Example of distributor's changes to DVD artwork

mainstreetprod

mainstreetprod

Veteran
For those interested in the world of DVD/BluRay distribution, distributors will often change the artwork to what they believe will grab the attention of the shopper. This graphic is our own in house version, to see the final distributor's version click here and then on the graphic to the right of the trailer window. As you can see they simplified things greatly.


http://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/review/the-good-book-2/


good book dvd jacket for print.jpg
 
Interesting to see the difference. I gather this isn't always the case, but I think they've done a fantastic job making the cover look more cohesive and professional. To be honest, if I saw your in-house cover on a shelf, I don't think I'd give it a second glance - whereas with the distributor's version I probably would.
 
Grug said:
To be honest, if I saw your in-house cover on a shelf, I don't think I'd give it a second glance - whereas with the distributor's version I probably would.
Click to expand...
I second that. But, when you see your work altered by a third-party, it's never fun.

Reminds me a similar history from a fellow user here, on his first feature, EXIT 101, which ended up being EXIT 101 : HALLOWEEN PARTY MASSACRE when distributed.
Original design vs Best Buy edition.
dvdcoverart.jpg vs 61Z2Ki2sqgL.jpg

I'm proud to say I bought the original edition, sold directly by the creator from another forum.
 
drapeama said:
I second that. But, when you see your work altered by a third-party, it's never fun.

Reminds me a similar history from a fellow user here, on his first feature, EXIT 101, which ended up being EXIT 101 : HALLOWEEN PARTY MASSACRE when distributed.
Original design vs Best Buy edition.
View attachment 94693 vs View attachment 94694

I'm proud to say I bought the original edition, sold directly by the creator from another forum.
Click to expand...

Not sure the new artwork was an improvement in this case- I kinda like the original.
 
For the Good Book I kinda like both. The original feels more indie and the redone version feels more polished/hollywood. For Exit 101, the redone version would catch my eye much more if I was just sifting through a bunch of movies. I think the new tag line is better too.
 
mainstreetprod said:
Not sure the new artwork was an improvement in this case- I kinda like the original.
Click to expand...
The original was better imho. As I saw the movie, I think the tagline suits it better than on the new one from the distributor.
adkimery said:
For Exit 101, the redone version would catch my eye much more if I was just sifting through a bunch of movies. I think the new tag line is better too.
Click to expand...
That's for sure, the colors pops a little more, so it catch more the eye. But as I said, having watched the movie, the original cover suits better the theme and genre of the movie.

That being said, on a side note, I remember when the director (user Azmyth) started that production, shooting some scenes with a DOF adapter on his HV30. It ended up being a lot better with the bare camcorder. His second and third production are way better than this one. Can't wait to see the improvement!
 
I've yet to have a distributor change my artwork on me. I'm sure it'll happen at some point, but I try to talk to them during the creation process and see how folks are feeling. It's way too easy to just ask friends and go with your own opinion, so I do my best to accommodate. I also did online voting on the last film, which thousands chimed in on, so I had some results from the buyers to show distribs and say "look...the buyers wanted this..."

However, I did go to a graphics house to have them make me something that would satisfy Redbox, but they were unable. Wasted money. Hard to know how things will go sometimes. Last time Redbox loved my Cover and didn't change a thing, this time they weren't into it.

That's the biz!

lca_dvd_ebay.jpgsf_dvd_ebay.jpg
 
"I've yet to have a distributor change my artwork on me."


Bottom line is, if the distributor feels the existing artwork will grab the attention of the shopper and get them interested in buying, why change anything? Both your titles look professionally done.
 
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