Preparing video for distributors

Robert W wrote on 1/19/2008, 6:34 AM

Hi guys,

I am preparing a concert feature I shot for review by a couple of interested distributors. I was wondering if anyone could give me tips on how best to present it.

I'll jump to the video as that is my main concern, but after this I will run through the entire package.

1) I am planning to include an opening bumper to the actual video, notifying of copyright and that the video is for commercial review purposes only, and is not to be duplication or distributed, and that the video is uniquely watermarked. I'm not sure if I should include an opening test card, but I guess if they are interested in calibrating their screens, they would have done it already.

2) I'm not sure to what degree I should make an imprint on the video. These measures are not to prevent them making unauthorised releases from the material, rather to deter them from handling our precious and valuable product in an insecure fashion if they decide they are not interested in it.

3) Would it be expected for me to include a time code or would that be very annoying for a distributor in review? I would also be tempted to include a small visible portion of text with a serial number, binding the video to whoever I have issued it to.

4) I am also going to test non-visible watermarking of the video today with MSU StegoVideo served as a plugin with DebugMode's wax. If this workflow doesn't work I will render the whole film to a Sony DV format Avi and use the standalone app.This may be quicker overall. If I can get it to do it's job, I will encode the details of the person that has been supplied with the video. Does this sound ok?

Ok the rest of the package:

5) Providing my designer meets his deadline, we are going to use a standard DVD case with a custom artwork insert. The rear will include a lot of the standard DVD details, including a custom exempt label and a brief synopsis of the content, and a tracklisting. We will also include a small copyright notice informing the viewer that the copy is provided for purposes of commercial review only, is not to be duplicated or distributed and must be returned on demand to my business.

Should we include contact details such as name and phone number here too? We are in quite good contact with these guys, and I would not want to add an air of desperation to our package, like some guy who is desperate to hear from a girl after their first date. Which essentially, we are!

6) The DVD itself will be a DVD-R with an inkjet printed label. The label will have custom artwork and a similar warning to the rear of the case.

7) The disc is prepared in DVD Architect 4.5a. There is an opening bumper warning similar to that at the start of the film. Then there is a short bumper with our logo.

8) This fades to the menu, which is a slick work-in-progress version of how we envisage the final menu to be once all the content is finalised. The options are "Play Concert", "Scene Selection" and "Bonus Features". The bonus features menu contains all of the bonus material that is currently complete (about 20 minutes worth, with another 15 minutes or so to come).

Anyway, a bit of an epic first mail, but I'll be grateful for any pointers!

Cheers,

Rob,

Comments

Shergar wrote on 1/19/2008, 6:26 PM

Not exactly on topic for a Vegas forum, but what the hey :-)

I think your broad issues are
a) how to make your submission look as professional as possible
b) how to ensure it doesn't get passed around or ripped off

I'd think there's also a third issue, ie c) how to pitch your project most effectively to them

So here goes with my two cents...

a) distribs receive tons of both finished product and screeners. Unless your edit is locked, the sound post and color correction all finished, and your artwork is completely done (with printing direct onto the DVD - there are cheap printers to do this, I assume you're not printing a paper label), you're sending a screener - NOT finished product. So I suggest you make sure it looks like a screener, rather than an unfinished or amateurish product.

Put your contact details on the DVD itself and on the packaging (they may get separated), and label them both clearly (large text - not small print) as a screener, for promotional use only. You don't want anyone later claiming they didn't realise it was not to be passed on.

Don't bother with a test card, and usually timecode is there so that reviewers can make notes referring to specific events... I don't think you need this, but you could put timecode on just to stress that they're seeing an edit, not the finished work. Oh, and I suggest you check that the image and sound are healthy by checking the DVD on several decks and TVs (large and small)... you wouldn't want someone saying "it doesn't play on my machine" or "the sound is terrible....nearly blew my subwoofer"

b) If you really don't want them passing it around try sticking "SCREENER ONLY: Do not copy, do not distribute" at regular intervals over the footage. But if someone is hell bent on stealing your program, there's plenty of ways to strip logos and warnings out of the video. And even if you watermark it, what good will it do, really? So you prove that it was FRED's copy that got ripped... then Fred says it could only have been the intern, who disappeared shortly after you sent the DVD... You're right to be paranoid... if your stuff is any good someone will surely steal it. But showing too much distrust to the distribs may put them off your project.

c) I suggest it may be more effective NOT to send them the DVD!!!! Once you send it, you have no idea when/whether they'll watch it, who they pass it on to, who they call to say "it's crap" etc. You lose control. So think very carefully before you let all of your hard work in the mail.

Viable alternatives would be
- arrange a screening (either separately for each distrib, or all together)...that way you're sure they see it, in controlled conditions, and you can shmooze them before and after
- send them a TEASER... just a few minutes of highlights of the material. They can get a feel quickly for the image/sound quality and decide whether they're really interested in seeing the rest, (if so, they should agree to make time for a screening with you). PLUS.. no-one can steal your material, since you haven't sent it to them.

I hope this helps... good luck with it