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  • MONDAY MAY 2 2005 3:37 PM

Soderbergh's revolution

Steven Soderbergh - who directed "Sex, Lies and Videotape", "Ocean's Eleven", "Traffic" among other big hit movies - has signed a deal with the billionaire entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner that heralds a potential revolution in the way films are released.

The former Broadcast.com web radio founders and the Oscar winning director of Traffic will create a series of six pictures shot by Soderbergh on high-definition video that will be released simultaneously in theatres, on DVD and television.

Soderbergh is no stranger to thinking outside the box.and is the ideal partner to begin this venture... But Steve, simultaneously in theatres, on DVD and television? What's the point?!

 
Comments
ChezGeek

ChezGeek

Port Orchard, WA
January 2004

MAY 02, 2005 04:07 PM

heres the point.


$.

sixbysix

sixbysix

United Kingdom
December 2004

MAY 02, 2005 04:14 PM

coverage.

it will be extremely hard to miss... nevertheless, I think i'll try.

jonasgrumby

jonasgrumby

Alexandria, VA
April 2004

MAY 02, 2005 04:20 PM

The point? Well, this is something Marc Cuban has been pushing for a long time. If a movie has been released, and you want to watch it at home instead of in the theater, why should you have to wait for another arbitrary commercial release date? Just pick up the DVD or grab it on pay-per-view.

So yeah, the point is $ -- Cuban thinks this will be a commercially viable way of releasing movies -- but it's sure as hell better for consumers, too.

Lotusmonger

Lotusmonger

Chicago, IL
May 2004

MAY 02, 2005 04:32 PM

straight to DVD carries less stigma than straight to video... also less chance for pirating by doing things that way, at least on release day... although it's a shoddy way to fight piracy...

jonasgrumby

jonasgrumby

Alexandria, VA
April 2004

MAY 02, 2005 05:10 PM

From a Wired magazine interview:

Why can't I preorder a DVD and receive it the day the film is released in theaters? Or buy it on my way out of the theater if I liked what I saw? One thing I learned from the Mavs is that you can watch the game on TV, but you'll still go to the game, because it's a different experience.

fpkk

fpkk

United Kingdom
June 2003

MAY 02, 2005 05:51 PM

I think for certain types of movie this could work...

Episode III will work best on the big screen. If it works.

But why go to see some rom com in the pictures if you can pick it up on DVD straight away?

alpha_hazard

alpha_hazard

Fort Collins, CO
April 2004

MAY 02, 2005 07:04 PM

this is not at all unexpected of him...although money may not be his main objective in making this kind of deal, it is certainly a positive side-effect.

dirtyground

dirtyground

Chicago, IL
August 2003

MAY 02, 2005 08:32 PM

two words: porn.

llouys

llouys

Brazil
August 2003

MAY 02, 2005 09:23 PM

i think it's a pretty good idea. after all, when vcrs came out, people said movie theaters would die.

i saw 'hotel rwanda' in a theater when it was already available in the video stores; it's a different (better, imho) way to see a film.

funnyman

funnyman

Cherry Hill, NJ
December 2004

MAY 02, 2005 10:06 PM

I work at a video store in the US, and this would mean $$$ for our store, which usually does not make all that much due to the fact that most people have already seen the really good movies. So I am personally all for it. I will still see certain movies in the theaters because of the experience, but others I would rather not see in the theater, such as comedies and non-visually engrossing films. Sure, it might be different for me, working at both a video store and a theater(loews), but you have to admit it would be much more popular. Generally, 4-6 months, which is the usual lag time from theatrical to dvd release, makes people forget about certain movies. If you miss a movie in the theater, would you want to wait 6 months for it on dvd. I missed the incredibles, and i almost killed some people in anticipation/rage. Bottom line, it would be a much more consumer-friendly option, and it would probably also net the studios some extra cash as well.

zobop_

zobop_

Japan
August 2004

MAY 03, 2005 12:00 AM

Agreed. Sometimes it's just best to see it on the big screen. Wonder if this might get people to watch it first on DVD or pay-per-view, then see it in a theater? Sure someone's thinking of that.

PointBlank

PointBlank

New York, NY
November 2004

MAY 03, 2005 06:28 AM

It's a great idea. Not only for the above reasons (if you want to see it at home, why shouldn't you?), but also because it hurts dvd pirates.

SPOILERS! (Click to view)
ARRR!!! --yarharrr, from my cold, dead hands, PointBlank you scurvy dog!

bskyb

bskyb

United Kingdom
April 2004

MAY 03, 2005 10:07 AM

it's all for convienience i guess. if you can't/won't go to the cinema then being able to see the film in your own home would probably mean that films rake in the cash more quickly since both are sold at once. it's a good way around piracy and to be honest, i've never understood why we have to wait 6 months for the DVD/Video to come out anyway.

What i do find bizarre is that film based computer games come out before the film. thus giving way the plot. that bothers me slightly.