Audio Video News

Wit overcomes beauty in a recent, informal DVD survey: When asked which San Francisco-based actress or actor they'd like to have over for dinner and a DVD movie, the majority of local respondents picked Robin Williams (55%) over Sharon Stone (23%).

Warner Home Video conducted an informal survey of 289 Bay Area residents at the Union Street Spring Festival in San Francisco on May 30 and 31 to determine their preferences for local movie locations, favorite local actors, and favorite movies filmed in the Bay Area. The survey also gauged their opinions on DVD itself.

The survey was commissioned in conjunction with the launch of Warner Home Video's local DVD rental program (see previous article). In this program, more than 80 Bay Area video retailers began renting DVD players and movies this month, including several titles chosen in the survey as San Francisco favorites.

When asked about the DVD features they value most, respondents preferred the option for full widescreen and pan&scan view, followed by the ability to watch DVD titles on PCs and laptops. Additional desirable features included "making of" documentary footage, profiles of the cast and crew, movie trailers, and multiple-language subtitle and soundtrack options.

Other items from the survey included:
• Approximately 43% of those surveyed rent 1-3 movies per month; 34% rent 4-9 movies per month.
• Tastes vary widely regarding the best movie filmed in San Francisco. More than 17% of participants named The Rock as their favorite. Bullitt was second, with 14% of the vote. The Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo was third with 13%.
• The Golden Gate Bridge was voted the best single location in San Francisco to shoot a movie scene. Alcatraz, Pacific Heights, the Presidio, and North Beach followed.
• Mrs. Doubtfire beat Dirty Harry as the movie that best captures San Francisco's personality, but San Franciscans named Dirty Harry the best action movie filmed in the city.