FILM IN THE CAN: Replication and the DIY Way

The best thing about making a movie is having people see it. Well what is the best way to do that? You have two options when it comes to putting your finished product onto DVD, each with their own pros and cons. So enough of the small talk, lets get started.

DVD REPLICATION

--> Lets get this out of the way. Who to use? This is who WE recommend you use!

PROS:

--> Amazing quality and a finished product that is retail ready and that is important. The best part, your looking at a cost of less then $2.00 per disc. Once replicated, if you put your film next to any film in Blockbuster, Best Buy or Wal-Mart , no one is going to tell the difference between your DVD product and Sony's project. And at the end of the day, that could be the deciding factor for someone to buy your film, the packaging.
--> No Hassles with burning one off DVD's. If some store wants 100 copies to sell, your not up all night burning and printing and cutting. Need more hassles: dealing with labels, printer ink, red fingers, the DVD-R look, driving to the store to buy supplies,
-->Better creative options. Make inserts, put holograms on your DVD, custom packaging, and more.
--> Sell your first run, just pick up the phone and have more made! Some one in China loved the film, orders 10,000, just pick up the phone and have more made. The replication house will always have your work on file and can be replicated in a jiffy.
--> Don't need to know anything about making chapters, transfer or anything, they handle it for you!


CONS:

--> A lot of money up front. Your talking $2K before you even see a DVD.
--> You lose a bit of indie. Replicated DVD's make your film official and retail ready and in a way, a little more corporate. I must admit, I love the DVD-R some times and I will tell you why below!
-->Might be stuck with 1000 DVD's in your garage. Truth is, if you don't do anything to get the word out there about your film, you will have 10 boxes of DVD's sitting in the corner of your basement, garage or kitchen. Harsh, I know, but it is a con!

DOIN IT DIY @ HOME (DVD-R)

PROS: -->Technology is getting GOOOOOOOOOD. Need evidence? Enter Lightscribe!
-->Keep ALL the creative control over your product. Because everyone is hand made, each one will have its own flavor to it. Some people call them errors, others call them collectibles
-->You believe in the film, but have no money! You know this film is going to be big, but you need to start small. Sit at home and get it going. Just please, please, please, DO NOT USE A SHARPIE on your DVD-R!!!! PLEASE! A QUICK NOTE: DVD-R's are not as cheap as CD-R's and the machines are at least $200 for a decent one. You could spend a lot of money getting your DVD-R system set up. Figure out your costs ahead of time
-->Down Right Independent! What better to say your film is truly independent then by hand making them yourself. Call them what you want: rare, limited edition, signed, custom created, you name it! Make the people who are buying them feel special that they are getting a DVD-R.
-->As IBM says It's an on-demand world.


CONS:

--> Burning DVD's SUCKS! I used to do trade shows every week all over the country. In every region we had different musical acts we were showcasing. So for each conference I had to sit at my computer and burn 100 CD's each week. IT SUCKED. There is nothing you can do while it is going on. Your computer seems to take EVERY bit of memory to do one simple task. Then I had to put the label on them, put them in jewel cases. NO NO NO NO NO. Sorry, I will take some meds now.
--> If it smells like poo, looks like poo, then it is poo Your film could be Independence Day, but if it is on a DVD-R, you might have put it on laser disc to some people. DVD-R makes people squeem. Like the feeling when a band handed you their tape on a maxell. Plus, if it does not play in their player, well you lost a chance to have people talk about your film.
-->You are going to work twice as hard to get recognition When sending a DVD-R out to press, distribution companies, video stores, you need to have an amazing product or you are not going to be taken seriously. It is just a matter of fact. They are looking for a nice finished product. So make yours nice!