Spielberg Films/Transformers Question

[Foxx77]

Alright, let me preface this by saying that I've been reading this site and mainly the news section for the past couple of months. I got a PS3 on launch day last year and then bought a 1080p tv for that and have since fallen in love w/ Blu.

On to my question, from what I've read on the paramount deal it's been a little hazy to me. I've read that Spielberg's films are not included in the HD-DVD deal and that he still supports blu-ray. What exactly are considered Spielberg films, I know he executive produced transformers but that one is HD exclusive which blows. If Indiana Jones ever went hi-def would it go Blu or HD? Spielberg directed that one. I'm just a little fuzzy and what is really going to be HD exclusive and what will be available on blu-ray.

Paramount sold out...

[cartier]

Movies that are directed by Spielberg can only be released on a format if he approves it. So far he has prevented Universal from releasing movies he did with them namely ET, Jaws, Jurassic Park. Since he was executive producer on Transformers he has no say. However, the Indiana Jones movies raise interesting questions. It is not clear if they will be released on both HD-DVD and Blu-ray, only on Blu or on neither format until the exclusivity agreement is ended. Hope this helps.

Also, so far the only Spielberg directed movie coming to a Hi-def format is Close Encounters of the Third Kind and that will be on Blu-ray.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Foxx77

Alright, let me preface this by saying that I've been reading this site and mainly the news section for the past couple of months. I got a PS3 on launch day last year and then bought a 1080p tv for that and have since fallen in love w/ Blu.

On to my question, from what I've read on the paramount deal it's been a little hazy to me. I've read that Spielberg's films are not included in the HD-DVD deal and that he still supports blu-ray. What exactly are considered Spielberg films, I know he executive produced transformers but that one is HD exclusive which blows. If Indiana Jones ever went hi-def would it go Blu or HD? Spielberg directed that one. I'm just a little fuzzy and what is really going to be HD exclusive and what will be available on blu-ray.

Paramount sold out...

Supposedly, only Speilberg "Directed" films apply to this deal. He has already selected a BD only release for Close Encounters of the 3rd kind. And the HD DVD Heads keep on mis-leading the public about films for HD DVD release only. Done this twice now and has to be pissing Steven off big time!

[doctorD]

The Paramount deal is only an 18 month exclusive so it is likely that it will be on Blu ray once the deal is over.

Movies like Jaws, ET, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones are movies that will most likely come out on both Hi Def formats if the format war continues for the next few years and Speilberg will allow release of these movies. He is a Blu ray supporter so that is why Paramount cannot release these titles.

Hope that helps.

[Foxx77]

Ahh, thank you that really clears some stuff up for me.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Spielberg is definitely excluded from the HD DVD exclusivity deal that Universal signed. That is limited strictly to the projects that he DIRECTED, not produced. Look here for the distinction of these two categories (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000229/). And, although he is releasing his first Hi-Def title "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" on Blu-ray, it is not a guarantee that he favours the format. Neither he himself nor his representatives have spoken words to state his opinion one way or the other. Perhaps he is testing the waters with "Close Encounters" in order to see if it can do his work justice (as if there should be any doubt). Also, with the 2 slip ups at Universal regarding the 'accidental' announcements of his films coming to HD DVD that had to be retracted, it leads me to believe that somebody at Paramount might know something and is trying to slip it out. Hopefully I am incorrect though.

[cartier]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Spielberg is definitely excluded from the HD DVD exclusivity deal that PARAMOUNT signed. That is limited strictly to the projects that he DIRECTED, not produced. Look here for the distinction of these two categories (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000229/). And, although he is releasing his first Hi-Def title "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" on Blu-ray, it is not a guarantee that he favours the format. Neither he himself nor his representatives have spoken words to state his opinion one way or the other. Perhaps he is testing the waters with "Close Encounters" in order to see if it can do his work justice (as if there should be any doubt). Also, with the 2 slip ups at Paramount regarding the 'accidental' announcements of his films coming to HD DVD that had to be retracted, it leads me to believe that somebody at Paramount might know something and is trying to slip it out. Hopefully I am incorrect though.

It was Universal that made the mistakes not Paramount. Also, if there was something in the works they would not risk jeopardizing it by making stupid mistakes nor would the Spielberg camp be so quick to call them out and ask for apologies/retractions.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by cartier

It was Universal that made the mistakes not Paramount. Also, if there was something in the works they would not risk jeopardizing it by making stupid mistakes nor would the Spielberg camp be so quick to call them out and ask for apologies/retractions.

Thank you for correcting me... all of this hoopla about "Transformers" has my mind on a one way street with no peripheral vision. Paramount is the only studio running through my head. (Must crush... must destroy...) And on top of that it's really really really late for me right now. Should have been asleep hours ago.

As for UNIVERSAL slipping on his titles, it was the second time (the Japan incident) that made me wonder if something is in the works. A mistake that big would hardly be possible. Besides, I believe the response to the second slip was something along the lines of, "not at this time" (http://www.spielbergfilms.com/dreamworks/1538). This implies that they could be in preliminary talks, which could be why someone felt confident enough to LET that presentation slide through.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Thank you for correcting me... all of this hoopla about "Transformers" has my mind on a one way street with no peripheral vision. Paramount is the only studio running through my head. (Must crush... must destroy...) And on top of that it's really really really late for me right now. Should have been asleep hours ago.

As for UNIVERSAL slipping on his titles, it was the second time (the Japan incident) that made me wonder if something is in the works. A mistake that big would hardly be possible. Besides, I believe the response to the second slip was something along the lines of, "not at this time" (http://www.spielbergfilms.com/dreamworks/1538). This implies that they could be in preliminary talks, which could be why someone felt confident enough to LET that presentation slide through.

The gamble of excluding the BD format and releasing Universal and Paramount titles only, really is just that. A big gamble. The gamble is that when a potential new customer strolls in to the local BB or CC, He/She is going to ask about HD quality and especially title availability for this potential HD sale. Paramount and Universal minus Speilberg dosn't hold a great deal of draw, but Warner is catching up to getting on board with BD releases and no Pirates for HD DVD? Are you kidding? Look whats always playing day and night in BB and CC. Piratres, Pirates, Pirates. Disney, Fox, Sony films as well as others currently ARE blu-ray exclusive. Who is already winning here?

[Kayne314]

I'm new here, but I'm old enough to remember what happened to George Lucas and Spielberg back when Laserdisc was big. Both of those directors overestimated the demand for their titles and thought they could single handedly convince consumers to buy laserdisc by releasing their titles on that format. Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies were made in HUGE quantities and shipped to retailers. If I remember correctly, They released more Laserdisc copies of their movies than there were players on the market.

Nobody bought into Laserdisc, and both directors(especially Lucas) were left with egg on their faces, and warehouses full of unopened copied of their movies collecting dust. Personal reputations were tarnished. Money lost.
This debacle left them both wary of new formats. Hence the long delay of Star Wars, and Indiana Jones movies coming to DVD.

I have no doubt we will see these titles released in High Definition, but we, the consumers have to prove we've accepted HD Movies, in whatever format. High Def movie viewers will have to be in the majority, and DVD firmly on it's way out before they'll commit their reputations to yet another new format.

Lets hope the Close Encounters BD is a sort of toe in the water for Spielberg. Lets hope he finds the water here warm and welcoming. High Def viewers on both sides of the format war can only benefit if he does.

Who doesn't want to see Indiana or Vader in all their High Def glory?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

I'm new here, but I'm old enough to remember what happened to George Lucas and Spielberg back when Laserdisc was big. Both of those directors overestimated the demand for their titles and thought they could single handedly convince consumers to buy laserdisc by releasing their titles on that format. Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies were made in HUGE quantities and shipped to retailers. If I remember correctly, They released more Laserdisc copies of their movies than there were players on the market.

Nobody bought into Laserdisc, and both directors(especially Lucas) were left with egg on their faces, and warehouses full of unopened copied of their movies collecting dust. Personal reputations were tarnished. Money lost.
This debacle left them both wary of new formats. Hence the long delay of Star Wars, and Indiana Jones movies coming to DVD.

I have no doubt we will see these titles released in High Definition, but we, the consumers have to prove we've accepted HD Movies, in whatever format. High Def movie viewers will have to be in the majority, and DVD firmly on it's way out before they'll commit their reputations to yet another new format.

Lets hope the Close Encounters BD is a sort of toe in the water for Spielberg. Lets hope he finds the water here warm and welcoming. High Def viewers on both sides of the format war can only benefit if he does.

Who doesn't want to see Indiana or Vader in all their High Def glory?

HEAR HEAR!!! And that's why everyone with the capability of Blu-ray playback (regardless of HDTV or not) needs to send a message by buying "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" when it releases in November.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Spielberg is definitely excluded from the HD DVD exclusivity deal that PARAMOUNT signed. That is limited strictly to the project that he DIRECTED, not produced. Look here for the distinction of these to categories (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000229/). And, although he is releasing his first Hi-Def title "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" on Blu-ray, it is not a guarantee that he favours the format. Perhaps he is testing the waters with the format in order to see if it can do his work justice. Also, with the 2 slip ups at Paramount regarding the 'accidental' announcements of his films coming to HD DVD that had to be retracted, it leads me to believe that somebody at Paramount might know something and is trying to slip it out. Hopefully I am incorrect though.

Good points all. As far as testing the waters to see if an HD format can do his movies justice... HD DVD won't be a better choice and a lossless audio track is a BD advantage. Its difficult to beleive that Paramount would create two incidences like this on premoting Speilberg movies exclusively on HD DVD, but then they also took a wad of cash in some back alley deal from Toshiba and Microsoft and left the majority of HD owners holding the bag. Even if Paramount comes back, it may take me a while to get this sour taste out of my mouth. Not letting the consumers decide a format in a fair playing field is dirty dealing all around. BD paramount for me in the future? Will see. My title purchases of paramount will be very limited for a good long while if and when they come back. Let them hold the bag for a while. See how those bastards like it.