Thanks, all, for the ideas and input! And yes, I do understand that
there are different rights complications depending on whether or not
Amazon / Netflix has produced the content or not. I do realize this is
a tall order and may not (or may not be likely to) result in DVD
availability. But from what I've gathered so far, raising awareness of
the fact that these companies (and the content producers, in cases where
they are not the distributors) are leaving money on the table and
prohibiting content from being seen in certain environments is the first
hurdle, so crafting some kind of statement in this area with a goal
towards publicizing it seems like a good place to start.
I agree that a conference call could be useful to begin the process, and
would be available for one next week or the week after, in case it takes
some time to pull together. Meredith, are you able to facilitate? I
could help with the scheduling by putting together a Doodle poll that
folks could use to indicate interest and availability; just let me know.
An interesting idea from Elizabeth at Bullfrog Films is that we could
provide examples of several of the companies who regularly work with
educational rights (as Mat described) who could serve as models /
references for the process in the case of those film and / or music
producers who are simply unaware and don't know where to start.
--
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 11:37 AM, meredith miller wrote:
I love this idea! I've been pursuing this on individual basis with
both Netflix and Amazon. My argument has been that this type of
licensing is another potential revenue stream that they are not
considering. I think there is a general misunderstanding about the
educational licensing market and the value that it has - so I think
educating them on who we are and why we are important is crucial.
I'm happy to dive into this! I think it would be good to discuss
strategy first. Is anyone interested in a conference call early next week?
Meredith
On Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 11:12 AM, Susan Albrecht <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
I think these are genius ideas from Meghann. I especially like
the idea of a joint letter from VRT and NMM and having an “all
set” statement with many signatures ready to attach to an email
we’re sending.
So who’s the drafter? ;)
Susan Albrecht
Graduate Fellowship Advisor
Library Media Acquisitions Manager
Wabash College Lilly Library
765-361-6216 <tel:%28765%29%20361-6216> (acquisitions) /
765-361-6297 <tel:%28765%29%20361-6297> (fellowships)
765-361-6295 <tel:%28765%29%20361-6295> fax
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Twitter: @Wab_Fellowships
www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films
<http://www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films>
*******************************************************************
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
--Neil Peart
*******************************************************************
*From:*[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
[mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>] *On Behalf Of
*Meghann Matwichuk
*Sent:* Friday, December 02, 2016 10:59 AM
*To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
*Subject:* Re: [Videolib] 13th and Streaming Distribution w/o
Educational Availability
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 <tel:%28302%29%20831-1475>
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo
<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: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Phone: 703-993-7593 <tel:%28703%29%20993-7593>
*From:*[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
[mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>] *On Behalf Of
*Wochna, Lorraine *Sent:* Thursday, December 1, 2016 6:05 PM
*To:* [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> *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:*[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
[mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>] *On Behalf Of
*Meghann Matwichuk *Sent:* Thursday, December 01, 2016 3:17 PM
*To:* [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> *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 <tel:%28302%29%20831-1475>
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo
<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.
