The Matrix Virtual Theatre

Masters of the Matrix DVD Chat
Oct. 15, 1999

The Matrix set the standard for DVD excellence. The added features on The Matrix DVD have helped it ship more than any other DVD in history! This success also created unmatched buzz about not only the movie, but also the disc itself. Now, in this exclusive event, Warner Home Video brings you the masters who created the disc. Please welcome the masters of The Matrix DVD!

MatrixDVDMasters: Hi and thanks for coming! Bring on the questions!

guest-Thomas says: Is there extra stuff on the disc that can only be unlocked via the web?
MatrixDVDMasters: No, all the material is available. There is nothing at the moment that is locked on the disc.

guest-Fisk says: When does the Matrix DVD release for Region 2?
MatrixDVDMasters: The street date for Europe is Nov. 30.

guest-Darius says: Why is the Matrix DVD scene so green tinted?
MatrixDVDMasters: The green look of the film was a creative choice by the filmmakers. That would be a great question for the Wachowskis' chat on Nov. 6. :)

FintanMalone says: Why are the trailers on the ROM portion of the DVD?
MatrixDVDMasters: The trailers were on the ROM only because they take up less space in that portion of the disc. We needed to have as much space as possible for the special features.

guest-Darius says: What is up with the bad "Matrix" discs?
MatrixDVDMasters: This is a misconception. Some users have had problems viewing The Matrix, but the issue is the player. Some first-generation players have had difficulty reading all the content on the disc. Most hardware manufacturers are making efforts to remedy this. Visit www.pcfriendly.com for the latest update.

Nickle says: I can't find the white rabbit? Can you help?
MatrixDVDMasters: Go to the special features section, select Dreamworld, and it is on the second page of the Dreamworld section. Select "follow the white rabbit" feature. The movie will begin and the rabbit will appear on the screen. Select the rabbit to view the footage.

Robynne says: What never-before-seen stuff will be on the VHS?
MatrixDVDMasters: The Collector's Edition VHS includes some of the extras that are on DVD. We wanted the VHS fan to enjoy some of the same features. All of the features on the VHS version are also available on the DVD.

ILoveNatPortman says: What is involved in the making of a DVD? How long does it take?
MatrixDVDMasters: The DVD timeline is about six months. We consult with the filmmakers from the very beginning and develop the special features that will be best for the particular project. We go through extensive work compressing the feature - preparing and mixing the audio tracks, including subtitles, menus and in some cases, ROM features. All creative content needs to go through approvals with the talent and the filmmakers.

DwayneG says: Why can't I see the DVD on my Mac?
MatrixDVDMasters: The current version of Mac software uses a different standard than the DVD standard. To view the movie on a Mac, go to www.pcfriendly.com for clear instructions on how to get around this. We are told the next update of Mac software will fix the problem.

guest-Bones says: Is the film on the disk exactly the same as the theatrical release?
MatrixDVDMasters: It is the same version.

guest-Dean says: Do you have any thoughts on using PCFriendly on your disc?
MatrixDVDMasters: We have found including PCFriendly to be a tremendous asset to our web-enabled disc. We plan on offering more in the future. We find it to be the easiest way available for users to access ROM features.

Belvedere says: Why isn't there a Wachowski brothers commentary track?
MatrixDVDMasters: The Wachowskis chose not to do one themselves. You can ask them why on Nov. 6! :-)

ILoveNatPortman says: Did you meet any of the stars while making this DVD? What was it like?
MatrixDVDMasters: Yes! Carrie-Anne Moss recorded the audio commentary. She was a pleasure to work with, and was very cooperative and into the process. She was the only one of the stars who was able to take part in the special features.

guest-Louis says: Many earlier Warner Bros., DVDs like Batman have both the full frame and widescreen version. Why was this not done with the Matrix?
MatrixDVDMasters: In order to have space for special features, we had to have only one aspect ratio. We felt this title deserved special features over having two aspect ratios. We chose the 16 x 9 wide screen version at the request of the filmmakers. We feel special effects films are better displayed in a wide screen version.

guest-Foo says: Do you have anything special planned for the DVD versions of the upcoming Matrix 2 and 3?
MatrixDVDMasters: Check back at the Matrix events site and over time it shall be revealed. :-)

guest-zaphod says: What DVD authoring system was used for the Matrix?
MatrixDVDMasters: It was a Toshiba authoring system, authored at California Video Center.

guest-Jason_DVDAngle says: Are there only 2 red pills to be found in the DVD-Video portion of the disc?
MatrixDVDMasters: Correct. There are two red pill features.

guest-DrDemento says: Is this going to be interactive with the movie, or is that just the online event in November?
MatrixDVDMasters: Just the event on Nov. 6.

guest-ST says: How much behind the scenes material did you have to choose from?
MatrixDVDMasters: We had several hours of footage and material to go through. There was a video crew on set during much of the production of the film, specifically for the DVD special features. We also had much footage with computer animation tests and special effects in progress.

guest-boomer says: Will DVDs be obsolete in a few years, with the advent of digital TV?
MatrixDVDMasters: All technology moves forward. However, we believe there will always be a market for packaged goods. DVDs are the best way to watch movies today and in the foreseeable future.

ILoveNatPortman says: What is it like working with the Wachowski brothers?
MatrixDVDMasters: They were highly cooperative and open to our creative ideas for the DVD. They were actively involved in giving notes on the special features and contributing to the content. The stills and script and storyboard gallery on the ROM portion of the disc was really a result of their creative input. Their assistant, Phil, was a producer and was actively involved in the project.

guest-kool says: Are all of the trailers on the DVD, or only the web site?
MatrixDVDMasters: The theatrical trailer is on the ROM portion of the disc. The original theatrical web site has all the trailers and TV spots.

guest-DVDLINEGUY says: Were you expecting the enormous success that the DVD has experienced?
MatrixDVDMasters: As we developed the disc, it became apparent what a fabulous disc this was. We had people asking us from the day the film released in theatres what we were planning to do on the DVD. So we knew this would be hot. It has become the best selling DVD of all time!

guest-Chopkins says: When you record a commentary, do you get it all in one take and do you have someone there to help prompt the participants as to what the audience might find interesting?
MatrixDVDMasters: We do not record it all in one take. We do stop and start, and usually have the film playing in the recording studio for the participants to comment on, and we talk extensively with the participants to help get an exciting commentary.

guest-Beavis says: Were a regular release and a Special Edition release ever considered?
MatrixDVDMasters: We put as much on this version of the disc to make it as special as we could.

guest-jpasco says: Will we be seeing "Made for DVD" movies in the near future?
MatrixDVDMasters: Yes! As there are "straight to video" movies, there will be "straight to DVD" movies in the future.

guest-DVDGuy-Steve says: What kind of testing is done to ensure compatibility across the different brands of DVD players?
MatrixDVDMasters: We test every DVD on a broad array of players; specifically, first generation players because we know there are more problems on those. It is the largest test done of players anywhere.

guest-DVDGuy-Steve says: How much space is there on a dual-layered DVD? How much space was left over after packing the disc with all that content?
MatrixDVDMasters: There was 4.2 gigabytes of space on each layer of a dual-layered disc, for a total of 8.4 gigabytes -- and we used 8.4 gigabytes for The Matrix.

guest-Beavis says: How did you decide what went on the DVD and what went on the DVD-ROM?
MatrixDVDMasters: We put the features on the DVD ROM that best took advantage of the interactivity available on a computer and the community building possibilities with a web connection. For instance, the script, storyboard and stills feature could only have been done on the ROM portion of the disc.

guest-Jen says: Why is the VHS version released at a later date?
MatrixDVDMasters: It is available at rental stores now. The Special Edition VHS will be available for sale Dec. 7. It is a customary practice in the video business to release some titles for rental before general sale. The DVD is usually available when the movie is first released.

guest-Fisk says: Can I join the web events without a DVD drive?
MatrixDVDMasters: Yes, you can! :-) However, to get the whole experience, you need the DVD ROM computer. So without the DVD ROM, you can join the chat, but you cannot view the movie.

guest-Awoken says: How many versions of the DVD are available?
MatrixDVDMasters: There is one version for each international territory; approximately 10 different versions worldwide.

guest-Bones says: I'd like to know if any consideration was given to making the DVD ROM content Mac-Friendly, as the PCFriendly front end software is PC-Only.
MatrixDVDMasters: We realize that it is not yet entirely Mac friendly. However, we are working with Apple and PCFriendly to make it so. Hopefully, we will have a solution soon.

ILoveNatPortman says: Why do DVDs always come before the VHS tapes? Is it easier to transfer from the original movie?
MatrixDVDMasters: This is a misconception. The DVD and VHS are released in stores on the same day. Sometimes, VHS is released as a rental to begin with and later released as a sell-through title. However, Warner releases DVD at the same time as the rental or the sell-through title, whichever comes first.

guest-Alpine says: This disk seems packed with extras, was there other material that could have been included if you had the space or did you have to hunt for material to fill the disk?
MatrixDVDMasters: We had no problem filling the disc. We had to choose selectively to put the best material on this dual-layer disc. Some of the content that was cut from the disc will be posted here at a later date. Keep checking back or submit your e-mail and we will notify when we will post it.

Trinity says: Did you find it fun creating this DVD, or boring?
MatrixDVDMasters: Although a challenge, this disc was a blast to put together.

Guest-CyBeR says: Why aren't there any subtitles on the region 1 disc?
MatrixDVDMasters: We have subtitles for the English track. We don't include other languages or their subtitles to prevent trans-shipment of DVDs into other countries.

guest-DVDLINEGUY says: The DVD-ROM content is great. Who came up with the idea for the interactive game "The One"?
MatrixDVDMasters: It was a collaborative effort that included Canned Interactive. The Wachowski brothers came up with the questions.

guest-Bones says: When will double layer, double sided DVDs be produced?
MatrixDVDMasters: We are readying the production facilities to handle DVD 18. Once we introduce them, we know we will need massive capacity.

guest-Beavis says: What advances in DVD technology excite you most? Which have the most potential use in the future??
MatrixDVDMasters: Greater capacity and continued interactivity with the Internet will allow us to become more creative with the product. The most exciting potential is more interactivity between the Internet and content on the disc.

guest-Jason_DVDAngle says: Is there any one particular thing about the DVD you are especially proud of?
MatrixDVDMasters: Besides becoming the number one selling DVD of all time.... :-) Working with the filmmakers on a product like this that lends itself so well to the DVD format has been most rewarding.

MatrixDVDMasters: In closing, thanks for being fans of The Matrix, and we hope to see you at the first ever virtual theatre event on Nov. 6, where you will be able to watch the movie with the filmmakers. We plan to have additional events such as this in the future. Check back at this site.

Thank you for joining Warner Home Video and the masters of the Matrix DVD. Stay tuned to www.warnervideo.com for more live events.