I like the idea of a petition. Who would we target? Amazon (Prime) and
Netflix seem to be the primary 'offenders' right now. (But there are
individual / self-distributors who are also only selling to individuals
via stream.)
Another possibility -- maybe a joint letter from VRT and NMM?
Meredith and other vendor allies -- what do you think would be a good
way for those of us interested in making a joint statement to get the
attention of the right folks?
Alternately, it might be helpful to attach something like the joint
letter or a statement with a giant gob of signatories when we're all
individually contacting distributors. Like, keep it on your desktop and
just clip it to any of these individual emails we might send when we
advocate for educational distribution. "You might be interested to know
that there are many who are concerned about this issue, and are
interested in purchasing hard copies and educational licenses. Please
see the attached letter."
--
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Associate Librarian
Coordinator, Film & Video Collection
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo
On 12/2/2016 10:29 AM, Laura Jenemann wrote:
Hi all,
I’m happy to add my voice. Is there a group letter writing option?
Change.org post? Blog post option? I may be able to help with the
tech for this.
Once again, Ava DuVernay has gotten the ball rolling on an important
topic. Why not keep it rolling?
Regards,
Laura
Laura Jenemann
Media, Film Studies & Dance Librarian
George Mason University Libraries
Email: ljene...@gmu.edu <mailto:ljene...@gmu.edu>
Phone: 703-993-7593
*From:*videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Wochna,
Lorraine
*Sent:* Thursday, December 1, 2016 6:05 PM
*To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
*Subject:* Re: [Videolib] 13th and Streaming Distribution w/o
Educational Availability
Meghann,
Thanks so much for such a thorough response.
Yes, I agree and will challenge these distributors as well!
Best,
lorraine
*From:*videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu
<mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu>
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Meghann
Matwichuk
*Sent:* Thursday, December 01, 2016 3:17 PM
*To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu <mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>
*Subject:* [Videolib] 13th and Streaming Distribution w/o Educational
Availability
Thanks for passing this along, Lorraine!! This is exciting! Although,
it doesn't quite solve the problem of having a physical copy in our
collection, or a streaming version to which we can provide access for
our patrons who may not have a Netflix account. I was just having a
conversation about this (films produced by streaming services without
any means for libraries to purchase hard copies or license) with the
lovely Meredith Miller not a few hours ago, and just a week or two ago
had an exchange with the distributors of the Netflix film Audrie and
Daisy <http://www.audrieanddaisy.com/>. It went as follows:
Me: "Greetings, I am a media librarian at the University of Delaware
Library. One of UD's student groups will be hosting a film screening
of Audrie & Daisy soon, and we've already had requests that we add the
film to our Library's collection so that it can be used in classes and
made available for students to watch for research. Are there any plans
to make Audrie & Daisy available for purchase on DVD soon, or via some
other mechanism that allows institutional access? I've personally
watched the film via my own Netflix account, and I know it would be a
great resource for our faculty and students. Thank you!"
Carla @ Filmsprout: "Thanks so much for your note, and we're thrilled
to hear that the Library is interested in the film. I'm so sorry, but
currently there aren't plans to make the film available for
institutional purchase because the film is already available for
individual and private classroom use via the Netflix service. However,
I'd be glad to let you know if anything changes!"
Me: "Institutions are not able to subscribe to Netflix, so
unfortunately we can't offer private classroom use via the Netflix
service. I hope that this may change in the near future, as we've
been unable to provide equitable access to some excellent programming
due to the models put forth by Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Please do
let me know if anything should change with 'Audrie & Daisy'."
Carla: "Thank you for your note, and I hear you. I've shared your
feedback with my team, and I will absolutely let you know if anything
changes around institutional licensing for the film."
Several of us (myself, Lorraine, and a few others who may or may not
be on VideoLib?) who attended National Media Market in October
discussed this very thing over lunch one afternoon -- the need to
advocate and raise awareness amongst the producers of films that fit
into this growing category. Towards that end, I'd encourage everyone
to take the extra time to contact producers of films like 13th, Audrie
& Daisy, Transparent, etc. when your students / instructors request
them to help the producers understand the need for an educational
distribution model that would allow us to provide access to these
important films. Clearly, Ms. DuVernay and the Filmsprout folks
intend for these documentaries to be widely seen and utilized in
educational settings -- they need to hear from us that we share that
mission and need options to pay them for / license their content.
Best,
--
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Associate Librarian
Coordinator, Film & Video Collection
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
