HD-DVD LIVES! New title, "Smokers" Available for Pre-Order

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spidamatrix

spidamatrix

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This is not a "deal" per say but to those who have an HD-DVD player and are looking to add to that collection, here is your chance!

MCB Entertainment is releasing one of their upcoming features, Smokers, on the HD-DVD format.

Price is $30 shipped, but hey it's a new HD-DVD. The first 100 pre-orders also get a special thanks credit as well as a free mp3 from the director's band.

http://www.mcbtv.net/hddvd.html

More info on Smokers, direct from the director;

I am the director of Smokers. A friend of mine this discussion to my attention so I thought I would clear a few things up:
- Our site is under construction, but we had to make parts of it accessible despite being unfinished because an article about the HD-DVD release with a link was being printed. A link to an under construction message with a pay pal button would have been allot more "shady". You can stop back later in the week when we are more presentable, or go to IMDB for more details about our films.

- The price is directly related to the cost of making fully packaged, professionally manufactured HD-DVD's. As a couple people mentioned another indie film Deadlands 2 was recently released on the format. Those were burned discs with computer printed labels and covers that had a higher price tag than Smokers does. I know this because I bought a copy. I am not knocking their movie in any way, I just want to clarify the difference between the releases.

- This is a very limited set that comes with alot of exclusive stuff some of which isn't even listed yet on the site. It is intended for fans of the HD-DVD format and collectors. For everyone else there will be a standard DVD you will be able to pick up at most stores.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read this.

- These are not HD-DVD R's but professionally replicated discs. It is being manufactured in the US. I can't speak for the makers of Deadlands 2 or explain their situation. In my own experience it was difficult to find a plant, but we did. It is also expensive to go this route, but I want to deliver the best product possible. Again I can't answer for another filmmaker or company.

- Manufacturing and shipping begins as soon as the 100th order is received. The first 100 people receive a "Special Thanks" credit in the film so it couldn't have already been manufactured.

- Those trailers are old promo trailers that were put together as a demo for investors. They are NOT official trailers.

- Also the "Family Friendly" version is NOT the TiVo version of the film. It is a special feature that is exclusive to the HD-DVD release. Smokers has allot of nudity, but is not pornographic. The TiVo version edits the nudity for a TV-14 rating. Think the VH1 cut of Showgirls. That was made specifically for TiVo and I have no intention of releasing anywhere else at this point. With two versions of the film the unedited is the "Director's Cut".
Thanks again!

- Also Smokers is not just a collection of random clips. That said don't expect hard hitting reporting either. This is a comedic documentary meant to entertain that is assembled like a drive-in or grindhouse presentation complete with cartoons at the beginning and an intermission. It is hosted by Debbie D of JT Petty's S&Man.

- These are fully packaged, professionally manufactured HD-DVD's with the appropriate cases and inserts.

- The first 100 pre-orders will receive a "Special Thanks" credit, so the disc will be pressed and shipped as soon as the first 100 orders are processed.

- I did not make Deadlands 2. I don't know why it took them so long, or why they were made with HD-DVD R's. I bought a copy as soon as the they began taking orders, so I am in the same boat as everyone else there.
 
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I finaly recieved an email confirming this will finaly be shipping:
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This email is confirming that you will receive Smokers limited edition HD DVD number(s) 1 when discs begin shipping in the coming weeks. This is also the email account that will be used from this point forward to address any questions/comments and send DLC. Thank you for the support
 
Seems the director has started sending out e-mail's with DLC coming VERY SOON. As some others have pointed out, some of the letters are going straight to SPAM, so please check those as well.
 
[quote name='ryosnk']Argh, still have yet to receive an email. This is just frustrating.[/QUOTE]

PM me your e-mail, and I will ask the director what is going on.
 
This sounds stupid as shit 30.00 for a dead format? Question is WTF are you smoking TC? Do you make a thread for every movie at MSRP retail value?
 
Everyone who has been trouble receiving the update e-mails from the director, please PM me your e-mail address, and I will forward them over to the director to see what is going on.
 
Hey guys, I have let the director know that many are displeased with the lack of updates. I know you guys are anxious for news and I am doing everything possible to see what is going on. The director has informed me that he is going to be sending out weekly updates through e-mail as the process of pressing continues. Once he gives me the e-mail address I will post it here so everyone can look out for it, also if your e-mail has changed since purchasing, or you just want to double check he has the right one on file, please PM me and I will forward it along.
 
This is getting annoying it's been five months already. I pm'ed you spida and yet nothing regarding if the guy emailed me or not.
 
[quote name='Gorge']So why did people buy this? Is it because you guys own every HD-DVD and you want to complete your collection?[/QUOTE]
Pretty much.
 
[quote name='SonictheHedgehog1337']There's nothing wrong with that. Everybody should have a hobby.[/QUOTE]

I personally wouldn't be proud of buying shitty movies because some movies that came out on HD-DVD were quite shitty to be honest. I have close to 700 movies in my collection now and I generally like to go by the mantra of "It's about the movie, not the format." Best of luck to you guys in getting this title but personally it would drive me crazy to see crappy movies in my collection.

[EDIT] I'm not saying this movie is crappy, I haven't seen it. I'm just talking about other titles on HD-DVD.
 
[quote name='SonictheHedgehog1337']There's nothing wrong with that. Everybody should have a hobby.[/QUOTE]
I wasn't knocking it. I have over 400 HD-DVD's myself:D
 
I recieved this e-mail today
First I would like to apologize in advance for the fact that you will likely receive this initial email more than once as we update the mailing list. I have decided to no longer post updates on any of the forums that I have previously been active on.

This is due largely to the fact that I am not able to post updates regularly which has unfortunately resulted in an increasing amount of misinformation being spread. I don't know why some people would preoccupy themselves with this practice, but this is the only solution that makes sense.

From this point forward this email will be the only official source of information on the Smokers HD DVD release. This is also the email account all of the digital extras will be coming from, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

DLC will begin as soon as our contact list is up to date, and as a thank you for your patience we will be including more than was previously reported. Once the discs have shipped we will also invite everyone who is interested to take part in a group HD DVD commentary track. More details on that later.

An FAQ (with shipping info and other important details) and the digital booklet for the soundtrack, and more is coming in the second update.

Once again you will likely receive this first update two or three time, and I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I want to make sure that everyone is on the same page as important shipping info and DLC is releasedmail update today;



E-mail address is;
[email protected]
 
I am proud to announce that next week, if I can get hold of some blank HD-DVDs and a burner, I will release a movie of me driving to work. Maybe, if some of the homeless people and crack whores I pass see me with a camera, you may get some gratuitous nudity, as well. Oh - and it's only $40 each - but the release will be EXTREMELY limited. So send your money to me now so that I can rent a camera and film my "movie". One day, after I finish my cocaine binge on your money, I may get around to actually making the movie and sending you a minty new HD-DVD!!!!

I agree with zenintrude - shine on you crazy diamonds! :)
 
[quote name='scarface333']
This is due largely to the fact that I am not able to post updates regularly which has unfortunately resulted in an increasing amount of misinformation being spread. I don't know why some people would preoccupy themselves with this practice, but this is the only solution that makes sense.
[/QUOTE]


I love this - "I haven't been able to post updates, you haven't gotten your discs, I've had your money for 6 months with no appreciable progress towards you getting your product... but I can't understand why there are rumors about me being a swindler."

Classic.

You realize that you guys are probably never going to see money or disc, right?
 
[quote name='crazedracerguy']
Classic.

You realize that you guys are probably never going to see money or disc, right?[/QUOTE]

You will be getting the disc. I understand the process has been a lot longer than we all originally thought. He is supposed to release updated release date info over the next few days.
 
[quote name='spidamatrix']You will be getting the disc. I understand the process has been a lot longer than we all originally thought. He is supposed to release updated release date info over the next few days.[/QUOTE]

And repeat...

And repeat...

And repeat...

ad nauseum.
 
I hope this clears up a lot of what is going on. This was to be tomorrow's update but I wanted to make sure he rushed this to you all to hopefully calm some nerves; This is all straight from the director, Michael.

20 Questions

Some of these questions have been previously answered, but based on the individual emails I have been receiving many people are still confused about certain aspects of this release. Please at least skim through the basics to be sure you are caught up before skipping ahead to the latest news below. Rest assured, all you questions have been answered.

THE BASICS

Q: Are the discs burned or professionally manufactured?
A: The discs are being professionally replicated at a factory in the US.

Q: Can you tell me the name of the manufacturer?
A: No. Someone has already made false claims about the manufacturing of this release. Additionally their future with the format is uncertain at this time.

Q: What type of case are they being packaged in?
A: They are in the red HD DVD cases, not standard DVD or Blu-Ray cases.

Q: Will we have to print the artwork ourselves?
A: Each package has full color, offset printed wrap around art.

Q: Why are the commentary tracks not included on the disc?
A: There are multiple commentary tracks being recorded, some include format specific details, and they would not all be completed in time. This allows anyone access to all of the tracks as they become available.

Q: Can I choose which number disc I will receive?
A: The numbers were assigned as the orders were received.

Q: Is this the “last” HD DVD?
A: I hope not. After all we have gone through making this happen, I fully intend on revisiting the format soon, and hopefully other filmmakers will as well. I think it is far too early for anyone to declare any release the last.

THE LATEST

Q: Has this release been cancelled?
A: No. Everything is moving ahead as planned. I know that a few people have spread this and other rumors, but I assure you they are just that.

Q: Why haven’t you been on the forums?
A: My presence on the forums has been steadily decreasing. Initially this was due to my filming schedule on our new project Weed of the Living Dead. I explained this situation a number of times, but due to the ever increasing amount of misinformation many people were still confused.

Q: Then why did you stop posting at all in the past few weeks?
A: Shortly after my last post a very serious personal matter arose which has made it impossible for me to keep up with posts these past few weeks, and I will not be returning to the forums in the near future. The matter of what happened is private and I will not be discussing it with anyone so don’t ask.

Q: How will we get updates?
A: I have set up a dedicated Smokers email account ([email protected]), and everyone who ordered a copy is being added to the mailing list.

Q: Why haven’t I received an email yet?
A: The list is still being compiled, but will be finalized within 24hrs. Everyone who already received the first email will get a second (or third) copy followed by a reprint of this Q&A. Also be sure to check you junk mail in case it was filtered there.

Q: Why an email over a post.
A: There are a number of reasons. Some people are not on the forums, or like me they can’t check them regularly. It also allows me to circumvent the various speculations and (in a few cases) blatant lies being spread there. Now you know that it isn’t official unless it comes directly from me via that account.

Q: How often will email updates be sent out?
A: Frequently from now until the actual release. They will slow down after that but new DLC (such as commentaries) will be released for months to come.

Q: When is it coming out?
A: Shipments will begin around the holidays. I don’t have the exact date, but that is based on the timeline given to me by the manufacturer. As we receive the discs, they will be matched with the certificates and shipped to you in the order in which they were purchased. You will each be personally notified as your disc ships. Please keep in mind that since this is a heavy time for mail it may take a little longer then it normally would for you package to arrive after you have been notified that it has shipped.

Q: What took so long?
A: A few things, but it all boils down to the fact that HD DVD’s are not being manufactured anymore. Even when they were the technology was not as universally available as standard DVD. There are a limited number of people who have experience with the format and even fewer with the materials needed.

Q: So there will not be any more issues then?
A: The only foreseeable obstacle now would be if a large number of people were to cancel their orders. This is an extremely expensive experiment, but we are doing it because we are fans of the format. We want to see it live on as an outlet for collectors and independent filmmakers. The chances of making a profit on this is not likely as the cost of this small pressing is equal to that of many thousands of standard DVD’s which could then be made available at big box retail. Continuing in the face of large scale cancellations would be more financially detrimental than simply scrapping the project and cutting our losses. That is not something I want to do. We have worked too hard and you have waited too long.

Q: Would future HD DVD releases take as long?
A: No. Now that we laid the groundwork and have everyone and everything we need in place, we can streamline the process for any future releases. That is thanks to you guys for supporting this release.

Q: What is the group commentary mentioned in the first email update?
A: Once the initial orders have been sent out, I plan on putting together a group commentary track (focusing on the HD DVD format) with audio submitted by anyone who is interested in participating. Stay tuned for details on that.

Q: Will this release ever be repressed?
A: There is a standard DVD coming the same time around the holidays, with a Blu-Ray following early next year. I would like to think there will be enough new HD DVD releases coming that it would justify a box set at some point, but even if that did happen (something in that vein has been suggested on the forums and met with mixed views) it wouldn’t be the same configuration as this package. As of now it seems that anything like that would be a long way off.

There is alot more info coming. Remember to check for emails from [email protected] You can also contact me directly on my personal face book page.
 
[quote name='Friend of Sonic']I hope that's true because I haven't gotten an email yet.[/QUOTE]

I hope you guys get your HD DVDs soon. I'm just glad I didn't waste my money on this film.
 
Yeah, the director is sending out a bunch of stuff now. He has said he expects it to start shipping around the holidays, so it should be soon.
 
[quote name='spidamatrix']Yeah, the director is sending out a bunch of stuff now. He has said he expects it to start shipping around the holidays, so it should be soon.[/QUOTE]

I know you are really positive about this but the "director" is always saying he is sending stuff out and then never sends it. It's been over a month since everyone was supposed to receive all the attachments and still no go.

Everyone was supposed to be receiving a ship date as well but nope... nothing firmed up yet.

I got my money back because I did not like his customer service (no updates for months and then posting one with lots of attitude).

I'm sure this will eventualy come out but not before christmas like he is promising..(only three weeks left)

kevin
 
[quote name='zenintrude']Remember when you guys thought you would ever get this... hilarious.

I'm bumping this for lolz.[/QUOTE]


I almost ordered this. I am so glad I didn't.
 
[quote name='tholly']I almost ordered this. I am so glad I didn't.[/QUOTE]

I got my refund back in November... still no sign of the movie ever being pressed to HD-DVD...

Kevin
 
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