There is an active thread in the store forum on Total Movie customer service. I answer customer service questions/ complaints there.

There are also a lot of comments building up there about the content of the magazine. If we can, I would like to make this thread excluscively about Total Movie content. I think it is an important topic, so I am starting a separate thread for feedback on Total Movie content.
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Kelly W, others - I appreciate your feedback on the content in the magazine and the DVD. It is something we take to heart. I hear some complaints from some of you that the covers and some of the coverage is too maxim like. Some want to see a more pure, in-depth movie magazine.

So here is the question of the day. Maxim has 2,000,000 circ....it is arguably the hottest magazine ever with a very desirable demographic that advertisers pay a lot of money to get in front of - 70% male, Young, Great Income; Premiere has 600,000 circ. after more than a decade and struggles with a 50-50 audience that attracts a lot fewer advertisers; Movieline has perhaps 300,000 circ.; More serious film magazines like Cinescape (is it still around?) barely make a dent as far as circ. goes. Obviously Maxim is doing something right. How does Total Movie & Entertainment blow past the other movie magazines without following some of the Maxim approach?

Hi TotalMovie,

I understand where you are coming from. I know that publishing a magazine is a business and that you have to make the decisions that you feel will sell the most copies.

I also understand that my tastes do not always coincide with that of the general public (or, at least, with the part of the general public that gets the most attention: teenagers). The music I listen to is never on MTV and rarely appears on the Billboard charts. Similarly, a lot of my favorite movies make far less money than Pearl Harbor and Tomb Raider.

Granted, Maxim is huge. It was the first of the "Playboy-lite" magazines and as such, is seen as the "original" and "most noteworthy". Did anybody else notice how the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition hardly made a splash (pun intended) this year? I think consumers and the media are now a little jaded thanks to the frequency with which Maxim (and the others) are published. The SI Swimsuits are no longer that risque or remarkable.

In addition, this trend to copy whatever is successful, thinking that imitation will bring comparable rewards is often fruitless. Raiders of the Lost Ark was a successful movie. King Solomon's Mines(1985) was not. E.T. was a successful movie. Mac and Me was not.

I just don't think that by adding a scantily-clad young lady on the cover of Total Movie makes it STAND OUT on the newsstands. There are already so many of them, isn't the market saturated? Of the 2,000,000 Maxim subscribers, how many of them also subscribe to FHM and Stuff? Would they also subscribe to Total Movie JUST BECAUSE there is a pretty girl on the cover and four pages of models inside?

My point is that Total Movie is NOT Maxim on the inside. The focus is on movies and DVDs. Selling it as another girlie magazine is most probably cheating yourselves out of potential readers. Anybody who picks up the magazine DUE TO the cover is going to put it down once they've looked inside. People who would like what's inside may not pick it up DUE TO its cover.

What are the circulation numbers for Total Movie? Due to the lack of DVD in newsstand versions, I don't expect a lot of copies are sold that way. A good experiment would be to TRY putting out an issue with a cover featuring a hot upcoming movie-- something with a built-in audience. Star Wars: Episode II and Spiderman will already be out before the July/August issue is published (I'm pretty sure the cover for the May/June issue has been decided upon), but what about something like Matrix 2 or X-Men 2? I know magazines have long lead times, but you could compile some of the internet rumors and stories about these movies and print them in the magazine (presented as "internet rumors", of course). The article might not be the most in-depth, but it would give you an excuse to put the movie on the cover. Video game magazines do this kind of thing all the time (although I also dislike the writing style that often goes into video game articles).

Or maybe you could put a survey in a future issue asking readers and subscribers what parts of the magazine influenced their decision to purchase it. I would expect that most people would say that the pretty ladies had little to no impact on their choice.

But like I said, my opinions are often in the minority. (But if the people posting here are any indication, I'm not completely alone.)

I know that advertising is what brings in the money, so you often have to cater to the demographics that command the most revenue. So, do what you have to do. I don't want to see Total Movie go out of business, because I really do like it. (No, really! ) I don't subscribe to many magazines, so the fact that I do proves that it satisfies me sufficiently. I just wonder if there isn't another way to increase the readership of Total Movie.

Thanks for reading and listening to what I have to say. It really means a lot to me that you've taken the initiative to create a thread for the sole purpose of getting feedback on the magazine. You're doing MANY things right, and I applaud you for it.

-Kelly

I love Maxim but i think your magazine isn't trying to attract the same readership. Maybe if you followed the layouts of that magazine it would help. Your magazine as is now is rather busy and hard to follow at times.

Both very valid responses. Appreciate the feedback.

I just got the latest issue. Right now, I'm only going to comment on the reviews.

1. There really seems to be no consistency at all, especially in the disc portion. There is no indication why a disc received a certain number of stars, as compared to other discs. I guess reading through the reviews, I should be able to tell which is a better disc on all merits by looking briefly at the stars for the disc. I just felt that the ratings didn't help, because we didn't know why the discs were rated as they were.

2. Why is it most of the reviews come off so edgy that it doesn't help you decide whether you want to watch the movie or not? Commentary aside, how about another rating that incorporates a buy it-rent it-skip it format? At least we won't have to try to decypher the cryptic comments in the review to tell whether or not the reviewer actually recommends it.

3. How about standardizing your review format a little? I'd like to know the details of the features on every disc, not just the ones the particular reviewer really liked. Some reviews talked about the features, others just listed them, and yet others left features out. A standardized format that reviewers must follow would go a long way towards creating a reviews section that would actually be useful in helping be decide whether or not to buy or even rent a disc. That's what your advertisers would like to see, I'd think.

I've got more to say about the content of the mag, but I need to read some more before I comment too much more. As others have mentioned, I'm subscribing for the dvd, rather than the mag at this point.

I think that there is potential here. Really, I do. Right now, though, it seems so flippant in delivery that I'm having a hard time getting through it(the printed material). I'll try to watch the dvd tonight, although I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

I couldn't have said it better myself.
Also, just because a certain type of magazine is successful, doesn't mean it should be copied. (Unless your looking for a fast buck). Sports magazines have come and gone, some last a while, but the ones still around are doing so because the have an identity of their own.


A problem with that is that you're going to be asking a readership that is 92% male. The response would be somewhat predictbble.

Do you really think so? I guess I'm just too naive.

Do we know what the current demographics are of Total Movie now? And if so, HOW do we know? I don't remember filling out a survey, but maybe there was something I filled out when I subscribed.

-Kelly

But it's a Movie magazine. I think that is the difference here. I totally agree that what's on the cover doesn't really jive with what's inside. Example. The cover has Panic Room in Big letters. The article is 2 pages, one of text. That's it. Kelly "Who" has 5 pages or so, most of them centerfold-y. Where the heck is the stuff on Wesly and Blade 2? I still haven't found it, and it's on the cover(I didn't see it in the table of contents, either).




On another note, a male co-worker who doesn't care about movies came up to my desk, immediately looked at the magazine, flipped through it, looked at the girls, and put it down. How many people do you suppose do that at the newsstand?

The Wesley Snipes/Blade II stuff is on page 20.

While I'm not very interested in Blade I or II, the article is an example of one that is fairly well written. While the authors use the word "ass" a few more times than necessary (to please the "kiddies" no doubt ), the article has some actual information and I learned a few things from it.

Please, sir, I want some more. -- More like this please.

-Kelly

I think one of the best things to do would be to poll the readership through unofficial methods. I mean seriously, if you want the demographic, you have to appeal to the interests of that demographic. Troll around the Ain't It Cool News site and see what the fanboys are hyped about then try scooping everything the studios will drop. See which DVD titles are generating the most buzz around here and a few of the other sites and grab every detail...

THEN, follow up on reviews. Taking a list of the most popular rentals and sales and placing star or grade reviews from multiple sources, like the EW reviews, only include net reviewer choices instead of the big "respectable" reviewers who are too happy to give two thumbs up to anything their parent company releases without as much as a fair review.

Earn credibility beyond street cred with your audience by being "their" magazine, not a professional recap.

Finally, stock the DVD with a little of the material you may be considering. If Maxim is doing well with a photo shoot and you are inclined to include these type of features, TOP THEM with a DVD highlights of the photo shoot segment. If you have an interview with Lucas or Kevin Smith, Tape the damned thing then put highlights on the DVD. Include in the article that the DVD comes with the subscription or can be ordered with an identifying code (for newsstand versions) and a small fee with shipping.

In other words, don't just lure them... grab them and reel them in.

...and if you want more, I'm always looking for work with a national publication.

Jack

Moving to the store forum as that's really the only place where it's appropriate for a store/company/publisher to ask for feedback on their product.

Just curious - what is the subscriber circulation of Total Movie?

- Matt

Am I your target audience? I'm 29, Male, Single with a good paying job. While I don't have much problem with your magazine, other than some sophomoric writing, I'd rather see artwork for the next latest & greatest film than some girly half dressed. I also feel that many of the articles, while interesting ideas, aren't in depth enough. Sometimes the layout feels like it's trying a bit to hard to be edgy too.

As it stands now, if I walked by your magazine I'd probably pass it by, especially since there's no DVD, because as a print magazine by itself it doesn't interest me enough to buy. It looks like Maxim or Stuff or one of the 20 clones of those publications, that or Femme Fatals . Beef up the writing and I'd be there for the magazine only. Your trying to hard to be cutting edge at times, it seems.

BTW, I know this isn't the wrong thread, but getting someone in customer service to answer emails would help you a lot too. I personally know five people at work who have opted not to subscribe to your publication until they see an improvement in the way CS matters are handled. You've already gotten a rep and it ain't good.

I thought the article/interview with Larry Clark (Kids, Bully) was excellent. It was well-written and very interesting. A recent interview with John Waters was like this as well, and the Harry Shearer trailer interview and the interview with Kelly Hu (about her career) were too. These were also great. I think most people prefer Q&A type interviews.
I also thought the Crowe, Redford and Pitt interviews on the DVD were good. However, I think it would have been nicer if the interviewer was either heard or on-camera as well so that you know what question is being asked and there is more of a sense of conversation rather than just 'talking heads.'
What I wish the magazine would also do is talk to famous people about movies and, most importantly, DVDs. The magazine is about movies and DVD, so I think it would be a nice idea to know what movies celebrities like and what they like about DVDs and if they like doing special features. There are several actors who have whole-heartedly embraced the DVD technology by continuously contributing to DVD releases of their recent and classic films. Brad Pitt, Kurt Russell, and Jeff Bridges for example. And directors as well. I'd find it interesting to hear what DVDs they buy, what special features they like, etc.

Why does the magazine (#7, pages 54-59) have an article about the ten greatest trailers and then does not have these trailers on the DVD??

Maybe a future DVD will have the matching trailers??

--David

MAXIM has a very large and very specific demographic. It's "guys." "Guys" like scantily clad women, dirty jokes, sports, electronics, beer... you get the picture. MAXIM can target that whole demographic with ease. It's a general interest magazine.

Movie magazines, however, appeal to a specific interest. To appeal to the MAXIM demographic that also happens to be movie buffs greatly reduces the target audience.

MAXIM also gives out cheap subscriptions -- what is it, about $10.00 a year?

There's also a problem with movie magazines... they've been made sort of obsolete by the internet. News can break online immediately, you can download half-nekkid pictures of actresses for free, get movie and DVD reviews instantly. Just by the nature of dead-tree publishing, the information in the mags is going to be outdated.

Its not that the infomation is outdated, it just that at least one (if not more) of the reviews read as if it was totally republished from a posting at one of the many DVD review sites.

If the reviews and articles were writen as 'Fresh' and or a different point of view, I don't feel that the printed version of the magazine would of been a waste of paper.

The other item is the way that the DVD and Magazine do not seem to be created together.. but as two different things that happen to be shipped together.

I for one would of like to of read the interviews that were on the DVD and then been able to of view these same interviews on the DVD.

--David

I'm trying to figure out what TME's target audience is.

At first glance, it appears to be targeted at 15 year old boys, written by twenty-something writers trying to act 15.

But then it covers movies that would most likely appeal to an older audience. And has a cover price and subscription price that a younger reader wouldn't dish out.

The writing is gratuitously crude and rough. The mag just seems "dumbed down".

If that's the market they're after, that's okay by me, but I doubt that I'll be renewing my subscription.

Skywalker 8 - thanks for the positive feedback on Larry Clark, John Waters, Kelly Hu articles. Will take your additional thoughts into consideration.

DEC2911 - your points on DVD/Magazine integration are well stated. The next DVD is a bit better integrated with the print mag and we are striving toward that end. Many magazine interviews, however, take place on the phone...so except for audio, which we have considered, there is no opportunity for reading and seeing the interview. The other thing which is challenging is that the DVD content was locked on March 1, the May magazine just wrapped.

Here is what is on the next DVD:

Spotlight –


Ridley Scott Interview
The Best of RESFEST – RESFEST Shorts, Vol. 1
Max
RESFEST 2000 Trailer
Roger Ramjet - Hero Of Our Nation - The Dumb Waiter

Silver Screen

Unfaithful
Insomnia
Death to Smoochy
Van Wilder
Pluto Nash
Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
Murder By Numbers
Salton Sea
Blade II

On DVD

Rambo Special Edition Trailer

Beverly Hills Cop Trilogy - three trailers
The Usual Suspects - Keyser Soze, lie or legend?
Novocaine - Getting The Shot
Twin Peaks - Talking Backwards With The Cast
Life As A House - From The Ground Up
Grass - clip
Cannibal Apocalypse - cannibal apocalypse redux clip - :50-5:53
Behind Enemy Lines - Trailer
Fatal Attraction - Trailer
The Deep End - trailer

Music Videos

Enya - May It Be (from LOTR)
1 Giant Leap (featuring Neneh Cherry & Speech) - Braided Hair
Chris Isaak - Let Me Down Easy
Sugarcult - Stuck In America
Dishwalla - Opaline DVD preview
Static-X - Cold
Mad Capsule Markets - Pulse
Badsville Trailer

My problem with the magazine is there does not seem to be a focus. The magazine covers to much. What about focusing on new movies, classic movies and upcoming DVDs? Better yet go back and look at the original Total Movie. The original magazine got many people hooked. Then when it came back no one seemed to like it as much.

Articles about new movies would be great. But not movies that came out 2 months ago. Current or new movies is a must.

DVD reviews and articles taking an in depth look at the content. I want to know why there is an 8th Stargate DVD. I want to know why I should buy AI even though the movie was terrible. I want to know why I should avoid the DVD for Freddie Got Fingered. I want what I should rent for the wife this weekend. I don't want to know what book I could get at the library. I want to know the differences between region 1 and region 2. Find out what studios are working on and give us a glimpse of it.

Another idea is what is the latest and greatest hardware. Why should I upgrade my system. Or maybe even a wishlist. Show the latest $2,000.00 DVD player.

This magazine should be aimed at movie enthusisists. They are out there everywhere...look at the movie gross from this weekend. Look at the DVD sales from last week. Appeal to those people.

Now about the DVD. The original Total Movie's DVD was excellent. This one is terrible! The menus have got to be the worst in the industry. Make it easy and simple...but yet creative. Give us upcoming trailers, old trailers, but not trailers for the moives that just hit the $1.00 theatre. Give us behind the scenes/deleted scenes and bloopers on DVDs. Show us how DVDs are made. Give us hardware previews. Give us original short movies. They were so much fun! Finally, give us the free movie! So we can say we got another movie for our collection.

Make the magazine and DVD another way for the studios to advertise. All of these things are ways for the studios to get their movie/DVD out there. And a way for the movie goers to get excited. Getting studios behind the magazine should help with advertising and the newsstand price.

Enough with the women covers!
Enough with the women interviews!
Enough with the poor writing and reviewing!

My question to you Total Movie:
Why did you ever start this magazine? Was it because the orginal was a hit? And you wanted to ride their coat tail?
Who are you trying to appeal too? What is your target audience?

Obviously, I liked the original. I have never had customer service issues. But this new magazine won't make me re-new my subscription. I want movie and DVD information. This gives me very little of that.

Uhmmmm, I have paid for my subscribtion a looooooooong time ago (November of December 2001) and have only received ONE magazine so far.

I subscribed for the DVD Player, 40 Movies and (obviously) the magazines.

I've been billed for all those and all I've got is one lousy magazine. Contacting customer support (about 20 e-mails so far) has yield no result. US$100+ for one magazine is just way too expensive.

I think that an audio interview with a maching video slide show of images of a phone interview would be just fine.

--David

I just got my magazine today and I had mixed feelings. For the most part the interviews were pretty bad. To many short one and two page quickies that really told me nothing. I agree that the covers are in bad taste. Is this a movie mag or a porn rag? Just because Maxim does it I don't think it okays every magazine to do it. I realize that sex sells though, so I can look past the cover.

I like the DVD reviews and for the most part thought they were pretty good. Top Ten trailers was interesting to check out. The History of the Oscars could have been very good if it had been expanded to include more of the history. Kelly Hu's article was okay and I like to look at hot women as much as the next guy, however, it just seemed more like an article for Maxim or Playboy. I liked the Sympathy for the Devil article and it included some very interesting stuff about Larry Clark.

It just seems like Total Movie goes for the quick hit instead of being more in depth. I would prefer to see fewer articles, but have the ones that are included to be longer and more detailed. The DVD part of the magazine is in my opinion the strongest. I think you should try to expand that section. A few pages about new hardware, upcoming discs, rumors, etc would be nice. If you would bring back Kevin Murphy's article that was in the original Total Movie I would add another year to my subscription right now.

The DVD disc itself was good. The movie you picked is a great indie film, the two short films were okay but I would love to see more short films and less music videos.

Overall I think you have the potential for a great movie magazine, but it still has a way to go. Getting them out on time would be the best place to start.

The magazine is getting better and better each issue!

And thanks for the plastic holder to keep the DVD from getting scratched.


Keep up the good work!


Andrew

Okay, obviously, my comments went unnoticed by our resident feedback rep, but thankfully, the comment about including interviews on the DVD were seen and agreed upon. Thanks to those of you who agree for keeping the suggestion fresh in the minds and on the board.