VIDEO SOFTWARE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (VSDA)
ANNOUNCES ITS 2002 HOME ENTERTAINMENT AWARD WINNERS
Winners Were Announced During The Awards Celebration At
Home Entertainment 2002, Presented By VSDA
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (July 19, 2002) ... The winners of VSDA’s 2002 Home Entertainment Awards were announced yesterday evening by the Association during its Award Celebration event at VSDA’s 21st annual show – Home Entertainment 2002, Presented By VSDA, held July 16-18, 2002 at the Rio Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Home Entertainment Awards were awarded in 18 categories that were voted on, and nine revenue-based titles were also recognized. The announcement was made today by VSDA President Bo Andersen.
Each year at its annual trade event, VSDA honors its members’ favorite movies, programs, and games available on home video. To be eligible for nomination, videos must have been released between December 1, 2000 and March 31, 2002. The 2002 award categories were determined by a blue-ribbon member committee of retailers, distributors and trade journalists, who then selected 84 nominees in the 18 award categories.
Winners were determined by ballots which were sent to all regular VSDA members (retailers and distributors). Completed ballots must have been returned by June 26 to qualify.
The 2002 VSDA Home Entertainment Award Winners are highlighted (in bold) and noted next to the title in each of the following categories and nominees.
In order to recognize efforts unique to home video, the following categories take into account not only overall performance but particularly the marketing and promotional efforts given to titles by the studios.
“Cast Away” – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
“Charlie’s Angels” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“Unbreakable” – Touchstone/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Dr. T & The Women” – Artisan Home Entertainment
“Nurse Betty” – USA Home Entertainment
“O” – Trimark/Lions Gate Home Entertainment
“Shadow Of The Vampire” – Lions Gate Home Entertainment
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
“Meet The Parents” -- Universal Studios Home Entertainment
“Pearl Harbor” – Touchstone/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“The Princess Diaries” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
SELL-THROUGH TITLE OF THE YEAR BY AN INDEPENDENT STUDIO
“Megiddo: The Omega Code 2” – Goodtimes Home Video
“Queer As Folk” – Showtime Entertainment Networks
“Sex & The City” – HBO Home Video
“Twin Peaks” (Season 1) – Artisan Home Entertainment
“Animal Factory” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“Balto II: Wolf Quest” – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
“Cinderella II: Dreams Come True” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Cruel Intensions 2” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“Lady & The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Boy’s Life 3” – Strand Releasing Home Video
“Ed Gein” – First Look Pictures
“Skipped Parts” – Trimark/Lions Gate Home Entertainment
“Ticker” – Artisan Home Entertainment
The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) has announced the winners of its 2002 Home Entertainment DVD Technical Awards, honoring DVD titles that have demonstrated the most innovative and entertaining features through the use of the latest DVD technology. The awards were announced during an Awards Celebration by VSDA President Bo Andersen during the 21stth annual VSDA confab, Home Entertainment 2002 held July 16-19, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A blue-ribbon panel made up of home entertainment journalists from across the nation were asked to review and rate over 110 entries considered for a total of twelve categories.
To be qualified, the DVD had to be released between December 2000 and March 31 2002. Every DVD company, regardless of its size, was asked to choose their best tiles in each category. Over 20 DVD suppliers/distributors participated.
This year’s 2002 VSDA Home Entertainment DVD Technical Award Winners are:
“Moulin Rouge” – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
“The Sopranos” (Complete First Edition) – HBO Home Video
“Forbidden Tales” – Digital Playground
“The GodFather” DVD Collection – Paramount Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” – Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs – Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Shrek” – DreamWorks Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” – Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“The Fifth Element” – Colmbia TriStar Home Entertainment
*Note: There was a tie in this category, and two winners.
“Down From The Mountain” – Artisan Home Entertainment
“Hedwig And The Angry Inch” – New Line Home Entertainment
BEST MUSIC DVD – NON-THEATRICAL RELEASE
“The Who Live At The Royal Albert Hall” – Image Entertainment
“Moulin Rouge” – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
“Best In Show” – Warner Home Video
“Hedwig And The Angry Inch” – New Line Home Entertainment
“Memento” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” – Touchstone/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
(Dialogue track must be predominantly in a language of the country of origin, except when story mandates that an additional non-English language is predominant. Accurate English subtitles are required.)
“Amores Perros” – Sterling Home Entertainment
“Lagaan” -- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“The Princess & The Warrior” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“With A Friend Like Harry” – Miramax/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Buttwoman Iz Bella” – Elegant Angel
“Cap’n Mongo’s Porno Playhouse” – VCA Pictures
“Euphoria” – Wicked Pictures
“Porno Vision” – Hustler Video
In order to recognize content, packaging and marketing exclusive to home video, awards were given honoring supplemental material on DVD, in-store point-of-purchase materials, DVD and VHS packaging and retailer web support as follows:
SPECIAL EDITION DVD OF THE YEAR (Based on Supplemental Material)
(Must contain supplemental features only available on DVD format.)
“Monty Python Live” – Arts & Entertainment Home Video
“Moulin Rouge” – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Charlie’s Angels” – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
“Jeepers Creepers” – MGM Home Entertainment
“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” – Paramount Home Entertainment
“Oz” (The Series) – HBO Home Video
“Almost Famous: Bootleg Cut” – DreamWorks Home Entertainment
“The Evil Dead (Book Of The Dead Limited Edition)” – Anchor Bay Entertainment
“Moulin Rouge” – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
“Pearl Harbor” – Touchstone/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
BEST IN-STORE POINT-OF-PURCHASE MATERIALS
“Shrek” – DreamWorks Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“The Fast And The Furious” – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
“Pearl Harbor” – Touchstone/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
bvhe.com – Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ctheAd.com – Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
foxretail.com – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
universalhomevideo.com – Universal Studios Home Entertainment
whvdirect.com – Warner Home Video
Due to the growth in the video game market and the expanding number of platforms, the committee elected to recognize outstanding games for each of the major systems: GameCube, PlayStation and Xbox. The video game winners in these categories were:
BEST GAMECUBE VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR
“Sonic Adventure 2 Battle” – Sega of America
“Star Wars: Rogue Leader Squadron” – Lucas Arts Films
“Super Smash Brothers Melee” – Nintendo of America
“Devil May Cry” – Capcom
“Grand Turismo 3” – Sony Computer Entertainment
“Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty” – Konami
“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3” – Activision
BEST XBOX VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR (there are only four)
“Dead Or Alive 3” – Tecmo
“Halo: Combat Evolved” – Microsoft
“Star Wars: Obi-Won” – Lucas Arts Entertainment
The following awards were given to the top renting and selling videos and video games based on revenue.
BEST RENTING TITLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT STUDIO
BEST RENTING DIRECT-TO-VIDEO TITLE BY A MAJOR STUIDIO
“Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
BEST RENTING DIRECT-TO-VIDEO TITLE BY AN INDEPDENENT STUDIO
BEST RENTING VIDEOGAME
Sales Revenue Awards From Data Provided By VideoScan
BEST SELLING TITLE FROM A MAJOR STUDIO
BEST SELLING TITLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT STUDIO
BEST SELLING DIRECT-TO-VIDEO BY A MAJOR STUDIO
“Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment
The 2002 Retailer Of The Year Award Winners are:
Independent or Small Chain Video Store (1-5 Storefronts)
First Run Video, Brattleboro VT (Alan Goldstein, owner)
First Run Video has demonstrated excellent customer service and enjoys strong ties to the community it serves, as evidenced by its seasonal promotions. Owner Alan Goldstein is actively involved in VSDA’s Government Affairs Committee and industry lobbying efforts.
Mid-Sized Video Store Chain (6-20 Storefronts)
Bradley Video, Petaluma CA (Bill Bradley, owner)
Recognized for outstanding customer service, Bradley Video rewards its employees for diligent service and allows for flexibility when accommodating customers.
Large Video Store Chain (21+ Storefronts)
Rogers Video, Richmond, BC (Chuck van der Lee, President and CEO)
Rogers Video demonstrates a total company commitment in delivering an exceptional neighborhood store experience for its customers. Store employees are empowered to deliver a friendly neighborhood store experience to effectively meet their customers' entertainment needs.
Video 2000, Niagara Falls, ON (Rose Iannacchino, Owner)
An 18-year veteran of the home video business, Rose Iannacchino is the President of VSDA’s Southern Ontario Chapter. Video 2000 is open 365 days a year for its customers and implements ongoing promotions for each holiday.
All winners were chosen by a selection committee of video retailers and distributors. As in previous years, VSDA members were encouraged to nominate themselves or other member retailers who have demonstrated excellence in video store operations during the year.
Similar to the record industry’s long-standing sales awards, VSDA’s DVD Certification program awards outstanding DVD titles at three levels, which are defined as the number of DVD product units sold in the U.S. (shipped minus returns). VSDA’s launched the DVD Certification Program in March of 2000.
“We are excited to recognize Columbia Tristar and USA Home Entertainment for their exceptional DVD titles and sales records,” said Andersen. “These impressive sales numbers reinforce the incredible acceptance and growth of the DVD format by consumers and the renewed vigor and excitement that DVD continues to bring to the home video industry.”
The newest titles submitted and qualified for certification are:
Silver Level (500,000 units sold)
“The Animal” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Baby Boy” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Bad Boys” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Close Encounters” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Cruel Intentions” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Ghostbusters I” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Joe Dirt” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Memento” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Replacement Killers” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Riding In Cars With Boys” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“The Net” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Two Can Play That Game” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
Gold Level (1,000,000 units sold)
“A Knight’s Tale” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“America’s Sweethearts” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Blue Streak” (previously Silver) – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Big Daddy” (previously Silver) – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Final Fantasy” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Men In Black” DVD Jewel Case – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Monty Python And The Holy Grail” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Mothman Prophecies” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Not Another Teen Movie” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“Snatch” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“The Fifth Element” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“The One” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
“The Wedding Planner” – Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
Platinum Level (2,000,000 units sold)
“Traffic” – USA Home Entertainment
DVD titles are eligible for certification as of street date and continue through the life of the product. This allows titles to be certified whenever they reach goal levels, regardless of the year they are released. Application packages are sent from VSDA each quarter to the rights holders to apply for certification. DVD rights holders submit separate applications for each title for which certifications are sought along with sales figures. VSDA requires a certified audit with each submission, conducted by the rights holder’s outside accounting firm or by VSDA’s designated accounting firm, Thomas Turrin & Association, P.C. in New York.
Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is a not-for-profit international trade association for the $19 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents over 1,700 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and a dozen other countries. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video and video game retailers (both independents and large chains), as well as the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses which constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.