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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

I'd Buy THAT For a Dollar

Last week fans were asked to take an online survey given by StarWars.com. Some of the survey dealt with downloading media at home. Did we want it? How much would be pay for it? and Where did we want it to come from?

My answers for the above came:
Yes - Of course! I'd love to have this ability, legally.
$2-3 - fair to me since no hard copy exists essentially cutting out any middleman pricing and you have control over the process.
StarWars.com - Directly from the source of course.

Several days before the survey arrived The Hollywood reporter sat down with George Lucas (see it HERE on page 45) to talk about the advancement of film/filming and the theatre experience/owners and the rate at which it's all progressing. Slowly he says. I agree.
He also had this to say about the industry and piracy:
THR: There are definitely some dynamics that are changing the economics of the business. What do you think of Mark Cuban's idea of releasing films simultaneously at home and in theaters?
Lucas: I think it'll happen -- it'll have to happen.
THR: Really? Because of the economics?
Lucas: Because of piracy. It's the only way you can stop piracy; there is no other way. You have to get a very, very aggressive enforcement program so that people do have consequences to stealing, but you also have to be able to offer it to them (in the home) for the same price they can get it on the street. It won't be DVDs -- DVDs aren't going to be around too much longer. If you can get it at home for $2, then why would you go on the street and get a bad version?

Precisely. $2-3 for in-home entertainment instantly. No waiting, no driving, no hassle.
Tailor made for people who cannot always find the extra time to plan a theatre outing (which, by the way, I wouldn't trade for anything...I enjoy the experience immensely), cannot afford going several times a month or more (babysitter/dinner/movie/gas...jeez! This adds up!), can't get out because of a disability, shouldn't go out because of a cold/flu or some other malady or simply because they'd rather not pay $9.50 for what they consider marginal movies (see this interesting blog entry by Pabawan --link removed, no longer exists--).
Not to mention the boon to independent filmmakers who go through so much to get their films distributed through traditional channels and out to film festivals in hard copy when they could eliminate the need for so many copies by offering the film for a fair-priced download on the internet.
I would never fork over $10 to see an awful version of any film from some shady character off the street or anywhere else for that matter. Why do it in the first place? To see it before anyone else? Bragging rights? LOL

Similarly why would I want to fork over $15 - $25 or more for a DVD (or other media...Sony and their Cd's --link removed, no longer exists--) with Copyright Protection that sends out a rootkit into my computer causing lord-knows-what to my computer/files/personal information. ...a little like AOL's viral-like software, yuk.
(see Master Mike's terrific entry on Sony and this subject --link removed, no longer exists-- and another good one HERE --link removed, no longer exists-- and for good measure look at this one on printers and tracking.)

Lucas is right, embracing internet downloading, at a fair price, is a viable and rational idea. He knows where the industry should be and how to satisfy the needs (wants really) of the customer without violating their rights and curbing an ugly stealing problem, at least for one medium, simultaneously.I hope the results of the survey will help to move us a step closer to this reality for audio books, films, radio programs, etc.

Heck, I'd buy that for THREE dollars.

LM

4 comments:

Nerf-Herders Anonymous said...

DarthVicomte
Vicomte's Blog Extravaganza

date Posted: Nov 29, 2005 6:48 PM
Sold for four!

Nerf-Herders Anonymous said...

Darth Vader
Meditation Chamber

date Posted: Nov 29, 2005 8:08 PM
Thanks for sharing! When I went to take the survey it was over so I didn't know what it was about until now.

I agree on everything GL and you have said. And I would never trade watching a film like ROTS in a theater either. Or any SW film, or Batman begins, or the LOTR Trilogy just to name a few. No way.

But there are many, MANY movies where a THX system or digital projection is not vital. Either way, I'd watch the movies I mentioned in the cinema AND legally download them afterwards

Nerf-Herders Anonymous said...

Son of a Bith
The Cantina Corner

date Posted: Nov 29, 2005 8:37 PM
I'm all for the advancement of this technology, especially digital projection. I still think people should pay for movies and music. Making this stuff is a job just like anything else! And I agree with everyone else that theater going is a magical experience. Movies like Star Wars, LOTR, Batman, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, etc. NEED to be seen in theaters.

By the way, nice Robocop reference!

Nerf-Herders Anonymous said...

bpence

date Posted: Dec 05, 2005 9:03 AM
I agree with Son of a Bith. Star WArs can't just be seen in a theater. And pirated versions aren't as good as the real thing. Is it just me, or was holding the Origanal Trilogy DVD collection in mint packaging, all that design in the case, and all those cool menues worth fifty dollers? I spit on pirating, becasue I would someday like to direct a movie. GO GEORGE!