|
View previous topic ::
View next topic
|
| Author |
Message |
 mellowman
Captain
Joined: Sep 02, 2003
Member#: 2939
Posts: 1119
Location: UK
   
|
 Posted:
Sat May 24, 2008 8:45 am Post subject: Why release limited editions? |
 
|
This is a genuine question rather than a complaint. I just wondered why labels like Intrada release limited editions of soundtracks when demand for them is so high?
I'd understand it for lesser well known scores or those that take a month or so for stock to sell. But scores like the recent Baby by Jerry Goldsmith had sold out within two days! So surely demand would have continued and it wouldn't have been a waste of money to print more copies. I'd understand it more if they then released the same CD a year or so later like Disney release their DVDs.
Any one know? |
|
 |
Nate
Captain
Joined: Dec 12, 2004
Member#: 8729
Posts: 1424
Location: Here and NOT There
  |
|
Posted:
Tue May 27, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: |
|
Well I can't speak from experience, but I know that it has to do with several factors including trying to estimate supply and demand ahead of time, costs associated with releasing a score, certain limitations based on contractual agreements etc.
Many times if you produce more than a certain amount of copies your fees started to go up a substantial amount as you have to pay higher re-use fees.
That is a quick response for you, but I am sure there are some other people who could add some additional insight and possibly some actual factual information. If I get a chance I can tried to provide some facts as well, but I think with my response you get an idea. Basically the costs associated with a release are one of the major concerns. |
|
|
|
Nate
Captain
Joined: Dec 12, 2004
Member#: 8729
Posts: 1424
Location: Here and NOT There
|
|
Posted:
Tue May 27, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
Also, if you take the re-issue of Inchon as an example. They could have produced additional units over the 1,500 copies without any additional fees other than production costs, but they felt with a prior release already circulating that there wasn't enough demand for any more than 1,500 copies. Well they turned out to be very wrong in that assumption even though they were trying to make sure they didn't get stuck with tons of inventory that they couldn't move.
It turned out to be a big fiasco....
Also, they use the limited edition as a marketing ploy. By advertising it as limited people are quicker to make a purchase on the chance that it sells out and they would never hear it.
_________________
"My Logic is Undeniable" - I, Robot |
|
|
|
mellowman
Captain
Joined: Sep 02, 2003
Member#: 2939
Posts: 1119
Location: UK
|
|
Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 3:40 am Post subject: |
|
Thanks for the reply Nate. I hadn't thought about the fees for higher numbers of copies of copies particularly or the re-use fee but as you said in your second post sometimes there is far more demand than the numbers made.
I guess I can see that a frenzy of speculation and excitement is created when a limited edition is announced but it still seems to me that they could sell far more copies.
The one I didn't mention in my post was the Ebay crowd who snap up these limited edition CDs and then sell them for at least double the price. Cynical and grossly unfair for those of us who are genuinely interested in buying the occasional special CD.
I don't know, having said I wasn't complaining I guess I am now. |
|
|
|
 LadyInque
Captain
Joined: May 20, 2005
Member#: 10281
Posts: 2224
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
|
|
Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: |
|
It isn't the same thing at all, I understand, but this is one reason I'm happy about legit digital music sales from outfits like Amazon. There are an unlimited number of copies available, so no one is disappointed and no one can scalp them. Plus, this means it takes no more effort to release a rare soundtrack (or an import, or what have you) than a current pop smash, so you can find the dangdest things online. That's how I got my German copy of Aida, and Amazon sells the Anniversary Concert of Tanz der Vampire. How else would I get those?
_________________
I have a book coming out. Wanna see it?
http://www.jessicalevai.com/sternendach-a-vampire-opera-in-verse/ |
|
|
|
Twopop 
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Member#: 7382
Posts: 2673
Location: Oregon
|
|
Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: |
|
| LadyInque wrote: |
| I got my German copy of Aida |
Really? Have you checked out Adagio.FM, Lady? It would be great to chat with you over there.
"And now back to our regularly schedule topic"  |
|
|
|
|
|
