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Post by BEERxTaco on Dec 27, 2007 16:54:10 GMT -5
Maybe each episode will be sponsored by Lever Brothers or something, lol... and they can make gratuitous plugs throughout the show! ;D
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Post by mrtorso on Dec 27, 2007 16:58:16 GMT -5
You know, I've finally decided: I'm not buying any Cinematic Titanic episodes until they put it in proper packaging. For $16, I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation. I mean, essentially, I'm paying full DVD price for what is effectively a burned DVD. Not okay. I admire your restraint, Hugh. $16 seemed way high for a burned DVD to me too, until I started thinking of how many people are involved. I remember someone at Rifftrax explaining the $1 increase for each ep that Bill C. participates in, and I thought that was fair, so if I figure $1 per actor plus $3 shipping and it's already $8; they're certainly DIYers, but they still must have some employees to pay; plus the cost of the whole stage/green screen and all that can't be too cheap to keep up. All that said, though, it's hard to argue with the fact that I can go buy commercial releases with cover art and extras and free shipping for $10 at Amazon. I posted this at the RiffTrax board: Lets breakdown who gets paid by the $15.94. --------- Joel Trace Josh Frank Mary Jo EzTakes DVD Wagon Whoever has to get paid for the rights to the movie Whoever owns that big ass studio they use. The Crew to run said studio The director and producer of the episode: (oozing blood = Tim Ford and Stoney Sharp) MrDeath And there are probably more people and costs involved. Like it or not Cinematic Titanic and MST3K and RiffTrax is a niche product, so you really can't compare prices to mainstream movies/DVD releases that are going to sell more units in one day than CT is going to sell all year.
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Post by pslowner on Dec 27, 2007 17:10:16 GMT -5
I am not sure what my tip-top price I would be willing to pay, but it is a LOT more than $16.
The difference between $10 and 12 or 16 is like one lunch a month. I think I can handle that. Of course, everyone has their own thresehold.
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Post by BathTub on Dec 27, 2007 18:18:49 GMT -5
I agree with Hugh, in general the price is too high, just I am just willing to take the hit in wallet initially to do what I can get CT off the ground. But I hope going forward, it's cheaper or at least a proper DVD. I don't think I will always pay 16++ for a burnt DVD.
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Post by Hugh Beaumont on Dec 27, 2007 18:31:00 GMT -5
It's okay though, we can agree to disagree. I'm not trying to change your mind, just trying to help you take a lighter view and enjoy things. Life is short... Yes, but what you enjoy, I might not enjoy. I feel it's important to use one's money sensibly, and this just doesn't feel sensible to me. I also don't want this to become the norm - which is what happens, when everyone seems to say, "Sure, this is okay with me. Here's my money." It offends - yes, offends - me that they're selling what appears to be burned DVDs for $16. And the packaging? Buying DVD cases in bulk can be extremely cheap. Now, I realize that printing up cover art could be more on the expensive side... I don't really have an answer for that. But a basic burned DVD in a paper sleeve? Ugh, it makes me ill just thinking about it. Perhaps these high prices for "a burned dvd" is a way to get the $$$ generated to really get the project off the ground. More widespread distribution will be necessary for this to grow beyond a core audience and to be viable. And that means cases and Amazon and such. Then I wish Joel would say so. He's said nothing to indicate that he intends to improve the distribution process beyond EZTakes. Again, my problem is with the distributor, not Joel. I realize that Joel probably has to take what he can get, and EZTakes does provide options, even if they're somewhat crappy, in my opinion. I posted this at the RiffTrax board: Lets breakdown who gets paid by the $15.94. You know, I get where you're coming from, but why is this any different from anything else like it? Hey, I'd love to give each and every Brain a nice, hefty paycheck, but that's not personally feasible. No matter what field you're in in entertainment, your individual cut of each sale is going to be small. Look at what the RIAA and the music labels have been doing to artists for years. I realize this is different from that but, if anything, being independent ought to help them make more money, even though the start-up process is inevitably going to cost some money - as start-ups often do. I have a feeling that, if this were anyone other than our beloved Brains, most of you would be onboard my train of thought - or, at the very least, on a track a lot closer to it. Anyway, I'm not trying to be the enemy, here. I'm just stating what I plan on doing. Like I said, if they release something that really entices me, I may still bite. And Bathtub has a point - maybe I'll still purchase one or two of the early ones. But this current format simply cannot continue indefinitely.
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Post by BathTub on Dec 27, 2007 18:55:48 GMT -5
From EZTakesThe EZTakes business arrangement is very straightforward: you set the price that consumers will pay for your DVD downloads. EZTakes simply charges a delivery fee, which is one third of what the consumer pays. You keep two thirds. EZTakes absorbs all hosting, tech support and credit card costs. And of course, the standard EZTakes distribution arrangement is non-exclusive.
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Post by Hugh Beaumont on Dec 27, 2007 19:49:56 GMT -5
From EZTakesThe EZTakes business arrangement is very straightforward: you set the price that consumers will pay for your DVD downloads. EZTakes simply charges a delivery fee, which is one third of what the consumer pays. You keep two thirds. EZTakes absorbs all hosting, tech support and credit card costs. And of course, the standard EZTakes distribution arrangement is non-exclusive. Very interesting. I suppose I should've looked into that myself, I just didn't think they'd have such info on the site. So, in fact, the Brains are doing quite well with this, from a financial perspective. And for the record, yes, two thirds is excellent, as far as I've ever known. How does EZTakes make enough money, then, I wonder? Maybe their job isn't as complex as I assume it is.
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