Patent Abstract:
A discussion apparatus and method is shown that is particularly useful for holding motion-picture discussion clubs and providing the members with the motion-picture that is the subject of an upcoming motion-picture discussion event. Copies of the motion-picture are made available to each of the club members using one or more methods of distribution. Topics of conversation are provided for each of the members to focus on for the motion-picture discussion event.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     One of the inventions disclosed herein relates to the field of apparatus and methods for conducting discussion groups, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for conducting motion-picture discussion clubs.  
         [0002]     Many people enjoy getting together with others for social aspects. In some cases, groups are formed for people having similar interests. For example, book clubs have been formed for people who enjoy reading so that they can get together and discuss a book that each member of the group has read.  
         [0003]     Many people enjoy seeing motion-pictures, such as movies, tv shows, streaming video, shorts, etc. Some of these people enjoy recommending these motion-pictures to others and discussing portions of the motion-picture with others who have seen the same motion-picture.  
         [0004]     Some people, such as immigrants for whom the predominant language is there second language, find it difficult to read or do not enjoy reading. Other people cannot read or do not have the time that it takes to read the books that are assigned by a book discussion group. Others may just not want to make the significant time commitment to read each assigned book if they do not find some of the assigned books to be very interesting.  
         [0005]     Additionally, book discussion groups can suffer from the difficulty in each member obtaining copies of the assigned book if the book is expensive, not available at the library, or out of stock at the local bookstore. Indeed, particularly popular books may be sold out at several local bookstores and members may not be able to obtain a book in sufficient time by placing the book on order.  
         [0006]     Therefore, a need exists for apparatus and methods to allow the easy formation and operation of a discussion group.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The disclosed apparatus and methods avoid some of the disadvantages of prior apparatus and methods while affording additional advantages.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart depicting one form of a system for providing motion-picture discussion club packets.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one form of the motion-picture discussion club packet.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts the contents of one form of the host&#39;s manual of the motion-picture discussion club packet of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts the contents of one form of the club member&#39;s topic list of the motion-picture discussion club packet of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts the contents of one form of the written interpretive comments of the motion-picture discussion club packet of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting the steps of one form of producing motion-picture discussion club packets of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown one form of a Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet (MDCP)  200 , such as a motion picture discussion event packet. Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200  includes a plurality ( 12 , for example) of motion-picture media copies  201  and at least one discussion group media copy  202 . Media copies  201  and  202  each contain a copy of the motion-picture that is the subject for a motion-picture discussion event. Host media copy  202  can also include additional information, such as interviews with the director, writer, actors or producer, and is often designed to be shown at the meeting of the motion-picture discussion club.  
         [0016]     Media copies  201  and  202  can be any appropriate form of media that can be easily distributed, such as DVDs, VHS cassettes, VCDs, electronic files, electronic signals, etc. One or more of media copies ( 201  and/or  202 ), can be manufactured to allow only a single viewing, a set number of viewings, or unlimited viewings within a certain time period after activation. Such activation may occur, for example, automatically when the media copy is first viewed.  
         [0017]     In some forms, where appropriate, the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200  includes a distribution apparatus, such as DVD media mailers  203 , that can be used by the host (or others) to distribute the media copies  201  to other members of a discussion club or participants in a scheduled motion-picture discussion. However, other forms of appropriate distribution apparatus can be used such as distributing electronic files of the motion-picture over a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. In one form, emails can be sent that contain a link to a website from which the motion-picture can be downloaded. In another form, the club members could be notified of the motion-picture that will be the topic of the next meeting and the motion-picture distribution can involve each club member either renting a DVD or videotape, by downloading an electronic file of the motion-picture over the Internet or another network, ordering the motion-picture on a pay per view basis (or on-demand basis) on a cable network or satellite service, watching a scheduled showing of the motion-picture over the television airwaves, or any other appropriate method of distribution.  
         [0018]     Referring also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a host manual  204  and club member&#39;s manual  205  can be provided in Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . Club member&#39;s manual  205  can include a club member&#39;s topic list  402  and tips for preparing for, or making the most of, Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet. Topic list  205  can include a list of topics  403  regarding certain scenes, themes, characters or other aspects of the motion-picture for discussion. It can also include a record portion  404  where the member can record notes for later use at the meeting, such as recording notes responsive to the topics and/or the members overall impression of the motion-picture.  
         [0019]     Host manual  204  can include instructions on how to host motion-picture discussion club meetings  302 , which can include tips on successfully hosting a Motion-picture Discussion Club, tips on moving the meeting and conversations along, and tips to make the overall experience more enjoyable. Host manual  204  can also include at least some of the same or similar information as that found in the club member&#39;s manual or topic list  205 , such as the same topics  403 . Additionally, host manual  204  can include additional information for the club meeting, such as a list of trivia question and/or answers  306  about the motion-picture. Host manual  204  can also include a record portion for the host to record notes, such as summaries or interpretations  304  responsive to the topics  403 . Alternatively or additionally, preprinted summaries or interpretations responsive to the topics  403  can be included in host manual  204 .  
         [0020]     Interpretive comments  207  can be included in the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . Interpretive comments  207  can include some by those involved in the making of the particular motion-picture, such as the director&#39;s comments, the writer&#39;s comments, the actor&#39;s comments. Critic&#39;s comments could also, or alternatively, be included. The various interpretive comments  207  may include an analysis of particular themes, and/or sections or scenes in the motion-picture. In one form, interpretive comments  207  could be written and included in Host Manual  204 . In another form, the club member&#39;s manual or topic list  205  can also include these written interpretive comments  207 . In yet another form, discussion group media copy  202  may include interpretive comments  207  in either a displayed written form or can include actual interviews of the individual&#39;s giving their interpretive comments  500 . Alternatively, interpretive comments  207  can be a standalone document as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0021]     An opinion document  206  can be included in the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . The opinion card can include survey questions, questions asking for specific opinions, and or a space for entering an opinion on any subject that the person who fills out opinion document  206  desires. For example, opinion document  206  can request a person suggest other motion-pictures, such as movies or series episode, to make available in another Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . In one form, opinion document  206  can include a pre-addressed postage paid mailing, such as a postcard or an envelope for returning the opinion document  206  to the manufacturer, seller or one of their agents. In another form, opinion document  206  can be a form on a webpage that a customer can fill out. In yet another form, opinion document  206  can be in the form of an electronic document, such as an email or an electronic file, that is provided to a customer.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a form of the manufacturing and/or distributing  100  a Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . A production portion, or production end  101 , includes a motion-picture production operation  102 , such as any of the big movie production studios, that makes the actual motion-picture. The motion-picture then goes to a media manufacturer or a media recording entity (which can be the motion-picture production operation  101 , such as DVD manufacturer or recorder  103 , that makes copies of the motion-picture media copies  201  and the discussion group media copy  202 . These media copies  201  and  202  include copies of the motion-picture that is the subject of the motion-picture discussion club packet  200 . A printer (or publisher) prints (or publishes) the associated printed materials that are included with the discussion club packet  200 . Such materials can include the manuals  204 ,  205 , media mailers  203 , opinion document  206 , interpretive comments  207 , and any artwork used on the media  201 ,  202  or on the packaging for the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 . A packager/distributor  105  then packages and distributes Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200 .  
         [0023]     A retail portion, or retail end  106 , is also provided. In one form motion-picture discussion club host  111 , or an individual, can purchase or otherwise obtain the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200  directly from the packager/distributor  105  (or even directly from the motion-picture production operation). Alternatively, discussion club host  111  can purchase or otherwise obtain the Motion-picture Discussion Club Packet  200  through various retail establishments, such as online retailers  107 , retail video stores  108 , music stores  109 , and book stores  110 . Club host  111  can then distribute media copies  201  to each of motion-picture discussion club members  112 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a method of manufacturing and distributing the motion-picture discussion club packets  200 . A motion-picture production studio produces  600  a motion-picture. Media copies  201 ,  202  containing the motion-picture are produced  602  and associated containers or packaging are also produced. Media mailers  203 , manuals  204 ,  205 , opinion documents  206  and/or interpretive comments  207  are written, published and/or printed  604 . The motion-picture discussion club packets  200  are assembled  606 . Then, motion-picture discussion club packets  200  are provided to motion-picture discussion club websites or individuals hosting a motion-picture discussion party through websites, retailers, on-line retailers, etc.  608 . The motion-picture discussion club packets  200  are then sold to, purchased by, or otherwise made available to motion-picture discussion clubs and individuals hosting a motion-picture discussion party or event. The motion-picture discussion club host  111  makes media copies  201  available to motion-picture club members  112  at  612 . In one form, club host  111  mails media copies  201  and manual  205  to club members  112  inside media mailers  203 .  
         [0025]     In another form, club host  111  can download electronic copies of the motion-picture over a network (such as the internet) from online retailer  107  and then distribute those copies over the same, or another, network by attaching a copy to an email and sending it to each club member  112 . In one form, the club host  111  can distribute media copies  201  by sending emails including a link and/or code for downloading a copy of the motion-picture from the online retailer over a network.  
         [0026]     In another form, the club host  111  can distribute media copies  201  by providing identifying information concerning each club member  112  and providing identifying information concerning the subject motion-picture to a commercial distributor or retailer, who then provides each club member with the ability to obtain a media copy  201  or view the motion-picture. For example, the email addresses of club members  112  could be provided to an online retailer, which then sends each an email with a link or password that allows the club member  112  to obtain a copy  201  (or access to a copy) of the motion-picture over the internet, cable network or satellite television network. Alternatively, identifying information, such as names and addresses of the club members  112 , could be provided to a television network company, such as a cable network, which then allows each of the club members  112  to obtain access to an electronic copy of the motion-picture in a manner similar to a pay per view service or on demand service. In another form, identifying information of the club members  112  could be provided to a retail video store which could then be used to reserve (and/or prepay for) media copies (such as rental copies) of the motion-picture for each club member  112 .  
         [0027]     In one form, each club may have an account or other identifying information stored by a retailer, such as Netflix. Such retailer could be provided with updated information as new members join or old members leave. The club host  111  can then provide the retailer with the club identifying information and information identifying the subject motion-picture. The retailer can then provide each club member  111  a media copy of the subject motion-picture or access to a copy of the subject motion-picture, such as by mailing them a copy of a DVD. The club members  111  may then have to eventually return the media copy at some point.  
         [0028]     In any form where a physical media copy is provided to each member for a limited period of time, such as through a video rental outlet like blockbuster or Netflix, the host may provide the retailer with a preference list of motion-pictures that are desired as the topic of a movie-discussion event. The video rental outlet (or other distributor) can then check to see if the appropriate number of copies of physical media are available for the first preference, then the second, nth, etc. until coming to the highest preference with the appropriate number of media copies available. Then the copies can be reserved for the members of the club. In one form, each member of the club could pick up a copy at the video rental outlet. In another form, the distributor would deliver a media copy to each member (from member identifying information provided by the host or from member identifying information stored on file). In a modified form involving chain video rental outlets, members identifying information and local video rental outlets or favorite video rental outlets are provided to the chain and the chain checks to see if the appropriate number of physical media are available at the neighborhood or favorite locations of each member. In other words, if each member has a different neighborhood or favorite location from each of the others, then each of such locations would only require one media copy for the particular individual in the neighborhood.  
         [0029]     Typically, individuals would form a motion-picture discussion club to hold multiple motion-picture discussion parties or events, each typically involving a different motion-picture. However, it is also contemplated that only one party or event may occur for the particular motion-picture discussion club.  
         [0030]     Typically, the club host  111  (or planner) and club members  112  (participants) would each watch the motion-picture that is the subject of the next motion-picture party or event. The club host  111  and club members  112  can then review the manuals  204  and/or  205  for instructions and to review the listed topics for discussion and make any notes. The club will then meet or otherwise communicate (such as telephonically, via email, posting on a website, etc.) to discuss the motion-picture or otherwise provide there comments and contribution to other club members. Normally, the club members will focus on the topics listed in the manuals  204  and/or  205 . After this communication or meeting, the club members can then watch the host media copy  202  to learn, for example, whether their interpretation of the movie or a particular scene matches what the director intended to convey or what another person involved in the movie or a critic thought. Interviews with the director and any of these others can be included that contains a discussion or interpretation of the section or scenes on which the club members will be instructed to focus particular attention.  
         [0031]     In one form, the motion-picture discussion club packets  200  can be marketed primarily to small clubs formed by individuals interested in viewing and then meeting to discuss classic and contemporary films. The motion-picture discussion club packets  200  could be offered for sale via a toll-free telephone number, a website or by purchase at retail outlets such as book stores (e.g. Borders, Barnes &amp; Noble, Crown), Music stores (e.g. Tower Records, Musicland), video stores (e.g. Blockbuster, Hollywood Video) or on-line retailers (e.g. Amazon.com).  
         [0032]     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6