The DVD Marketing Manager - DVD vs. Blu ray: a dead issue?
March 23, 2009
Apologies for the delay in posting this; I had computer problems at the weekend.
Much to the chagrin of most studios and distributors, Blu ray has not taken off in a way that makes up for the revenue ‘lost’ in the wake of the inevitable plateau in DVD sales that has occurred in the past couple of years. Hope was high that film collectors would go out and purchase all their favorite catalogue titles and new releases (again) on this new, superior format - but this time around, people just aren’t buying in in substantial numbers. Why?
Unlike the transition from VHS to DVD, in which it was clear to one and all that DVD was a vastly superior carrier with much improved portability, audio and video, the improvement between DVD and Blu ray is nowhere near the same kind of quantum leap in quality. Yes, it IS better, and the storage capcity of Blu ray is much bigger than DVD, but to the average eye, watching on a set that is not 1080p, the improvement is really not enough to justify the outlay for a new player and the re-purchase of a film and TV library.
Unfortunately, consumer skepticism about the need to change formats has only been compounded by the economic downturn; while the home entertainment side of the industry (largely rental) has done well, and even flourished, during previous recessions, it is not a period in which people adopt new formats, and there are simply not enough players in the market place to drive substantial sales increases. Even the introduction of players for less than $300 (and even less than $200 in some cases) in the fourth quarter of last year, the event which usually marks the transition from early technology adopters to more mainstream take-up, did not have the eagerly anticipated impact that all were hoping for.
In keeping with the usual pattern when a format is struggling to gain a foothold, the disc prices themselves have been dropping rapidly (too rapidly, in my opinion). In this instance, the timeline in which manufacturers of the hardware and software have shifted from the product branding which I will call ’superior format, serious types need only apply’ to ‘come one, come all’ has been remarkably short, as they attempt to shore up the sagging revenues from DVD sales, the undisputed profit center for all distributors and studios big and small. It feels however like it was a real miscalculation on the part of the studios and hardware manufacturers, as Blu ray has not broken out of the early adopters ghetto in any sort of significant way, and seems unlikely to anytime soon.
So what’s next for Blu ray? Dumpbins of course. The major and independent studios will soon be in the midst of a catalog repricing frenzy, as they drop wholesale Blu ray prices substantially to feed the insatiable demand of the big box stores for very cheap entertainment product. Margins are very small, so one hopes to make a little bit on a lot of units sold through.
You may be thinking, OK then, if Blu ray isn’t the next consumer video delivery medium of choice, what is?
And that, dear readers, is the subject I shall address in my next posting.
Tags: Movie Theatre, Hollywood, Movie Bloggers, Director, Film Blog
The Manager - Top 5 Peeves about Query Letters and Submissions
March 20, 2009
Since I am looking at the gigantic stack of scripts designated for my weekend read, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my top 5 peeves about query letters and submissions:
1. If you list 12 scripts in a query letter. If I see 12 scripts listed on a query letter I am going to wonder why hasn’t anything happened with any of them? Put one or at most two in the letter.
2. Saying this script will sell for millions of dollars! Every script I have seen with a letter saying “it will sell for millions of dollars” has been a pass. First, no one knows what scripts will sell and what won’t. If you must say something, just say you believe it is a very commercial idea.
3. X meets Y. Don’t pick two movies that have nothing in common and put them together by saying your script is like X meets Y. I have seen all kinds of ridiculous statements, such as Wall-E meets Schindler’s List. This means nothing.
4. Calling me up and saying I must read this asap. If you give it to me on a Monday and think I am going to read it by Friday, then you are mistaken. You are also mistaken if you give it to me on a Friday and call me on Monday to see if I have read it. Give everyone two weeks to read your script; we are all busy and we have a lot of work to do and are trying to get through everything.
5. Spelling and grammar mistakes. There should be none, ever — either in your letter or in your script. If I am taking the time to read your script, you should have taken the time to go through your work and make sure there are no spelling and grammar mistakes.
Bonus tip. If you call me and say you would love to submit to me and I tell you to check out our submission policy on our web page and you tell me you don’t have a computer — that is a very bad sign.
However, the most important thing is to make sure you have the best script possible. You only get one chance, and it is very very rare that, after I pass on someone, I will agree to read another script by that person.
So before you send your script to me make sure you have done everything in your power to make it the most professional and well-written script you can.
Tags: Director, Movie Blog, Filmmaking, , Movie
The Casting Director - Queen of the Castle…
March 19, 2009
With the exception of last weeks blog, I never really blog enough about who I like as actors. I think it is important to understand where a Casting Director is coming from when I talk about acting. I believe that a truly gifted actor is someone who commits entirely to a character. I am looking for an actor who is fearless with regards to embodying all of the possibilities that a character may possess. I don’t ever want to see that someone is acting, I want to be drawn into a performance and I want to be transported away from my physical presence and be on a journey with the actor.
So who, right at this moment is doing this for me? Hold your breath, some of you are going to be saying “WTF”? Are you watching “CASTLE” on ABC? I have always liked Nathan Fillion as an actor, I think he possesses charm, wit, masculinity and the quality of fearlessness that I look for, but to me the star of the show is, Stana Katic. 
Watch her and you will see what good acting on the small screen is all about. She is subtle, calculating and fully invested in her character. She bring layers to a role that could easily be second fiddle to Nathan’s role, but I find that I am watching the show because of her and that when she is in a scene with Nathan, he becomes a better actor because he has to compete with an intensity that is radiating out of Stana. I think she has a huge future and I think the overall casting of the show is really well done.
The film I cast in Chicago, “Polish Bar” got some press this week. Here is the link:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/ourtown/090319/
Tags: Hollywood, Film, Film Blog, Actor,
The Showrunner - Ten Things I Will Share About My Schitzo Non-Relationship with Josh Schwartz.
March 19, 2009
#1. I interviewed twice for the showrunning job on the “O.C.” - before and after the pilot was shot, each time with a different set of producers. Both times I didn’t get the gig. Both times Josh Schwartz, the phenom from USC, wasn’t in the meeting. That really endeared me …
Tags: Movie Bloggers, , Hollywood, Movie, Filmmaker
The Actor - SLEEP, SHOWER, EAT, WORK, AUDITION / FILM, AND REPEAT
March 18, 2009
The last couple weeks have consisted of the above at a fairly steady pace. During this somewhat difficult time in the acting industry and with the economy, I am thankful to have any work, particularly when part of it consists of work that involves acting! Therefore, getting to be back at CBS filming “The Young and the Restless” is a true delight for me. Additionally, I have the gift of receiving super flexible hours of side work through a friend who currently has multiple successful companies. All this, while having little adventures and fun gatherings with friends here and maintaining from afar the close friendships I have had with friends for over a decade, provides me that extra bit of refreshing energy to push forward.
I think the best thing for an actor, or anyone for that matter, who is lacking stability on the work front, is to keep as busy as possible, make a plan, and create something to accomplish or work towards each day. It’s especially true when you aren’t getting work in the area you desire, which for many actors is often the case. Keeping busy allows you to be out there meeting people, interacting, and making yourself feel more productive, than if you are just sitting around waiting for the next audition or next possible booking to happen, while working a job you might not like, but need to keep afloat.
Financially and opportunity-wise, this is a slow and difficult time for most. This is something I am actively seeing among my friends, especially those in the industry, and myself. It is somewhat of an odd feeling for me personally, because I find myself wanting to reach out and help them, whether I know them well or not. However, I realize that I can’t do as much as I would like - aside from being supportive, offering a listening ear, and/or sending a card covered in stickers to hopefully brighten their mailbox and day. All this could be nice in theory, but I suppose doesn’t help as much as needed when someone can’t find a job, is going through a truly difficult time, can’t pay all their bills, or even really buy groceries.
Current times have contributed to my finding joys in strange places. Like seeing how much I can save when I go to buy groceries for the week by turning it into a bit of a game, something my marvelous mother used to do when she lived in Paris, before she married my extraordinary dad. I now cut out coupons, search online for additional discounts before going to purchase my items for the week, buy what is on sale, and opt for non-name brand items, etc. I am amazed at how much one can truly save with just a little extra time and effort! I probably should have been doing this for years, but in all honesty, my situation didn’t require me to do so up until recent times, a fact that I never have, or ever will, take for granted! However, I see more clearly now the significance of it, regardless of whether you need to do it or not. Ultimately, small savings, where one can save, just makes sense!
I am beyond lucky to have constant support from my loving family, financially and emotionally, whenever I need it; something that many I know do not have. There is so much I still hope to accomplish, as well as to “give back” financially and through a charity. Even though this seems far away for me in this moment, I continue to stay as positive as possible, and plan to do all I can to make it happen one day. Which for now means I need to sleep, shower, eat, work, audition / film, and repeat!
“These are not tough times. They’re tremendous times for tough people.” - Anon
Tags: Actor, Movie Theatre, Director, , Film
The Production Manager - “Flat is the new booming”
March 18, 2009
So the economy is in the toilet and everyone is freaking out, what people really want to know, particularly here in New York where there is a big cloud hanging over the production tax credit, is what does this mean for us?
It looks like we’re about to find out… http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/business/media/11adco.html?_r=1
What this really means, aside from an increase in product placement integration, is that networks and production companies are reducing their budgets and we’re going to have to do a hell of a lot more with a hell of a lot less.
This will make my job much harder as I try to convince PA’s, camera crew, editors to work for even lower rates per day and try to squeeze down the facilities company to ridiculous weekly rates, which is not only difficult but hard for me to stomach because I believe that people work hard and should be compensated fairly.
Having less money for staff also means my choices are limited when it comes to hiring. Someone who’s good and experienced won’t work for a lower rate so I’m forced to take a chance on people who have less experience. Sometimes this works out well but more often than not, it leads to lots of basic mistakes and cost more in the long run. At best it will be a PA not getting a release form signed and at worst it’s a cameraman shooting an entire day with the date stamp left on (true story).
In the last year I worked on three separate productions, each with the same network I won’t mention and each of them was woefully under budgeted – actually I managed to bring one in $30k under budget but that’s another matter. In each circumstance there was no contingency for dealing with the unexpected and of course the only predictable thing about making television is how unpredictable it is.
Whether it is a PA blocking up a toilet, a supplier pulling out of a trade out agreement at the last minute or needing security for a ‘celebrity’ shoot, there needs to be money set aside somewhere to cover this. These are all true stories by the way!
And of course, being the production manager means that no matter what happens, whether the production is under budgeted or some event beyond our control occurs (yes that sometimes happens) a penny over budget is the kiss of death and ultimately the PM’s fault.
I don’t really know what the solution is to what’s heading our way whether it is people dropping their rates, integrating product placement to reduce costs or taking on the inexperienced, which seems to be the trend judging from the amount of ads up these days for production interns.
Ultimately we know what will end up happening. The reduced budgets will one way or another end up adversely affecting quality in terms of content and production values, which benefits no-one and who knows where that will lead us.
A couple of other interesting articles about how the economic crisis is affecting media folk. http://www.medsiabistro.com/articles/cache/a10468.asp http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ia82652ffac56b32e1ab3d6580d61a5a6
Tags: Movie Bloggers, Movie, Filmmaker, Television, Movie
The Hollywood Career Coach - New Economy Hollywood Hiaku
March 17, 2009
Some links and odds and ends this week.
1) Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor: Reunited and it feels so good:
Will he or won’t he say it? (Hey Now!)
2) The Mother of All Funk Chords:
You tube found footage musical madness and magic.
3) My March 2009, new economy reality hiaku: (which i actually received, but not parsed like this.)
Yoko Ono
Is now following you
On twitter
4) Questions, Questions.
If you have any questions you’d like to ask me I’d be happy to answer them right here. What would you like to know about your career, or Hollywood or how I work with film industry professionals. Email me via my website or post a question in the comments below and I’ll pick the most interesting questions.
5) Go Schmoozin’.
My Monthly schmooze event on Weds, March 16 at the Literati Cafe in Brentwood. I do a very fun, very intimate micro-schmooze event every month for friends, clients and whomever shows up. It would be fun to meet some of you if you’re up a for a little adventure.
See ya there.
David
Tags: Movie Theatre, Director, Actor, Filmmaker, Movie Blog
The Storyboard Artist - Back for a second….
March 17, 2009
Kind readers and friends, I have been AWOL the last few weeks do to work.
I’ve been on the Chris Rock film, a remake of “DEATH AT A FUNERAL” and I’ve also been sneaking in whatever extra work I can during weekends.
I’m responsible for my wife and kid, so I have to have a steady flow of income as one never knows when things may stop.
As you all know, 2008 finished very badly for me, but 2009 is starting great. I am just extremely busy, so the blog has had to take a back seat.
But, just as my friends were there for me in getting me some work and looking out for me, I am trying to do the same for others as this country as many people out of work, including a number of colleagues.
Anyway, I have to get cracking. Thanks for your patience!!
Tags: Movie Blog, Film Blog, Actor, Director, Movie
The Business Affairs Assistant - How to Become an Assistant to a Sane Person
March 17, 2009
TL;DR: Don’t become an assistant to a crazy one.
As I mentioned in my previous entry, becoming an assistant is easy; the tough part is getting a boss who doesn’t make you feel like shit. I know, I know it’s tough to get an interview, tough to find job …
Tags: Film Blog, Movie Theatre, Filmmaker, Movie Bloggers, Oscars
The Standby Painter - Cancel My Subscription
March 17, 2009
Cancel My Subscription: Or Job Hunting with Production Charts
This happened last year, and my subscription was finally cancelled one month ago, solely because my credit card expired and they could no longer siphon subscription fees from it. Production charts are one way to find work, but I do not rely on …
Tags: Director, Film Industry, Film, Filmmaking, Actor
