Hello out there in Stage 32 land! I always enjoy Introduce Yourself weekend and usually try coming with an icebreaker to get things started. And I hope you like this one!
How many of you are still hanging on and adding additional physical media for your content? And why?
I ask as someone who is still holding on to his Netflix DVD subscription (and plans to keep it until the service is no more) and knows his Blockbuster membership card is around here...somewhere. To me, the benefits are still obvious: Movies come and go on streaming services, and you never know who has what. The only sure thing you'll always find is original content made specifically for that service, and the studio's own content for their streamer (i.e. classic Disney on Disney+, Star Trek on Paramount Plus, etc.). And one can't forget: the video store model had its problems, but you only paid for the content you wanted to watch, as opposed to signing up for the multiple services and having to maintain the accounts. Plus the additional features, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, can add up to a very cost effective education!
What about you? Still have a BluRay player? Still looking for DVDs?
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Brian Carlin Hi Brian, yes I still have a BluRay player and still buy DVDs - I think it’s an ownership thing. I like to watch my films uninterrupted by ‘content’ which has nothing to do with my interests or passions. In the main, I’m just a grumpy old man, haha!
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I never had a BluRay player.
That being said, one of the things I most love about Peter Jackson's Middle Earth films is the Appendices-Which,I am happy to say, Vudu included when I purchased the Hobbit films and recently added to my LOTR Trilogy ( I own the Extended Versions cuz I am a Blerd ).
The ONLY thing I'm disappointed with is you don't get the Commentaries like you do with DVD which is sad.
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Great question Brian Carlin If it's something I want to keep, I have a file and something to read it. I have some old video and audio files. I don't have a turntable. I have albums - some of which are from the 1950s. I still have DVDs but don't look to buy more of them.
AND Many thanks Elaine Haygood for that insight - on keeping the commentaries.
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I haven't bought DVDs in a long time, Brian Carlin. It's been easier to watch movies and shows online. I'm not against buying DVDs again though. I actually like physical copies better because they're something you can hold and store.
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Brian Carlin Netflix DVD sub, wow that still exists? amazing.
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They can never change, alter or pull a film you own in a physical copy... it's why I still have my DVD collection and still buy them. I've got 99% of what I want to own... now it's just adding in small things over the years.
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Wow, great to hear everyone's thoughts on this - I agree with many of the points raised here. Making sure that you own the film yourself so you can watch it whenever you want is so important, as is making sure it's the original version as intended by the director is too! Sounds like some of you have some great collections. I'm always going to add to mine here and there. Just seems like there are fewer and fewer ways to do it.
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I have to share your fellow Stage 32er Dennis Cahalo's retro VHS setup, it's a classic: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaXmcy1r3EM/?hl=en
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Amanda, wow! Dennis has one amazing set up going there. There's something fun about watching a VHS tape. I think that's another thing I miss - really cool box art, especially for horror movies.
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Brian Carlin If when all my screen plays are purchased and I've got hit movie money and residuals. I will totally build a huge physical media collection DVD, VHS and Beta from the 80's, 90's early aughts.... All of it. :)
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Christopher Butler I like how you think, Christopher. I'll probably do something similar, along with a great big screen TV and sound system to go with it! And yes, I still have my Netflix DVD subscription. I (and the 4-5 other people who still have it) are pretty bummed out! Planning to keep it until it discontinues at the end of September.
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Hi Brian. I still have my VHS and DVDs. But I'm also buying vinyl, so I guess my heart is still very much alive in the 80s and 90s! I also have Mixed Tapes still stored in my 1985 cassette tape red travelling suitcase! I love looking at the artwork on the cases. X Files Box Sets. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Box Sets. Harry Potter Special Editions. Indiana Jones! Love them all.
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Elaine, Sounds like a great collection! Gotta love those box sets.
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Brian, my box set is the jewel in the crown of my little Tolkien collection-Especially since I was actually able to get the Minos Tirith gift box that came with ROTK.
Derek, I've lost over $200.00 worth of content on iTunes ( Apple locked my account when I transferred my stuff to a new laptop and won't allow me access ), so, I get what you're saying in that regard.
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Not collecting physical media anymore but I gotta admit I miss browsing Blockbuster titles as opposed to scrolling through endless streaming content. It was like Barnes & Noble for flicks, and half the fun was choosing.
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I no longer bother with any of that. I have cable and youtube. Between them i can watch almost anything i wish, that includes international channels as well. Besides that, my mind is a never-ending, constantly running network that plays open-ended shows all the time. The result of which being i am always working on some new story.
i have over 30 of them now that i have completed, which will most likely end up being turned movies, films, TV shows or any new form of media i can think of.
Best of luck.
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Brian Carlin I have something like 300 DVDs at present. I find you can often find some deals at stores like Target, or Barnes and Noble if you're looking for something specific. The funny thing is, you can now find DVDs at Family Dollar and Dollar tree-Some of which can be hard to find elsewhere such as those old Rankin Bass holiday specials.