[Cliffs]

As mentioned in another thread, my job is to produce special features for DVDs. Coming from the laserdisc age, I remember when special editions were actually special and made for people who loved movies. I always try to create features that follow that line of thinking. The latest release I had a chance to work on (Waiting...) follows that very much, which brings me to my question in the subject line. On the Waiting... DVD I was finally able to include a feature I've wanted for several years. It's a commentary track that uses a Madden-style telestrator (which has been done), but we also gave director Rob McKittrick and producer Jeff Balis control over the film to be able to pause and rewind during the track. This enables them to go into far greater detail in some of their stories without having to cut themselves off when the next scene pops up. It also means (along with the telestrator) that they can really focus in on elements of the production design or the actors' performances without the shots disappearing in a few seconds. With all of the manipulation that they do during the commentary, we were able to create a 130-minute commentary for a 93-minute film. It's something I'm very proud of and it's never been done before.

Having said that, I've not heard a single person discuss the track (good or bad) and nobody seems to be reviewing the disc at all. I can find threads around the net discussing whether or not "Moonlighting" has an insert and all of the other discs released this week, but nothing on the features for Waiting...

We put a lot of care and thought into not only the quality of the extras, but the overall presentation (creating/converting things in 16:9 to match the material around it). But after seeing so much other discussion about discs that have nothing more than standard EPK type promos and very little care for the overall experience, I'm starting to think people just might not be that interested in things that really serve the high end movie fan.

Now before someone says it, I know it's a bit different to try and compare Wallace and Gromit with Waiting... This is more a question about whether or not trying to aim high in the DVD special features is worth it or not.

You input is appriciated,
Cliff

[Paper Pills]

Not often are dvds reviewed here so you probably won't see too much of that, unless you bring it up.

I have not yet seen the dvd release of waiting, but from your description, it sounds like a lot of fun.

on that note, anytime the extra features are more than just the shitty deleted scenes and story board comparisions....it does make for a better dvd experience...so keep up the good work

[gbk33]

Sounds great Cliffs - my biggest problem with Special Features is that they are never usually good enough to be viewed more than once.

[Paper Pills]

Originally Posted by gbk33

Sounds great Cliffs - my biggest problem with Special Features is that they are never usually gooed enough to be viewed more than once.

you are right....but there are some execptions.

if i am watching a dvd of a movie i've seen already, i watch the special features first. drives my gf crazy...as she doesn't care for that stuff...but i can only sit throug them that first time...i never need to see them again for most movies.

my favorite types of special features are behind the scenes documentaries. i have never used the commentary track so i guess that is my least favorite....but when i pick up waiting...i will have to check that out.

[donobieus]

Waiting was just released yesterday, I think you need to give some people time to watch it before they review it or the special features. As for me, I'm a big fan of the behind the scenes stuff and the blooper reel and I almost hate to admit but I love watching the previews. Until I read your post Cliffs I guess I never really put much thought into how much work goes into those extras on the dvd. I will watch them now with a deeper appreciation thanx to you.

[Paper Pills]

so i'm going to ask the question that everyone is burning to ask.

if you are involved with studios...can you provide us with hq stills and material to work with?

[slipstream]

Originally Posted by Paper Pills

so i'm going to ask the question that everyone is burning to ask.

if you are involved with studios...can you provide us with hq stills and material to work with?

yup whats the answer or was u doin ya home work while u wrote your post

lol only jokin plz do share?

[Cliffs]

Originally Posted by donobieus

Waiting was just released yesterday, I think you need to give some people time to watch it before they review it or the special features. As for me, I'm a big fan of the behind the scenes stuff and the blooper reel and I almost hate to admit but I love watching the previews. Until I read your post Cliffs I guess I never really put much thought into how much work goes into those extras on the dvd. I will watch them now with a deeper appreciation thanx to you.

Thanks for the appreciation. I also understand that it was just released, but unfortunately with things the way they are now, you really only have about a week to get any sort of attention. Next week, message boards and magazines will be filled with talk of Saw II, Zathura, and Mirrormask. I have no doubt that this disc and movie are going to be very successful on DVD, but the question becomes, would it be just as successful if we only put a standard commentary, an EPK, and some deleted scenes on there like just about every other release? Because, unfortunately, studios don't care if the extras are great as long as they're on there. So if people don't notice and don't demand better extras, studios are just as happy to go lowest common denominator (thus the initial need for a site like this - covers aren't made for film lovers, they're made for Wal-Mart). I'd like to know that people can be more discerning than that, but I'm not always convinced of that.

Paper Pills-
Sorry, you'd be surprised at how little material the studios actually have and they always get weird when you ask for things that they don't understand why you might need. A lot of material you see with a DVD is generally provided by a secondary party (director/producer/actor). Sorry.

Cliff

[bunnydojo]

Originally Posted by Paper Pills

so i'm going to ask the question that everyone is burning to ask.

if you are involved with studios...can you provide us with hq stills and material to work with?

That's not the burning question. The burning question is, can you, or do you know anyone who can hook me up with a professional cover design job?

As far as the actual topic goes, this sounds like an amazing disc ( http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=19954 calls the commentary "revolutionary"), but it's not the type of movie I'm interested in. I would be really excited to see this idea used (or even over-used) when the time comes for some of the big movies on the next format. It sounds like a great one and an interesting step forward. It'd be interesting to see what kind of things would be circled by cast/crew given the chance.

[Moonshadow]

Originally Posted by bunnydojo

That's not the burning question. The burning question is, can you, or do you know anyone who can hook me up with a professional cover design job?

That would just about make me considder a career change (depending on pay)

As for the sf's, the doosie you put on waiting might not make it here (R4) for ages, but has me wanting to see it more that the movie trailers.

Yes, special special features (not the standard ones) do grab me, and while I like to watch the deleted sceens etc, I find that some special features I will watch over and over.

The best (subjective) I have found was on Fish Called Wanda, they included a trivia track over the movie where facts were displayed to be read. I don't read too quick so pause and commentary reading them out would have made that outstanding.

Go for it, your work is definitely appreciated.