[silence] On One11 and digital downloads

[Brian Brandt]

Regarding One11:
Lohner told me that Cage liked the idea of dust and scratches being 
accumulated on the film One11, so that every viewing would be a 
different experience. Despite this idea, we considered having the film 
retouched but that would have been tremendously expensive and time 
consuming, only the most offensive blemishes and scratches were cleaned 
up for the DVD release. Even the film negatives used for new transfers 
have these artifacts and blemishes. The credit block sequence at the 
beginning is intentionally dirty looking, being made from scraps of 
unused footage because Cage didn't want to waste anything.

As for digital compression artifacts, we took great care in having this 
done as carefully as possible. Some of the "ringed" patterning is 
actually in the 35mm film itself.

There will be a rare screening of the film in New York City on Jan 20 & 
21 at The Anthology Film Archives (http://www.anthologyfilmarchives.org) 
to celebrate the DVD, and Henning Lohner will be there to answer questions.


Regarding Digital Downloads:
Mode has always placed high emphasis on the quality of our recorded 
sound. We also feel that the packaging is a integral part of the whole 
record/CD experience. Because of this, it is troubling to have to 
consider a future in the digital ether with no actual physical product 
to pull off the shelf, handle and enjoy as a part of the whole listening 
experience. Be that as it may, we now have partnered with some digital 
distribution networks to have Mode's releases available in that format 
for those who want it. A sign of keeping up with the  times.

We will continue to produce CDs (and DVDs) as long as there is demand, 
and I do believe that will be for a long time -- especially regarding 
classical and other niche markets where much of the audience may still 
prefer things in a tangible way. Aside from the superior sound quality, 
I can't fathom the idea of people printing the booklets on a wide array 
of laser and color printers where the designer and manufacturer cannot 
have any control of the quality of the color and image reproduction, the 
type of paper it is presented on, etc. It seems an inevitable spiraling 
down in quality, to the point where everything will be "good enough" and 
acceptable.

Much as Cage might have appreciated the digital ether for its 
possibilities and possible anarchy, I can personally tell you that he 
would not have appreciated a world where everything is "good enough".

Regards
Brian Brandt
mode records