Deadlands 2: Trapped (limited HD DVD release) now available to pre-order!

[Blu-News.com]

Not at all The Limey, I was actually a bit excited about this release but I felt things would go wrong. The MPEG-2 codec turned me off, then the encode sizes were even more disturbing. I also noted Gary mentioning the film is darker than he would have liked, and then it was mentioned that this would be a multi-disc set and all these extras etc.

But now all it is is an MPEG-2 15GB HD DVD without extras and a look that doesn't even satisfy the Director. I don't blame Gary really, I just think the whole distributor messed up this release's potential. I know others have thought the same.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

No offense, but this release went from potential to a big disaster.

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

Not at all The Limey, I was actually a bit excited about this release but I felt things would go wrong. The MPEG-2 codec turned me off, then the encode sizes were even more disturbing. I also noted Gary mentioning the film is darker than he would have liked, and then it was mentioned that this would be a multi-disc set and all these extras etc.

But now all it is is an MPEG-2 15GB HD DVD without extras and a look that doesn't even satisfy the Director. I don't blame Gary really, I just think the whole distributor messed up this release's potential. I know others have thought the same.

Pretty harsh for a title that hasn't even been released yet. It does have most of the extras that were promised and with the DVD, all of them. What's surprising to me is why you're disturbed about it at all, you obviously aren't buying it. I think you're just using your preconceived "shortcomings" of the release to bash it as compared to Blu-ray releases.

You're username IS Blu-news.com, so my question is, are you here for HD DVD, or here looking for an excuse to denigrade the format?

[Blu-News.com]

Wow clearly you do not know how supportive I was of the HD DVD format. Wow and I thought the blu-bots were bad, you make accusations of bad intention even sooner.

I think it's great to see an HD DVD release at the moment, but it doesn't take a genius to tell there are many problems with this release.

[Blu-News.com]

Also I do appreciate the updates from Gary and clearly he's put some serious work into this release, I blame the distributor and not him.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

Wow clearly you do not know how supportive I was of the HD DVD format. Wow and I thought the blu-bots were bad, you make accusations of bad intention even sooner.

I think it's great to see an HD DVD release at the moment, but it doesn't take a genius to tell there are many problems with this release.

Wow, you're right, I do not know. But how could I? You've rarely (if ever) posted in this forum for the last 2 years, and suddenly you show up to dump on this release? You are clearly trolling so go away please.

[Blu-News.com]

I could say the same for you,
Sounds like you have issues since you take a format so seriously. As long as I can watch movies in the best quality available I am pleased, not by format.

I am not bashing HD DVD at all. Great format, I just won't defend a mediocre release that was originally planned to be much better. That's not a format issue. It's a quality issue.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

I could say the same for you,
Sounds like you have issues since you take a format so seriously. As long as I can watch movies in the best quality available I am pleased, not by format.

I am not bashing HD DVD at all. Great format, I just won't defend a mediocre release that was originally planned to be much better. That's not a format issue. It's a quality issue.

I do have a weak spot for people whose obvious intent is to troll this forum. And how was it planned to be better? Because it's only on a 15gb HD DVD instead of 30gb? Most if not all low budget HD DVD titles were either on HD DVD15 or usually on dvd-r (such as Zombie Farm and Birthrite). As far as I know, ALL the extras that were promised are being delivered, since we are getting the free DVD (that wasn't promised) with the remaining extras. You and everyone else knew about it being on MPEG2 from the get go, so really no one I think feels let down or that they are being cheated, much less that an unreleased title is to be declared a "disaster".

[DjfunkmasterG]

I would like to clarify some things.

The DVD release was darker than I expected it to be, however HD DVD screeners sent out and reviewed have said the image is better than the SD DVD.

While I am bummed about the cut back on the HD DVD features, everything exclusive to the HD DVD will be on the disc, it is the stuff ported from the DVD that is being dropped but people can get the DVD for free if they want, the studio is still extending the option to anyone and everyone, even if you buy the HD DVD today, you would get the option of a free DVD version. I emailed everyone who emailed me and told them, if the studio didn't I don't have much control over that, but I also sent out press releases to a lot of websites, and only 1 ran the article about the delay and the freebie DVD. I can't remember if HDD ran the delay story or not, I didn't see anything, but then again I don't check the news section everyday, but if you guys want to aid in spreading the word it would be mucho appreciated as even I don't know of every forum running threads about the HDDVD.

However, Anthem did drop the ball in some aspects, but it is not totally their fault either as a lot of HD DVD stampers who said they could do the job ended up screwing them in the end by either backing out or after making a quote demanding an additonal 100K or some other exorbant fee to do the release because they figured it would be some niche thing they could price gouge on, which I talked about in a new podcast I will upload this weekend.

Anthems biggest issue was screwing up part of the DVD release in that they listed features not existing on the DVD such as the work print and trailers, neither of which are on the disc but clearly on the artwork, but when the mastering/authoring group couldn't fit everything no one communicated this to the art department so neither knew what the other did and hence the DVD release is just blah as compared to what it should have been, and believe me they got an earful about it from me on that one.

I was miffed when they blamed my for the DVD debacle saying I approved the art, to which I replied, I approved the art before you authored the DVD I approved based on specs agreed upon, had I known there were changes I would have been calling everyone, that is your problem an internal one that you need to fix.

I have been pretty adamant with them to not screw up the HD DVD. Manufacturing issues aside, I communicated to everyone including CC-ing the head of the studio that this HDDVD release can either make Anthem stand out as a indie studio who cares or an indie studio that is just looking to make a quick buck and it is up to them how they want their reputation to be held by the masses.

Quote from the email I sent

"While the DVD has its issues in authoring and artwork, I fully expect the HD DVD to shine even with the cutbacks made. While the pressings are limited their is enough word of mouth about the release that those who scooped it up will have all eyes on them for feedback about it to other HD fans and if Anthem doesn't come through correctly on the HDDVD it could mean bad things for Anthem in terms of its HD future. You claim to be a studio for indies so this is one way to show you can put out a quality product even in the indie realm, however if it is botched and the proper communication isn't made between groups don't look at me or HD fans for sympathy, and backlash or scourn will be well deserved and I will join them in their cries if they are warranted. I fully hope you understand this as the studio because it reflects you as much as it does me and this is something I want to be special for HD FANS"

So believe me if they F**k this up I will be screaming as much as anyone, cause there is nothing I hate more than sloppy ill-prepared work.

I didn't spend months and sleepless nights tyring to make it look the best I could considering the source format for it to only be fucked up beyond all recognition.

[NeverBX]

I don't have either DVD. When is the new date and can I get the email addy for the DVD?

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

No offense, but this release went from potential to a big disaster.

Semi-agree with you.

Originally Posted by Blu-News.com

Not at all The Limey, I was actually a bit excited about this release but I felt things would go wrong. The MPEG-2 codec turned me off, then the encode sizes were even more disturbing. I also noted Gary mentioning the film is darker than he would have liked, and then it was mentioned that this would be a multi-disc set and all these extras etc.

But now all it is is an MPEG-2 15GB HD DVD without extras and a look that doesn't even satisfy the Director. I don't blame Gary really, I just think the whole distributor messed up this release's potential. I know others have thought the same.

MPEG2 is fine when the disc is big enough for it. When its MPEG2 and a 15GB discs...that's like jamming a VC1/MPEG4 title on a 9GB disc. If it was a HD30 disc, MPEG2 would probably be OK, but on a HD15, not so much.

Originally Posted by bruceames

Pretty harsh for a title that hasn't even been released yet. It does have most of the extras that were promised and with the DVD, all of them. What's surprising to me is why you're disturbed about it at all, you obviously aren't buying it. I think you're just using your preconceived "shortcomings" of the release to bash it as compared to Blu-ray releases.

Well, the DVD is available to those people who know they get a free one. That mean's people who visit this forum and keeps up to date on the thread. Again, no e-mail went out that the title was delayed, features were remove, free DVD etc.

I've known Blu-News for years, he was a HD DVD owner.

[GizmoDVD]

Originally Posted by DjfunkmasterG

I would like to clarify some things.

The DVD release was darker than I expected it to be, however HD DVD screeners sent out and reviewed have said the image is better than the SD DVD.

While I am bummed about the cut back on the HD DVD features, everything exclusive to the HD DVD will be on the disc, it is the stuff ported from the DVD that is being dropped but people can get the DVD for free if they want, the studio is still extending the option to anyone and everyone, even if you buy the HD DVD today, you would get the option of a free DVD version. I emailed everyone who emailed me and told them, if the studio didn't I don't have much control over that, but I also sent out press releases to a lot of websites, and only 1 ran the article about the delay and the freebie DVD..

Just a FYI - I never got an e-mail regarding the free DVD and I was probably one of the first people who e-mailed you about it. I did receive it (after e-mailing Alex) so its no biggie, but Im sure there are others who didn't. At this point, It might be a smart idea to just toss the DVD inside the HD DVD case.

[AOD]

I also did not receive an email regarding the free DVD with my purchase.

[DjfunkmasterG]

By chance have you checked your spam folders? I just ask because sometimes when the same email is sent to a bunch of people email providers do trigger spam.


However, just in case the email didn't reach everyone is why I posted it in every forum I could find a topic about the HD DVD. I wanted to make sure you guys were kept in the loop as much as I can, as far as the studio emailing people... I asked them too and encouraged them to, but I can't force them too. How they run their business is, well, their business.

However, from my end I wanted to make sure you guys were kept in the loop hence why I would do as many updates as possible.

I wouldn't say this release was a disaster, as Blu-News puts it, all the HD exclusive content is still on the disc, plus the studio did extend the free DVD offer. They could have easily said no, but they did extend it. Don't know if any major would have done the same thing.

Here is my feeling and I would completely understand this, but if you feel the release is a let down you can always cancel your order. No one says you have to take it if you feel it isn't up to par. It is better youa re satisfied than disatisified.

I won't take it personally. I wish it could be everything we planned, but as I said any stamper who said they could do it backed out or tried to up the price and in the end its either you throw up your hands and say F**K it, or you keep trucking along, and trucking along no matter what the obstacle is what Indie filmmaking is all about.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Originally Posted by NeverBX

I don't have either DVD. When is the new date and can I get the email addy for the DVD?

Nov 24th for the HD DVD, and you can email Alexandra at Anthem:

alex@anthemdvd.com or call 818-597-2346 then press #1 at the prompt.

If you are overseas, email is best options. Make sure you put Deadlands 2 HD DVD in subject and if you have a receipt or confirmation # just include that as well.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

I've known Blu-News for years, he was a HD DVD owner.

Yeah, I know. He's a good kid and I always enjoyed reading his well thought out posts when I hung out in Smackdown back in the day. I kinda took exception to his "disaster" remark, and that coupled with some of his other negative remarks earlier in the thread, plus the lack of participation in the forum otherwise, prompted my response. If I overreacted, then I apologize.

I'm sure in any event the HD DVD will look much better than the DVD. For example, Zombie Farm HD DVD looks far better than the DVD and it's only on a dvd-r. I think both were mainly shot in SD anyway.