Press Release - Indie Zombie Film Set to Resurrect HD DVD (Limited Pressing)

WETNWILDRADIO FILMS
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
09/04/2009


SUBJECT: INDIE ZOMBIE FILM set 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 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 felt 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, which is when production of the format ceased. Thus making the HD DVD release of Deadlands 2 a rarity.

“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 to do a low budget indie project, or 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)

1 1920x1080 version of the UNRATED CUT
2 The full work print version of the film, which contains an alternate score and footage not available in the unrated edition
3 A brand new director’s commentary for the HD DVD release.
4 A newly recorded commentary for the work print version, not available on DVD release
5 Featurette on indie filmmaking from the directors POV (HD DVD exclusive)
6 Featurette on the Theater cineplex location (HD DVD Exclusive)
7 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 and the disc even if purchased in the US will play in any 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.” Gary Ugarek

To order your HD DVD copy of Deadlands 2 or to find out more information head to Anthem Pictures website:
http://anthemdvd.com/store/products/DeadLands-2%3A-Trapped-HD-DVD-collectable.html

Deadlands 2: Trapped stars Jim Krut (DAWN of the DEAD) and Josh Davidson (Perkins 14)

Any questions can be directed to Anthem Pictures
Alexandra Tabares email alex@anthemdvd.com
818-597-2346x114

Hey Gary...

So this would be the first HD DVD release since March 2008?

Maybe so...

...but earlier this year I seem to recall a special review by editor John J. Puccio for an Italian import - WASHERMEN - on the defunct format. That linked article and review bring back fond memories of the first 1080p HD disc format...

-JOE- (Love Hendrix!)

News to me on that one... But hey... twas obscure enough for me to miss it, and I spent 4 days googling to check for more recent HD DVD releases...

Some things get missed. Cest la Vie

Oh it's not a big deal Gary!

^ That "Washerman" title was released on April 1...

See?

-JOE- (Love Hendrix!

OK, I'm interested. Can you post a link for a trailer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kMl5Fw6Ycg 54 second teaser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szsXGwoJKXw 2:47 trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtcY9FlMd5Q Original 2008 Teaser

ok. you seem really excited about this. but..why?

yaknow..it's not really a bad "gimmick" idea to do this. he will probably sell more hd copies than sd just because it is something new for people who cannot let it go...

hmmm. gets me thinking a bit about buying a hd camcorder.

HEY FELLAS..WHO WANTS TO GO INTO THE MOVIE BIZ!!! (the "suckers" are waiting)

blade,

It's undoubtedly a lot cheaper to produce an HD DVD than it is to make a Blu-ray. Sure, it's a gimmick to sell discs, but are you saying that if you have an HD DVD player, you'd rather not have a high-definition copy of the movie, given a choice between SD and HD?

If the guy can offer his movie in HD, no matter which format, I say more power to him.

John

I think the trailer mentioned that it would be availasble in "DVD and Bluray October 27."

Personally, I think it is a great, although somewhat chancy, gimmick. If you kept your HD DVD player, as I did, then I think it would make a great legacy addition to your collection. I'm going to pick it up, even though I am not a great fan of zombie films.

Speaking of Zombies, I live and work in the Salem, MA area, the Halloween crazy capital of the world, where the annual Zombie Walk has grown big time in the past few years. Last year a local college offered costume and coreographing workshops which were well attended.

The trailer mentioned that there were over 500 extras used in the film. Some people just like doing this stuff.

This is an older story. Therer is a newer one a few weeks ago addressing the artistic elements of the walk, but I cant't find it.
http://www.salemnews.com/permalink/local_story_270224215.html
Edit: found it.
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_295002810.html

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[Post edited by StevePro on Sep 8, 2009 - CDT 10:04 AM]

The trailer is older, when we were doing a Blu-Ray release on the same day as the DVD, but instead it will just be HD DVD and DVD on October 27th.

In terms of one comment in which someone says it will sell more HD DVD than DVD, not likely, Since over 5000 copies of the SD DVD have already been ordered between Netflix, Blockbuster, Best Buy and Wal-Mart... The HD DVD is limited to 500 copies.

Never underestimate low budget zombie films, especially since I did make a name for myself in indie zombie horror... Google Deadlands 2 or Deadlands: The Rising and you will see what I mean.... tons of stuff on the web about the films.

We just don't stand to profit from the HD DVD release, only SD DVD