With it are additional tracks including an interview with one of Lucas's USC professors, plus a chat with the young actor who played Lucas in the popular short film, George Lucas in Love, a humorous imagining of Lucas' film student days. Film-Fest relies on its magazine format to draw in viewers. Photos of the celebrity are, of course, prominently plastered on the front package of the DVD, just like in a magazine. But as with most businesses, the key to success is repeat customers. Film-Fest is now bundling their compilations with Toshiba DVD players as a way of gaining more exposure.
Fusion also goes after high-profile films.
In addition to the Fusion series, IndieDVD offers independent feature films on its label showcasing moviemakers who have previously only shown their work in festivals or through limited retail distribution. All three companies also depend heavily on the Internet as a source of information, advertising, and even interactive technology for those with a DVD-Rom. Independent films, and shorts in particular, are niche products. Yet, two million people a year go to film festivals around the globe. The market for short films is growing, particularly as DVD players become part of the average person's home entertainment unit, the way VCRs did in the mid-'80s.