Jack Valenti of the MPAA.

[mookydooky]

Most of you are aware of the RIAA, but are you folks also aware of the MPAA, the Motion Picture Association of America? These are the folks who put the rating on the movies, you know, G, PG, PG-13, R, and the ever so popular NC-17. One of their other tasks is to handle the distribution of media to Academy Award voters to nominate candiates for the Oscars. The media is usually in the form of DVDs and videocassettes. Jack Valenti and the MPAA have decided to ban distribution of movies in DVDs and videocassettes to the Academy voters. This basically means the Academy voters will have to see the movies in the theaters. Due to the fact that small budget films and other non-mainstream films are typically not shown much in theaters, this would limit severely limit the reach of these films to Academy voters. This would be a shame since many of these films only reach a wide audience once they are recognized by the Academy. Think "Bowling for Columbine." How many of you saw that in the theaters. Anyway, the reasoning for the the ban is that many of these pre-release films are showing up on the internet available for download. Some are even burning them onto DVD and selling them. I know, I've seen them. I think they're justified in the action, but I also think it's short sighted of them and I believe they could come up with something better than an all out ban. Just thought you guys would like to know.

[Daniel ~]

Why didn't they use a time limited or play once DVD?

Short sighted and uninformed! ":O}

LOL WHOOPS! I guess they could use a play once to copy from..DuH!

[Betty]

I think it's a futile fight against this form of piracy.

The RIAA and the MPAA would do well to take notes and instead of taking the drastic measures they do, perhaps they should try and find a feasible solution that would please both them and the consumer.
I would happily pay for downloads. I would pay a dollar a song or seven dollars per movie or whatever's reasonable. Tack it on to my internet bill, I'm all over it.
They can work with ISP's to get names and stuff for long drawn out court battles, why can't they work with ISP's for billing?
Gimme an alternative that suits my lifestyle and I'll happily support your industry.

I'm not saying that it's okay to steal mp3's or movies or anything from the internet. I'm saying that the consumer has spoken. This is how the consumer wants to get their goods. Run with it and make it a viable option for both the industry and the consumer.

*edit*
On another note (aka "the topic at hand"), I would not have seen any indy films if they were not provided to me via dvd or vhs. As a matter of fact, if I can't watch it in my home, chances are, I won't.

[Daniel ~]

Been ten years since I went out to a movie...at LEST!

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

Been ten years since I went out to a movie...at LEST!

I sugguest you dont start then since you might have a heart attack at the prices nowadays at a theater
I didnt go to a movie in a year and was suprised how much the prices there went up in just a year.

[robbie]

(note to self) at the next campaoa, take dan out to the movies!!
Me

[BigRed]

Rob: Get on aim, ive got somthing to show ya.

[Daniel ~]

To Big Red:

I suffered culture shock or rather sticker shock last time I went! What are they charging these days anyway...I pay 99 cents at Netflex.

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by robbie

(note to self) at the next campaoa, take dan out to the movies!!
Me

I appreciate the kindness of your offer Robbie! But the truth is I wouldn't enjoy it! I don't like theaters, to restrictive of my particulars whims! Way to uncomfortable...You may have noticed...I like to be comfortable Rob.":O}

Instead bring your favorite DVD or we can go rent it.":O}

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

To Big Red:

I suffered culture shock or rather sticker shock last time I went! What are they charging these days anyway...I pay 99 cents at Netflex.

Shows before 6pm are $7.50 Shows after 6pm are $9 (prices are PER ticket). A large popcorn and a large drink is like $7.25
I just sneak in food though when I do go to see a movie thats worth watching I havent gone in a while because there hasnt been anything worth watching out. It all looks like garbage.

[Áedán]

Going back to on topic here..

AT&T did some research done on how various movies got out onto the net. See New Scientist for more details. They found that 77% of the films uploaded had been leaked during production or distribution. 95% of the films on the P2P networks appeared before the DVD release.

Perhaps they should look more closely at themselves before jumping up and down on others!

[Daniel ~]

HERE HERE! Let's see some introspection! Let's see just a Dog Damn bit of self examination before they go pointing that bony decrepit finger at the youth of the world and the web!!

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

I appreciate the kindness of your offer Robbie! But the truth is I wouldn't enjoy it! I don't like theaters, to restrictive of my particulars whims! Way to uncomfortable...You may have noticed...I like to be comfortable Rob.":O}

Instead bring your favorite DVD or we can go rent it.":O}

(adendum to note to self) (sp?)

Drag Dan kicking and screaming to the movies!!

Theater technology has quite improved over the years honesly, now the seats are bigger and they recline as well.

But honestly I like your setup ALOT better (and it's a hell of alot cheaper than going to the movies!!)
So we'll rent something.
Rob

[Daniel ~]

Thanks Rob! Rentals it is!