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I realise that there have been several very good articles posted on this site regarding the poor features DVDs tend to have. There have also been a few on what was promised back when few people even knew what a DVD was. Well, I have come up with a following list of features that all DVDs should have, complete with guidelines detailing what they should be like.
COMMENTARY
I know what you’re thinking, these are only really good for film students, and insomniacs who kind the boring waffle manages to help them. Well, although I have come across some really dull commentaries, I have also come across some really exciting and insightful ones. The key, I think, is for the person carrying out the commentary to be well prepared, not recorded on the hop.
MUSIC VIDEO
We all love a good music video. I know some of the older films can’t possibly provide one, but there’s nothing more irritating than a film with a chart-topping tune in it, that doesn’t have the tune’s video. Karaoke option, perhaps?
DOCUMENTARY
No, not the one that races along and lasts five minutes, with cast and crew patronisingly telling you how good a film you’ve just bought is! I think we all like those in-depth ones, which examine the films themes, background and how it was made. Also, for older films, the impact it has had on other films and other filmmakers. Plus, not just one documentary, but several would be much better.
CUT OR DELETED SCENES
Deleted scenes are always of interest, especially when provided with information of why they were cut, and how the director felt it altered the film by changing or not using them. As for cut scenes, well they can be quite a laugh.
GAMES
How about this: a quiz on the actors, directors, etc., that you can actually play with an ordinary DVD player remote. Or, what about games involving where we have to closely observe a scene and answer questions on it.
AN INTERESTING AND WELL DESIGNED MENU SYSTEM
Goes without saying really, although I will add that an easy to use menu is a must.
SUBTITLES
If a film is foreign it MUST have the option of choosing EITHER subtitles and the original language, OR dubbing! This is something that really gets my goat, when a DVD only has dubbing.
Of course I have only dealt with features. There are still other problems for DVD manufacturers to improve upon, such as sound, picture ratio and quality, etc. However, I feel that if the above guidelines where paid attention to, we would never have to complain about DVD features again.
COMMENTARY
I know what you’re thinking, these are only really good for film students, and insomniacs who kind the boring waffle manages to help them. Well, although I have come across some really dull commentaries, I have also come across some really exciting and insightful ones. The key, I think, is for the person carrying out the commentary to be well prepared, not recorded on the hop.
MUSIC VIDEO
We all love a good music video. I know some of the older films can’t possibly provide one, but there’s nothing more irritating than a film with a chart-topping tune in it, that doesn’t have the tune’s video. Karaoke option, perhaps?
DOCUMENTARY
No, not the one that races along and lasts five minutes, with cast and crew patronisingly telling you how good a film you’ve just bought is! I think we all like those in-depth ones, which examine the films themes, background and how it was made. Also, for older films, the impact it has had on other films and other filmmakers. Plus, not just one documentary, but several would be much better.
CUT OR DELETED SCENES
Deleted scenes are always of interest, especially when provided with information of why they were cut, and how the director felt it altered the film by changing or not using them. As for cut scenes, well they can be quite a laugh.
GAMES
How about this: a quiz on the actors, directors, etc., that you can actually play with an ordinary DVD player remote. Or, what about games involving where we have to closely observe a scene and answer questions on it.
AN INTERESTING AND WELL DESIGNED MENU SYSTEM
Goes without saying really, although I will add that an easy to use menu is a must.
SUBTITLES
If a film is foreign it MUST have the option of choosing EITHER subtitles and the original language, OR dubbing! This is something that really gets my goat, when a DVD only has dubbing.
Of course I have only dealt with features. There are still other problems for DVD manufacturers to improve upon, such as sound, picture ratio and quality, etc. However, I feel that if the above guidelines where paid attention to, we would never have to complain about DVD features again.
They could provide two commentaries. One can feature the cast and be light hearted and full of anecdotes and the other could have the director and/or cinematographer, producer, etc and go into technical detail (for students and insomniacs!).
I would also like to see more features on the promotion of the film as this is an integral part of modern Hollywood.
I would also like to see more features on the promotion of the film as this is an integral part of modern Hollywood.
How about the screenplay as DVD ROM content?
I realise that there have been several very good articles posted on this site regarding the poor features DVDs tend to have. There have also been a few on what was promised back when few people even knew what a DVD was. Well, I have come up with a following list of features that all DVDs should have, complete with guidelines detailing what they should be like.
COMMENTARY
I know what you’re thinking, these are only really good for film students, and insomniacs who kind the boring waffle manages to help them. Well, although I have come across some really dull commentaries, I have also come across some really exciting and insightful ones. The key, I think, is for the person carrying out the commentary to be well prepared, not recorded on the hop.
MUSIC VIDEO
We all love a good music video. I know some of the older films can’t possibly provide one, but there’s nothing more irritating than a film with a chart-topping tune in it, that doesn’t have the tune’s video. Karaoke option, perhaps?
DOCUMENTARY
No, not the one that races along and lasts five minutes, with cast and crew patronisingly telling you how good a film you’ve just bought is! I think we all like those in-depth ones, which examine the films themes, background and how it was made. Also, for older films, the impact it has had on other films and other filmmakers. Plus, not just one documentary, but several would be much better.
CUT OR DELETED SCENES
Deleted scenes are always of interest, especially when provided with information of why they were cut, and how the director felt it altered the film by changing or not using them. As for cut scenes, well they can be quite a laugh.
GAMES
How about this: a quiz on the actors, directors, etc., that you can actually play with an ordinary DVD player remote. Or, what about games involving where we have to closely observe a scene and answer questions on it.
AN INTERESTING AND WELL DESIGNED MENU SYSTEM
Goes without saying really, although I will add that an easy to use menu is a must.
SUBTITLES
If a film is foreign it MUST have the option of choosing EITHER subtitles and the original language, OR dubbing! This is something that really gets my goat, when a DVD only has dubbing.
Of course I have only dealt with features. There are still other problems for DVD manufacturers to improve upon, such as sound, picture ratio and quality, etc. However, I feel that if the above guidelines where paid attention to, we would never have to complain about DVD features again.
COMMENTARY
I know what you’re thinking, these are only really good for film students, and insomniacs who kind the boring waffle manages to help them. Well, although I have come across some really dull commentaries, I have also come across some really exciting and insightful ones. The key, I think, is for the person carrying out the commentary to be well prepared, not recorded on the hop.
MUSIC VIDEO
We all love a good music video. I know some of the older films can’t possibly provide one, but there’s nothing more irritating than a film with a chart-topping tune in it, that doesn’t have the tune’s video. Karaoke option, perhaps?
DOCUMENTARY
No, not the one that races along and lasts five minutes, with cast and crew patronisingly telling you how good a film you’ve just bought is! I think we all like those in-depth ones, which examine the films themes, background and how it was made. Also, for older films, the impact it has had on other films and other filmmakers. Plus, not just one documentary, but several would be much better.
CUT OR DELETED SCENES
Deleted scenes are always of interest, especially when provided with information of why they were cut, and how the director felt it altered the film by changing or not using them. As for cut scenes, well they can be quite a laugh.
GAMES
How about this: a quiz on the actors, directors, etc., that you can actually play with an ordinary DVD player remote. Or, what about games involving where we have to closely observe a scene and answer questions on it.
AN INTERESTING AND WELL DESIGNED MENU SYSTEM
Goes without saying really, although I will add that an easy to use menu is a must.
SUBTITLES
If a film is foreign it MUST have the option of choosing EITHER subtitles and the original language, OR dubbing! This is something that really gets my goat, when a DVD only has dubbing.
Of course I have only dealt with features. There are still other problems for DVD manufacturers to improve upon, such as sound, picture ratio and quality, etc. However, I feel that if the above guidelines where paid attention to, we would never have to complain about DVD features again.