Limited release HD DVD now available for pre-order

[The Limey]

Just when you thought the show was over, this goes and happens:

""SUBJECT: ZOMBIE FILM to resurrect HD DVD FORMAT

WETNWILDRADIO FILMS and ANTHEM PICTURES are proud to announce that the independent zombie horror film, DEADLANDS 2: TRAPPED, will be making its way to HD DVD.

This LIMITED COLLECTORS EDITION HD DVD will be made available in the HD DVD format in a very limited quantity on the films home video release date, October 27th 2009.

When asked why, in regards to releasing the film in this defunct format, Deadlands 2 writer/director Gary Ugarek, an avid HD DVD collector, had this to say.

"Over the last 18 months, since HD DVD's demise, I and a small group of HD DVD enthusiasts have scoured every part of the planet trying to obtain the left over releases of HD DVD material. We were early adopters of the format and still feel to this day the format shouldn't have been left to die off. So I set out to do some research and realized the following:

During HD DVD's release over 1,000,000 player units were sold, and over 800 titles were released for the format. At the end of its tenure the market penetration still remained strong, and the format built a dedicated fan base.

So I set out to see if these HD DVD owners would be interested in a brand new release. I presented all the information about the film, gave them access and links to trailers, the press kit and the technical aspects... and you know what... THEY LOVED THE IDEA. The feedback was unbelievable. Within 36 hours of putting the question out there, I received over 200+ emails, within 96 hours 380+ requests from HD DVD fans asking me to make this happen.

I presented the idea to Anthem Pictures, the distributor, and they liked it, and immediately jumped behind it."

One wouldn't think a $6,000.00 zombie film would be a candidate for such a release, but Deadlands 2 is that candidate. The HD DVD release will be limited to 500 copies only, with each disc noting the fact it is a LIMITED COLLECTORS EDITION. Also, each disc will also come with a Certificate of Authenticity numbering which copy the purchaser received. Since it is such a limited item, HD DVD fans will want to jump on this opportunity as this will be the first HD DVD to be mastered and press for release since March 2008, when production of the format ceased, Thus making the HD DVD release of Deadlands 2 a rarity item in HD collections.

"Some people thought I was flat out nuts and were asking, why HD DVD? Are you not a Blu-Ray supporter? I answered I am, but when you have a dedicated fan base for a format, like HD-DVD does, and you see the passion of its supporters I immediately knew I wanted to do this for the fans. I want to give them something special." Gary Ugarek

Special it is. Writer/Director Ugarek is in fact filming some new special HD DVD only content, and giving purchasers of this LIMITED COLLECTORS EDITION DISC more bang for their buck.

"I had been asked by the fans to include something about how I made a micro/low budget zombie film, and what my experiences were, what hoops and hurdles I had to overcome, and I though sure, why not." Gary Ugarek

The HD DVD should come packed with tons of features including: (Tentative)

* 1920x1080 version of the UNRATED CUT
* The full work print version of the film, which contains an alternate score and footage not available in the unrated edition
* A brand new director's commentary for the HD DVD release.
* A newly recorded commentary for the work print version, not available on DVD release
* Featurette on indie filmmaking from the directors POV (HD DVD exclusive)
* Featurette on the Theater cineplex location (HD DVD Exclusive)
* And more.

"Right now we have 30gb of space to fill up, so Anthem and I are working together to see what can be included, and if we have the space I will keep adding more to the list to make it a packed to the brim HD DVD release of the film." Gary Ugarek

Because of the limited production run and the extensive cost to produce HD DVD, the disc will retail through the distributors website for $29.95 + S&H and will be available for both US and International customers. HD DVD unlike Blu-Ray does not use a region coding system, so one master is just made. With HD DVD being region free, even if the disc is made in the USA it is playable on every HD DVD player around the world.

Based on the research data Ugarek has conducted he is expecting a good response and Anthem Pictures is setting up a special page on their website for HD DVD fans to pre-order their discs to make sure they have their copy reserved for when the film hits the street on October 27th.

"I know it's a gamble with HD DVD having lost out on the format war, but based on feedback from HD DVD fans we expect this to be a huge moment for them, the film and HD DVD. Kind of ironic that a zombie film would be helping HD DVD try to come back from the dead, even if for a short period of time, but who knows, if the program is a success maybe other indie filmmakers and distributors can do something similar for the HD DVD fans and keep it alive for the hard core."

To order your copy of Deadlands 2, or find out more information head to the Anthem Pictures website Anthem Pictures

DEADLANDS 2: TRAPPED OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE
OCTOBER 27th 2009

For those with questions they can be sent directly to the filmmaker at Deadlandsthemovie@yahoo.com.

He is prepared to try and answers as many questions for the HD DVD fans as possible."

Want a new horror film released on HD DVD? Send an email to... - Page 10 - High-Def Digest Forums

I have already ordered my two copies but hurry, these are selling like hot cakes and the total issue is only 500 HD DVDs...

[The Limey]

Updated pre-order link:

http://anthemdvd.com/store/products/...llectable.html

[Cool-hand]

Hi

Congrats on the new movie, i've heard it supposed to be quite good so i'll wait a week after it's release and pick up a used copy for £2 off a kind forum member

Good luck Lion Heart

CH

[namuk]

Looks like the guy uploaded a Trailer also what sound format is film?

[The Limey]

Originally Posted by namuk

Looks like the guy uploaded a Trailer also what sound format is film?

At the moment they are going with a plain AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 as the licensing fees for a DTS track would not make the project viable.

[museumsteve]

This is great, a nice surprise. I've ordered one I hope theres no issues shipping to the UK.

[The Limey]

UK shipping should be no more than $10. Anthem set the prepay tab up with a couple of errors which resulted in an extra $5 being charged. If you have been charged more than $10 then just contacting them, should resolve that.

In the meantime it would seem that Anthem are being inundated with orders for this HD DVD.... Email requests before the Payment Tab went live accounted for approximately 380 discs, so all these people plus anyone else will now be lining up to pay via the Payment Tab.
How long before the Sold Out Sign is put up on this allocation of 500 HD DVDs?

[emthree]

I asked the question a long time ago if after Toshiba folded the HD DVD format, someone can still release a new (or for that an old) film on HD DVD, i.e. if there was a legal hitch of any sort to prevent people from doing so. This answers the question. If something like this can succeed, what is to stop an independent company from acquiring rights to some movies and release them on HD DVD format? (say like Criterion did for some classic movies before?). This is an interesting development indeed.

[Cool-hand]

As interesting as it may be, and quite nice to see a tiny pulse in hd-dvd, it is only a blip and can never maintain a format or keep keep it barely alive.

Sony have slayed the hd-dvd monster that was. I wasn't happy bout it along with countless others but it is was it is...

Enjoy the new release everyone.

Rgds

CH

Ps. Any expected BD release?

[Bald Monkey]

Ordered!

[The Limey]

Here is the film's main website which is well worth a look:
www.playingwithdeadthings.com

I have emailed the details of this thread to Gary Ugarek - the director of Deadlands 2. Gary is currently appearing very regularly on a couple of threads regarding this forthcoming HD DVD on both thebombshelter and Highdefdigest, answering questions and providing updates. He is incredibly busy at the moment, putting in the extra features for this HD DVD but with a bit of luck he may be able to join us here too.

[emthree]

Originally Posted by Cool-hand

As interesting as it may be, and quite nice to see a tiny pulse in hd-dvd, it is only a blip and can never maintain a format or keep keep it barely alive.

Sony have slayed the hd-dvd monster that was. I wasn't happy bout it along with countless others but it is was it is...

Enjoy the new release everyone.

Rgds

CH

Ps. Any expected BD release?

But can it survuive as a niche product, like Criterion has done for DVD for years (although now they have started releasing on Blu Ray)? The only hitch I see is the fact that although HD DVD player base is currently quite robust, these players won't be replaced as they breakdown in the future, so it is a slowly diminishing base and any company taking it on as a long time project will have to consider this!

[foghorn]

Anybody know if Gary Ugarek is pals with Peter Jackson.

Foghorn

[The Limey]

Originally Posted by emthree

But can it survuive as a niche product, like Criterion has done for DVD for years (although now they have started releasing on Blu Ray)? The only hitch I see is the fact that although HD DVD player base is currently quite robust, these players won't be replaced as they breakdown in the future, so it is a slowly diminishing base and any company taking it on as a long time project will have to consider this!

I think it will depend on how successful Deadlands 2 is on its HD DVD release.
That said, the signs are certainly pointing to a sell out (and quite quickly). The distributor - Anthem Pictures have been astonished by the demand for the HD DVD, and Gary Ugarek has mentioned in past posts elsewhere they could yet end up with a pressing of 1000 HD DVDs if the demand is there for it.....

[The Limey]

Originally Posted by foghorn

Anybody know if Gary Ugarek is pals with Peter Jackson.

Foghorn

Someone would like to see LOTR on HD DVD