AfterDawn: News

CSNY documentary to test simultaneous theatrical and VOD release

Although there's been a lot of talk about siumlutanious theatrical and VOD releases for movies. Not surprisingly the big studios have been in no hurry to actually test out such a revolutionary release schedule. Now perhaps the first step in that direction is being taken by Roadside Attractions, a small studio 40% owned by Lions Gate Entertainment.

The movie is a documentary from the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young anti-war themed tour in 2006. Unlike the typical studio executive, director Neil Young is mostly concerned to get his movie in front of as many people as possible instead of pushing for the most money.



Assuming the negotiations work out the plan is to release the movie theatrically on July 25, the same day it premieres on Video On Demand services and also the Netflix streaming service.

"It's a big experiment to release this film simultaneously on all these media, with big expectations for all of them," said Howard Cohen, co-president of Roadside.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 23 Jun 2008 23:43

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• 3 comments

• embo22000

  I'm sure most people would choose to watch at home.

  24.6.2008 00:13 #1

• nobrainer

  Originally posted by embo22000: I'm sure most people would choose to watch at home.completely and with the price of tickets these days, but expect there to be a high premium on this media, even though you heat, light, clean your own home, profits will be increased from this low cost distribution method, but the marketing spin will be "ppl are willing to pay extra to watch it early" and other such bull, which translates to "look at all the $$$$$$$$$$$$$, time for a big bonus".
  
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

  24.6.2008 03:19 #2

• emugamer

  Heck yeah, I would watch at home in a heartbeat. With 3 kids, it would cost us over $70 to see a movie. And that's not including gas (everything is far from us). This model will lose money. How many people can you cram into your living room to watch a movie? I can sit comfortably about 8 people. Say it cost $20 to get the movie on release day. Tell everyone to bring something - soda, chips, etc. Even if it costs $30 to see it, that's still cheaper for a family. And I can pop my own popcorn for $0.25/bowl. Ha, dinner and a movie would be me inviting people over beforehand for a meal, socializing and then watching the movie.
  
  I never see movies on release day. Too many people, and the lines are crowded for everything. No lines to wait on, no packed theatre. No noisy kids (besides my own, whom I can always send to their room and be done with them). This would be perfect for the consumer and bad for the movie industry. Even better if someone has a nice HDTV and the VOD is of a high quality.

  24.6.2008 11:54 #3