Ask Wreck: SteelBooks Questions

[Wreck]

I dont know how long I will do this, or if people have questions ... but I'll check this thread daily in case people have questions about steelbooks etc. I'll try to answer to the best of my ability from what I am allowed to say in some cases or just info you may not have seen me drop before in past threads.

 

[jitstark]

Wreck, after seeing the pics of the custom Hidef Excl. Seven Psychopaths steel (and being immensely jealous!) I was wondering why you never see the awesome Crackle lacquer used on more steels. Is it just a cost issue for the studios when commissioning a steel?

Bumping this question because I am amazed that this finish isn't used more than it is.

 

[Wreck]

there's some more cool finish steels headed our way!

as for the 7p crackle ... that was a custom job as you stated. Just happened to look a lot like crackle in pics thus that name picked up.

 

[Afterdeep]

Wreck,

Crackle versions can be done at home? If so what do we need? Can you share if it is not a secret?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Starling]

I'm hearing rumours that zavvi have lined up the new extended version of Once Upon a Time in America as a steelbook release this summer, can you confirm that yet wreck?

 

[Ross]

I'm hearing rumours that zavvi have lined up the new extended version of Once Upon a Time in America as a steelbook release this summer, can you confirm that yet wreck?

I hope so, I almost ordered the Blu Ray from a sainsburys for £5.99 yesterday

 

[ricster]

there's some more cool finish steels headed our way!

as for the 7p crackle ... that was a custom job as you stated. Just happened to look a lot like crackle in pics thus that name picked up.

Hi Wreck.

The metallic shine through effect seems to be becoming more regular now. Phantom of the Paradise has the shine on the golden artwork.

Also today Rurouni has an inverse effect, almost like a negative of the image when light is applied.

I've put both effects in the spoilers. The Rurouni one is certainly different.

UK - Phantom of the Paradise
Non streaky matte finish with metallic shine on gold artwork

Spoiler

NATURAL LIGHT SHOTS

UK - RUROUNI KENSHIN
Clear finish. No undercoating on character produces a negative effect when light applied (i.e. white becomes black)
Rating stickers are removable

Spoiler

NATURAL LIGHT SHOTS

 

[RekLess]

Hey Wreck,
It seems like every time Best Buy/Target/Walmart get an exclusive people start talking about the retailer and why the retailer made certain choices about the release and what-not. Meanwhile, I've always been under the impression that the distributor is still the one pulling most of the strings and the only thing the retailer gets us the exclusive rights to retail that special edition.

Can you speak about how much pull these US retailers have on the actual production of exclusives? Do they have any influence at all or do they just take whatever exclusive the distributors give them--or somewhere in between?

 

[Wreck]

Hey Wreck,
It seems like every time Best Buy/Target/Walmart get an exclusive people start talking about the retailer and why the retailer made certain choices about the release and what-not. Meanwhile, I've always been under the impression that the distributor is still the one pulling most of the strings and the only thing the retailer gets us the exclusive rights to retail that special edition.

Can you speak about how much pull these US retailers have on the actual production of exclusives? Do they have any influence at all or do they just take whatever exclusive the distributors give them--or somewhere in between?

I think you mean to insert the word Studio wherever you put Distributor? There are Distributing companies with no power whatsoever ... then there is times when you hear terms like "distributed by paramount" ... which in turn is just a studio as you know. Can get a bit tricky eh?

In any case the product belongs to the studio. So they have total control. Retailers have "product buyers" who can request things if they feel the need to in regards to the product they are buying for their company. UK product buyers are much more hands on from my experience in regards to "attention to detail". USA is all about margins and most often cutting costs wherever they can. Obviously we do tend to get some good collector editions here and there, but mostly only behind the mass marketing machine that is a "new release" when the title has been promoted both theatrically and for home market.

Catalog special editions only usually happen around special timeframes like "Anniversaries"

Now do remember on the studio side it all goes back to contracts of the movie. This is why you see a lot of catalog titles that only have certain art because that is the only approved art from back at contract time with X. (x being variable for director, actors, producers, etc.) All just depends.

 

[BluSteel2012]

Wreck. Do you know if there will be a better Steelbook release of Cliffhanger in the near future??

I really want the film but don't really want the poor German Steelbook release if another superior version is going to be released around the corner.....

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Bumping this as I'm close to buying the German version.....

 

[ben6212]

Bumping this as I'm close to buying the German version.....

As he said above he doesnt be so obvious and just come out with things anymore maybe he'll give you a slight clue

 

[BluSteel2012]

As he said above he doesnt be so obvious and just come out with things anymore maybe he'll give you a slight clue

I haven't had ANY response though.

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

Hi Wreck do you know if enemy at the gate, master and commander, Alexander Revisited or King Arthur are getting steelbook releases in the uk or america anytime?

 

[Ross]

Hi Wreck do you know if enemy at the gate, master and commander, Alexander Revisited or King Arthur are getting steelbook releases in the uk or america anytime?

I'd like Enemy at the gates, funnily enough I've just put it on record on Film 4 tonight

 

[Wreck]

Bumping this as I'm close to buying the German version.....

I know nothing of a Cliffhanger release on the horizon ... with the amount of catalogs tho that Uk does wouldnt surprise me to see one this year. *shrug*

However I do have the DE version. I like it. Cool front and nice spine!

---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

Hi Wreck do you know if enemy at the gate, master and commander, Alexander Revisited or King Arthur are getting steelbook releases in the uk or america anytime?

I would buy all of those ... but one!

I have some really cool Master and Commander promotional items from its theatrical release. real brass telescope etc.

 

[ben6212]

While you're active wreck i'd like your opinion...seems to me the opinion on zavvi is quite split on the HDN forums with most having something against them be it little or small. I always try my best to stick up for them because i honestly believe there not as bad as everyone makes them out to be...granted there not perfect but no retailer is! Even the might amazon! So i'd like your opinion please

 

[Wreck]

My opinion on what? Zavvi?

I like them.

Did I have better "packaging" with Play? Yes. Have I ever received a damaged steel from Play? Yes ... Have I ever received them from Zavvi? Yes. How often? Exact same. 1-2% Those from the Play days should definitely remember spine slashes! yikes! Remember my crusade?

There is pro's and con's to any retailer, and for everything I like about one I can find a reason to dislike another. Some would rather deal with amazon UK than Zavvi ... but if Amazon UK was pumping out the steels it'd be no different then the angst many have towards Amazon.de now. It comes and goes .... Collectors from other Countries besides Europe I'm sure are very thankful they can order direct from Zavvi where as in past we couldnt from Play.

It is what it is .... I'm sure for every negative about Zavvi I can rattle off a positive about them that another UK retailer doesnt do. I think if the customer service and policies in that regard will improve (or continue to) then it would definitely silence a lot of the complaints. However the slowing down a bit on steels and focusing more on things like trying to secure 2k runs will definitely help.

I think the biggest thing that anyone can take from last year (and zavvi included) is that Zavvi have learned a lot from last year. C'mon it's almost March and by normal times Zavvi should have already announced 100 titles by now ... but they haven't.

Everyone can always learn, develop, and grow no matter if you are retailer, studio, collector or ninja! SteelBook game has always been interesting and we all keep coming back. If it was the same all the time we wouldnt be here ... and I think its our love of the hobby and us as passionate collectors that talk a lot of trash simply because we dont want it to get "boring" as its a great escape no different then it is to pop in that new movie and escape for 2 hours of enjoyment.

2014 is going to be interesting. Disney in the USA, Disney in the UK ... Marvel everywhere ....

 

[dfoles]

What does the relase of Thor: The Dark World in the US market mean for the Disney (Marvel) / Scanovo future of business?

Avengers was released as a Viva Metal Box, so this being a Marvel Disney steel counts IMO. Hopefully they've finally settled whatever and can start bringing awesome releases to the US again.

 

[Wreck]

Oh they have. Future is very bright... I would love to speak further ... but, ya know.

 

[RickB84]

Been reading up on Steelbooks and how they're made etc out of sheer curiosity really, some stuff I can't seem to find out tho so hope it's alright to ask here (dunno where else to ask). When companies like blufans and kimchi make a custom artwork (and gottin it approved) where do they get the discs from? The studio? Do the discs get sent to Scanavo or is it upto blufans or kimchi themselves to put the discs inside the Steelbooks and then deal them?

 

[jaszeron]

Just a quick one wreck - is it safe to say that amazon.fr got the remaining 2k of inside llewyn davis? Assuming of course it's a total 4k print run...