me "not a fan" and I've wasted my time watching this show from the moment it aired on tv. It helping through high school and family problems must also mean nothing since I like it in wide. I'm a fan, not a purist.

Completely missed my point.

IF you watched this show in 16:9 then you didn't watch the show as it was created and intended. Maybe you liked what you watched... but what you watched wasn't the creation of Joss Whedon and all the actors and writers and camera operators, etc.

They created a specific thing.

IF you're saying you don't like it in 4:3, then you're saying you don't like the show... as it was created. That's simple logic. If you only like it in 16:9, then you like some altered form of the original show... and not the original show.

I wasn't making any moral statements beyond that... but it's a simple truth that you don't like the show if you don't like it the way it was created.

The same would be true if you only liked it with an alternate soundtrack or with scenes cut out for syndication. Maybe you only saw it in syndication so some scenes were not there... You want those scenes put back when it comes to DVD or Blu-ray, right? Because they were intended to be there... even if you "grew up on" or "always saw" the versions without those scenes... right?

[Drewbee87]

It doesn't matter how you word it, you're still saying 16:9 lovers are not "real fans" of the show which is completely wrong. I watched the show for years on a 4:3 tv the way it was meant to be seen, and I loved it that way. But after watching seasons 4-7 in wide on Netflix, I realized so many episode had a larger impact on me in wide than they did in 4:3. "Chosen" is just one example, I can never watch that episode in 4:3 again. For me, it works so much better in wide no matter how it was intended to be seen. And the last part, the originally aired "Intended" episodes of Friends were released on Blu-ray, but I wanted the Extended cuts on Blu-ray because that's what made me a fan of the show. I'm not saying that the original intended aspect ratio of a show shouldn't be released, but if fans have already seen the "wrong version" and loved it(and there are plenty), I think they should also get what they want. That's why I'd like BOTH to be released on Blu-ray so everyone can be happy.

[Nico Darko]

Man, I agree with both Drewbee and HDMe!

We're broken records, but I'll say it again, I'm a purist, but I'd like to see a nice 16:9 HD made available, but only as something extra, a novelty.
HDMe is right, it would be an alternate version, not the show made by Joss Whedon. It doesn't mean I won't enjoy it (some episodes do look great in 16:9), but it could never be the official, definitive version.

Which is why a Blu-Ray/HD release HAS to be either in:

- Both 4:3 and 16:9.

- Or just the original 4:3.


But it should never be just the alternate 16:9 version. It kind of reminds me of Stars Wars, with its awful new versions being release on blu-ray and dvd, while the original version of the films were merely offered as an extra, not even restored. It should be the other way around!! The theatrical version of Star Wars should be the first version on Blu-Ray, and the special edition should be offered as an extra, a fun alternative.

It's the same with Buffy and aspect ratios.

That being said, we need to stop focusing so much on 4:3 vs 16:9, the HD has so many other problems (brightness/color, CGI), the articles out there should focus on that as well.

[Drewbee87]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

Man, I agree with both Drewbee and HDMe!

We're broken records, but I'll say it again, I'm a purist, but I'd like to see a nice 16:9 HD made available, but only as something extra, a novelty.
HDMe is right, it would be an alternate version, not the show made by Joss Whedon. It doesn't mean I won't enjoy it (some episodes do look great in 16:9), but it could never be the official, definitive version.

Which is why a Blu-Ray/HD release HAS to be either in:

- Both 4:3 and 16:9.

- Or just the original 4:3.


But it should never be just the alternate 16:9 version. It kind of reminds me of Stars Wars, with its awful new versions being release on blu-ray and dvd, while the original version of the films were merely offered as an extra, not even restored. It should be the other way around!! The theatrical version of Star Wars should be the first version on Blu-Ray, and the special edition should be offered as an extra, a fun alternative.

It's the same with Buffy and aspect ratios.

That being said, we need to stop focusing so much about 4:3 vs 16:9, the HD has so many other problems (brightness/color, CGI), the articles out there should focus on that as well.

Yeah, I'm not disagreeing that the 4:3 version is the right version. The "you're not a fan if you like the 16:9 ratio" part is what I strongly disagree with. The 16:9 version is more preferable for me personally. And if they spent the time and money making an error free 16:9 version, I'd love to see it or own it on Blu-ray. If the Blu-ray is only 4:3, fine. I'll gladly purchase it, but I won't pre-order it as soon as a pre-order is online or rush out to get it day one.

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by Maveric-Romeo

Believe it or not, but I am capable of understanding somebody's arguments - and still be able to have a different opinion based on all arguments.

Too bad everything seems to be your way or the highway with you.

Actually no - its the filmmaker's way or the highway with me. But like I said you don't seem to understand at all.

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by Drewbee87

Yeah, I'm not disagreeing that the 4:3 version is the right version. The "you're not a fan if you like the 16:9 ratio" part is what I strongly disagree with. The 16:9 version is more preferable for me personally. And if they spent the time and money making an error free 16:9 version, I'd love to see it or own it on Blu-ray. If the Blu-ray is only 4:3, fine. I'll gladly purchase it, but I won't pre-order it as soon as a pre-order is online or rush out to get it day one.

If you are a fan of the show, wouldn't you say it makes sense to be respectful of what the creators and filmmakers intended, whether thats 16:9, 4:3 or whatever? Sure throw an alternate version out there, but like studio put together extended editions of film it should be alternate. Any fans of the show would surely want the creators or filmmakers involved in a release and making decisions about how that release is going to be done ?

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

Man, I agree with both Drewbee and HDMe!

We're broken records, but I'll say it again, I'm a purist, but I'd like to see a nice 16:9 HD made available, but only as something extra, a novelty.
HDMe is right, it would be an alternate version, not the show made by Joss Whedon. It doesn't mean I won't enjoy it (some episodes do look great in 16:9), but it could never be the official, definitive version.

Which is why a Blu-Ray/HD release HAS to be either in:

- Both 4:3 and 16:9.

- Or just the original 4:3.


But it should never be just the alternate 16:9 version. It kind of reminds me of Stars Wars, with its awful new versions being release on blu-ray and dvd, while the original version of the films were merely offered as an extra, not even restored. It should be the other way around!! The theatrical version of Star Wars should be the first version on Blu-Ray, and the special edition should be offered as an extra, a fun alternative.

It's the same with Buffy and aspect ratios.

That being said, we need to stop focusing so much on 4:3 vs 16:9, the HD has so many other problems (brightness/color, CGI), the articles out there should focus on that as well.

Now on this I think we can largely agree!! It is a shame that a 16:9 version was put out there in the first place as if it hadn't people would accept it in the same way they did with the Star Trek Blurays. And you are right, there is more to this than just the OAR but it is the central disagreement for a lot of people. I think most other problems people can probably get behind.

[Drewbee87]

Originally Posted by simonynwa

If you are a fan of the show, wouldn't you say it makes sense to be respectful of what the creators and filmmakers intended, whether thats 16:9, 4:3 or whatever? Sure throw an alternate version out there, but like studio put together extended editions of film it should be alternate. Any fans of the show would surely want the creators or filmmakers involved in a release and making decisions about how that release is going to be done ?

This is art, right? Which means it's open to interpretation, just because the creator of the art thinks one way doesn't mean I have to think the same. If that's being disrespectful, so be it. Like I said earlier, for me there are a lot of episodes that had a larger impact on me in 16:9 than in 4:3.

[Nico Darko]

Originally Posted by samukas

Those are probably the most known issues, but there are so much more on those DVDs, unfortunately:
S04E15 - Camera visible on the left side
S04E16 - Adam removes head from vampire, but when he is falling, the head is seen.
S04E16 - Willow's line is heard, but lips don't move.
S04E18 - Hand handling prop vines / attacking Xander and Anya.
S04E19 - Equipment visible at Giles'. On the right side.
S05E05 - End of set visible in the last shot of the episode
S05E12 - Buffy should not be seen holding the sword. She's supposed to throw it.
S05E12 - Equipment on the right side of the wide shot at the Magic Box.
S06E18/E19 - End of set visible on both sides in Willlow and Tara's bedroom.
S07E22 - When Buffy and Spike are in the basement before Caleb shows up, end-of-set is visible on bottom-left corner.

And a few more from PIVOT broadcasts that I found in the meantime (feel free to share them as you please!):

S01E09 - Buffy appears and disappears when Willow and Xander are in front of the computer screen
S01E10 - C-stand visible when Xander and Willow enter the classroom.
S01E10 - One stage light very visible on the right side and another at upper left at the very end of the fight.
S01E10 - C-stand visible in hospital room after Billy wakes up.
S01E11 - Terrible cut to Buffy before Harmony falls down the stairs (also somewhat awkward in OAR).
S01E11 - Cordelia gets up and the letter "N" can already be seen on the chalkboard, before it's even written.
S02E04(DVD) - Special effect is missing - hand of Ampata.
S02E04(Pivot) - Special effect is missing - hand of Ampata.
S02E05 - Willow's face should not be seen as the actress is wearing sun glasses - in other shots she's not.
S02E06 - Lighting equipment visible in Buffy's bedroom (right corner).
S02E07 - Equipment and end-of-set is visible on the left side
S02E07 - Lighting equipment on the left side.
S02E07 - Lighting equipment on the left side.
S02E07 - End of set on the left side.
S02E07 - Wall/end-of-set is visible on the left side (less, but also in OAR).
S02E08 - On the left side, what looks like a stagelight can be seen behind Buffy.
S02E08 - Behind Giles, a light is visible.
S02E08 - Crew member is seen on the left side in Giles' house.
S02E08 - When Buffy enters Ethan's shop, it seems there is some sort of form equipment on the right side.
S02E11 - Lighting equipment is seen on the right side of the two wide shots
S02E11 - Something appears in the frame (left side) when Joyce falls.
S02E12 - Top-left corner, end of set (studio ceiling) is visible.
S02E13 - C-stand visible on the left
S02E13 - End of set/tunnels visible on both sides
S02E14 - End-of-set. As Buffy enters the room, you can see the back of the "furniture".
S02E15 - Giles is seen again on the left side of Buffy, after already getting past Xander and Cordy.
S02E16 - C-Stand is visible on the left side of the room
S02E16 - End-of-set/Ceiling visible in top right corner
S02E16 - C-Stand visible on the left of that same shot.
S02E16 - Something white is seen on the left side of the shot.
S02E17 - C-stand visible on the left side as soon as Giles enters and again when he leaves.
S02E18 - Willow should be off-screen when her line is heard
S02E18 - C-stand is visible on the left side.
S02E18 - On the left side, a black object is seen (this same object does not exist in the wider shot)
S02E21 - End-of-set on the right side for the whole Angel shot?
S02E21 - Continuity error for Buffy and Willow. Willow starts walking on the left side on one shot, but doesn't start walking until a few seconds later on the next shot.

Now, I am all for widescreen Buffy (and I know... deep deep inside that it's WRONG!), but like DaveSimonH said, I would want for these issues to be fixed tastefully and not 'half-assed'.

That's awesome! Thanks.

[Xen11]

The 4:3 original aspect ratio should be preserved but DAMN I really want an opened up widescreen, light mics and all. I absolutely hate the cutting off of any original aspect ratio picture (top and bottom). Most of the time, they could simply open up to widescreen and any time there is something undesirable at the left or right, like an actor waiting for their walk-on or a grip holding the mic, they should simply open up the picture even more and shift left or right to cover the 'undesirable' object. That way, no cutting off of OAR.

I LOVE the widescreen look (when its not cutting into the OAR). I wish this would happen with Xena and Hercules as well. These series would be so beautiful if they opened up the left and right.

[Buffdale]

+2

http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/12/joss-wh...uffy-remaster/

http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/buffy-th...ng-badly-wrong

[HDMe]

They can't "open up" to widescreen. Someone has posted film negative and aspect ratio diagrams here before I'm sure.

Film is not widescreen. Film is only slightly different than 4:3, but it is different.

4:3 is a crop from the film as is 16:9... they are crops from different areas... so there is no "open it up" from a 4:3 show to create widescreen.

In some rare cases, a show shot for widescreen presentation could be opened up for a 1.37:1 using most of the film negative rather than just the 16:9 widescreen masked area... that's the only scenario where "open it up for more" could be applied.

The other rules of what was and was not intended/protected still apply... but at least then the "open it up" discussion could be weighed.

When talking about a show aired as 4:3, however, no amount of "opening" produces a 16:9 image... you have to crop it in a different way than it was cropped for the 4:3 to do that... and you have to change the framing as well... and it's a whole mess that usually results in bad things unless it was shot protected for multiple ratios.

[HDMe]

Originally Posted by Drewbee87

This is art, right? Which means it's open to interpretation, just because the creator of the art thinks one way doesn't mean I have to think the same. If that's being disrespectful, so be it. Like I said earlier, for me there are a lot of episodes that had a larger impact on me in 16:9 than in 4:3.

Actually... if you believe it is art, you should be for the preservation of the original version as the artist intended it... right? Not what some other artist decided nearly 20 years later was an "improvement" to the original.

[Nico Darko]

Michael Gershman (cinematographer S1-5) responded to the Uproxx article. Can't be 100% sure it's him, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't. Anyway, that's what he said:

I shot Buffy for the first five years, and directed many episodes. Buffy needs to remain in its original format. The frames were composed for a TV format, 4×3, and should remain so. Joss is one of the most brilliant film makers of this generation. I personally thought that The Avengers was a sell out, and not really a great example of Joss’s talent. I would continue to expect great film making from Joss as the years go by, one of the smartest people I ment in my forty years in the business.

I don't know if he's really aware how his cinematography (lighting, colors) is being destroyed, but it'd be great if he could be a consultant for Fox Studios. Michael, if you read this, give them a call!

[Drewbee87]

Originally Posted by HDMe

Actually... if you believe it is art, you should be for the preservation of the original version as the artist intended it... right? Not what some other artist decided nearly 20 years later was an "improvement" to the original.

Where are you seeing me say that the original shouldn't be preserved? Have I said that Buffy should only be released on Blu-ray in 16:9? I think it's time to just end this, it's pointless. I'm not going to see it your way, you're not going to see it my way(which I shouldn't even have to say because I'm not trying to convince you to love the 16:9 ratio).

[lstar337]

Great, all Whedon has achieved is opening up the stupid aspect ratio debate that was finally over about 20 pages ago.

Why couldn't he comment on some of the other issues, like the colours, the DNR, and the odd reframing and FX?

These are greater issues in my opinion.

We already know his feelings on the AR from his previous whinging on the subject.

[Buffdale]

Originally Posted by lstar337

Why couldn't he comment on some of the other issues, like the colours, the DNR, and the odd reframing and FX?

I'm kind of disappointed too.
Because of this, some articles speak mostly of the aspect ratio, and overshadow the other problems ...

+1 (french) :
http://braindamaged.fr/2014/12/15/jo...s-buffy-en-hd/

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by lstar337

Great, all Whedon has achieved is opening up the stupid aspect ratio debate that was finally over about 20 pages ago.

Why couldn't he comment on some of the other issues, like the colours, the DNR, and the odd reframing and FX?

These are greater issues in my opinion.

We already know his feelings on the AR from his previous whinging on the subject.

YES! The DNR was always the worst thing about the early seasons

[samukas]

Originally Posted by Buffdale

+1 (french) :
http://braindamaged.fr/2014/12/15/jo...s-buffy-en-hd/

Maybe someone should tell that website that "widescreen" translated to French is not "HD"

"Widescreen Buffy is nonsense." != "Buffy en HD n’a aucun sens"

[Buffdale]

Originally Posted by samukas

Maybe someone should tell that website that "widescreen" translated to French is not "HD"

"Widescreen Buffy is nonsense." != "Buffy en HD n’a aucun sens"

I think the author wanted to make a generalization. The article is more about the other problems that the aspect ratio .

+1 (italian):
http://www.badtv.it/2014/12/gli-epis...zazione-in-hd/

+1 (french) (a huuugeee website/newspaper !):
http://www.telerama.fr/series-tv/buf...uoi,120477.php