Regards to all, I'm new to this list, so if the following request is inappropriate or ill-conceived, please accept my apologies. It's been ten years since I've been active in film and television production, in the various capacities of producer (TV & film), director (TV & film), cameraman (film), and editor (TV & film). Since that time a great many changes have taken place. One of the most important ones, it seems to me, is in the area of distribution. A decade ago distribution was confined for the most part to theatrical releases, network television, and some 16mm educational sales. Today with satellite, Pay- TV, video, and cable, the means of distribution are much greater. And, with what seems an order of magnitude drop in production costs on the television side, the possibility of producing programming independently at very low cost, securing distribution, and making a profit may be a very real possibility. Working on the assumption the above is correct, I've begun working on producing a series of very low budget features with the intent of releasing them direct to videocassette. The scenarios under consideration so far are directed at families, children, and teenagers and range from teen horror to a comedy based around a family farm. With this in mind, I'd appreciate any advice or thoughts concerning the following, presented in no particular order of importance: 1. Directories, reference publications, resources, associations, consultants, etc. concerning current feature film distribution channels or methods. 2. Suggestions regarding medium. Is it necessary to shoot on 35mm as it was a decade ago or is Super 16, or video tape acceptable for productions produced only for VHS tape distribution. If production can proceed using video, what minimum format would be required. Would Betacam SP be acceptable, for example? 3. Is producing a feature primarily for home videocassette distribution only, a reasonable business premise to start with? In the best of all possible worlds, I'd like to be able to recover all costs and make a small profit with the sales, distribution, and rentals into the home videocassette market, with any television sales being gravy. Feasible? Reasonable? 4. The names of companies producing features for primarily videocassette distribution. Names of companies handling videocassette distribution. The above are starting points presented by someone who is now utterly naive about the new realities in the film and television business, any hand holding would be greatly appreciated. Regards and thanks -- Stephen Best | Tel: (519) 925-3440 PO Box 988 | Fax: (519) 925-2003 Shelburne, ON, Canada | e-mail: [log in to unmask] L0N 1S0 | CompuServe: 76407,526