Re: Update from JMS on Lost Tales
Somewhat shorter than either of us expected, eh, Joe?
Yes, but I'm getting a clearer idea of what he's going for, now, and his use of the word "anthology" in this context is less puzzling.
First on time: I think he's talking about a full 30 minutes for each segment, probaby give or take a llittle depending on what feels right for each tale, because he's talking about it in terms of DVD capacity, not TV running time. A single-sided, single layer DVD has a capacity of
about two hours, depending on various factors. So that would give him 90 minutes or so for the stories and a half hour (or the equivalent in disc space) for extras, commentaries, text features, etc. (Maybe he'll "publish" the annoated scripts for
The Lost Tales on the DVDs for those who buy them and via Cafe Press for those who don't., for instance. Provided that WB pays an adequate royalty, of course.) I'm assuming SS/SL because they're cheaper to produce and have higher production yields and still leave room for silk-screened art, and that's going to be important from a "percieved value" standpoint. The success of TV on DVD may be taking some of the stigma away from "direct to video" in the minds of Hollywood, but if they're going to try to sell what is basically a TV movie for $10 or $11 bucks every few months they can't make it
look cheap. (I'm guessing that even if they get a network deal WB will want to release the DVDs very soon after each movie airs, rather than waiting until months later. PBS and A&E have both pioneered the practice of releasing a show on DVD right after or even right before a segment airs, often including a longer cut or substantial extras on the DVD. The show and its promotion help sell the DVD, while DVD sales - in the case of pre-releases - create advanced word of mouth which can help ratings.)
90 minutes is just shy of the amount of actual program material in a typical "2 hour" TV movie. (Usually 92 to 94 mintues according to a couple of recent MoWs I just checked.) So these would work perfect well as
Trilogy of Terror style anthology TV movies airing every few months in the manner of the
Columbo telefilms. Networks don't like odd chunks of time like 1/2 hours or 90 minutes. They prefer two 1/2 hour comedies back-to-back in an hour block, a one hour drama or a two hour movie, so this form works well for both DVD and TV. it is also fexible in that JMS can easily stretch one segment to an hour with a half hour companion, or even devote the whole 90 minutes to a single story (or three related ones) if he comes up with a plot idea that needs more "breathing room".
All in all an interesting concept. Bravo JMS
Regards,
Joe
