Gail, unless this filmmaker decides to region-code the DVDs (or produce high-definition DVDs), which seems unlikely, the resulting product should play in any DVD player. The technology that's used to region-code DVDs -- to make commercial DVDs that are sold in the USA not play in DVD players in, say, London -- is owned by or licensed to movie companies. Independent filmographers tend not to use it.
The reason videotapes made for the American market don't play in VCRs in England is somewhat different -- American TVs decode analog video recordings using the NTSC standard, while British TVs use the PAL standard. The difference (and difficulties) associated with moving between the two formats has nothing to do with movie-company-owned regionalzing technologies -- it's just a different technical standard.
The upshot is that while noncommercial videotapes made in the USA may not play in UK VCRs (or vice versa), a noncommercial standard-definition DVD should play in anybody's DVD player. (It would only get tricky if the guy recorded us in HD, which at my age I'd prefer to be spared! But that's unlikely too.)
Someday I may amuse/bore you with how a literarily inclined lawyer came to know all this. Or not!
--Mike
On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 2:14 AM, McDonald G. G.McDonald@soton.ac.uk wrote:
Yes, absolutely. I wonder if there is any problem about playing DVDs on European/English equipment as there is with VCRs, but assuming not, I'd love to have a copy.
Thanks for this,
Gail
-----Original Message----- From: weeklong-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto: weeklong-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Robert Jackson Sent: 17 June 2010 15:58 To: weeklong-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Weeklong-l] Filming the event
okay
----- Original Message ----- From: "James Ayres" jayres@cvctx.com To: Weeklong-l@lists.wikimedia.org Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:57 PM Subject: [Weeklong-l] Filming the event
I have contacted the young man who filmed our Camp Shakespeare Hamlet several years ago and turned out a remarkable DVD for everyone. He is now a Junior at Texas Tech in Film, working this summer for a film company in Houston. He is available to film the performance on Aug 14 and as well do some filming of the group from Aug 12-14. Here is how he explains it to me:
I am available for a three day shoot, August 12 through the 14. I can produce two DVD's: one of the performance and one with footage/ interviews/rehearsals . If I factor in all my hours and equipment the cost of production will be 2,000. I will do it for you at half rate. So 1,000. I could charge a reasonable rate on the DVDs and have the rest covered by Windale or we could spread the cost out over all DVD sales (25 DVDs @ $40). I will be ready to work on it by shoot day.
So what do you think? Would each of you be willing to contribute $50.00 toward the effort? And have the DVD's free. Or guarantee him purchase of 25 at $40.00?
Let me know. He is holding the dates open.
Doc
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