Movie Marketing and PR News

Some budget tips for movie lovers, who happen to love their blu-rays.
[C-NET]

Video Rental

Ron Doyle chronicles his first experience with Netflix.

Blockbuster is definitely serious about innovating this year. The movie rental chain has introduced a movie map features, which helps movie buffs vicariously visit locations in their favorite movies.

For instance, the Dallas Business Journal explains it this way:

“The interactive map allows users to visit locations from rural Maine to go along with the movie “The Spitfire Grill.” In addition, they can visit the mountains of North Carolina (inspired by “Cold Mountain”), as well as locations in Napa Valley, Calif., and Arizona — both of which are inspired by the movies “3:10 to Yuma” and “Bottle Shock.”

British-based Moviebooth has signed an agreement with Tesco, a chain of retail stores, to have its movies in the latter’s vending machines all over Ireland.

Meanwhile, it’s been a really slow rental week. What gives?

All Things Digital

As we get nearer to the digital transition’s second deadline, the Federal Communications Commission readies itself to answer converter questions and other issues related to the big digital change.

Legal

Movie composers are fighting to change copyright laws that would give them compensation when their compositions are distributed online.

“According to some observers, composers would stand to win big if new amendments protecting their rights were implemented:

“The stakes are high: Industry experts believe composers could potentially earn nearly $100 million in additional royalty payments annually as Internet viewing grows — if the law was changed to deem downloads of music in audio-visual works as public performances.”

Poster via Cinephish