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IFC in Theaters begins day-and-date HD video on-demand screening this month

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 9th 2009 at 10:16AM


IFC in Theaters has been offering day-and-date premieres of independent theatrical flicks through video on-demand for a couple of years, but now comes word that this month it will begin offering them in high definition on Cablevision and Comcast. Starting June 17, $7.99 (a buck premium over SD) will be the price for avoiding a trip to the local art house theater, which sounds more than worth it if you don't have one nearby, or just really want to avoid (other) hipsters.

Screen Media plans lowered MSRP for Blu-ray releases

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 9th 2009 at 8:17PM

At least someone has some sense when it comes to Blu-ray pricing as Screen Media, the indie studio home of such notable flicks as Battle in Seattle, Personal Effects and Lymelife, is releasing its first Blu-ray movies next month, with an MSRP roughly $10 less than most. A quick glance at Amazon reveals a preorder price that's $5 or $6 less than most mainstream new releases. Senior VP Suzanne Blech cites the price premium of Blu-ray (still $10~ for these movies) as being even harder to overcome for this studio's lesser known movies that typically feature established actors. Talking to Video Business, she also took into account the higher cost of Blu-ray authoring, but thinks the studio will be able to remain profitable even with lower prices, all we can do is hope that this trend is the one that catches on.

HDFEST schedule revealed, indie films hit Dolby Labs in December

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 28th 2008 at 7:04PM


It's been a while since we checked in with HDFEST, but the all-HD independent film festival, now in it's 9th year, is still going strong. Due to kick off at Dolby Laboratories in Burbank on December 7, highlights this year include a focus on animation and several innovative stop motion projects, a HD music video showcase and seven full length feature films. Hit up the website for more information and a schedule of the $10/per screenings, hopefully some of these flicks find away home to the rest of us on any of the number of distribution routes now available.

Blue Ray Technologies opening America's largest Blu-ray Disc mastering facility

by Darren Murph posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 7:07AM

Blue Ray Technologies was expecting business to boom shortly after the format war concluded, and apparently the shock is in full effect. According to founder and chairman Erick Hansen, America's "first indie Blu-ray disc manufacturing plant is now becoming the largest indie [and Profile 2.0-friendly] Blue-ray Disc mastering facility in the US." When all is said done, the facility will be "the only indie that can handle rewritable disc mastering and will provide pre-mastering as well," not to mention being the only one that can make a rewriting stamper. Granted, most of this stuff amounts to a huge pat on the back, but the expansion of independent films on BD is certainly healthy for the industry at large. Now, if only the hardware to watch these films on were more affordable, we'd really have a match made in heaven.

Independent television networks band together to protest "program tying"

by Darren Murph posted Jun 5th 2008 at 12:10PM


We'll admit, a bunch of the whining piped to the FCC is quite petty, but we can't help but agree with the message being brought forth by the National Association of Independent Networks. Said group has banded together in order to approach the FCC in protest of "program tying," a process in which "large media companies require cable operators to carry less desired channels in order to receive more popular networks." NAIN is hoping to "create a more competitive television programming arena, leading to lower prices and more choices for consumers." If program tying was addressed (read: nixed), more bandwidth could be opened up for channels that people actually care about (at least in theory). Imagine a world where SciFi HD was everywhere and QVC HD was nowhere -- 'tis a lovely thought, no?

Blue Underground goes Blu-ray, announces initial slate of releases

by Darren Murph posted May 30th 2008 at 11:17AM


Fitting, isn't it? Blue Underground, a well-respected distributor of cult / horror films, has decided to start releasing projects on Blu-ray Discs. Additionally, we now know the first half dozen flicks that it plans on releasing: The Final Countdown, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Stendhal Syndrome, Maniac, Vigilante and Fire and Ice, though we're sure hits like Uncle Sam, Dead and Buried and Two Evil Eyes won't be far behind. Each disc will boast 1080p transfers, 7.1 DTS-HD / Dolby TrueHD audio tracks, D-Box Motion Code (on select titles) and a plethora of extras. We're still curious to see how the transfers turn out, but this is certainly good news for underground horror fanatics.

[Via DVDTalk, thanks Don]

Jaman rolls out choice of ads or no ads on select HD titles

by Steven Kim posted May 19th 2008 at 6:37AM

Jaman logoJaman is no newcomer to the internet video biz, but it has put a new spin on its offerings. An initial slate of 100 films will be available via the internet in HD-quality, and you get a choice of how to view them: either free, ad-supported in-browser streaming; or as a download without ads for $1.99. Downloads will play back on Windows, Mac and Linux machines as a 7-day, unlimited viewing rental. We like the choice, and those are pretty good terms to boot. But as always, content is king. Luckily for us, Jaman has a good-sized library of indie and foreign offerings -- if it can expand this model to more of its catalog, we think it might be on to something. Since IFC partnered with Blockbuster, we're happy to see some more channels open up for indies.

Kino International going Blu-ray exclusive

by Darren Murph posted May 12th 2008 at 9:31PM


A little late, sure, but Kino International has finally decided to join everyone else and go Blu-ray exclusive. Reportedly, the foreign film distributor has become the latest indie to bid HD DVD a fond farewell and focus its future support on BD. We haven't seen a definitive launch date for its first Blu-ray title (which is likely to be Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels), but word on the street has it launching sometime this fall. We're also told that Kino has "a number of [other] Blu-ray releases in the works," but it seems that we'll have to wait things out before discovering which titles it's referencing.

Indies see, seize HD opportunities

by Steven Kim posted Apr 26th 2008 at 7:26PM

Oldboy
With all the attention given to major studios, it's easy to forget that there's a wealth of smaller indie operations with great content as well. The format war effectively kept these players out of the game -- just like consumers, choosing the "wrong" format was just too risky. In the new, Blu world, however, some of these studios are making very successful moves to HD. Try this on for size: Tartan Video is seeing higher sales of "Oldboy" on Blu-ray than any other title in its library, including DVD releases! The film is no delicate, highbrow, foreign art film, either; we'd file it under foreign, gritty action. This really underscores what we think is the value of HDM -- properly done, it gets you closer to the director's vision. And that's something any cinephile can love, whether the feature is a CGI-laden blockbuster or not. Our recommendation? Try putting some indie HD content in your diet.


[Image courtesy MovieCritic]

IOKA Theater rolls out red carpet for smaller films

by Steven Kim posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 7:38PM

IOKA Theater in Exeter, NHIn lots of towns, movies that fall under the indie/art/foreign/other genre get shoehorned into facilities with equipment can be kindly described as "charming." We've sat in our share of screenings of smaller films where the setup was obviously in need of some updating -- dim projectors, battered film, torn screens, intermittent audio, etc. But the IOKA Theater in Exeter, New Hampshire is looking to treat fan of off-the-beaten track cinema to a first class facility. The IOKA has partnered up with Emerging Pictures and will treat its indie offerings to the whole HD enchilada. The theater has brought in a new HD digital projector, a new screen and a new audio setup. It sounds like the 93-year-old facility is getting the kind of gear makeover that we all lust after, and kudos are due for bringing this refresh to non-blockbuster offerings. Readers in the area, please let us know how this gem shines once the curtain rises in May!

Indie Phoenix Entertainment bringing The Lawless to HD DVD

by Darren Murph posted Dec 4th 2007 at 7:33AM


While we've seen independent filmmakers side with both camps in the past, it looks like Phoenix Entertainment will be going red when it brings The Lawless to HD DVD next February. The indie distributor will be launching the direct-to-video crime caper just in time for Valentine's Day, and while you're off getting cozy with your SO, Phoenix Entertainment Group will be celebrating its debut on a high-definition format. Currently, it looks as if the flick won't feature any extras, but the suggested retail price is kept (relatively) low at $19.98 to compensate. Oh, and if you're already scouring the 'net in an attempt to pre-order this, Amazon has it listed with a January 15th release date, but we wouldn't count on that being fulfilled.

[Via TGDaily]

Male-centric MavTV readies HD feed for 2008

by Darren Murph posted Jul 13th 2007 at 3:46AM


Despite the fact that Mojo is already vying for male eyes, the independently operated MavTV is hoping that a 100-percent HD flavor of its programming will steal a few of those pupils in 2008. The network is planning on dishing its HD feed to some 55 US markets, as well as select areas in Australia, New Zealand, and India, and will offer up a mixture of "original sports, gaming programming, and general content related to the male demographic." Unfortunately, we've no timeframe to go by aside from Q1 of next year, but you won't find us complaining about yet another purely high-definition channel coming along to take on the competition.

Edge of Light Media opening Blu-ray doors for independent films

by Darren Murph posted Apr 1st 2007 at 12:35PM

The leapfrog games played around the HD DVD / Blu-ray table are unsurprisingly continuing, as just weeks after hearing about independent filmmakers getting a crack at the former, a newly formed outfit is looking to open the doors to the latter. Edge of Light Media, a firm formed from John Daly and Erick Hansen, will be headquartered in LA and have a manufacturing facility just a bit north in Spokane, Washington. The duo hopes that this will "open the door" for indie filmmakers looking to get their creations broadcasted to consumers in the HD format without breaking their respective banks, and they also hope to "broaden consumer adoption" of the Blu-ray format. No word just yet on when these guys will get things cranked up, but if you've got an excellent B-title just waiting to make the jump to Blu-ray, here's your sign.

[Via HDForIndies]

HD DVD looks Circuit City's way, compels independent filmmakers

by Darren Murph posted Mar 12th 2007 at 9:00PM


Although the most recent reports (well, in the US, anyway) have insinuated that Blu-ray disc sales are claiming the lead over HD DVDs, you can bet the (currently) losing side isn't sitting around idly. While various parties have claimed victory over the other, it looks like the HD DVD camp is opening up a previously closed door by pushing Toshiba players into Circuit City stores. Apparently, Circuit City hasn't been exactly fond of carrying Tosh's HD DVD units up until now (or vice-versa), but getting the devices in front of hordes of potential buyers has reportedly enticed a myriad of HD addicts to pick up said units. While a spokesperson for Toshiba declined to get specific, she hinted that having its second-generation players in the big box retailer's store for just a few months allowed them to "eclipse the lifetime sales of the company's first-generation players." On a not-so-surprising note, it seems like consumers might see even steeper price drops sooner due to the newfound BD pressure, and in a presumed attempt to find yet another genre to grab tight to HD DVD, Microsoft is joining the team in order to persuade independent filmmakers to consider the format. Of course, only time will tell if the little guys can actually make it on the high-definition format, but you won't see us complaining with HD DVD titles hitting stores whilst never making their silver screen debut.

Independent moviemakers do have an HD-DVD option

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 14th 2006 at 4:52PM

HD-DVDAlthough some people appear to really not like HD-DVD, Pacific Disc has announced that they will be ready to replicate HD-DVD discs for smaller independent producers by this spring. Toshiba expects to have players out in March, while Microsoft is launch their HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 later this year.

Just as Erik Hansen championed Blu-ray for it's size and the back of Sony's Playstation 3, Pacific appears to be throwing their hat in with HD-DVDs cost and Xbox 360. Only time will tell who is making the right choice.




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