Twilight Time (home video label)

{{Short description|Specialty DVD and Blu-ray label releasing limited editions of classic and vintage films}} {{Infobox company | name = Twilight Time | logo = Twilight time logo.jpg | logo_size = 200px | caption = | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | traded_as = | genre =  | fate = Absorbed by [[Screen Archives Entertainment]], effective July 1, 2020<ref name=saefb/> | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 2011 | founder = [[Brian Jamieson (director)|Brian Jamieson]]<br>Nick Redman | defunct = {{End date|2020|06|30}}<ref name=mpn/> | location_city = [[Auburn, Washington]] | location_country = U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twilighttimemovies.com|work=TwilightTimeMovies.com |title=Twilight Time Movies Store|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513122659/https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/|archive-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> | location = | locations = | area_served = | key_people = | industry = [[Home video]] | products = [[DVD-Video|DVD]]s and [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]]s | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum =  | assets = | equity = | owner = RED JAM, LLC. | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|https://www.screenarchives.com/|Screen Archives}} | footnotes = | intl = }} '''Twilight Time''' was a [[boutique]] [[Home video|home media]] label specializing in releasing limited edition [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] discs of classic films, founded in 2011. All titles were sold online exclusively through [[Screen Archives Entertainment]] until July 1, 2015, when the company launched its own online store.

On May 9, 2020, Twilight Time announced it would be ceasing operations on June 30, 2020.<ref name=mpn>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/twilight-time-collectors-label-shutting-down/|work=[[Media Play News]]|title='Twilight Time' Collector's Label Shutting Down|last=Latchem|first=John|date=May 10, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513123121/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/twilight-time-collectors-label-shutting-down/|archive-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> That same month, Screen Archives Entertainment announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire the rights to Twilight Time's back catalogue and inventory, consisting of 380 films in total.<ref name=mpn/>

== History == Twilight Time began in 2011 as the brainchild of [[Brian Jamieson (director)|Brian Jamieson]] and Nick Redman, both veterans of the motion picture and music industry. Both founded the company as a way to release vintage films for the classic DVD collector. Initially, Twilight Time licensed 20 films from [[20th Century Fox]]'s catalog to release on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and, when possible, in high definition on [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]]. The goal was to release films of varying genres that had never been released on home video in the United States.<ref name="LA Times">{{URL|https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-14-la-et-dvd-vintage-20101214-story.html|Twilight Time label will appeal to '50s, '60s film buffs}}</ref> Twilight Time's initial focus was on films of the 1950s and 1960s in what Redman called "the Cinemascope period, those gorgeous widescreen entertainments that had it all—beauty, glamour, drama." But, he added, "We will also be selectively tackling the earlier years—the 1930s and 40s—and sampling every genre, presenting, hopefully, something for everyone."<ref name="Facebook Info">{{URL|1=http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies?sk=info|2=Twilight Time's Facebook Info page}}</ref> Ultimately, according to Jamieson, "Twilight Time will be serving both the collectible drive of film enthusiasts, and, in a larger sense, the cause of cinema literacy."<ref name="Facebook Info"/> Their first title, ''[[The Kremlin Letter]]'', was scheduled to be released on January 25, 2011, but for unknown reasons, the release was pushed back by two months.

On September 1, 2011, Twilight Time announced a deal with their second film studio, [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony Pictures]], to license and release titles from the [[Columbia Pictures]] library beginning in November 2011. The first titles to be released under this partnership included [[Ray Harryhausen]]'s 1961 science fiction-fantasy classic, ''[[Mysterious Island (1961 film)|Mysterious Island]]'', followed by the original ''[[Fright Night]]'', the horror-comedy cult favorite written and directed by Tom Holland.<ref>{{URL|1=https://filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=82209&forumID=1&archive=0|2=Classic Columbia Blu-rays from TWILIGHT TIME!}}</ref> Twilight Time will only be releasing [[Columbia Pictures]] on [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] if a previous Sony [[DVD-Video|DVD]] version is already available.

While initially limiting their releases to one title per month, Twilight Time later announced that beginning in November 2011, they would begin releasing two titles per month.<ref>{{URL|http://www.facebook.com/notes/nick-redman/twilight-time-release-schedule/10150379125362729|Twilight Time Release Schedule}}</ref> Towards the end of 2013, releases began to see an output of three titles per month. In an interview with NixPix, Nick Redman confirmed that Twilight Time's monthly output would continue to increase, stating, "2014 is already shaping into a significant commitment of 50 to 60 titles,"<ref name="NixPix">{{URL|http://nixpixdvdmoviereviewsandmore.blogspot.ca/2013/09/conversations-with-nick-redman.html|Conversations with Nick Redman}}</ref> which means an average of four to five titles per month.

Twilight Time announced two new studio deals in 2013. Nick Redman confirmed a deal with [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]] in September 2013.<ref name="NixPix"/> The deal includes all the [[United Artists]] catalog, MGM titles from 1986 to the present, and all of the titles released through [[The Cannon Group|Cannon]], [[PolyGram Filmed Entertainment|Polygram]], and [[Orion Pictures|Orion]].<ref name="NixPix"/> As well, Twilight Time announced its first international deal in October 2013 with Protagonist Pictures.<ref name="Film4">{{URL|https://variety.com/2013/film/international/first-lumiere-classic-films-market-hits-mark-1200750794/|First Lumiere Classic Films Market Hits Mark}}</ref> The deal gave Twilight Time the US distribution rights to movies from the [[Film4 Productions|Film4]] library, including films from directors [[Ken Loach]], [[Neil Jordan]], and [[Paul Greengrass]].<ref name="Film4"/>

On July 1, 2015, Twilight Time began direct-to-consumer sales when they announced they would begin offering their titles through their own website as an alternative to their existing sales through Screen Archives Entertainment.

=== Closure announcement and reacquisition === On May 10, 2020, Twilight Time announced the closure of the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/news/its-twilight-time-for-us/|title=It's Twilight Time for Us|work=TwilightTimeMovies.com|date=May 10, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513123301/https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/news/its-twilight-time-for-us/|archive-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> The company stated they will cease selling and producing discs on June 30, 2020.<ref name=mpn/> Their catalogue consists of 380 films in total.<ref name=mpn/>

However, on May 14, 2020, Screen Archives Entertainment announced per their official [[Facebook]] page that they had reached an agreement to purchase distribution rights to Twilight Time's back catalogue and inventory. In the announcement, Screen Archives wrote:<blockquote>Screen Archives Entertainment has reached an agreement with Twilight Time Movies to purchase the company’s extensive Twilight Time Movies inventory or back catalog effective July 1, 2020. The agreement ensures that the Twilight Time label will continue indefinitely, according to the principals. Screen Archives has served as the primary distribution partner to Twilight Time since its beginning, working with the late Nick Redman and co-founder Brian Jamieson. Jamieson, a veteran studio executive and filmmaker will continue to provide marketing expertise and support to Screen Archives during the transition. Screen Archives president Craig Spaulding said, “Having worked with Brian and Nick over the years, we took this step because we have always enjoyed a good relationship with Brian (and Nick). We wanted to keep our relationship going and continue to capitalize on Brian’s years of expertise in the industry.<ref name="saefb">{{cite web|publisher=[[Facebook]]|author=Screen Archives Entertainment|date=May 14, 2020|title=SCREEN ARCHIVES ACQUIRES TWILIGHT TIME BACK CATALOG|url=https://www.facebook.com/screenarchivesentertainment/posts/1924439914372057?__xts__[0]=68.ARA5oOfju7328mqR3xQSK_rQVRvFLv34SWkKdtCjnnVOYNRXEfQFfupzjIrWUJSQgDaijAQL9nI-R8XnRG336hfKKl8InvKiyJVJOIuUBsrxendIIUi4cSx2Q-pv0F8NWkff4Rq3ImMI2dv39QrcJkkpP-TvXMpjkbFTRfIRW5eyRJSjtisrKuVuFLYorNGVNbeKAha3CHgWrbY-M-6QbCzWjtHnVyxtBYL0von9RS6KAJwAGMatP7UoTLtWNsTNU7ltlHyNsH9jkMBfAjE7KOUjXChHiWJ9uLAZpVziVNlFkBjwndgeL5IQWi3rZhRrKeM-oUSOba9oM7xvk8WG7A&__tn__=-R|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200515101654/https://www.facebook.com/screenarchivesentertainment/posts/1924439914372057?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA5oOfju7328mqR3xQSK_rQVRvFLv34SWkKdtCjnnVOYNRXEfQFfupzjIrWUJSQgDaijAQL9nI-R8XnRG336hfKKl8InvKiyJVJOIuUBsrxendIIUi4cSx2Q-pv0F8NWkff4Rq3ImMI2dv39QrcJkkpP-TvXMpjkbFTRfIRW5eyRJSjtisrKuVuFLYorNGVNbeKAha3CHgWrbY-M-6QbCzWjtHnVyxtBYL0von9RS6KAJwAGMatP7UoTLtWNsTNU7ltlHyNsH9jkMBfAjE7KOUjXChHiWJ9uLAZpVziVNlFkBjwndgeL5IQWi3rZhRrKeM-oUSOba9oM7xvk8WG7A}}</ref></blockquote>

== Release approach == Due to the declining home video market for older and little-known films, most [[major film studio]]s have opted to stop releasing those titles via conventional retail methods. Instead, studios like [[Warner Bros.]], [[Universal Pictures]], [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony Pictures]], and [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]] have adopted a manufacture-on-demand (MOD) policy. Such titles are sometimes released on [[DVD-R]] recordable media, otherwise known as burn-on-demand (BOD); the two terms are not synonymous. MOD releases are designed to minimise costs, so often use existing transfers without any restoration or remastering, or extra features.

All Twilight Time titles are factory pressed [[DVD-Video|DVD]]s and/or [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]]s from a restored transfer.<ref>{{URL|1=https://filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=74464&forumID=1&archive=0|2=Coming soon! New Twilight Time DVD's announcement!}}</ref> All titles are limited editions with only 3,000 units of each format created and are not repressed once sold out. As they are geared toward music aficionados, all feature an isolated music score. Additionally, all releases include an 8-page booklet on the film, with original essays, film stills and poster art.<ref name="LA Times"/> Other extras will be made available whenever possible.

== Controversy == In September 2012, Twilight Time released a collectors' edition Blu-ray of ''[[Night of the Living Dead (1990 film)|Night of the Living Dead]]'' (1990). It was supervised by original cinematographer [[Frank Prinzi]], who tinted many of the scenes darker blue. Though director [[Tom Savini]] praised the reissue, fans complained.<ref name=dc>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38225/editorial-night-of-the-living-dead-1990-blu-ray-gives-fans-the-blues/|title=Editorial: Night of the Living Dead 1990 Blu-ray Gives Fans the Blues|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=[[Dread Central]]|date=2012-10-07|accessdate=2016-02-21}}</ref> Others also noticed that some of the sound effects had been removed, such as the camera shutter sound that played over the end credits between photograph transitions.<ref>{{URL|https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/7204/night_dead_1990.html|Blu-ray Review: Night of the Living Dead (1990)}}</ref> Twilight Time promised to alert customers if future editions of their discs differed from the original.<ref name=dc/>

== Reissues == In June 2014, Twilight Time announced they were re-licensing some of their sold-out titles for re-release,<ref>{{URL|https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/twilight-time-indicates-they-will-re-license-some-sold-out-titles-breaking.332582/#entry4106850|Twilight Time indicates they will re-license some sold-out titles. BREAKING!}}</ref> a departure from their initial stance that all titles would be strictly limited to 3,000 units. Twilight Time did not re-release all their sold-out titles, only the ones they felt that they could improve upon.<ref>{{URL|1=http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies/posts/805333309485337?comment_id=807082845977050|2=Not reissuing every sold out title}}</ref> The reissues are completely new editions, standing out from the original releases; for instance, with new bonus features or new high-definition restorations.<ref>{{URL|1=http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies/posts/805333309485337?comment_id=807084859310182|2=All of the reissues will have extra features}}</ref> The first four reissues are to be released in 2015. Three of the first four reissues were ''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]'',<ref name="Fright Night and Christine are ours">{{URL|1=http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies/posts/805333309485337?comment_id=809636799054988|2=Fright Night and Christine are ours}}</ref> ''[[Fright Night]]''<ref name="Fright Night and Christine are ours"/> and ''[[Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959 film)|Journey to the Center of the Earth]]''.<ref>{{URL|1=http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies/posts/805333309485337?comment_id=810190132332988|2=JTTCOTE is one of the releases}}</ref>

== See also == * [[The Criterion Collection]] * [[Arrow Films]] * [[Blue Underground]] * [[Severin Films]] * [[Shout! Studios]] * [[Synapse Films]] * [[Warner Archive Collection]] * [[Film Score Monthly]] * [[Varèse Sarabande]] * La-La Land Records * [[Intrada Records]]

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading == * Hasan, Mark R. [https://www.kqek.com/exclusives/Exclusives_TwilightTime_1.htm "Twilight Time's Nick Redman"]. ''KQEK''. March 2012. * Hasan, Mark R. [https://www.kqek.com/exclusives/Exclusives_TwilightTime_6.htm "Twilight Time's Julie Kirgo"]. ''KQEK''. March 2012.

== External links == * {{Official website|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820174215/https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/ |2=Official website (archived)}} * [https://www.screenarchives.com/display_results.cfm/category/546/TWILIGHT-TIME/ Twilight Time label at Screen Archives Entertainment]

[[Category:DVD companies of the United States]] [[Category:Home video companies of the United States]] [[Category:2011 establishments in the United States]] [[Category:Mass media companies established in 2011]] [[Category:2020 disestablishments in the United States]] [[Category:Home video companies disestablished in 2020]] [[Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions]]