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What’s going on with DVD extras?
We’ve had quite a number DVD releases over the past few years, and despite their flaws, DVD is becoming the new standard format for movie releases.
Part of the desirability of DVD’s are the film extras. Behind the scenes footage, missing scenes, cast interviews, directors comments, cinematic trailers, etc… the list goes on, they’ve even begun to stick PC game demos onto DVD’s as part of the package.
Whatever is stuck on, the consistency and quality of DVD extras is highly variable and unpredictable. Some DVD’s are released with little to no extras; others require two DVDs to provide all the added bits.
This isn’t a comment on the release of low spec, ‘bare boned’ DVDs being released a year before the ‘Special Edition’ pack.
More a question as to the future development of Extras, the current state of extras and of how much use they are.
When DVD first started hitting the mainstream, the movie extras were touted as reason enough to buy a DVD, the options they provided allowed the scope of the movie to go beyond presenting the movie alone. Allowing questions about the movie to be answered, to enrich the world created by the movie, and enhance the story.
Recently, as people have been becoming more and more comfortable with the standard, there have been increasing complaints about the validity of movie extras. That although they provide eye-catching entertainment, they are of little interest, watched once, and then ignored. Even that most extras are of interest only to movie geeks and Media students.
Part of the problem, that I can see is that there is no standardisation to movie extras. By this stage I would have preferred to have seen a number of extras featured on all DVDs as standard, trailers, interviews, etc… not anything out of the ordinary, just standard promo stuff surrounding the movie. With special edition packs, many of which work better with features unique to that movie alone, should also have a backbone of standard extras before the novelties are added on top.
This would allay a lot of the disappointment some people have experience after having purchased a DVD and found little or no extras attached, or having bought special editions to find them lacking depth, filled with fluff.
Although some movies beg to have a wide array of extras included. For example the Star Wars series, (or pretty much any cult movie) which has a rich universe surrounding already present, has in numerous options for addition. Apart from classic trailers, cut scenes, concept designs, there could include creature encyclopaedias, history of the story, or the characters, animations and bios of the characters, mini games, musical tracks, etc…
Even films that don’t immediately cry for novelty extras can be enhanced with a few well thought additions. It’s easy to see how movie extras can become a valuable addition to the main attraction, enhancing the experience and increasing enjoyment. And since were still only beginning to enjoy the benefits afforded to us by the DVD format. It’s just a shame that the industry has so far been lax in developing one of the most important future aspects of the home movie experience
The question os where to go… How to stop extras smothering the movie around which they are based… how to have extras that are useful, and enhance the movie, rather than working as novelty items of only short term interest..
Any body have any ideas? … What extras would you add to what movies? Which movies have had extras which you really hated… or thought were fantastic?
We’ve had quite a number DVD releases over the past few years, and despite their flaws, DVD is becoming the new standard format for movie releases.
Part of the desirability of DVD’s are the film extras. Behind the scenes footage, missing scenes, cast interviews, directors comments, cinematic trailers, etc… the list goes on, they’ve even begun to stick PC game demos onto DVD’s as part of the package.
Whatever is stuck on, the consistency and quality of DVD extras is highly variable and unpredictable. Some DVD’s are released with little to no extras; others require two DVDs to provide all the added bits.
This isn’t a comment on the release of low spec, ‘bare boned’ DVDs being released a year before the ‘Special Edition’ pack.
More a question as to the future development of Extras, the current state of extras and of how much use they are.
When DVD first started hitting the mainstream, the movie extras were touted as reason enough to buy a DVD, the options they provided allowed the scope of the movie to go beyond presenting the movie alone. Allowing questions about the movie to be answered, to enrich the world created by the movie, and enhance the story.
Recently, as people have been becoming more and more comfortable with the standard, there have been increasing complaints about the validity of movie extras. That although they provide eye-catching entertainment, they are of little interest, watched once, and then ignored. Even that most extras are of interest only to movie geeks and Media students.
Part of the problem, that I can see is that there is no standardisation to movie extras. By this stage I would have preferred to have seen a number of extras featured on all DVDs as standard, trailers, interviews, etc… not anything out of the ordinary, just standard promo stuff surrounding the movie. With special edition packs, many of which work better with features unique to that movie alone, should also have a backbone of standard extras before the novelties are added on top.
This would allay a lot of the disappointment some people have experience after having purchased a DVD and found little or no extras attached, or having bought special editions to find them lacking depth, filled with fluff.
Although some movies beg to have a wide array of extras included. For example the Star Wars series, (or pretty much any cult movie) which has a rich universe surrounding already present, has in numerous options for addition. Apart from classic trailers, cut scenes, concept designs, there could include creature encyclopaedias, history of the story, or the characters, animations and bios of the characters, mini games, musical tracks, etc…
Even films that don’t immediately cry for novelty extras can be enhanced with a few well thought additions. It’s easy to see how movie extras can become a valuable addition to the main attraction, enhancing the experience and increasing enjoyment. And since were still only beginning to enjoy the benefits afforded to us by the DVD format. It’s just a shame that the industry has so far been lax in developing one of the most important future aspects of the home movie experience
The question os where to go… How to stop extras smothering the movie around which they are based… how to have extras that are useful, and enhance the movie, rather than working as novelty items of only short term interest..
Any body have any ideas? … What extras would you add to what movies? Which movies have had extras which you really hated… or thought were fantastic?
What I would like to see is an a happy alternate ending to The Green Mile ! An excellent film, just a sad ending
:-( ::sniffle::
:-( ::sniffle::
I think the ultimate DVD package should include straightforward extras for the casual movie fan but also more in depth features for people who are serious about movies.
I have always been as interested in the production process behind films as I am in the film itself so DVD is a god send for me. Films that excel in certain areas such as special effects or make up should always include features on that area.
I don't agree about the idea of controlling the camera angles. Firstly it would push up film budgets astronomically and independent filmakers wouldn't be able to compete. Secondly, it would remove the need for a director and I think a good director is essential for a good movie.
I have always been as interested in the production process behind films as I am in the film itself so DVD is a god send for me. Films that excel in certain areas such as special effects or make up should always include features on that area.
I don't agree about the idea of controlling the camera angles. Firstly it would push up film budgets astronomically and independent filmakers wouldn't be able to compete. Secondly, it would remove the need for a director and I think a good director is essential for a good movie.
I think DVDs are really good with all the extra stuff packed on them....
The behind the scenes stuff is great and gives you a real insight into what making the movie was really like.
The interviews with the cast also givce you an insight into them as themselves and are interesting.
You have complete control over the camera angles, you can also flip through one scene to another, how cool is that!!!
So all in all, DVDs are great!!!
The behind the scenes stuff is great and gives you a real insight into what making the movie was really like.
The interviews with the cast also givce you an insight into them as themselves and are interesting.
You have complete control over the camera angles, you can also flip through one scene to another, how cool is that!!!
So all in all, DVDs are great!!!
Features that i think would be cool to include on DVD's.
1) Total control of camera angels. The films could be filmed in such a way that there are camera's all around the picture. Similar to the Matrix's bullet time thingy. This would allow wicked angels for films, scenes would be seen from an entirely new perspective so to speek. By doing this films would have new life given to them.
2)Menipulative scenes. Ie things can be changed when the film is running. eg things being added or removed. Or weapons (for-instance) being changed. It will make the films more fun, and amusing especially if you have a wide imagination.
1) Total control of camera angels. The films could be filmed in such a way that there are camera's all around the picture. Similar to the Matrix's bullet time thingy. This would allow wicked angels for films, scenes would be seen from an entirely new perspective so to speek. By doing this films would have new life given to them.
2)Menipulative scenes. Ie things can be changed when the film is running. eg things being added or removed. Or weapons (for-instance) being changed. It will make the films more fun, and amusing especially if you have a wide imagination.
Fight Club has a fantastic extras set, to the point of a 2nd disc.
Commentaries by Fincher, Pitt, Norton and Bonham Carter that are entertaining, not geeky.
2 other commentaries, stills, production notes, making of features.
The Abyss is damn fine as well, loads and loads of things.
The Exorcist rocks as well, loads of bits.
I like the commentaries, but I agree with the point about film buffs being the main target for some of the more obscure chat points they can turn into.
Nowadays, if it only has a trailer then I feel cheated.
I wants it all
Commentaries by Fincher, Pitt, Norton and Bonham Carter that are entertaining, not geeky.
2 other commentaries, stills, production notes, making of features.
The Abyss is damn fine as well, loads and loads of things.
The Exorcist rocks as well, loads of bits.
I like the commentaries, but I agree with the point about film buffs being the main target for some of the more obscure chat points they can turn into.
Nowadays, if it only has a trailer then I feel cheated.
I wants it all
I think many would agree that the bond dvd's (special edition) had a good level of extras provided and a lot are re-watchable and not so throw-away as you described.
Commentaries are a tricky area because like you say, they often only appeal to film students. Some don't - I've seen a lot that are very interesting, but it can often get down to the basics of what type of camera and grip they used and even the sort of lense. Interesting to some, but not exactly in high demand.
Lets look at bond. Music video's - always an interesting idea, as they quite often are entertaining and can be watched again and again. The garbage one for the world is not enough for example - that video is very well made and even has a clear storyline.
Documentaries are good, but again perhaps not something you'd watch over and over like a film.
Musical scores are a good idea in my opinion. It saves you going out and buying the music cd from a film - always good to be saving money.
The animated menus are great looking things to show off about, but not really necessary.
Bond in particular show how it is possible to sqeeze in the cream of material and not dilute the thing so much so that a second disc is required.
I've seen the terminator 2 dvd, and believe me it has a lot. But in the wash of incredible things, there's much that can become lost. Through the maze of animations it's easy to become lost. The same can be said for the men in black special edition - I wish I'd just got the regular one.
Another big thing that I can get annoyed about is extra footage. Alternate endings in particular. It can ruin a film in my opinion. The alternate ending to blade for instance - it hadn't had the finishing touches put in by the CG people and looked rubbish. It was not included because it was not very good, and I have no wish to see the rubbish that the director thought so bad he/she would not include.
Terminator 2 as well - has that very annoying scene included where john conner teaches the terminator to smile. What a load of crap! No wonder they removed it.
So I say a lot is rubbish, but some good.
Oh and you mentioned the original advertising of DVD. Has anyone seen the adverts making all these big claims about the picture, and they showed it on your tv screen. Being played from a VHS. I'm sure there's something wrong with that!
Anyway....carry on......
Commentaries are a tricky area because like you say, they often only appeal to film students. Some don't - I've seen a lot that are very interesting, but it can often get down to the basics of what type of camera and grip they used and even the sort of lense. Interesting to some, but not exactly in high demand.
Lets look at bond. Music video's - always an interesting idea, as they quite often are entertaining and can be watched again and again. The garbage one for the world is not enough for example - that video is very well made and even has a clear storyline.
Documentaries are good, but again perhaps not something you'd watch over and over like a film.
Musical scores are a good idea in my opinion. It saves you going out and buying the music cd from a film - always good to be saving money.
The animated menus are great looking things to show off about, but not really necessary.
Bond in particular show how it is possible to sqeeze in the cream of material and not dilute the thing so much so that a second disc is required.
I've seen the terminator 2 dvd, and believe me it has a lot. But in the wash of incredible things, there's much that can become lost. Through the maze of animations it's easy to become lost. The same can be said for the men in black special edition - I wish I'd just got the regular one.
Another big thing that I can get annoyed about is extra footage. Alternate endings in particular. It can ruin a film in my opinion. The alternate ending to blade for instance - it hadn't had the finishing touches put in by the CG people and looked rubbish. It was not included because it was not very good, and I have no wish to see the rubbish that the director thought so bad he/she would not include.
Terminator 2 as well - has that very annoying scene included where john conner teaches the terminator to smile. What a load of crap! No wonder they removed it.
So I say a lot is rubbish, but some good.
Oh and you mentioned the original advertising of DVD. Has anyone seen the adverts making all these big claims about the picture, and they showed it on your tv screen. Being played from a VHS. I'm sure there's something wrong with that!
Anyway....carry on......
What’s going on with DVD extras?
We’ve had quite a number DVD releases over the past few years, and despite their flaws, DVD is becoming the new standard format for movie releases.
Part of the desirability of DVD’s are the film extras. Behind the scenes footage, missing scenes, cast interviews, directors comments, cinematic trailers, etc… the list goes on, they’ve even begun to stick PC game demos onto DVD’s as part of the package.
Whatever is stuck on, the consistency and quality of DVD extras is highly variable and unpredictable. Some DVD’s are released with little to no extras; others require two DVDs to provide all the added bits.
This isn’t a comment on the release of low spec, ‘bare boned’ DVDs being released a year before the ‘Special Edition’ pack.
More a question as to the future development of Extras, the current state of extras and of how much use they are.
When DVD first started hitting the mainstream, the movie extras were touted as reason enough to buy a DVD, the options they provided allowed the scope of the movie to go beyond presenting the movie alone. Allowing questions about the movie to be answered, to enrich the world created by the movie, and enhance the story.
Recently, as people have been becoming more and more comfortable with the standard, there have been increasing complaints about the validity of movie extras. That although they provide eye-catching entertainment, they are of little interest, watched once, and then ignored. Even that most extras are of interest only to movie geeks and Media students.
Part of the problem, that I can see is that there is no standardisation to movie extras. By this stage I would have preferred to have seen a number of extras featured on all DVDs as standard, trailers, interviews, etc… not anything out of the ordinary, just standard promo stuff surrounding the movie. With special edition packs, many of which work better with features unique to that movie alone, should also have a backbone of standard extras before the novelties are added on top.
This would allay a lot of the disappointment some people have experience after having purchased a DVD and found little or no extras attached, or having bought special editions to find them lacking depth, filled with fluff.
Although some movies beg to have a wide array of extras included. For example the Star Wars series, (or pretty much any cult movie) which has a rich universe surrounding already present, has in numerous options for addition. Apart from classic trailers, cut scenes, concept designs, there could include creature encyclopaedias, history of the story, or the characters, animations and bios of the characters, mini games, musical tracks, etc…
Even films that don’t immediately cry for novelty extras can be enhanced with a few well thought additions. It’s easy to see how movie extras can become a valuable addition to the main attraction, enhancing the experience and increasing enjoyment. And since were still only beginning to enjoy the benefits afforded to us by the DVD format. It’s just a shame that the industry has so far been lax in developing one of the most important future aspects of the home movie experience
The question os where to go… How to stop extras smothering the movie around which they are based… how to have extras that are useful, and enhance the movie, rather than working as novelty items of only short term interest..
Any body have any ideas? … What extras would you add to what movies? Which movies have had extras which you really hated… or thought were fantastic?
We’ve had quite a number DVD releases over the past few years, and despite their flaws, DVD is becoming the new standard format for movie releases.
Part of the desirability of DVD’s are the film extras. Behind the scenes footage, missing scenes, cast interviews, directors comments, cinematic trailers, etc… the list goes on, they’ve even begun to stick PC game demos onto DVD’s as part of the package.
Whatever is stuck on, the consistency and quality of DVD extras is highly variable and unpredictable. Some DVD’s are released with little to no extras; others require two DVDs to provide all the added bits.
This isn’t a comment on the release of low spec, ‘bare boned’ DVDs being released a year before the ‘Special Edition’ pack.
More a question as to the future development of Extras, the current state of extras and of how much use they are.
When DVD first started hitting the mainstream, the movie extras were touted as reason enough to buy a DVD, the options they provided allowed the scope of the movie to go beyond presenting the movie alone. Allowing questions about the movie to be answered, to enrich the world created by the movie, and enhance the story.
Recently, as people have been becoming more and more comfortable with the standard, there have been increasing complaints about the validity of movie extras. That although they provide eye-catching entertainment, they are of little interest, watched once, and then ignored. Even that most extras are of interest only to movie geeks and Media students.
Part of the problem, that I can see is that there is no standardisation to movie extras. By this stage I would have preferred to have seen a number of extras featured on all DVDs as standard, trailers, interviews, etc… not anything out of the ordinary, just standard promo stuff surrounding the movie. With special edition packs, many of which work better with features unique to that movie alone, should also have a backbone of standard extras before the novelties are added on top.
This would allay a lot of the disappointment some people have experience after having purchased a DVD and found little or no extras attached, or having bought special editions to find them lacking depth, filled with fluff.
Although some movies beg to have a wide array of extras included. For example the Star Wars series, (or pretty much any cult movie) which has a rich universe surrounding already present, has in numerous options for addition. Apart from classic trailers, cut scenes, concept designs, there could include creature encyclopaedias, history of the story, or the characters, animations and bios of the characters, mini games, musical tracks, etc…
Even films that don’t immediately cry for novelty extras can be enhanced with a few well thought additions. It’s easy to see how movie extras can become a valuable addition to the main attraction, enhancing the experience and increasing enjoyment. And since were still only beginning to enjoy the benefits afforded to us by the DVD format. It’s just a shame that the industry has so far been lax in developing one of the most important future aspects of the home movie experience
The question os where to go… How to stop extras smothering the movie around which they are based… how to have extras that are useful, and enhance the movie, rather than working as novelty items of only short term interest..
Any body have any ideas? … What extras would you add to what movies? Which movies have had extras which you really hated… or thought were fantastic?