Home Media Magazine - June 29 - July 5, 2008 - (Page 20)

NEWS EMA Confab Offers Some of Best Sessions Continued from page 1 www.homemediamagazine.com “It’s been fantastic,” said veteran showgoer Tony Vandeveerdonk, VP, Ill., said he and his wife “learned a the show was a “little disappointing,” sales and operations, at Well Go USA. “We’ve had steady meetings,” added lot” from the iDEA activities, includ- considering the event’s smaller scale. Mootz, who said his business is Chrissy Walker, Well Go’s marketing ing the ability to network with other struggling for the first time due to the director, who is at the show for the small retailers from his state. “It’s really different,” Ream said of economy, kiosks, downloading and first time. Well Go met with such top the show’s digital focus. “We don’t increased competition for his custom- buyers as Netflix, Kmart and Sears. But they, along with Danny Grant, ers’ discretionary spending, said the have as much interest in that yet.” Pat Mootz, owner of Video Stop in show continued to be worthwhile be- VP and GM, VAS Entertainment, were Silver City, N.M., said his 20th visit to cause of the networking and parties. less happy with the venue. Grant said it took him 12 minutes on the elevator to get to a meeting with Sony. Many attendees did not hold back criticizing the logistical problems that arose staying at the Rio across the street, dealing with a hard-tofind shuttle and elevator lines. “What an ordeal,” said Kirk Kirkpatrick, VP of marketing, WaxWorks, who was late to a meeting. At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Gord Lacey with TVShowsOnDVD.com usually doesn’t have trouble finding his way around. But finding the shuttle proved elusive. “What a pain,” he said. Ralph Tribbey, editor of The DVD Release Report, an industry tip sheet, said the EMA should “retool” the show, including eliminating the awards show. He suggested the show relocate to San Diego, which just happens to be near his home. Andersen wouldn’t comment, but he did concede changes were likely. “It reflected the industry getting mature and not yet bursting out again,” he said. “We trust it will.” During the show, upcoming and classic television stars and directors received kudos at the Home Entertainment Awards. Cam Gigandet, who starred in Never Back Down (Summit Entertainment), was named Rising Male Star, much to the delight of females in attendance and Kennedy, who admitted, “That dude is hot.” “I play a bad guy a lot,” Gigandet said sheepishly. He thanked Summit chief Steve Nickerson. Veteran actor and social commentator Ben Stein won the Freedom of Expression Award for his documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Don Most and Anson Williams, who starred in 1970s sitcom classic “Happy Days,” received the Legendary Television Duo Award. Other award recipients included former “Charles in Charge” star Josie Davis for Favorite Television Child Star; Ed Begley Jr. with the Humanitarian Award; Jon Chu for Breakout Director of the Year; Henry Jaglom with the Independent Career Achievement Award; Charlene Tilton with the Legendary Television Bad Girl Award; and Pauly Shore for Comedy Entertainer of the Year. Paul Peterson, who starred on “The Donna Reed Show,” was honored with the Legendary Television Son Award. Peterson, together with his wife, runs an organization that assists former child stars’ transition into the real world from Hollywood. “We’re able to bring some sanity to their lives,” Peterson said. The EMA also inducted Paramount Home Entertainment’s Raiders of the Lost Ark into its Video Hall of Fame during the show. among other topics, coupled with one-on-one talent talks, distributor panels, and iDEA’s Town Hall Meeting, drew packed sessions. “I thought the program was terrific,” Andersen said. First-time attendee Michael Ream, with VideoXpress in Hampshire, 20 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://TVShowsOnDVD.com http://www.ncircleentertainment.com

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Home Media Magazine - June 29 - July 5, 2008

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