MPAA Sued Over DVD Screener Ban 265
bigjnsa500 writes "Fourteen small movie houses are suing the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) trying to stop the ban on DVD 'screeners'. 'It will chill the financing of independent films by limiting the awards they can receive', say the plaintiffs, who include Talking Wall Pictures, Sandcastle 5 Productions and Salty Features. They feel they are being treated differently because several 'specialty' indy film shops are still allowed to send out 'numbered, encoded videocassettes' to Oscar voters. This ban was issued by MPAA President Jack Valenti initially to stop the illegal distribution of DVD screeners on the Internet."
Salty Features? (Score:5, Funny)
Well maybe they should (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Well maybe they should (Score:5, Interesting)
The MPAA is basicalling saying, play by our rules, or no one will ever even know your movie exists
Re:Well maybe they should (Score:5, Interesting)
Monopoly Power (Score:2)
I'd rather... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2, Interesting)
Weee! I'm going to get to the movie early, pay way to much for everything, and watch the brainwash reels.
Re:I'd rather... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
Actually, I seem to recall seeing somewhere that movies cost so much to screen that the cost of the other crap is all they can do to turn a profit.
Not that I give a fuck. That just means someone, somewhere has a serious cost problem. Oh yea, it's right there in the studio where dipshits "earn" *cough*bullshit*cough* 20 million for 6 months working on a single fucking movie that turns out to be a giagantic pile of horseshit anyway
Wrong. (Score:5, Interesting)
Why is it so profitable? Popcorn costs literally pennies per bag, drinks? same deal. Then you pay a high-school student minimum wage to sell them to patrons. Speed of service goals are under 1 minute for a single person order. Min wage here is $6.85/hr. A large popcorn, large drink (which is what they're trained to upsell to) costs $10.75.
Let's do the math, 50 orders per hour (when it's busy, on average), times 10.75/order (on average), results in... 537.50 per hour gross, minus the wage ($6.85, and the food cost, let's be generous and say a whopping $15 for the whole hour), per open cash, and when it's busy, about 10 cashes open, so about $5000 NET per HOUR on a busy night.
Wow, that's not too bad at all.
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:4, Interesting)
Yes, the theatres don't make much money compared to the studios, but then perhaps they should work out a deal that benefits me and you, the consumers, not their own money making pockets. I suppose what an investor wants, an investor gets.
Though it would be so bitersweet to see all consumers protest the 5 biggest movies of the year by not going to watch it in the theatres at all.
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:3, Interesting)
You are right, I don't believe it. The grandparent's "up to 80% first week and decreasing every week after that" is more accurate. So assuming the worst of 80%, the theater will make $2.60 on the $13 ticket, not 10 cents. A week after opening, the theater might make $4.50 per ticket. A week after that will earn them $7.25 per ticket and so forth.
Also, those trailers that you see for 15 minute
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
What commercials? [videolan.org]
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Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
Same thing with my Apex AD-600A...a few button presses and you're at the main menu. Before the last firmware update I put in, that was also how you bypassed RCE (now it handles RCE by itself).
sometimes you CAN skip the crap: (Score:5, Informative)
But if you hit "stop" and then "play" without powering off, it goes right to the movie.
Re:sometimes you CAN skip the crap: (Score:2)
UOP blocking (Score:2, Interesting)
Some DVD titles do block both the fast-forward button and the skip button during FBI/Interpol warnings, authoring company credits, and the like.
Re:sometimes you CAN skip the crap: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
if they do start doing that with DVDs here, I'll just obtain a copy through other channels. it's especially easy for me to obtain stuff like that being at uni. I have no problem paying for something that's good, but if they force me to choose between paying to be annoyed or watching for free without annoyances, they'll quickly find themselves not getting another penn
Re:I'd rather... (Score:2)
Define "screeners"... (Score:4, Insightful)
Oooo, can I say it? (Score:2)
Re:Oooo, can I say it? (Score:2)
Seeing as how Slashdot likes to blow away websites, this isn't an answer I'd get too used to using on people.
Besides, the article will not explain why Slashdot is polarized against the MPAA on this topic.
This is dumb. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:This is dumb. (Score:2)
MPAA has no right to enforce this ban (Score:4, Interesting)
It's not as if either small film companies or awards voters are under any obligation to comply with MPAA decisions.
AFAIC MPAA decisions only effect MPAA members, which I assume are the big studios. Anyway if the small makers are members they could simply renounce their memberships
Are they upset that the competition is limited? (Score:5, Interesting)
What's the issue here? If anything, I'd expect a big studio to be upset.
Re:Are they upset that the competition is limited? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Are they upset that the competition is limited? (Score:5, Informative)
The indie films cannot offer a screener in these categories less face the wrath of the MPAA which controls the Academy Awards and a great deal of the movie industry.
Re:Are they upset that the competition is limited? (Score:2, Insightful)
"Awards and accolades beget more awards and accolades, which culminate for the awards season with the Academy Awards," the lawsuit said.
The way the smaller filmmakers reason it, they need those small awards groups to get the attention of larger ones. The ban no longer restricts distribution of screeners to all awards groups, it was partially repealed:
Last month, the Hollywood studios
Why don't you RTFA? (Score:2)
Simple blackmail...send out a screener, and lose 80% of your market instantly.
Yeah, that will sure break up the big studio domination of the industry!
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Which (Score:3, Insightful)
I Can't Imagine (Score:2, Funny)
canned response (Score:3, Insightful)
What a numbscull. He never stopped to think that the ban was misguided. We can only expect such responses I guess.
Lord of the Rings WILL win all of the Oscars now! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Lord of the Rings WILL win all of the Oscars no (Score:3, Interesting)
Uhh not sure whether to agree with you or not, but you should go see 'mystic river'. It's a pretty oscar-worthy film (although I'm a LOTR nut too, so I'd probably cheer for that anyways). Sean Penn could easily walk away with best actor, and likewise clint eastwood for best director. Honestly, it's a good movie.
Re:Agreed (Score:2)
Throne of Blood is the macbeth-based film, right? What play is Ran based on. I'm excited to know as my new lady-friend made me watch dreams, and I dare say I haven't been as spellbound by a film in some time.
I agree with your sentiments on Peter Jackson. I mean, just looking at the guy you can tell that he is taking part in a dream that he must surely have ahad since he first read the books, and I feel that his enthusiasm infuses the films. I've read so many people say that they are so disappointed wi
Speak for yourself, dumbass. (Score:2)
Speak for yourself, dumbass. I use mine all the time, the tapes are cheap and plentiful, providing exactly what I need (time shifting programs, archiving occasionally) with an existing piece of equipment. It's going on 8 years old and works perfectly. There's also no other way I know of to watch the 2nd season of "Twin Peaks." :P
Re:Lord of the Rings WILL win all of the Oscars no (Score:2)
Clearly screeners aren't necessary. You can judge how good a movie is just based on the trailers...oh wait, maybe you're a traveler from the future?
Re:Lord of the Rings WILL win all of the Oscars no (Score:2)
exercises in futility..... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:exercises in futility..... (Score:5, Funny)
-m
Re:exercises in futility..... (Score:3, Funny)
Leave the MPAA? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Leave the MPAA? (Score:3, Interesting)
Same goes for DVD sales and the like. I'm surprised that, being a member of NATO, you hadn't heard of this...
Re:Leave the MPAA? (Score:2, Interesting)
The problem is the MPAA is not looking at the big picture (pun intended). There's a reason that ppl are willing to go out of their way to find the movies online. And I'ld argue that a good bit would probably pay to get a good quality online viewing.
I think the MPAA is being forced to change its distribution model...I wouldn't be so harsh as to say that "theat
Re:Leave the MPAA? (Score:3, Interesting)
I want to Join. (Score:3, Interesting)
Free Market Relevance (Score:4, Interesting)
MEANWHILE... they risk losing relevance in the minds of the public by ignoring those films that are garnering significant support throughy internet-first releases, or through DVD releases. The trick is defining the line between "film" and "tv" or "internet". Good luck with that one folks!
Idiots! (Score:3, Insightful)
Silly MPAA (Score:5, Interesting)
Why not simply try to encode one simple bit in the whole movie? Then randomly give out the screeners but keep track of who you give the two different copies to. After say, 5 releases, you've narrowed down the field pretty well. At least they would have an idea of what types of people are releasing the screeners. Oscar judges? Reviewers? Soccer moms?
Anyway, that would certainly help the problem.
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:2)
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:2)
No worky (Score:3, Informative)
At any rate, there's an easy way around this; do a diff between screeners from two different sources. If there's any identifying information, scramble it in the copy that's distributed, so that there's no way of telling where it came from.
Hamster
Re:No worky (Score:2)
Re:No worky (Score:2)
Re:No worky (Score:2)
Would you just stop giving the MPAA more ammo please! I was just about to reply with a good scheme when I realised what I was doing...
Re:No worky (Score:2)
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:2)
That wouldn't require any extra acting and would survive reencoding as well.
Re:Silly MPAA (Score:3, Interesting)
Seems like me (Score:2, Insightful)
Petty (Score:4, Interesting)
Hollywood is dangerously close to being an exclusive, communistic institution and state unto itself.
Close? Who am I kidding??
Damon,
pessimism and optimisim (Score:5, Funny)
MPAA Wins, small movie houses crushed by debt, MPAA Declares screener ban a 'non-issue' cuz no one left cares. Piracy rates remain unchanged.
Optimistic but still Pessimistic ouctome:
The small movie houses win by throwing the 'discrimination' tag around, thus hiding the real issues under a miasma of political correctness (a very thick and murky miasma at that). Piracy rates still remain unchanged.
Really optimisitic outcome:
Small movie houses win, screener ban repealed, MPAA gets 'a clue', Valenti discovers the way out of his own ass after years of deep internal struggle (ha). Piracy rates remain unchanged, slashdot loses issue to complain about (soon to be replaced, heh)
Seriously though, I think this is a very good thing to be happening, the lawsuit that is. I hadn't even thought of these small movies losing financing because of lack of award potential, but now that they mention it, it seems blindingly obvious. This is certainly not a frivolous lawsuit, and very refreshingly so.
I say, best of luck, small movie houses!
Hollywood "indy" is OK (Score:4, Interesting)
So, would those be the Hollywood "indys" that co-opted the TRUE indy filmakers after it caught on in the past few years? Kind of like the "indy" RIAA labels.
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Why do they care anyway.. (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm pretty sure that if someone analyzed the data they would find that a *very* high percentage of the Oscar winners came from the big studios.
The Oscar is not about quality.
It's all about money, ratings, glory and power. Even if they(small studios) win this case they won't win any more Oscar's; if any at all.
Re:Why do they care anyway.. (Score:2, Interesting)
No, repealing the ban on screeners will not allow the indies to win more Oscars, just that they won't win LESS. They do actually win some. The whole point is that the big movies can be seen easily by every member of the Academy. The smaller ones can't and so screeners help them more than they do the big stu
Twisted logic (Score:5, Interesting)
Schoolhouse logic (Score:2)
Or the increasingly obtrusive trend towards checking airline passengers (next step, full-cavity searches for everyone).
I've seen a screen rip where at certain points during the movie the colour goes off and you get black+white. Movie is still viewable, but that section indicates it is a screener. Now if they did this to different sections for different screeners... whomever sells theirs off would have to colle
Next MPAA-unsanctioned movie... (Score:2)
Simon.
IPO to fund new movie (Score:3, Informative)
Sounds like a good idea to me. I'd love to pay for what amounts to advance movie ticket(s) to get a movie made that I want want to go see (or download), and sell short the shit I don't. Making a little change off of good taste doesn't hurt either.
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??? --- profit (Score:2)
MPAA can ban actions? (Score:2)
What gives the MPAA any authority to issue this decree? Seems a bit out of scope.
It's all getting out of hand (Score:5, Insightful)
Printed on the back of the ticket was a 10 line disclaimer/EULA/warning about bringing in any "electronic recording equipment", claiming that my attending means I agree to have it confiscated if they find it (yeah, unsigned contracts always hold up in court!).
When we got to the theatre, we had our bags thoroughly searched (this is a leather attache case btw, and I was dressed in a suit and tie). They also ran a metal detector over us, and our bags. It was quite honestly as invasive as an airport screening area.
Then, when we sat down, the promotors did their shpiel, gave away some prizes, and went on a several minute tirade about how we shouldn't steal movies, we're hurting artists, etc. Anyone caught with a camera will be ejected and possible criminal charges brought against them. And (get this) if you see anyone else with a camera, please notify us immediately.
Finally, the movie starts, and I get to listen to another idiot telling me that downloading a movie is no different than stealing a chocolate bar.
I've never, ever felt more like a suspect in my life. After last night, I can understand why Blacks in the US complain about supposed random stops on the freeway. In fact, I almost expected a few police to be on hand.
Of course, for fun I poked around on Kazaa last night, and lo and behold, the movie was there. All it takes is one person, you morons, and inconveniencing and/or pissing off the MILLIONS of people who pay to see your movies is NOT a good way of doing business.
This is the final straw. It was bad enough last week seeing Master & Commander, and those damn brown spots were all over this one scene with mostly light-coloured backgrounds in it, so all I could do was sit there and think "Ok, enough with the dots!" and then lose track of what was going on with the movie.
I can't honesly see myself paying for another movie again, if this is how I'm going to be treated.
Oh, and in case anyone's curious, this happened in Canada. I guess we have our own MPAA equivalent here, or their reach is just that long.
Re:It's all getting out of hand (Score:2)
Re:It's all getting out of hand (Score:2)
Movies are no different than anything else. When a food critic goes to a restaurant and the waiter treats him like dirt, the restaurant won't get a good review, despite th
Re:It's all getting out of hand (Score:2)
I have to assume reviewers stop getting free passes if they EVER badmouth industry procedures though, because I've never once heard of something like this going on. And I read a lot of reviews. I can't honestly believe that people have ZERO problems with search and seizure of their persons just for going out on the town.
Then again, I think we already do it for sporting events...
Re:It's all getting out of hand (Score:3, Interesting)
If the reviewers put up with this, they're stupid. If I write an honest review and get blackballed from screenings, you had better believe I'm going to pan everything else that producer does.
Somebody sees them for what they are (Score:2)
If this is true, it would be awesome to see the MPAA declared a monopoly, and forced to act under the more stringent rules applied to monopolies.
Cause and effect (Score:2, Interesting)
Shouldn't that read, "Fewer movies, higher prices, and decreased quality^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^HGigli?"
Seriously though, maybe fewer movies are a good thing. It seems like the more saturated the movie market gets, the more and more crap we have to weed through looking for something decent. Things like that are why I pick a movie or two that I just have to see, then after th
Why does this ban have any force? (Score:2, Insightful)
The MPAA is not in charge of the Academy Awards in any way. So if a studio wants to send out screeners, why should they listen to the MPAA? The MPAA does not give any benefit to a studio, other than a lobbying force, and its hard to make your lobbying help one studio while hurting another...
And what business does the MPAA have telling the studios how to run their business anyhow? If the studio feels they will
The Real Problem (Score:2, Insightful)
The independent film makers shouldn't have to be punished for someone else's problem, but I guess that's the price of freedom.
Those of us that attend movies do so.... (Score:2)
leave the mpaa.. (Score:2)
Re:leave the mpaa.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Corporate Hollywood (Score:2, Insightful)
Profits are running thin on big budget Hollywood films, especially after so-called 'A' List actors, directors and writers get their big cut/fee.
Because Hollywood is beholden to corporate overloards who in turn are beholden to stock holders, there is very little incentive to produce 'riskier' films. This has resulted in a series of dull, uninspiring lackluster produ
Rotting from the inside (Score:2)
If you don't grok why the indie makers are pissed think about how much it costs to make a movie. If any of the actors carries a SA [sag.org]
Screener ban isn't about piracy (Score:2)
What has any of this to do with the MPAA anyway? (Score:3, Interesting)
If a studio sends out a screener, and it gets copied, then it is that studio that will suffer from the piracy.
So if a studio doesn't want their screener to be pirated, then they have a simple choice to make - either put more controls on the distribution of their screener, or not distribute one at all.
The studios can make their own decisions as to what is important to them - so why does an industry body have to get involved?
IMHO, the only reason an industry body should ban screeners (or other types of promotion) is if (smaller) studios can't afford to promote their films, and so create a level playing field. Otherwise the studios are perfectly capable of making their own decisions.
Re:MPAA: Typical American nonsense (Score:2)
While I like the "if we have not already bombed your country" part... I'd particularly love the mentality that America saved the world from the Germans or Japanese, and that no other countries in the world had a significant role to play in this - or that without American involvement the world is surely doomed.
Yes, I'm glad I don't live there too...
Re:Solution? (Score:2)
Re:What's the punishment for mailing them out anyw (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A bit dated? (Score:2)
Re:Waaaaaaa!!!! (Score:3, Interesting)
So essentially, the MPAA was a state run agency (originally created as a replacement for the Hayes office). The only practical way to go elsewhere to avoid its draconian rules and regulations, is to go to another country, endure worse censorship, etc.
Therein lies the irony. The MPAA was created as an alternative to government sponsored censorshi