http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

From his personal forum.

It seems Michael Bay is very upset at Paramount's decision and is denying them Transformers 2.

I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks! They were progressive by having two formats. No Transformers 2 for me!

Bay

Discuss.

That's...kind of surprising if he actually skips over Transformers 2 over this.

Iv not seen the first one yet so can't comment on the movie, however if you look at his movies they are aimed at young teens so its not surprising he is angry(PS3).
Bottom line, you can't please everyone :rolleyes:

I wonder if he will say the same thing when he sees a wonderful transfer of Transformers with lossless sound on HD DVD?
He wants people to see it on the best format. What does he define as "best"?
Perhaps he's bought into the 50gb is best, who knows?
Will TL 51gb HD DVD's suddenly make HD DVD best?
Either way, some big films are coming exclusively to HD DVD. Whether this wins the war, prolongs the war or makes both sides survive indefinetely is anyone's guess.

So because of Paramounts decision to only support HD DVD, he'd rather skip making another blockbuster movie because it wouldn't be released on Blu Ray also?

I admire the way he thinks, if he's thought it out... but I think he's full of it. When the money for Transformers 2 is on the table, I'd like to see what he says and thinks then.

I wonder if he will say the same thing when he sees a wonderful transfer of Transformers with lossless sound on HD DVD?
He wants people to see it on the best format. What does he define as "best"?
Perhaps he's bought into the 50gb is best, who knows?
Will TL 51gb HD DVD's suddenly make HD DVD best?
Either way, some big films are coming exclusively to HD DVD. Whether this wins the war, prolongs the war or makes both sides survive indefinetely is anyone's guess.

I don't think it has anything to due with specs of BR vs HD DVD... it's more of a case that Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best. Especially when they were previously supporting the entire market (which is what Bay likely meant with the plural in "formats").

I wonder if he will say the same thing when he sees a wonderful transfer of Transformers with lossless sound on HD DVD?
He wants people to see it on the best format. What does he define as "best"?
Perhaps he's bought into the 50gb is best, who knows?
Will TL 51gb HD DVD's suddenly make HD DVD best?
Either way, some big films are coming exclusively to HD DVD. Whether this wins the war, prolongs the war or makes both sides survive indefinetely is anyone's guess.

He said FORMATS...ie HD DVD and Blu-ray...not just 1 format. He's a movie maker, he wants as many people to see his movie as possible.

The Guy's an idiot, he has only made one good movie in his career, The Rock and the only reason that was a good movie was because Sean Connery was heavily involved with post production and approved the final cut of the movie.

Michael Bay brought nothing to Transformers they might as well sign Brett Ratner for the sequel right now, nobody will be able to tell the difference.

Its funny how you dont hear real directors complaining about either format, Peter Jackson didnt say anything about King Kong being an HD DVD exclusive or Ridley Scott wasnt complaining about Kingdom of Heaven a Blu-ray exclusive. They know this is the way the industry works. This guy is so full of himself, he thinks he's so powerful, Iam glad Bruce Willis put him in his place a few months ago. But I guess that doesnt go far enough when someone has Sh*t for Brains.

Was his account hacked?

Yeah... no Transformers 2... just kiss off a probably $50 million paycheck to play Blu Ray martyr? Not likely.

If he really did post that, he is not clued in on the current state of both BD and HD DVD tech.

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

From his personal forum.

It seems Michael Bay is very upset at Paramount's decision and is denying them Transformers 2.




Discuss.

I'm thinking that perhaps it is going to take Spielberg and Lucas to decide which format they support if not both since this has prolonged the format war even though Blu-Ray has the lead in sales 2:1. I think both of those directors want to see their movie's on the best format possible. That is why i still believe Spielberg will choose to be Blu-Ray exclusive at some point and Lucas will follow...

I posted this before I read about Michael Bay's reaction to Paramounts move. I wonder if Spielberg and Lucas are next.. Perhaps this turns out to be a disaster for Paramount if Spielberg and Michael now decides to fully support Blu-ray for their movie releases and convince George Lucas to follow...


From the thread linked to above. This quote struck me funny by xAgonyxScene, "Steven and Michael should just march right to Paramounts CEO's and be like "wtf is wrong with you!?" haha"

I posted this before I read about Michael Bay's reaction to Paramounts move. I wonder if Spielberg and Lucas are next.. Perhaps this turns out to be a disaster for Paramount if Spielberg and Michael now decides to fully support Blu-ray for their movie releases and convince George Lucas to follow...

Just when i thought id read all the comedy gold posts over at BLURAY.com, they now are appearing here LOL ;)

I hope he doesn't do Transformers 2 then it might not suck.

Just when i thought id read all the comedy gold posts over at BLURAY.com, they now are appearing here LOL ;)

Let them find any condolences they can, afterall the wounds are still fresh.

Its funny how you dont hear real directors complaining about either format, Peter Jackson didnt say anything about King Kong being an HD DVD exclusive or Ridley Scott wasnt complaining about Kingdom of Heaven a Blu-ray exclusive. They know this is the way the industry works. This guy is so full of himself, he thinks he's so powerful, Iam glad Bruce Willis put him in his place a few months ago. But I guess that doesnt go far enough when someone has Sh*t for Brains.

Or like Spielberg going along with Paramount with only releasing on HD-DVD...

Doh...

No Transformers 2 for me!

Bay


I can only imagine what it must be like to turn down guaranteed millions and it making absolutely no difference to your livelihood, lmao.



I can understand why he'd be upset as this will mean possible less disc sales due to one less format but I think what he is really saying though with the statement "I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible" is he does not want to see his movie released on DVD. I say cheers to that idea :).

I believe the time spending to argue about whether Paramount's decision sits well with various parties or whether it is practical and logical, could have been better used to buy and watch movies in HD or even better do some physically engaging activities. Life is too short and life is certainly more than just HD DVD or Blu-ray or even the film/entertainment industry for the matter.

Definitely looking forward to Transformers HD DVD. If Transformers 2 is going to be like most of the sequels (like Spider-man 3, POTC 3 & Fantastic Four 2) released this year, then forget it, I'd rather have one and 1 only. I never really liked sequels unless they were absolutely necessary like LOTR or Star Wars.

I shall go back to my usual hibernation mode after this post. All the best.

Comon Why the HELL there aren't other Directors who complain about FOX/Disney movies being BR exclusive?

Michael Bay prefer Blu-ray more? How about Fox and Disney going Neutral too? I want Star Wars, X-men, Fantastic Four and Pirates Of The Carribean on HD DVD too! How about Bryan Singer (Director of X-men) come out and say choice is better, please put X-men 1/2 out on HD DVD, not just Blu-Ray?

HD DVD has actually Always had great support by consumers, it's just Studios like Fox/Disney, and Stores like Blockbuster are jumping into conclusion that BR is better!

But It's NOT really! HD DVD has BETTER Bonus Features than Blu-Ray! A larger capacity is meaningless (The ONLY thing I think BR is better with) when Most HD DVD can fit on One disc anyway!

What I just could NOT understand/feel BSed by is why HD DVD is not cheaper than Blu-ray as it should be, but other than that, in fact HD DVD is Superior to Blu-ray with all the Exclusive Bonus features!!!

Comon Why the HELL there aren't other Directors who complain about FOX/Disney movies being BR exclusive?

Michael Bay prefer Blu-ray more? How about Fox and Disney going Neutral too? I want Star Wars, X-menm, Fantastic Four and Pirates Of The Carribean on HD DVD too!

HD DVD has actually Always had great support by consumers, it's just Studios like Fox/Disney, and Stores like Blockbuster are jumping into conclusion that BR is better!

But It's NOT really! HD DVD has BETTER Bonus Features than Blu-Ray! A larger capacity is meaningless (The ONLY thing I think BR is better with) when Most HD DVD can fit on One disc anyway!

What I just could NOT understand/feel BSed by is why HD DVD is not cheaper than Blu-ray as it should be, but other than that, in fact HD DVD is Superior to Blu-ray with all the Exclusive Bonus features!!!

Blu-Ray has a higher bandwidth so it achieves a higher bitrate. More information to fit thru the pipe. Disc capacity helps a lot since the higher the bitrate, the more data is needed to store the extra info.

It seems from the post that Bay is angry over Paramount not releasing his film on both formats. It effectively reduces the profits. So Bay won't be able to buy a Lamborghini for his office.

And as for BRD being technically superior to HD-DVD... it isn't. And vc-1 is transparent to the master too. A guy from Microsoft said so.

Or like Spielberg going along with Paramount with only releasing on HD-DVD...

Doh...


Except Speilberg is/was a studio execitive he created DreamWorks with Katzenberg and Geffen. He's a media mogul not just a director. He's like Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Gray and Martin Scorsese rolled into one. Michael Bay is a just a spoiled hack director.

When your a hired hand your responsibility is the movie through post production after that the studio takes over. The studio just financed a $150 million project its their choice to release in whichever format they want. Afterall Transformers would have been made with or without Michael Bay, they could have brought in Brett Ratner.

Please dont tell me Jutin Lin has the right to refuse to work with Universal for not releasing Fast & Furious 3 on Blu-ray.:rolleyes:

What you are missing is that Speilberg is the Studio, he is DreamWorks. He can ask for whatever he wants it was his company. So no its not the same.

D'oh to you

dreamworks looks like it's about to leave paramount, and i suspect this will only solidify that decision. not a good move from para, expecially having given a cool mill to spielberg's shoa foundation as way of peace offering. have paramount had any hits themselves over the last couple of years or are they relying on dreamworks to bail them out?

He said FORMATS...ie HD DVD and Blu-ray...not just 1 format. He's a movie maker, he wants as many people to see his movie as possible.

Which is why Paramount went with HD DVD, because it scales better to a larger market

dreamworks looks like it's about to leave paramount, and i suspect this will only solidify that decision. not a good move from para, expecially having given a cool mill to spielberg's shoa foundation as way of peace offering. have paramount had any hits themselves over the last couple of years or are they relying on dreamworks to bail them out?

LOL is that another funny quote from bluray.com? or did you just make that jem up?

Paramount is being insanely stupid on this. All they will do is piss the majority of people off. I hope their 30 pieces of silver was worth it.

And vc-1 is transparent to the master too. A guy from Microsoft said so.

hahaha!! :D

LOL is that another funny quote from bluray.com? or did you just make that jem up?

nope, it's common knowledge in the movie industry. are u not aware of this?

Paramount is doing The Smurfs(2008), if the job is not taken, maybe Bay can take it instead of Transformers 2

I love all this talk of higher bit rates on BD vs HD and the impact it has on PQ. I have both and have yet to see a BD have better PQ than the best HD discs I have. With lossless TrueHD, the best that BD can do is match HD.

dreamworks looks like it's about to leave paramount, and i suspect this will only solidify that decision. not a good move from para, expecially having given a cool mill to spielberg's shoa foundation as way of peace offering. have paramount had any hits themselves over the last couple of years or are they relying on dreamworks to bail them out?

Whats your point? Their contract with Paramount ends at the end of 2008/begining of 2009. At that point the damage will be done and that is the same time Paramount's exclusive 18 month HD DVD deal will end. BTW Katzenberg is behind this deal.

contracts can and often do end early. this is the nature of business in all fields. do you have some confirmation that katzengerg was the mover behind this deal?

nope, it's common knowledge in the movie industry. are u not aware of this?

Paramount and DreamWorks claim that the decision to go solely with HD DVD came after extensive research on market conditions as well as lower overall production costs for HD DVD discs. As a result, upcoming movie releases including "Blades of Glory," "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third" will only be available on HD DVD for those looking to get a high definition fix.

Honestly you kids from Bluray.com are to funny :)

contracts can and often do end early. this is the nature of business in all fields. do you have some confirmation that katzengerg was the mover behind this deal?


But the contract isnt with DreamWorks it with Speilberg. If Speilberg leaves he has the right to the DreamWorks name if he wishes to start a new studio thats it. DreamWorks properties will still be under Paramount.

Katzenberg obviously supported the deal since DreamWorks Animation is a different independent Studio not owned by Paramount only distributed by Paramount, only the film division of DreamWorks was sold to Paramount.

Anyways here are some Katzenberg quotes from a New York Time Article,

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, said consumers seeking to switch to high-definition DVDs will be enticed by the movies available for HD-DVD players. He added the lower price for the Toshiba devices will appeal to the family market.

''It's a game-changer, what they're doing, and it's why we decided to throw in with them,'' Katzenberg said.

"They have a high-quality consumer experience that is now being offered at a price point that we believe is going to connect with the consumer"

"This seems to us to be the right product at the right price at the right time"

I love all this talk of higher bit rates on BD vs HD and the impact it has on PQ. I have both and have yet to see a BD have better PQ than the best HD discs I have. With lossless TrueHD, the best that BD can do is match HD.

Go to your Room ! ! !

;)

I wonder if he will say the same thing when he sees a wonderful transfer of Transformers with lossless sound on HD DVD?
He wants people to see it on the best format. What does he define as "best"?
Perhaps he's bought into the 50gb is best, who knows?
Will TL 51gb HD DVD's suddenly make HD DVD best?
Either way, some big films are coming exclusively to HD DVD. Whether this wins the war, prolongs the war or makes both sides survive indefinetely is anyone's guess.

Perhaps he's already seen Pearl Harbor with lossless 24-bit PCM and high bit rate video encode not capable on HD DVD?

I hate bays camera work, it totally destroys the action scenes so I REALLY hope he doesnt get to do a transformers 2 since THAT is what made the movie worse!

i love it how people ay its stupid for paramount to do this.... why isnt anyone yelling at fox, disney.... the movie industry is responsible for this problem....on both sides... so let the war continue

I don't think it has anything to due with specs of BR vs HD DVD... it's more of a case that Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best. Especially when they were previously supporting the entire market (which is what Bay likely meant with the plural in "formats").

Ok. Then if Michael Bay really feels that way, and he is that adamant about neutrality, then the only studio he could work with on a Transformers 2 is Warner. If he tried to take a picture (since he doesn't own Transformers anyway), to Fox or Sony, he risks looking like a total hypocrite.

Or are his words only good because this is an HD DVD thing?

And you, fronn. I would like you right here, right now to also declare Sony, MGM, Fox, and Buena Vista Home Entertainment anti-consumer as well for their sole support for Blu-ray.

Let them find any condolences they can, afterall the wounds are still fresh.

This forum needs a reboot because of crap like this. I don't know when this became so personal for everyone, but most of you guys (on both sides of this stupid war) are acting like children. Please, grow up.

As for Bay's decision, I'd like to see what his stance is down the line. I don't think he'd turn down a paycheck to make Transformers 2, but you never know.

I don't think it has anything to due with specs of BR vs HD DVD... it's more of a case that Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best. Especially when they were previously supporting the entire market (which is what Bay likely meant with the plural in "formats").

BINGO. What Paramount did was insulting to a lot of people...and not just consumers.

god this format fanboy crap is dumb.... i love to read the blu ray fans upset about this and now they feel how the hd-dvd people feel..... and i love to read hd-dvd fan boys and how this is better then winning a million dollars...

come on guys grow up... lets not be kids about this

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

From his personal forum.

It seems Michael Bay is very upset at Paramount's decision and is denying them Transformers 2.



Discuss.

Stupid comment, IMHO. Screw him then. Let him go direct movies for SONY pictures then!

Bring on Guillermo del Toro!

It's one thing for a studio to be exclusive from the start. It's quite another to deny your product to the largest segment of the market after touting neutrality. BD fans were cheering for Universal to go neutral...that's an entirely different proposition from this payoff.

BINGO. What Paramount did was insulting to a lot of people...and not just consumers.

What? They went with the economic choice! As did I, by purchasing a HD-DVD player over a BD player.
The people doing the insulting are those that couldn't agree on one format in the first place. Be it DVDForum or BDA, not the studios who choose to put their product on these disc!

Blu-Ray has a higher bandwidth so it achieves a higher bitrate. More information to fit thru the pipe. Disc capacity helps a lot since the higher the bitrate, the more data is needed to store the extra info.

enough with all the theory. I'm skeptical that you actually own both formats if you keep spewing theoretical things. All you're saying is BD has the POTENTIAL to be better. The reality is BD is NOT better than HD DVD. There are loads of factors involved to make a product "better" than the other... and we can start with the mastering. So many imported HD DVD look leaps and sound better than BD. I should know, I actually upgraded some of my BD movies to HD DVD because the imported version of HD DVD is in fact better than BD.

Sigh.

It's one thing for a studio to be exclusive from the start. It's quite another to deny your product to the largest segment of the market after touting neutrality. BD fans were cheering for Universal to go neutral...that's an entirely different proposition from this payoff.

ding, ding, ding we have a winner!!

Rumour is that Speilberg and co weren't happy with Bay on the set of TF, so they weren't going to offer him TF2 ANYWAY. This is a real cute way of making it look like his decision.

Think about it for a nanosecond. Would it make ANY sense for someone to turn down a $50 million + paycheck over a niche market format war?

Stupid comment, IMHO. Screw him then. Let him go direct movies for SONY pictures then!

I'd have no problem with that.

I'm skeptical that it's actually his comment, seems way to childish for a person in his position...................but..............

Earth to Mr. Bay!

1) you don't own the Transformers material, you have what say in the sequel?

2) if you don't do it somebody else will, that's the beauty of capitalism

Rumour is that Speilberg and co weren't happy with Bay on the set of TF, so they weren't going to offer him TF2 ANYWAY. This is a real cute way of making it look like his decision.

Think about it for a nanosecond. Would it make ANY sense for someone to turn down a $50 million + paycheck over a niche market format war?

I had read that somewhere too. There was only maybe a 10% chance he was coming back for T2. The cast is signed for 2 or 3 movies but he wasnt.

I had read that somewhere too. There was only maybe a 10% chance he was coming back for T2. The cast is signed for 2 or 3 movies but he wasnt.

Not a surprise. Most action movies change directors so that a movie doesnt "look" the same.

Stupid comment, IMHO. Screw him then. Let him go direct movies for SONY pictures then!

He can't. He wants his movies to be cross-platform, remember? If he goes to Sony, he's going right against what he allegedly (note this hasn't even been confirmed) just blogged.

Man, the BDA army is in such meltdown today, aren't they?

He can't. He wants his movies to be cross-platform, remember? If he goes to Sony, he's going right against what he allegedly (note this hasn't even been confirmed) just blogged.

Man, the BDA army is in such meltdown today, aren't they?

He's just pissed cause his roylaity check will not be as big. He was probably told it was going to release on both formats and he could expect to see X amount of dollars but now this announcement will cut that check proabably in half. And there is no way that any director would turn down a hugh payday because the movie will not be released on Blu-ray. People seem to forget this is still a niche market and although sales have increased they are still very pale compared to DVD.

...says Bay after he has already said he wouldn't do the sequel.

...says Bay after already being informed by Paramount they are replacing him as director for Xfrmr's 2.

From a 7/5/07 interview,

"When asked whether he would make Transformers 2 his next film, Bay replied: "I don't know if it would be ready. It just takes so long to do a script."

Bay would rather do a film called Pain & Gain, but Paramount wants Xfrmr's 2 to begin production immediately, so it can have a summer 2009 release. Pain & Gain will take 6-9 months to complete, so Xfrmr's 2 would have to be delayed till Christmas 2009, or Summer 2010, if Paramount wants Bay to direct.

From what I've heard, Paramount had already given Bay his walking papers, unless he agreed to skip Pain & Gain, which he wasn't willing to do.

So Bay's is just making an empty threat. He had no intention of doing Xfrmr's 2 in the first place.

It's one thing for a studio to be exclusive from the start. It's quite another to deny your product to the largest segment of the market after touting neutrality. BD fans were cheering for Universal to go neutral...that's an entirely different proposition from this payoff.

Yep, and they knew with that "neutrality" HD DVD would have died.

I don't think it has anything to due with specs of BR vs HD DVD... it's more of a case that Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best. Especially when they were previously supporting the entire market (which is what Bay likely meant with the plural in "formats").

That is what I read into this.

It's one thing for a studio to be exclusive from the start. It's quite another to deny your product to the largest segment of the market after touting neutrality. BD fans were cheering for Universal to go neutral...that's an entirely different proposition from this payoff.

a) How are they different

b) largest segment of the market? Today the market might be a bit larger, but given the attach rate it would seem the potential market is far larger on the other side - something that Paramount noticed.

BINGO. What Paramount did was insulting to a lot of people...and not just consumers.

So he's not going to put movies out of Fox, Disney, or Sony either, right?

Wow, Michael Bay keeps looking more and more like Uwe Boll with each passing day. Someone get this guy some chloroform.

I love all this talk of higher bit rates on BD vs HD and the impact it has on PQ. I have both and have yet to see a BD have better PQ than the best HD discs I have. With lossless TrueHD, the best that BD can do is match HD.

it's a shame there's a lot of people around here that are more concerned with the bitrate meter on their shiny ps3 than the actual movie.

Thats damn good news for me. Bay can't direct a good action flick. I hope someone else takes over Transformers 2

Are we even sure this is real? Why would anyone air such laundry in public?

Are we even sure this is real? Why would anyone air such laundry in public?
That's what I say -
I'm skeptical that it's actually his comment, seems way to childish for a person in his position.............

so according to Bay -every directors who had films released by MGM, FOX, Disney should go on strike and speak of the dismay of their movies not released in HD DVD? i will give Bay the benefit of the doubt until we get a direct source from him. The fud may be another stunt by Sony PR, GCI ;)

any how a word for Bay - he had only one movie passing the 300mil mark in USA. This is no time for him to pull a Spieldberg or Lucas. Sorry but Jackson is bigger!

I don't think it has anything to due with specs of BR vs HD DVD... it's more of a case that Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best.

Hmm, so is it ok for Studios to be anti-consumer and deny content to only a 1/3 of the market? (putting aside any question of how the marketshare was gained in the 1st place)

It really was posted on the forum at his personal site.

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2299

He can't. He wants his movies to be cross-platform, remember? If he goes to Sony, he's going right against what he allegedly (note this hasn't even been confirmed) just blogged.

Man, the BDA army is in such meltdown today, aren't they?

Who directed the embedded gay theme movie; Pearl Harbour starring Ben and Josh? or the rock. Were the two films released in both format?

i love it how people ay its stupid for paramount to do this.... why isnt anyone yelling at fox, disney.... the movie industry is responsible for this problem....on both sides... so let the war continue

Um, because Fox, Disney, and Universal declared their allegiance BEFORE the format war started, so consumers knew what they were getting into when they bought a format, whereas Paramount declared neutrality and then pulled their products from 2/3rds of the market because of a corporate payoff!!!

If you can't see the difference (and why it would piss people off)...

So Paramount basically alienates the director of their biggest hit in years and piss off Spielberg on top of that for a lame 18-month payoff. Good job.

I'm thinking someone at Paramount will be fired in about a year's time unless HD-DVD sales skyrocket (and I don't just mean relative to Blu-Ray either, since both format sales are dismal).

So Paramount basically alienates the director of their biggest hit in years and piss off Spielberg on top of that for a lame 18-month payoff. Good job.
a) rumor has it Bay wasn't coming back for Trans2, he PO'd Spielberg
b) Spielberg & Paramount were already on the outs

Who knows :confused:

it's a shame there's a lot of people around here that are more concerned with the bitrate meter on their shiny ps3 than the actual movie.

That's a dumb@ss blanket statement...

a) rumor has it Bay wasn't coming back for Trans2, he PO'd Spielberg
b) Spielberg & Paramount were already on the outs

Who knows :confused:

The other thing that really pisses me off about this is if Spielberg just decides to hold off on Indiana Jones for any HD format now indefinitely.

This is not how you build confidence in consumers or your directors.

So what's stopping Sony now from turning around and offering $200 million to Warner Bros?

I question if this is the real thing or not. Posts on a personal forum aren't exactly hard science. I'd wait for a press release from Bay stating the same.

If this is true, it's a pretty childish knee jerk reaction. Just like Bill Hunt, you can lose your credibility with one unthought comment. (Or in Bill's case, several over time)

So what's stopping Sony now from turning around and offering $200 million to Warner Bros?
Likely because they can't - the PS3 & BD fight have cost them too much already. Paramount might have switched because Sony was unwilling to pony up more $$$.

What does he define as "best"?

the format that allow higher audio and video bitrates (audio and video quality)? aka blu-ray

That's a dumb@ss blanket statement...

Wow, that was the high road?

BINGO. What Paramount did was insulting to a lot of people...and not just consumers.

Insulting? You've got to be kidding me.

Upsetting? I can see that if you are vested in blu-ray but insulting?

Michael Bay is a hypocrite. Is he screaming at Sony Pictures for denying me(if I purchase a HD DVD player) a chance to see Bad Boys(I like this series) and other movies that he directed that are own by Sony?? I would like to see if he speaks out about that.

I do agree that the format war is stupid, and ALL STUDIOS should become non exclusive and let the consumer decide :D

So Michael Bay is complaining that everyone can't see his movies in all of thier glory. Yet he litters his movies with massive amounts of grain.

Likely because they can't - the PS3 & BD fight have cost them too much already. Paramount might have switched because Sony was unwilling to pony up more $$$.

We'll see won't we? Sony has invested billions, not millions into Blu-Ray, what's another $200 million to them to seal the deal?

You see how this sets a terrible precident? This whole issue is going to get uglier before it gets better.

I predict the Michael Bay quote is Fake.

I just cant predict an adult acting like that, nor caring about a format as small as Blue Ray over the opportunity to direct a movie like Transformers 2 and make millions. It simply doesnt make sense.

Well that really sucks. Transformers rocked and would love to have more of them. Horrible news for Transformer fans like myself.

Um, because Fox, Disney, and Universal declared their allegiance BEFORE the format war started, so consumers knew what they were getting into when they bought a format, whereas Paramount declared neutrality and then pulled their products from 2/3rds of the market because of a corporate payoff!!!

If you can't see the difference (and why it would piss people off)...
exactly

I predict the Michael Bay quote is Fake.

I just cant predict an adult acting like that, nor caring about a format as small as Blue Ray over the opportunity to direct a movie like Transformers 2 and make millions. It simply doesnt make sense.

First of all, Bay is pretty particular on things like this. Second of all, it's been largely rumored he doesn't give two craps about Transformers as a franchise anyway.

He really did not want to direct the first one to begin with, but he had signed a deal with Dreamworks/Spielberg to do X amount of films for them.

I think any future Spielberg or Bay films are off the table for this deal though if he doesn't just ditch Paramount outright for this. Why should he stay at this studio? Any one of the other studios will give him whatever he wants now. Directors swap studios for far less than this all the time. M. Night Shyamalan ditched a lucrative deal with Disney because he didn't like the tone they had in one meeting.

I hope he doesn't do Transformers 2 then it might not suck.

LOL! that was what I was thinking!

We'll see won't we? Sony has invested billions, not millions into Blu-Ray, what's another $200 million to them to seal the deal?

You see how this sets a terrible precident? This whole issue is going to get uglier before it gets better.
Actually I agree 100%............except the "terrible precedent", it's business as usual.

I believe the quote. We have another diva who thinks that they matter playing to a certain section of the population. Perhaps he and Alec Baldwin can share a plane ride out of the country in their mutual outrage. Good riddance.

Actually I agree 100%............except the "terrible precedent", it's business as usual.

Well I guess the other thing now also is this ... what does Universal think about this? Why shouldn't they also get $150 million or more from Toshiba now as well?

They got suckered into backing the format basically for nothing, compared to Paramount which just got a sweetheart pay day.

The Blu-Ray forum isn't just Sony, it's also other huge companies like Matsushita (Panasonic) and Samsung which have deep pockets, there's no question they have the money to turn around and start making offers to studios ... like Universal and Warner Bros, so I think really I think this is a move that could back fire in the long run.

First of all, Bay is pretty particular on things like this. Second of all, it's been largely rumored he doesn't give two craps about Transformers as a franchise anyway.

He really did not want to direct the first one to begin with, but he had signed a deal with Dreamworks/Spielberg to do X amount of films for them.

I think any future Spielberg or Bay films are off the table for this deal though if he doesn't just ditch Paramount outright for this. Why should he stay at this studio? Any one of the other studios will give him whatever he wants now. Directors swap studios for far less than this all the time. M. Night Shyamalan ditched a lucrative deal with Disney because he didn't like the tone they had in one meeting.

I dont agree with anything in this post. If he doesnt care about Transformers why would he care so much about it going on BD. More about BD then his next HUGE contract?

Directors drop studios for less then something that would equate to 300,000 sold copies? mmmm no.

IMO Michael Bays temper tantrum is not loss to Paramount, or the Transformer franchise.

Comon Why the HELL there aren't other Directors who complain about FOX/Disney movies being BR exclusive?

Michael Bay prefer Blu-ray more? How about Fox and Disney going Neutral too? I want Star Wars, X-men, Fantastic Four and Pirates Of The Carribean on HD DVD too! How about Bryan Singer (Director of X-men) come out and say choice is better, please put X-men 1/2 out on HD DVD, not just Blu-Ray?

HD DVD has actually Always had great support by consumers, it's just Studios like Fox/Disney, and Stores like Blockbuster are jumping into conclusion that BR is better!

But It's NOT really! HD DVD has BETTER Bonus Features than Blu-Ray! A larger capacity is meaningless (The ONLY thing I think BR is better with) when Most HD DVD can fit on One disc anyway!

What I just could NOT understand/feel BSed by is why HD DVD is not cheaper than Blu-ray as it should be, but other than that, in fact HD DVD is Superior to Blu-ray with all the Exclusive Bonus features!!!

I guess since you put a lot in caps and bold it must be so then...

Well I guess the other thing now also is this ... what does Universal think about this? Why shouldn't they also get $150 million or more from Toshiba now as well?

They got suckered into backing the format basically for nothing, compared to Paramount which just got a sweetheart pay day.

The Blu-Ray forum isn't just Sony, it's also other huge companies like Matsushita (Panasonic) and Samsung which have deep pockets, there's no question they have the money to turn around and start making offers to studios ... like Universal and Warner Bros, so I think really I think this is a move that could back fire in the long run.
Who's to say Uni got "suckered", nobody knows who got what. Yes, the BD group consists of other members - the very same members who Sony screwed by closing off the entry level market. Both LG & Samsung have had issues with the forum - they're certainly not going to cough up any $$$ to help buy a studio.

We'll see - if nothing else it will be an interesting holiday season.

Read between the lines >>>

Michael, "Paramount pisses me off, I want my movies to be available to all ..."
Means >>> I want to get as much royalty money as possible. Now I can't get money from the BR people.

Get a clue people. He's whining over potential cash. He doesn't give 2 craps about the media.

After HD DVD becomes the format, then he will be all about kissing their arse >>> "I failed to realize the insight Paramount had to get the better consumer format out to the large market. Transformers 2 will be released in Summer 2009"

(a) re: TF2, don't care if Bay doesn't direct it. Maybe it's for the best after that biased tantrum.

(b) re: studios pledging allegiance before war started; anyone who thinks studios' allegiance is to anything other than their own best interests (i.e. profit), or who decided the war was already over with zero chance of change except in BR's favor, deserves any disappointment they feel right now. Besides, this wouldn't be brought up by BR fans if we were talking about a neutral company going BR exclusive.

I've not seen a BR-side response to this news yet that isn't sour grapes and awkward embarrasement over the apparent silliness of the repeated declarations of HD DVD's death.

[...]Paramount is denying 2/3 the Hi-def market the ability to enjoy the movie because of a payoff -- it's anti-consumer at best. Especially when they were previously supporting the entire market

So would this make the paid-for deals at Target and Blockbuster anti-consumer?:rolleyes:

Paramount abandoned Blu-ray, perhaps Michale Bay should too.

Paramount abandoned Blu-ray, perhaps Michale Bay should too.

Give me 150 million to abandon blu-ray for 18 months and I'll follow right along.

When he sits down for negotiations with Paramount for TF2, BR will be the last thing on this mind.....

I think he is pissed that it's not being released on Beta and VHS.


I'm so pissed about Paramount that I'm not directing Transformers 2 either.

Why isn't Michael Bay boycotting DVD? Its clearly inferior to both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I like his movies, but honestly? I'll decide for myself what the "best" format is for me. I don't need him to tell me what to think, and if I WAS going to let a director tell me what to think, it would be Ridley Scott.

I'm so pissed about Paramount that I'm not directing Transformers 2 either.

:D

Transformers 2 will happen whether Michael Bay directs it or not, by the way. It wouldn't be the first time a different directory was chosen to do a sequel. In fact, its fairly normal.

Let me get this straight, a director is complaining about Paramount going HD DVD exclusive.

Yet no director seems to care that, Disney, Fox/MGM, and Sony Pictures are exclusive to Blu Ray?

I mean, if he refuses to do Transformers 2 because its Paramount, and they are exclusively for one format.

Then by his standards, he won't be doing any films for Paramount, Dreamworks, Universal, Sony Pictures, Disney, Fox/MGM.

I hope Warner Bros. offers him lots of movies, otherwise he won't be doing much of anything anymore.

Check the link to the post again, it would seem Mr Bay has softened his words.....................anyone want to bet some associate got a reaming for posting in his name? :D

please tell me this is true!!!!!Bay needs to drop the directing career and become a special effects cordinator.
I doubt this will hold up though, Bay will see the pay check and change his mind

Ok. Then if Michael Bay really feels that way, and he is that adamant about neutrality, then the only studio he could work with on a Transformers 2 is Warner. If he tried to take a picture (since he doesn't own Transformers anyway), to Fox or Sony, he risks looking like a total hypocrite.

Or are his words only good because this is an HD DVD thing?

And you, fronn. I would like you right here, right now to also declare Sony, MGM, Fox, and Buena Vista Home Entertainment anti-consumer as well for their sole support for Blu-ray.
Hmm, so is it ok for Studios to be anti-consumer and deny content to only a 1/3 of the market? (putting aside any question of how the marketshare was gained in the 1st place)

I don't have a problem with FOX or Disney, just like I don't have a problem with Universal -- do I want Universal to go neutral, sure as **** I do! But I don't want them to switch sides completely and I don't harbor any ill will for their stance at the moment (I don't agree with it, but they aren't doing things to hurt their customers -- they've actually given a lot to their customers with a lot of great catalog titles!).

I'd say it's okay to support the biggest segment only (taking yourself out of the picture, I don't think that's so crazy to say), optimal to support everyone, kind of silly to support only the smallest and anti-consumer to start supporting either segment exclusively after previously supporting the entire market. On a whole this move was very anti consumer -- in my opinion, if Universal or Warner switched to Blu-ray exclusive it would be pretty stupid in my eyes too (although I'd be a little more supportive as I like BR more, obviously -- not going to lie), anyone who bought HD DVD would feel a little bit betrayed, would they not? Dropping your customers for a behind the scenes payoff is pretty lame, if you ask me. I don't know how anyone can claim Paramount's behavior is one anyone should be proud of -- you don't ditch your customers like that.

The only acceptable behavior by studios at this point in the game is going neutral... completely switching sides is not consumer friendly -- is that so crazy to say?

Being exclusive from the start and switching sides are a bit different, as people who bought into HD DVD knew from the start there was no Fox/Disney/Sony/etc and aren't really their customers anyways (likewise for BR and Universal)... I was a Paramount customers, now I can't be -- if they all of a sudden don't want me as a customer for HDM, why should they want me as a customer for DVD or theatrical runs either?

Read between the lines >>>

Michael, "Paramount pisses me off, I want my movies to be available to all ..."
Means >>> I want to get as much royalty money as possible. Now I can't get money from the BR people.

Get a clue people. He's whining over potential cash. He doesn't give 2 craps about the media.

After HD DVD becomes the format, then he will be all about kissing their arse >>> "I failed to realize the insight Paramount had to get the better consumer format out to the large market. Transformers 2 will be released in Summer 2009"

Since we all know that the people in Africa, India and China all have blu-ray players :rolleyes: , Bay is simply stating the fact that half of the world's population would miss out on the Transformers movie

or

Maybe he's just trying to say that blu-ray players cannot upscale DVDs :confused:

Check the link to the post again, it would seem Mr Bay has softened his words.....................anyone want to bet some associate got a reaming for posting in his name? :D

It's asking me to login. Would you mind just c/p'ing his quote. Thanks :)

When he sits down for negotiations with Paramount for TF2, BR will be the last thing on this mind.....

The simple truth is, Transformers is more Dreamworks deal, and you better believe the DW execs aren't going to let Paramount take over. In fact, that's the reason Dreamworks and Paramount are having so many problems...lotso f internal strife over those issues.

Nonetheless, Bay is at the peak of his game right now in the industry...it's not like he can't get a power deal and mega movie at any other studio. Heck he's already been rumored for the Bruckheimer Prince of Persia...which would also net him a massive paycheck. The guy has options. I too find it odd he'd pull out of Transformers 2 over this, though I imagine since he's coming to them from Dreamworks, he probably has no love for Paramount like the rest of them. This Paramount bickering due to the merger is no joke.

It's asking me to login. Would you mind just c/p'ing his quote. Thanks :)

Yes they have changed the forum setting it seems to not having open viewers any more. Interesting. What does the new quote change?

With the forum change, and the quote change I would tend to think that it more likely was him and after the inevitable backlash about his comment it was softened up.

It's asking me to login. Would you mind just c/p'ing his quote. Thanks :)
They closed it off, I did get to see it. A much softer version that stated he wanted the movie available on all formats.

Guess the 1st version was from "former assistant" :D

It seems Michael Bay is very upset at Paramount's decision and is denying them Transformers 2.
I wonder if he would've been this upset if Paramount decided to go BD exclusive? Some how, I don't think so...

Here is the new quote posted by the Site Admin:

"I spoke to Michael a few minutes ago.

He said he just wants people to know that we should be able to view his movies in the format of our choice. Period.

Nothing more, nothing less."

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2300

Since we all know that the people in Africa, India and China all have blu-ray players :rolleyes: , Bay is simply stating the fact that half of the world's population would miss out on the Transformers movie

or

Maybe he's just trying to say that blu-ray players cannot upscale DVDs :confused:

Maybe you give him WAY TOO much credit.
This moron just came out and made an statement without thinking about the consequences of his actions.

He has since changed his "statement" intent.

bay hasn't made a good movie since "The Rock" and the only reason that was good was because of the score..

it isn't that hard to direct transformers 2...just get somebody off this forum, hire will smith to say "i wish i was at a barbecue! woo!", run around and have a couple robots blow buildings up....the job is done.

I was a Paramount customers, now I can't be -- if they all of a sudden don't want me as a customer for HDM, why should they want me as a customer for DVD or theatrical runs either?

Agreed. However, there was a lot of blu-vitriol directed at HD DVD guys who said the same when Blockbuster went Blu......

Agreed. However, there was a lot of blu-vitriol directed at HD DVD guys who said the same when Blockbuster went Blu......

If I was a blockbuster user and that happened in my area, I might feel the same. I use Netflix though!

That feeling is what I was talking about though (although a little different, as it's only new locations that will be BR -- old locations will keep both BR and HD DVD, which is what a good company would do... existing customers of HDM don't get screwed). What's different about paramount is that it offered BR users movies and then stopped... The only people who used Blockbuster for HD DVD still can, so nothing really changed, in that respect.

Come on then, why isn't he crying about 'The Rock' or 'Armageddon' or 'The Island' being available on both formats (without having to resort to importing from another region?)

The only people who used Blockbuster for HD DVD still can, so nothing really changed, in that respect.

Not really true. The local BB here has stopped adding HD DVD titles. For all practical purposes, they have quit supporting the format......for now.;)

Yes, I'm pissed The Rock isn't on HD DVD. Come on Bay stick up for my rights. :D

Not really true. The local BB here has stopped adding HD DVD titles. For all practical purposes, they have quit supporting the format......for now.;)

Well, that's pretty lame.

LOL! He's just bitter from the roasting he got in 'Team America' :D

A new post of Michael Bay ... after watching "300" on HD DVD ;)

Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three blu-ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 1:30 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.

As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.

So today I saw 300 on HD, it rocks!

So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!

Michael Bay

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2304
;)

Originally Posted by Michael Bay @ shootfortheedit.com/forums
Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three blu-ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 1:30 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard.

As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision.

So today I saw 300 on HD, it rocks!

So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!

Michael Bay

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum...pic.php?t=2304

I'm happy that he is giving it a shot and that he understands how good HDDVD can be...
I still hope he doesn't direct TF2. Sorry, Mike.

Haha. So in other words, Paramount's lawyers called him up and said, "STFU, who do you think you are? Speilberg? You're no George Lucas, pal, so if you ever want to work again, you best retract now."

So he did. The, "I might be back on to do Transformers 2" is the dead giveaway. ;)

Man, this HD DVD vs Blu Ray war is no good... Especially here in Aus where we've only got a small portion of whats been released in places like the states. It's just paved the way for a bunch of uninformed fanboys to make more outlandish claims. It's done nothing but slowed down the fight, backwards and forwards comments like this from people like Bay are indicative of the situation being nothing more than a cash grab by the studios. I think I'll be sticking with a nice upscaling DVD player and my existing collection until things cool off. Is anyone else going to be standing back to watch how this plays out?

Best
24fpsPAL
www.stfunplay.com

Haha. So in other words, Paramount's lawyers called him up and said, "STFU, who do you think you are? Speilberg? You're no George Lucas, pal, so if you ever want to work again, you best retract now."

So he did. The, "I might be back on to do Transformers 2" is the dead giveaway. ;)


it's so sad that there seems to always have to be some sort of conspiracy theory with the BDA Army now.

Paramount explains their reasons for the switch. But no, it's a payoff.

Michael Bay reverses track. But no, he was cohorsed.

Somewhere in there, someone has made up a phantom Blu-ray thing from James Cameron and Francis Ford Coppola too, but no one has provided a link yet.

Sigh.

"let's just say it moved me... TO A BIGGER HOUSE!"

Just as I thought, Michael Bay got to see "300" and what HDi can do, so for the first time he knows what he's talking about.

Paramount explains their reasons for the switch. But no, it's a payoff.


We'll whomever is doing the pay offs... Please head over and buy FOX/MGM's exclusivity (offer more money than BDA did) so we can enjoy HD-DVDs, cheap players, and great titles. Get the war over with. Sony's losing money hand over fist as it is .. it shouldn't be hard to financially bust them.

"let's just say it moved me... TO A BIGGER HOUSE!"Oh crap, I said the loud part quiet and the quiet part loud.