Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - (Page 36) NEWS BD Live Takes Packaged Media Online Continued from page 1 www.homemediamagazine.com develop entertaining and compelling opportunities to push the technology further to create must-own, one-of-akind home entertainment.” Jessen’s comments are echoed by those in BD Live development at other studios, who are toiling to bring the latest features to life. “Every week we’re learning new things,” said Rich Marty, VP of new business development for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. nition movie-watching experience, and soon it will become the best medium to link the film with online communities, live events with talent and filmmakers — and even allow users to design the content of the disc,” Lionsgate’s Casillas said. “The future has endless possibilities.” Interactive features Studios have launched BD Live discs with materials, such as trailers, that can be downloaded online. “We have plans to release a title that will feature our first downloadable exclusive video content, totaling nearly one hour of additional HD entertainment,” Disney’s Jessen said. But content developers said that much of the additional content available on studio BD Live sites after the titles are released will be interactive. “The possibilities are limitless with Internet connectivity,” Sony’s Marty said. Marty said roughly 20% of people buying BD Live-enabled titles are engaging in the additional features. He said Sony is working on in-movie chat, already available on Disney and Lionsgate titles. Lionsgate’s Miguel Casillas, SVP of DVD production, said the minimajor will have an updated MoLog feature this fall. MoLog lets viewers talk with each other online as well as blog about the film, with access from Internet-connected computers and devices as well. “We are working on an all-inclusive portal that will bridge the gap between packaged goods and online and mobile content,” Casillas said. Sven Davison, 20th Century Fox’s VP of DVD production, said the studio is working on allowing viewers to create avatars and add them into movies, hoping to have the feature available on a disc this year. (A similar feature is available on Sony Pictures’ Starship Troopers 3: Marauder.) He said Fox is working on creating a social networking aspect for its BD site, allowing users to create content and share it with friends. Davison also said to expect new features in the future such as shopping for clothing or props from films as well as online chats with directors. “BD is already the best high-defi- «THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS WITH INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.» RICH MARTY, SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT Video games One of the most popular features on such discs as Sony Pictures’ 21 and Men in Black is the games. “It’s going to be a really great complement to the films,” Marty said. “It’s first and foremost about the visuals and audio, but BD Live enables us to bridge technologies.” David Glassner, director of content development, menus and interactive for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, said the games are based on a “ladder board” concept in which viewers compete with one another via the BD Live site. Glassner said BD Live games will never compete with PlayStation 3 games, but the studio has looked into hybrid discs with the PS3. Marty said a possibility would be PS3 game demos on Blu-ray Discs, such as the first level of a movie-based PS3 game. “It’s the best of all technologies, all on one disc,” Marty said. Indeed, though Sony makes the PS3, Sony Pictures isn’t the only studio looking to take advantage of the game system. “There are major plans in play on how to leverage the full capability of the PS3 within our BD discs,” Lionsgate’s Casillas said. Meanwhile, Jessen said Disney will hold off any partnerships for now. Fox’s Davison said the studio is interested in working with other gaming platforms, but also will focus on further developing Blu-ray Disc games. “We’re looking at community gaming and things beyond trivia, which is low-hanging fruit,” Davison said. Sony’s Marty said the studio is keeping track of what people are downloading and interacting with in order to respond with more of the desirable features. “We definitely want to cater to what they’re interested in,” Marty said. “We’re really at the days of Pong for BD Live.” Marty said Sony Pictures will have BD Live with at least downloadable trailers available for every Blu-ray Disc coming out. Specifically created features, such as games, will be on specific titles only. “[Disney is] currently in the process of expanding internationally our BD Live network and its four pillars — movie chat, movie challenge, movie mail and movie rewards — so that we can create a global interactive Disney Blu-ray community,” Jessen said. “In addition, we are expanding the network across other brands, so that we can enhance the ABC TV on DVD, Touchstone and Miramax home entertainment experiences.” Fox’s Davison said picture-in-picture has been especially popular, and that the studio is developing features within picture-in-picture. “Universally people like the PIP feature,” Davison said. “There will be a title announced fairly soon with PIP throughout the entire film. A lot of people seem to be interested in the idea that they can have a behindthe-scenes visual reference for every single scene in a movie.” Both Davison and Lionsgate’s Casillas said they think younger users will embrace the chat and in-movie games, while older users might be more interested in additional disc content. “The important thing is that BD Live is scalable and can be updated and uploaded — even after the disc has been purchased,” Casillas said. “That’s a concept that is still new in home video — evergreen content on packaged goods.” What Happens at the W 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment took over Los Angeles’ W Hotel pool area Aug. 20 to premiere the DVD of What Happens in Vegas, which streets Aug. 26. Pictured (L-R) are Stephanie Heer, marketing manager for the W Hotel, as well as Fox’s Kavita Smith, director of publicity, and Chris Argyropoulos, assistant manager of publicity. Paramount Bows DTV Arm Continued from page 1 cable networks such as BET, Comedy Central and Spike TV. “The name Paramount Famous Productions speaks to the studio’s rich history and reputation for delivering world-class, memorable entertainment to diverse audiences,” said Feola, the unit’s president. “We plan to continue building on Paramount’s legacy and the strength of Viacom’s brands by developing tailor-made entertainment to moviegoers who choose to view our films on today’s expanding, non-theatrical distribution platforms such as Blu-ray and VOD.” Kelley Avery, president of worldwide home entertainment for Paramount Pictures, said she expects Paramount Famous Productions’ DTV movies “will further enhance our robust portfolio and position in the industry.” Paramount Famous Productions also has announced a trio of executive appointments to help Feola run the division. Peter M. Green, tapped as SVP of development and production, was SVP of programming and production for cable video game network G4. He previously spent 13 years at the Walt Disney Co., where as president and producer of Fountain Productions he developed dozens of projects, including Inspector Gadget 2, Disney’s first foray into the liveaction DTV market. Joel Goldstein, SVP of business affairs for Paramount Famous Productions, previously spent eight years at Village Roadshow Pictures, most recently as VP of business and legal affairs. And Traci Nishida, VP of finance, comes to Paramount from NBC Universal, where she spent more than 18 years as a finance executive. All three report to Feola. Paramount is one of several major studios plunging headfirst into the lucrative business of producing movies directly for the home entertainment market, particularly now that delivery channels are widening with the advent of viable VOD and digital downloading options. L A T E FL A SH ES I ITUNES UPS ‘IMAGE’ Image Entertainment inked a deal with Apple to include content for the first time for sale or rent at the iTunes store. Image proffered a wide variety of content, including stand-up comedy Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity, feature films Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead and Suburban Girl, TV shows “I Spy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and music titles. — Erik Gruenwedel reported a sales increase of 35% for Q2 2008, and an earnings increase of 162%, compared to the same period in 2007. The retailer posted profits of more than $57.2 million, compared to $21.8 million the same period last year, on sales of $1.8 billion, compared to sales of $1.3 billion the same period in 2007. — Chris Tribbey The future of BD Live? Developers agree that Blu-ray Disc, and BD Live, will look much different six months to a year from now. I GAMESTOP Q2 BENEFITS FROM PS3, XBOX SALES Thanks to a more than 40% jump in new software sales for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, video game retailer GameStop HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE (ISSN 1934-9882) is published weekly 51 times per year (weekly except for one week at the end of December) by Questex Media Group, Inc., 306 West Michigan Street, Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802. Subscription rates: $49.99 for one year in the United States and Possessions; $79.99 for one year in Canada and Mexico; all other countries $99.99 for one year (by surface mail). Add $75 annually for air-expedited service. Single copies (prepaid only): $6.99 in the United States, $8.99 in Canada and Mexico, $13.99 all other countries. Back issues, if available: $9.99 in the U.S.; $15.99 in Canada and Mexico; $26.99 for all other countries. Include $6.50 per order plus $2 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth MN 55806 and additional mailing offices. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 Contents News High-Def News Electronic Delivery News TV DVD Fourth Quarter/Holiday Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Fourth Quarter/Holiday (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Fourth Quarter/Holiday (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Fourth Quarter/Holiday (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Fourth Quarter/Holiday (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 26) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Reviews (Page 27) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 28) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 29) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 30) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 31) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 32) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 33) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 34) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 35) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 36) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - August 24, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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