>I wonder: is there money for writers in DVD releases like this, some
>kind of residual? Is there a residual for any of the original
>production people, the actors, directors, producers?

Writers, actors and directors get residuals on DVDs based on the VHS residuals
formula which was put into place a number of years ago before the videotape
boom and the Writers Guild didn't think there was any money in it.
Consequently, the studios got a deal wherein basically the writers get
something on the order of a penny a copy (or nothing, since it's based on net
profits).

The guild, gotta love 'em....

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)

>Are other
>companies (such as Fox) paying people to do DVD commentaries? If so, it
>seems
>stupid that Warners doesn't do this, since they are part of that big AOL
>Time-Warner mega-corporation should have the money.

Many do, some don't, there's no industry standard on this. It's just one of
those things, I'm not (too) bugged about it.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2002 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)