The GENRE Interview -Vini Bancalari Discusses The Ten Year Anniversary Of Elite Entertainment & More!

The GENRE Interview: Vini Bancalari Discusses The Ten Year Anniversary Of Elite Entertainment & More!
By Mark A. Rivera

1) How did Elite Entertainment get started?

Back in the world of Laserdiscs (remember those?), it was clear that horror films were being relatively ignored. There were no “special editions” being released. The transfers were, for the most part, old analog pan & scan transfers that were done for VHS. It was terrible. I got together with Don May, Jr. (currently with Synapse Films), and we thought we’d try our hand at licensing, restoring and releasing the classic film, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Actually we thought that we would wind up releasing this laserdisc and then get back to our “real” jobs. Boy, were we wrong!

2) When I bought Elite’s first LD release of “Night Of The Living Dead” back in 1993, I had sent in a postcard to receive a newsletter called “The Elitist” and never received any issues. Was there ever a newsletter published?

I assure you that our intention was to put together this newsletter. However, things escalated so much and so fast that there was just no way that we could devote the time necessary to putting together a weekly or a monthly mailer. I would still love to start a newsletter someday. We’ll keep trying.

3) How has Elite Entertainment changed from the laserdisc days when Elite was the only company treating genre and cult film with real love and care to the DVD days where there are more than one company in the same business?

It sure has gotten crowded out there, hasn’t it? I guess it’s very flattering that so many companies have followed our lead. We really haven’t changed all that much. We’re still a very small operation and I like it that way. We’ve had several opportunities over the last few years to expand and grow but there’s really something to be said about a small company. I guess I’ve become a bit of a control freak. I like to have my hands in everything Elite does.

4) Is Elite Entertainment still an independent DVD distributor?

Actually, Elite was never a distributor. We’ve always had a small network of distributors out there. They’ve always supported us and have all done a great job at getting our product out there.

5) You told me you appeared in “Day Of The Dead” and the 1990 “Night Of The Living Dead” remake by Tom Savini. Are you going to appear as a zombie again for the fourth film in the series Romero is directing “Dead Reckoning?”

Who knows? I haven’t spoken to George (Romero) in a while and I know that he’s always busy juggling several projects at once. I guess if the opportunity presented itself and my schedule permitted it, I’d love to do it again. It’s a lot of fun and an honor to be in one of George’s zombie films. Besides, you know what they say………..”once you’ve tasted human flesh…………..”

6) I thought “H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator: Millennium Edition” was one of the best DVD releases of 2002 and it came in on my top ten DVD-Videos of 2002 as reviewed at GENRE ONLINE.NET. Can you explain now how a film is chosen to get ME treatment and how the ME editions of “Night Of The Living Dead,” “Re-Animator,” and “I Spit On Your Grave” came to fruition?

Thanks for the kind words. The “Millennium Edition” DVDs are very special to me. They were all a lot of fun to put together. As DVD authoring costs began to come down, it made sense to me that it was now time to re-release some of our “signature” films with additional and newer extras. With NOLD, most of the extras were already done for the LD release way back when so that one was a no brainer. During a conversation with Brian Yuzna’s people I mentioned the fact that we were re-releasing NOLD as part of a new series and we all agreed that RE-ANIMATOR deserved to be part of that series. I couldn’t agree more. With SPIT, again it was obvious that this special film, which was previously released with only a trailer, needed the “Millennium Edition” treatment. I contacted Meir Zarchi and we both put together a wish list of extras. Most of them made it to the DVD.

7) How did you get Joe Bob Briggs involved with “I Spit On Your Grave: ME” and can you go into any detail regarding what titles Briggs will be participating in? Is it a mutual decision when it comes to what film Briggs will be involved with? Will Briggs be involved in the “Drive-In” titles?

Getting Joe Bob for SPIT was an idea that I came up with. When I mentioned it to Meir, he flipped! Turns out that JBB had been a long-time supporter of SPIT. He and Meir have corresponded several times over the years but have never met. When I mentioned JB’s name to Meir, he was ecstatic about his possible involvement in the project. Actually, so was I. Regarding the upcoming JOE BOB BRIGG’S PRESENTS series, the only title that I can talk about is the first. That will be JESSE JAMES MEETS FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER. Can you think of a more perfect title for the JBB treatment? I can’t. We’re in the process of scheduling his commentary track recording session. That should be a blast!

8) Can you please give us an idea of what new titles are coming to DVD through Elite this year? What will the next Millennium Edition Title be? What will the next Special Collector’s Edition title will be?

At this time I can’t divulge any info about future Millennium Editions. I can, however, talk about an upcoming “Special Edition”. I’m pleased to announce that Elite will be releasing a special edition DVD of the Michael Laughlin film, STRANGE BEHAVIOR. This release will feature a commentary by director Michael Laughlin and writer Bill Condon!!!! (Gods & Monsters and Chicago) It will also feature a brand new digital widescreen transfer (16X9), animated menu screens, U.S and Australian theatrical trailers, still gallery and filmographies. We’re very excited about this release! A firm release date will be announced shortly but, in the meantime, look for STRANGE BEHAVIOR in the early to mid Spring.

9) Will THX Certification and DTS sound appear on standard or Special Collector’s Edition DVD releases?

No. We’ll save those for the Millennium Edition.

10) Was the Director of “I Spit On Your Grave” reading his commentary or what? I have gotten questions about that and even a note asking why I liked the film, which surprised me since I thought the review made it clear.

Having been so silent, for so long about this film, director Meir Zarchi was very concerned about making this particular commentary track as accurate and as filled with behind-the-scenes info as possible. To guarantee that he would not miss anything, he prepared his commentary ahead of time. Initially I was concerned about the lack of spontaneity but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at his track when I first heard it. I think he did a great job. Let’s face it, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE is not an easy film to talk about. The subject matter is very delicate and it’s not an easy line to walk.

11) This question is a personal one from me and I mean no disrespect in asking it, but if I did not address it, I just feel I wouldn’t be doing my job so here it is. Don May, Jr. and you were colleagues before the split. After ten years, have you spoke to him regarding the tenth year anniversary of Elite Entertainment? Do you both ever speak? Do you have a favorite DVD that is a Synapse title or another title?

I don’t find this question disrespectful at all. The fact is that Don and I haven’t spoken in quite some time. Not since shortly after the split. I guess at the end of the day I like to think that the early days of Elite got the both of us where we are today. I sincerely wish him the best of luck and success in his future.

12) If anyone wanted to make a request for Elite to bring a film to DVD like “H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond” through Elite Entertainment, how can the consumers do that?

That’s an easy one. Just drop us an email at Info@Elitedisc.com. We check our email regularly, and take all requests very seriously.

13) Is there a dream DVD you wish Elite could do, could be anything?

There are several. But I learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut about this. The last time I mentioned a film that I really wanted, another company came out of left field and announced the release.

14) Will Elite ever go into feature film production?

Actually, we’re already there. Elite Entertainment produced a film with director Philippe Mora (Communion). It’s titled ACCORDING TO OCCAM’S RAZOR and it’s a documentary style film that deals with the subject of alien abductions. It was shot over a period of 2 years in and around Los Angeles and in Australia. We’re very excited about “OCCAM.” Look for it on DVD later this year!

15) What is or are the most successful title(s) in the Elite Catalogue from both the LD and DVD libraries respectively?

I would have to say our most popular DVD titles are EVIL DEAD, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, RE-ANIMATOR and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. On laserdisc, the list is much longer. Back in the old days we were able to acquire many more “stronger” titles. NIGHT, DAWN and DAY OF THE DEAD, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 1, 2 & 3, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 1 and 2, EVIL DEAD 1 and 2. The list goes on and on. Boy, I miss the old days.

16) What is your take on the way genre films have being produced today? Are you happy with the “Hollywood” genre film or are you still asking yourself whatever happened to the days of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Dawn Of The Dead,” which are both being remade or in development as we speak?

When a classic film like TCM or DAWN is announced as an upcoming remake, I usually take a few aspirin and have to lie down for a while. I don’t see the reason for this type of project. It’s never going to replace the original, no matter how much more advanced the effects are. So, why bother? Oh wait………I remember…………..money.

17) Where would you like to see Elite in ten years?

Right here answering your questions about our 20^th anniversary.

18) I love Joe bob Briggs commentary, but I was curious if you ever thought of John Stanley for possible participation in future DVD projects. He is much like Briggs and has published the popular “Creature Features” movie guides.

Honestly, I haven’t considered him. Interesting idea, though.

19) Anything you want the readers to know about Elite and the long road from 1993 to 2003?

My sincere thanks to all of our fans and supporters. Without you guys, there would be no Elite. Let’s hope for at least another ten years.

Well thank you for the opportunity to interview you again. To everyone who loves Elite’s horror DVDs and laserdiscs from the past, stay scared, but have fun!

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