What the F*#% is the point of limited editions!?!

[Goldsmithfan 3]

Golly gee, just yesterday I was made aware (by way of an email from Screen Archives) that the first ever legit 2 CD release of a Jerry Goldsmith score was released . . . of the score to Inchon!

However . . . ! It was limited to 1500 copies!

My question is, what is the point of releasing fairly popular scores in such limited numbers. It sold out like hotcakes for crying in a bucket! And I, with no money to speak of, was forced to watch in horror.

But don't they realize that if they put it on a regular release they'd sell even more!?! I just don't understand the point. Same thing goes for Capricorn One.

I could understand if it were a score with a very small fanbase (like a really unpopular B-movie type score or something) but this is getting ridiculous.

[robthehand 3]

1. They make their money quickly.

2. I believe regular releases cost considerably more to produce, so that and the extra copies sold might cancel each other out...?

3. It's a gamble which scores will sell and which won't. I mean -- Fitzwilly is sold out at Varese, but Home Alone 2 isn't?

4. More potential for another release.

[Trent B 317]

While I am glad that rare scores do get released (even though a lot of them I am not intrested in) I will agree that it's annoying that a lot of them are released in limited numbers. A lot of people will buy multiple copies and sell on ebay for outragous prices and that's one thing that pisses me off. Sorry to say but it does...

It's so stupid that a limited edition score is sold out within hours...I doubt 1,5000 people bought it...

I for one don't think they should be limited numbers because it will give retailers like moviemusic.com and screen archives a chance to buy them and sell them.

[Goldsmithfan 3]

1. They make their money quickly.

2. I believe regular releases cost considerably more to produce, so that and the extra copies sold might cancel each other out...?

3. It's a gamble which scores will sell and which won't. I mean -- Fitzwilly is sold out at Varese, but Home Alone 2 isn't?

4. More potential for another release.

I'm pretty sure it really is all about the money. They wanna sell as fast as possible without really thinking of those who put them in business in the first place: US!

[robthehand 3]

Sure. It's all a conspiracy. :roll:

I for one don't think they should be limited numbers because it will give retailers like moviemusic.com and screen archives a chance to buy them and sell them.

In an ideal world, that would be great. But in some cases it would be financially impossible to have them as regular releases.

[Lurker 5]

I'm sure there are all sorts of legal and business decisions involved in making limited edition releases. Pissing off fanboys is probably not the motivation.

Neil

[robthehand 3]

I'm sure there are all sorts of legal and business decisions involved in  making limited edition releases.  Pissing off fanboys is probably not the motivation.

Neil

Also, don't the re-use fees vary based on how many discs are pressed? (Or something like that...)

[Miguel Andrade 964]

Most of the times, limited editions are so due to legal impositions by the big productions houses that release the films.

I understand how some of you feel, but that's the way it works. You should be happy that the scores get released at all, and if you can't afford buying them ll, at least surelly someone who did will get you a copy.

[Ollie 859]

Neil is correct, Doug Fake, Lukas Kendall, Robert Townson and even Ford Thaxton have explained it time after time after time about why they can only press so many discs and yet it seems no one pays attention.

Here's a suggestion:

Check Varese, Intrada, Screen Archives, FSM or any other site you might think would help once or twice a day, especially the message boards because it was announced that Intrada would be announcing a release Monday evening. Varese puts their club releases on the site at 12:00pm US Pacific time when they are released. FSM does 2 discs a month and lists them on the message board as well as their site. Members also post these things on the message boards on various sites as well.

Now if you can't afford it or don't have the money, well that's just part of life. Nothing is promised to you. You could call or e-mail and ask them to hold one for you until you get paid.

I've learned that if you truly want these discs you have to pay attention and make sure you check daily to keep up on what and when these are coming out.

[robthehand 3]

Yes - you just have to check the FSM board once a day to see if anything's been released/is about to be released. Or, you can sign up to SoundtrackCollector.com and you can immediately see when a new CD by your favourite composer has been released.

[John Crichton 4]

And it's not like they don't let us know up front how many copies there are.

[Lurker 5]

Golly gee, just yesterday I was made aware (by way of an email from Screen Archives) that the first ever legit 2 CD release of a Jerry Goldsmith score was released .  .  . of the score to Inchon!

However . . .  ! It was limited to 1500 copies!

My question is, what is the point of releasing fairly popular scores in such limited numbers.

Is Inchon popular because of the movie or is there just big demand for Goldsmith music among soundtrack fans?

I could understand if it were a score with a very small fanbase (like a really unpopular B-movie type score or something) but this is getting ridiculous.

I bet Inchon has a very small fanbase, if any at all. And judging by the total obscurity of the film, I'd say it's really unpopular, too. So I'm not quite understanding you're coming from.

Inchon sold out because it had the name "Jerry Goldsmith" attached to it, plain and simple.

Neil

[Ollie 859]

If Bruce Broughton or Basil Poledouris scored it I'm sure Intrada would have plenty of stock left.

The same thing happened to me with Bandolero. I was kinda in shock over Goldsmith's passing and neglected to act fast enough and didn't get it. Luckily I found it on e-bay 6 months ago for a reasonable price.

My friend was over for dinner Monday night and when I went to Intrada's site and saw it was 1500 I ordered it immediately. I asked him if he wanted me to order 2 copies and he said he'd wait a few days and do it himself. He's going to be kicking himself when he goes to order it and can't.

[Luke Skywalker 1,286]

Ouch

[robthehand 3]

I bet Inchon has a very small fanbase, if any at all.  And judging by the total obscurity of the film, I'd say it's really unpopular, too.  So I'm not quite understanding you're coming from.

Me Neither.

[John McClane 1]

My question is, what is the point of releasing fairly popular scores in such limited numbers.

They want to force us copying and downloading music.

They are so annoying about piracy, and then they take these fabolous decisions.

Thanks to them I've been forced to download The Fury, for example.

Wouldn't be simpler to release it as a regular score, so that I just could walk out and buy it in a store? I would have done that, of course. But no, they want us to copy the rare and original CDs.

[Lurker 5]

I bet Inchon has a very small fanbase, if any at all.  And judging by the total obscurity of the film, I'd say it's really unpopular, too.  So I'm not quite understanding you're coming from.

Me Neither.

It would have been funnier if it said it was waiting for 5 votes.

They want to force us copying and downloading music.

They are so annoying about piracy, and then they take these fabolous decisions.

Thanks to them I've been forced to download The Fury, for example.

Wouldn't be simpler to release it as a regular score, so that I just could walk out and buy it in a store? I would have done that, of course. But no, they want us to copy the rare and original CDs.

Have you even bothered reading this thread?

Neil

[Ollie 859]

Did you or do you not pay attention to anything posted in these threads concerning limited editions?

There's more to it than just releasing 10,000 copies. It has nothing to do with forcing people to downloading it. Again I state that it has been posted on many message boards as to why limited copies of the CDs are made. I'm sure they would love to make more or press another batch but it comes down to what the studios want and what makes sense financially to companies like FSM, Varese, Intrada etc etc. For every 1000 unit that sells quickly there is a 3000 unit that is gathering dust because it's not Goldsmith or Williams.

The Fury had a regular release in stores for many years. The album then went out of print and Varese re-released it with the original tracks as part of their club selection.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Exactly. It's been explained, many, many times before. It might be frustrating, but certain legal matters restrict larger batches.

But not all limited editions sell out quickly just because they are limited. The complete release of Home Alone 2 is still available from Varèse, and it was released four years ago, limited to 3000 copies.

Although I agree this thing probably just went so fast because it had the name Jerry Goldsmith on it.

- Marc, who had never heard of this score, or the film.

[Vaderbait1 1]

It's so stupid that a limited edition score is sold out within hours...I doubt 1,5000 people bought it...

I don't know. Out of what, 8 billion people in the world, I'm sure 1,500 are fans of a certain obscure piece of music and happen to know a limited release is coming out.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

With this kind of release, however, it is not uncommon people buy 2 copies or more, keep one for themselves, and then sell the rest on eBay after 6 months or more.

[robthehand 3]

With this kind of release, however, it is not uncommon people buy 2 copies or more, keep one for themselves, and then sell the rest on eBay after 6 months or more.

That would be great, I'd do that if only I had the money, like Steef.

[King Mark 2,924]

 

I could understand if it were a score with a very small fanbase (like a really unpopular B-movie type score or something) but this is getting ridiculous.

I bet Inchon has a very small fanbase, if any at all. And judging by the total obscurity of the film, I'd say it's really unpopular, too. So I'm not quite understanding you're coming from.

Inchon sold out because it had the name "Jerry Goldsmith" attached to it, plain and simple.

Neil

I don't think it's that obscure to any film score fan.I never saw the movie but knew of this score..I found it at the library a few months ago but had been wanting to hear it since the 80's It's pretty good in Goldsmith's best streak of scores.

I might have bought it had I known of this c.d. release,even If I don't usually rush to get the latest Goldsmith release.

and about people buying 3 copies to sell on e-bay...I do find that greedy I'm sorry.Ok it's legit to do it,but for the small profit your depraving another fan of getting it right now.

K.M.

[Red 73]

The point of limited editions is to piss us off, and for the industry fat-cats to make more money.

[robthehand 3]

The point of limited editions is to piss us off and for the industry fat-cats to make more money.

There is not the smallest bit of sense in the first part of that statement. Why would they deliberately try and annoy the people who will buy their future releases? Answer: they wouldn't. It is a fact that it is far more complicated and expensive (in some cases) to release a regular-issue CD than a limited edition. No limited editions = no Ghostbusters, Poseidon Adventure etc. etc.

Yes it's partly about money, but it's also about what is possible and what isn't.

[Red 73]

Well, they sure pissed off Goldsmithfan.

But relax Rob, I realize that limited editions are there for a very good reason. I was just joking about Goldsmithfan's anger towards limited editions. Sorry for my lack of obvious sarcasm.

[King Mark 2,924]

Well,in this case,you wake up late and you miss it,so there's reason to be pissed off.

K.M.Not pissed off but would have liked at least the option to purchase it.

[MrScratch 292]

The point of limited editions is to piss us off, and for the industry fat-cats to make more money.

You should worry more about "industry fat-cats" NOT making money off of film score releases. Because when that day comes, no more score CDs for us, limited edition or otherwise. I'm perfectly content to turn over some of my hard-earned dough over to the studios for good film music and good movies. It's worth it. Good music, good movies, good anything is worth paying for and if you miss a release here or there because of limited editions or limited income, (as someone else stated) that's life.

Jeff

[Ollie 859]

I've thought about buying extras in the past but then I think of those like me who want the music for the sake of listening to it and not make a buck.

[Guest macrea]

It's not the reuse, it's the union mechanical royalties. The record companies are able to negotiate a low royalty payment for a limited edition. They'd go bankrupt paying the full royalty for an open-ended license. It's a choice between releasing soundtracks or not releasing them. They're not doing it to piss off the buyers; they're doing it to please them. It's not a perfect solution, but at least they're doing what they can.

[King Mark 2,924]

thank god for the trading board and cdr's.At least if the music exists it's possible to get it in one way or another.

K.M.