Many studios start putting DVD-ROM content on their discs. Is this something we will also see on Trimark releases anytime in the future?
Unfortunately that is nothing that can be announced here, but we are always looking for ways to enhance our products.

Trimark does not have a dedicated line of Special Editions. Why? Will that change?
We are currently looking at different Special Editions we could produce, and a way to separate these Special Edition projects from catalog and day & date releases. We really try to give a lot of value to the users already, and we look to reposition the products. It always depends on the availability of materials, to make sure it’s really a Special Edition.
If you come out with a regular line of releases that is so rich in content, it is hard to launch a Special Edition line, because people expect the quality all the time. Look at the upcoming “Another Day In Paradise”. It is not a Special Edition, but it contains the Director’s Cut of the film as well as the theatrical version, and a director’s commentary.

How does Trimark select titles for release on DVD?
It is a group-decision between our Marketing and Sales force. Sales potential of a title plays a role, as well as availability in order to add value to the disc. Most of our new releases are coming out on DVD day&date with the VHS rental cassettes.

Which one has been Trimark’s most successful DVD release so far?
“Eve’s Bayou”, our first DVD release has so far been our most successful title, followed by “Kamasutra”.

Being a studio that release genre movies as well as mainstream films, do you notice a discrepancy in sales between your horror releases and the mainstream titles?
There is a bit of a trend, yes, but usually the genre films we release have a very big and loyal following which compensates for that. Horror does surprisingly well, despite the fact that these are niche titles. “Dead Alive” for example has been outsold by “Eve’s Bayou”, our best-selling title, only by a ratio of 2:1, if not less.

What do you believe, is DVD's strongest selling point?
For the early adaptor film fans it was clearly the audio and picture quality. It was just unseen before. Now that we’re getting more into the mass market, it’s becoming more important that VHS doesn’t allow you to do what DVD can. People like to have the opportunity to get into the film and DVD’s interactivity helps there. As more mainstream customers enter the market, there will also be a trend that more people will want to rent discs rather than to own them.

Interestingly, our 4-Packs have done very well. We sell 4 quality films in good quality at a lower price in these packs. It gives more people the chance to access the medium. These 4-packs have been on the shelves for a very short time only, but they have done well enough for us to continue the line. So good in fact, the we have already slotted a number of new 4-Pack releases.

Can you give us a brief outlook into what DVD owners can expect from Trimark in the coming months?
Another Day In Paradise, Storm Of The Century, The 60s, Happiness, some theatrical films and a number of other acquisitions that we’re currently finalizing.

 By Guido Henkel

April 19, 1999