Comic-Con: Extras add value to DVD, Blu-ray

PHYSICAL: Disc producers discuss budgets, retail exclusives

By Ned Randolph -- Video Business, 7/24/2009

JULY 24 | PHYSICAL: SAN DIEGO—Behind-the-scenes documentaries and extras packaged on DVDs and Blu-ray discs will continue to differentiate value over digital downloads, according to a panel of DVD and Blu-ray producers at Comic-Con International here yesterday.

“DVD was the golden era for special editions, and Blu ray will extend it for a while,” said moderator Bill Hunt, editor of The Digital Bits.

In the question and answer session, the producers weighed in on the future of DVD and Blu-ray, budget realities and the need for independence.

Charles de Lauzirika, who produced the DVD and Blu-ray versions of Paramount Home Entertainment's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, said being independent allowed him to document director Michael Bay on set yelling, cursing and bullying people out of their comfort zone.

“He’s a great person to document and follow, because you learn a lot about the filmmaking experience and the extremes of humanity,” de Lauzirika said. “If you have a director in your corner, you can get a lot done in clarifying the vision of the production.”

However, studios are frustrating producers by cutting budgets for extras and giving retailers exclusive content.

“It’s frustrating when you do a lot of work on something and you have to go to Wal-Mart to see it,” said Cliff Stephenson, who produced the DVD and Blu-ray for Lionsgate's Crank 2: High Voltage, which streets Sept. 8.

However, producers do recognize that revenue is generated through such deals, said Laura Gross, who produced the DVD and Blu-ray of Universal Studios Home Entertainment's Coraline, which bowed July 21.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s also how we get paid,” she said.