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AKA · 05-15-2004, 03:16 AM

Public-Domain Titles in DVD Spotlight

By Jill Kipnis
Billboard

LOS ANGELES - How much would 50 movie DVDs cost if you bought them all at once?

Independent home video company Treeline Films is offering 50 classic films for less than $35 with its May 25 slate of Megapack releases.

Each of the five themed sets will contain 12 double-sided discs holding 50 classic films from the family, horror, mystery, science fiction or Western genre. Each set retails for $34.98.

Treeline president Ian Warfield says the company will make a profit. "Obviously, at this price point, the movies are in the public domain," he says. "We do have a profitable method. A lot of it is geared toward being efficient in the way we manufacture and package."

Retailers say great opportunities exist in the DVD value-pack arena. "There's a lot of room for more value-based collections," says Dave Alder, senior VP of marketing and strategic development for Virgin Megastores.

Each Treeline Megapack includes well-known titles without bonus features. The horror set, for example, includes "Metropolis," "Night of the Living Dead" and "Nosferatu."

Warfield says the Edina, Minn.-based Treeline had success with the Megapacks in nontraditional retailers after introducing them last November. "We have moved through several hundred thousand units," he says.

The May 25 release date targets mainstream retailers. Treeline's master distributor is Minneapolis-based Digital1Stop.

Treeline will target consumers who recently bought their first DVD player. Warfield says, "We thought there was an instant market for people who want to build their library."

Multi-pack competitor Newbury Park, Calif.-based BCI Eclipse started releasing value-packs in 2001.

BCI Eclipse releases such titles as the "Action Arsenal" 10-pack and "Attack of the Monsters" 10-movie set. Prices range from $19.98 to $24.98.

To "prevent copycats from stealing our market share," BCI Eclipse senior VP Greg Glass says, "we are licensing independent films and mixing in some public-domain content."

The company's top sets sell more than 100,000 copies, Glass says.

Treeline plans to release at least six more Megapacks by year's end.

musicradio77 · 05-15-2004, 03:10 PM

I used to have some Public Domain VHS tapes of old movies and some cartoons. The tapes are in very poor quality that it was recorded on the EP mode.

There are some companies over the years that made Public Domain films, it includes Media, Star Classics, Goodtimes, UAV and New Age Video. All of these independent companies made movies that were in the Public Domain.

05-15-2004, 03:16 AM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Public-Domain Titles in DVD Spotlight Public-Domain Titles in DVD Spotlight By Jill Kipnis Billboard LOS ANGELES - How much would 50 movie DVDs cost if you bought them all at once? Independent home video company Treeline Films is offering 50 classic films for less than $35 with its May 25 slate of Megapack releases. Each of the five themed sets will contain 12 double-sided discs holding 50 classic films from the family, horror, mystery, science fiction or Western genre. Each set retails for $34.98. Treeline president Ian Warfield says the company will make a profit. "Obviously, at this price point, the movies are in the public domain," he says. "We do have a profitable method. A lot of it is geared toward being efficient in the way we manufacture and package." Retailers say great opportunities exist in the DVD value-pack arena. "There's a lot of room for more value-based collections," says Dave Alder, senior VP of marketing and strategic development for Virgin Megastores. Each Treeline Megapack includes well-known titles without bonus features. The horror set, for example, includes "Metropolis," "Night of the Living Dead" and "Nosferatu." Warfield says the Edina, Minn.-based Treeline had success with the Megapacks in nontraditional retailers after introducing them last November. "We have moved through several hundred thousand units," he says. The May 25 release date targets mainstream retailers. Treeline's master distributor is Minneapolis-based Digital1Stop. Treeline will target consumers who recently bought their first DVD player. Warfield says, "We thought there was an instant market for people who want to build their library." Multi-pack competitor Newbury Park, Calif.-based BCI Eclipse started releasing value-packs in 2001. BCI Eclipse releases such titles as the "Action Arsenal" 10-pack and "Attack of the Monsters" 10-movie set. Prices range from $19.98 to $24.98. To "prevent copycats from stealing our market share," BCI Eclipse senior VP Greg Glass says, "we are licensing independent films and mixing in some public-domain content." The company's top sets sell more than 100,000 copies, Glass says. Treeline plans to release at least six more Megapacks by year's end.

05-15-2004, 03:10 PM	#2
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	I used to have some Public Domain VHS tapes of old movies and some cartoons. The tapes are in very poor quality that it was recorded on the EP mode. There are some companies over the years that made Public Domain films, it includes Media, Star Classics, Goodtimes, UAV and New Age Video. All of these independent companies made movies that were in the Public Domain.
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