Wednesday, March 15, 2006

2 links to pursue re: getting cheap UPC labels for DVDs

I will be duplicating & packaging Date Number One DVDs myself & will be getting them ready for retail sale (w/ someone like Disc Makers in mind as a potential back up solution in case doing it myself does not work out too well), and one of the things I will need is a UPC bar code/label for my DVDs. Fellow filmmaker & Indie Features 06 blogger Amir Motlagh called me last night & told me about needing cheap UPC labels for his DVDs (normally it would cost $700-$800 I think for 100 unique labels/for 100 items, directly from the UPC issuing authority, check link 1 below for more on that) so I did some quick research. Here are two perhaps useful finds:

1. From Kevin Kelly's "Cool Tool: How to sell your Book, CD, or DVD on Amazon" page :

" For DVDs: The official way to get a UPC is to become a member of the UCC (Uniform Code Council). You register online as a company here, and they issue you a company number which then becomes part of your UPC codes. The minimum membership fee is $750 for a block of 100 codes, plus an annual renewal of $150. This is obviously unacceptable for most self-publishers, so there is a gray market alternative. You can buy a UPC code from a reseller. Subdivisions caters to small-time entrepreneurs, inventors, artists and musicians. You can purchase a UPC for $35 (after a one-time $75 registration fee). "

Read the rest of the info. here.

2. The Subdivisions page w/ info. on $75 registration + $35 for 1 UPC label is here.

I am assuming that there is no limit to the number of copies of one item (like, 2000 DVDs of Date Number One) for which one UPC label can be used. If I find out otherwise, I'll let ya know.

If anyone out there has more tips on solving the "getting cheap UPC labels" problem, do share.

Thanks.

Sujewa
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8 comments:

Sujewa [Blog Admin] said...

Hey Josh,

Yeah, if u use Disc Makers services you will not need to get a UPC label on your own, they will take care of it - according to the lovely sales literature that they just sent.

For me Disc Makers is the back up plan initially. I want to have the ability to run different numbers of DVDs as I need them and being able to make my own DVDs means I can update the cover art w/ new quotes/press stuff as they become available. Also I can add extra material to the DVD whenever I want. Most likely I'll release a no-extras DVD in Spring as screenings/theatrical play begins & then down the road, after theatrical, maybe in 1-2 years, I'll release another version of the DVD w/ extras on it. All strategic interests aside, it will be very cool to have the ability to make like 500 DVDs whenever I want :) Also, I may be able to hook other filmmakers up w/ short DVD runs once I have the duplicating gear.

But as Blake pointed out, what I will be doing is Duplicating, what Disc Maker does is Replicating - some people think that is a better process, produces a better product.
As long as all my DVDs play in most US DVD players & other playback devices, and are of comparable quality to most retail DVDs, I am happy.

I think Disc Makers offers an awesome number of excellent services. I may use them for certain projects, or even for the current project down the road.
Most likely I'll buy my DVD duplicating machine from them.

Sujewa
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Anonymous said...

Hey Sujewa,

Thanks for the clarification. I don't start production on my feature for a couple months, so this post-production work is way down the road for me. But I do want to know what my options are if I don't find distribution (which most don't). So I appreciate all the information.

Cheers,

Josh

Sujewa [Blog Admin] said...

Cool deal Josh. Good luck with getting the movie made & finding distribution. Fortunately for me I live & operate in a world where self-distribution is the preferred distribution choice & collaborating with another distributor is perhaps a necessary but not wholly desired complication at some distant point for wider coverage of the land/world. That whole approach makes my life easier. I'll probably post here & @ Filmmaking/Poor more details of my Date Number One self-distro adventures as they happen in the next few months.

Sujewa
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Anonymous said...

Great, can't wait to hear more about the movie. Are you also looking at the online rental markets such as Netflix and Greencine?

Sujewa [Blog Admin] said...

Hey Josh,

All the info. any sexy person needs on Date Number One can be (or soon should be) found at:
http://www.wilddiner.com
the film has an official blog (link at wilddiner site), and I'll blog at that blog lots & lots & lots as soon as the film is out (April/May).

Re: Netflix, etc., I am mostly interested in the theatrical experience first, so, from '06 to '08 I will be working on taking the movie from a very, very limited DIY/low/"no" budget theatrical screening/distro stage to a wider theatrical distribution stage, coupled w/ limited DVD availability. After theatrical is completely done, I will work on wider DVD release & all other distro options: VOD, on-line rental/Netflix/GreenCine type options, etc. But I want to use the film to create a fun live event (i am gonna do Q&A at as many screenings as possible, and there will be other live attractions to go along w/ the film in most cases), a good reason to hang out, the way indie rock bands use live shows. Other distro options will be of slightly secondary value. Thanks for the interest in the project.

Sujewa
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Blake Calhoun said...

I'm going to post a link to Truly Indie on the main page. I'm sure Sujewa you've heard of it, but if not it might be a good alternative for those of you seeking "theatrical" exposure via self-distibution. It does costs you money, and you have to be accepted, but it looks like an interesting concept.

Oh, and btw, if you replicate with most DVD houses - again, that's replicate - they GIVE you a UPC Code or it only costs $50.00. You have to have one to sell DVDs on Amazon, etc. But, if you are just selling them yourself via PayPal or similar on the web you don't need a UPC.

And another place you might check out is CustomFlix.com. They are an "on demand" DVD duplicator for self distributors. A great way to make as many or few copies as you want without a big upfront cost and get some exposure (they sell them too).

-Blake

Sujewa [Blog Admin] said...

Thanks for the ideas Blake. This blog is turning out to be a good source for helpful info. re:many of the tasks I am tackling right now.

Sujewa
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cock n face said...

I just got my dvds from diskmakers today and they are incredible. Of all the hassles of making independent film, this was the only thing that didn't require compromise. (No, I don't work for them...but I'm gonna sound like it by the time I finish!)
Seriously...they were really nice and I have 1000 dvds and 300 posters for under 2 thousand dollars including shipping! It looks super pro...upc codes, plastic wrapped, etc.

CustomFlix.com is okay, but they are now createspace...run by amazon. I recommend indieflix.com. They give you a better deal and you don;t have to put up any money. They make your films on demand BUT the drwabacks are: they are dvd-r, so you can't really sell them retail and the people there couldn't explain how their upc codes worked. (ie...is it specific to my title or a generic upc code for your company)

I chose to put in the investment because my film "Unspeakable: The Life & Art of Reverend Steven Johnson Leyba" played in 6 film festivals. DO NOT invest 2 grand if there is no buzz for your film. Be reasonable!