Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Name the NWZ Official DVD Boxed Set

Your suggestions are needed by August 6, 2010. If you have a suggestion, please leave a comment on this blog post.

Daryl has provided us with this important information:
Zorro Productions Inc is working toward releasing the NW Zorro for Christmas. The bonus material is currently being processed and I'm told fans are going to love it.

****** ZPI is offering the fans a very special opportunity. ZPI is going to allow you to name the DVD box set. Since both series were simply called "ZORRO" a title that will clearly distinguishes it from the Disney Zorro Box set is needed. ZPI feels that simply calling it New World Zorro may not mean much to most buyers. So NWZ fans your input is critical. It's up to you to name your Zorro series. *******

Please think about a title and get back to me ASAP. I will pass all of your suggestions on to ZPI.

Daryl
What we need to think of is a name that will cause people who see the packaging to immediately think of THAT version of Zorro. We want people who have never been to this blog to know instantly which version of Zorro it is. We want people who have not thought of the show since 1993 to want to buy the set because they remember the show from the Family Channel. We need a name that is not the name of another version of Zorro. Think of when you saw the series on television. How did you think of it? What do you recall?

My suggestion was to use something with the word "family" in it, since the show aired on the Family Channel. I always thought of it as the "Family Channel Zorro." Unfortunately, "Family Channel" is probably trademarked and cannot be used. I suggested "Zorro: The Family Version" or "Zorro: The Family Version with Duncan Regehr" in addition to some other ideas.

EDITED TO ADD: Make sure you read my latest post on this topic.

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since the show WAS/IS titled "ZORRO" I think that it should remain so, very simple. People who knows the series and the Zorro character, knows that there have been many interpretations of this particular character over the years. They know that a lot of different actors have portrayed this classic figure in movies or on television. Now those who love this particular interpretation from 1990 with Duncan Regehr, are just happy too finally having the series released and will buy it as soon as it becomes available! In other words Zorro-fans knows the different movies and series apart and I don’t understand the great concern about the title, since it has a great title. Changing the title will cause problems and create real concern. True there is a version with Guy Williams, but then again there is one with Antonio Banderas and the list goes on – aren’t they all “ZORRO”?
The true concerns should be to get a GOOD quality transfer to the DVD-format, so we can get a GOOD picture and sound. Making sure that we have a lot of great bonus material and a wish of my own and I am sure of all the fans of the series, getting the ENTIRE soundtrack for the series by the composer Jay Asher released together with the DVD-release or separately on a CD. Also if there is a possibility to make a finale of some kind, then it should be done. This should have been done back when they decided to pull the plug. It was a wrong decision to end the series without a finale – they didn’t even get a full final season. Very sad indeed, but then again it is a lot of times when it is all about money and not making art, so please think about making art this time and not only money. Yes, there must be a profit off course, but don’t forget the art making in the process. I am sure, that I am speaking on the behalf of most Zorro-fans.

Anonymous said...

i think that it should become zorro the next generation.

D said...

How about "Zorro-The Family Version"?

D said...

Mr. Gertz was kind enough to contact me when I wanted to pitch an idea to him, and I asked him why the series ended when Diego was going to reveal his secret. Mr. Gertz told me that the Italian company that co-produced the show decided they had enough episodes for their purpose and didn't want to produce any more episodes, and he apologized for that, as he knows that there are many fans of the show. I just pitched an idea to Mr. Gertz for a final episode (you can read about it in the comments section of another post), but I don't know if they'll even consider doing it. I hope they do.

D said...

I have another suggesstion. how about "The Wonderful World Of Zorro"?

Anonymous said...

Danny,

I love your enthusiasm. I've been working on the NWZ finale project for two years now. You'd be amazed at how much goes into making something like this happen. It's getting closer but there's still some hurdles to overcome.

Daryl

D said...

I grew up watching this show (I was four years old when it began), and did a lot of crazy things (like carve Z's on my grandma's bed with scissors, etc). Thanks to YouTube, I've now seen almost every episode of this magnificent family show. It's better than the recent "Zorro" films with Antonio Banderas (in my opinion), family friendly & educational (much like
"Touched By An Angel"). I'm so excited that this fabulous television show is finally to be released on DVD. A CD of all the music should be released along with the set (and it should be reasonably priced at, say, $5.00-$15.00).

Anonymous said...

I would like that come also in French and Spanish languages

Torgon said...

This is cool. It would be awesome if they picked one of our suggestions. Here are some ideas:

Zorro: The New Adventures
The New Adventures of Zorro
Zorro: A New World
Zorro: Adventures in the New World
The Thrilling Adventures of Zorro
Zorro: The Complete Collection
Zorro: The New World Collection

Those are pretty much in order as to how I like the titles. Some of the latter ones allow us to still refer to it as New World.

D said...

they should also include the 1920 silent film classic "The Mark Of Zorro," as it's the first screen incarnation of Zorro, and one of the best. I guess another possible title for the box set would be
"Diego And Victoria: The New Adventures Of Zorro."

Torogm said...

Zorro: The Legend Begins

It seems to have some meaning, since this was the title of a (two-part?) adventure. They used it on the release of it on VHS. I think maybe the Family Channel used it in an advertisement too; though I'm not sure.

Torgon said...

Zorro: The Legend Begins
Zorro: The Legend Continues

The first one was the title of one of his (two-part?) adventures briefly describing how he came to be. The second one sounds like it would 'continue' any Zorro adventures you might already own (i.e. Disney).

Anonymous said...

it should be called the new world Zorro i like that name

Anonymous said...

New World was the name of the production company. Family Channel was the name cable channel that aired the series. Zorro was actually the official title of the series. The same is true of the "Disney" Zorro series. It was originally title "Zorro". Disney is descriptive of who made it. New World Zorro needs a name to set it apart from the Disney series. In other parts of the world the series isn't necessarily referred to as New World or Family Channel Zorro. Also people who aren't die hard fans may confuse it with the Disney series or even the Alain Delon movie which was titled "Zorro". Hence the need for a title that sets it apart from all other Zorro's in the mind of the average everyday shopper. If the title "New World Zorro" is what does that then it's up to the majority to jump on board and express their opinion.

Personally I like:
New World Zorro
The Family Channel Zorro
The Family Channel's New World Zorro

However, my vote doesn't count. But yours does.

Daryl

Unknown said...

New World Zorro or NWZ

Torgon said...

Like D stated before 'New World Zorro' would only actually apply to those who already know the series. Using that title might confuse people because it really doesn't make sense in that format. By using it after a semi-colon or such it takes on a slightly different meaning. Other than that 'New World' means nothing to the average consumer.

D said...

I like "Diego & Victoria: The New Adventures Of Zorro" or "The Wonderful World Of Zorro."

Anonymous said...

Is it possible the title "The Wonder World of Zorro" might remind people of old "The World World of Disney" program? If so, might that lead them to believe these are part of the Disney Zorro collection?

Daryl

Anonymous said...

Interestingly Both the 1981 and 1997 animated Zorro series were titled "The New Adventures of Zorro".

Daryl

Aussie said...

I do like the previous suggestions of "Diego & Victoria: The New Adventures Of Zorro". It helps to separate this version from the others and yet at the same time, people will still see it as a family orientated show. Also, I hope to see the DVD's released in Australia (region 4) sometime in the near future.

Torgon said...

Well, scatch off 'The New Adventure of Zorro' off of my list. I didn't watch the cartoons, so I didn't realize they had the same title. As for D&V: The New Adventures of Zorro, it seems too much like 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'. Similar to my other post, using the names Diego and Victoria do nothing for the average buyer who has no idea who they are. Lois and Clark are mentioned and most people know instantly who you are talking about. It just doesn't fit as a title (maybe one of the episodes could be renamed using it ;) )

Retitle of my own:
The Adventures of Zorro
(I dropped the 'New', lol)

Jennifer White said...

Daryl and I really appreciate all of your comments. Keep them coming!

Anonymous said...

"Zorro Productions Inc is working toward releasing the NW Zorro for Christmas."

Christmas now?! Wasn't it going to be released this fall?!

Jennifer White said...

I think that the original notice of fall was vague, and quite honestly, at that point, I was skeptical that it would ever happen. I now feel 90% certain that this will happen.

These things take time. Zorro Productions recently obtained footage with outtakes that originally came from one of the producers of the series. It takes time to process stuff like that. ZPI is also going to give us the original unaired never-before-seen pilot, and I'm sure that it has to be processed for the set. The other option is to release the set fast with no bonus material.

I don't think we need to panic about this. We have had a steady stream of updates, and it sounds like the project is progressing. It may end up being early 2011 before the set is released. At least Gertz is working on it. For years, we had NO HOPE for a DVD release.

Anonymous said...

The DVD's will be released. As Jennifer stated it's the bonus material that's determining the release date. There's an incredible amount of footage that both ZPI and A&E must go through to select what they want to use. Then they have to process it, clean it up and convert it for DVD. That takes time. They are working as fast as they can to get it done. I was originally told fall for a time frame but fall could be anywhere from Sept to early Nov. Now ZPI is saying December. That seems more realistic. Getting this on the market is a priority. So please be patient. And be happy that this show is finally going to be available on DVD after so many years. Rest assured that I'll pass along updates as I get them.

Daryl

Torgon said...

I can wait until December or even next year; as long as I know I'm getting it ;). I'm hoping for lots of extras and it sounds like we are getting them. It really sounds like they are making a good effort to put this set together and not just a bunch of shows slapped onto a couple of disc.
BTW, I didn't see a change or anything on ZPI's website. Did you get the info from them directly or was that info posted elsewhere?

Jennifer White said...

Most of my information has come directly from Daryl, who has also been posting comments here. Daryl has gotten his information straight from John Gertz.

I think I am okay in saying the following since it has been announced that bonus material will be included. There is a fan who has some of the outtakes which were obtained from a producer. I think she was asked to provide copies of some of the footage that she has, so I am assuming that is what will comprise some of the bonus material. I have heard that what she has is some great stuff.

Torgon said...

I'm hoping for some interviews or commentaries also ;). I hope some of the cast and crew will accomodate us.

Danny said...

another good idea would be the television promos for each episode. also, I read on Wikipedia that the VHS versions of the four part storylines showing how Don Diego became Zorro & the episodes with Risendo have one scene each that didn't make it in the network airing. If it's true, it would be a wonderful idea for those scenes to be included seamlessly into the episodes. Also, commentary from Mr. Gertz, the stars & the writers would be a good idea, in addition to how the idea for the series began (in the form of a documentary, or something). plus, showing how they filmed the episodes and for which scenes Mr. Regehr was doubled. also, cast and crew reflecting on the show via new and archival interviews.

Unknown said...

I vote for "The adventures of Zorro" with a picture of Duncan Regehr as zorro on the cover, that'd make me buy it.

Tammy said...

I love knowing that the DVD is coming out! Please take your time and get the best DVD box set features. We've waited 20 years for our favorite Zorro of all time, we can wait a bit longer to get a complete box set! I'd like to suggest adding close captions in different languages, including English and Spanish. I love the idea of uncut, extended episodes, interviews, behind the scenes footage, bloopers, etc. I really appreciate all of the hard work on an improved finale..the semi-finale was disappointing to us all. I just want to see Diego tell his Father and Victoria, and it would be really nice to see him and Victoria get married at last. My vote for the name would be Zorro: The Family Channel Collection or Zorro: The New World Collection (Family Channel Series). I think credit should be given to the production and cable company on some level if possible. I think it would be important to add the name "Family Channel" to the title, to let potential new buyers know the series is family-friendly. Thank you, Mr. Gertz, Daryl, Jennifer, and everybody else involved in making this wonderful Zorro series come to life again! Your hard work and dedication to this project is so very appreciated!!! I wish there were more shows out there like this one...it is truly wonderful and needs to be shared :)

Danny said...

I agree with Tammy. This excellent series deserves nothing less than the best, all-out, altimate DVD treatment, with extended episodes, bloopers, old and new interviews, featurettes, documentaries, etc. and they should also include the 1920 silent film classic "The Mark Of Zorro," as it is the first ever screen incarnation of Zorro.

Danny said...

a series finale would also be appropriate, but it definitely has to be a 2 hour finale.

Margaret said...

Since Zorro used a lot of science in this series, they could call it "Zorro: Man of Science". I would also like to suggest "Zorro: Man of Cunning and Skill". Some of the lines of the theme song could suggest a title for the series, such as: "A Man Called Zorro" or "His Name is Zorro".

Torgon said...

I don't think adding the 'Family Channel' to the title adds a lot to it. Most people won't understand and it doesn't exist in that format anymore, though I wouldn't mind seeing the logo on the back of the box. I loved the Family Channel and watched plenty of other shows at that time. I wouldn't mind seeing a complete set of 'Bordertown' released on DVD (another great show).

Danny said...

I think a 2 hour series finale would be appropriate. I'd revised my original idea, but scrapped it when I found out that the last King Ferdinand died in 1832. anyway, my revised idea is as follows: 17 years have passed since Don Diego revealed his secret to his father & Victoria. Both of them were shocked and pleased at the same time, though Don Alejandro and Victoria were also hurt by Don Diego keeping the secret from them. Once Diego explained why, they were satisfied. Don Diego proposed to Victoria, she accepted joyfully and they were married, with DeSoto and the pueblo in attendance. Victoria and Diego have two children, named Elena & Alejandro. There's been no need for Zorro in 17 years, as DeSoto has become a kind alcalde since Risendo's death. Despite this, Diego still practices the sword, though the musket wound on his right arm still pains him. One day, a dispatch rider comes into Los Angeles, bearing a letter. DeSoto reads it in horror. The Spanish Parliament has authorized Don Ricardo Del Amo, an old friend of Risendo's from his school days, to come to Los Angeles, with the single purpose of unmasking Zorro.

Anonymous said...

Danny,

You have an interesting story concept. However, one thing you may have overlooked is that in 1825 Alta California became part of Mexico. When that happened the Mexican government ordered all Spanish rulers (and possibly other Spaniards as well) to return to Spain. It's highly unlikely the Mexican government would have ever allowed a Spanish dignitary to return to California for the purpose you've outlined.

Also an interesting choice of names for Risendo's friend. Ricardo del Amo (played by Richard Anderson) was the name of Diego's friend in Disney Zorro's "The Secret of El Zorro" story arc.

Again, an interesting plot line. I think you're on the right track. If nothing else, you're on a similar course to the story concept in place for the finale.

Daryl

Anonymous said...

It's highly unlikely that the the 1920 silent film classic "The Mark Of Zorro" that starred Douglas Fairbanks would be included in the NWZ box set as a bonus feature. First and foremost it's not part of NWZ. Secondly, ZPI owns rights to all characters in the Zorro universe but they may not own the rights to this particular film.

Daryl

Margaret said...

"The Mark of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks and also "The Mark of Zorro" starring Tyrone Power are already available on DVD.

Jennifer White said...

As far as I know, the New World Zorro is the only version to which Zorro Production owns the rights. All other versions are owned by other companies, so ZPI would have to have permission from the rights holders and would also have to pay the rights holders in order to include those versions on this DVD set.

Nearly all other versions of Zorro have already been released on DVD, so having those versions on this DVD set would not give the average person any reason to buy this set. Furthermore, including other versions would raise the cost of the set, probably significantly, as ZPI would have to pay the rights holders.

I already have all U.S. versions of Zorro on DVD, either official or unofficial. The only U.S. versions which have not been released officially on DVD are the Zorro and Son television series, the New World Zorro television series, and the Telemundo telenovela La espada y la rosa. While I would love to have an official release for Zorro and Son and the Telemundo telenovela, it makes no sense for either version to be bundled in with this DVD release and would not be feasible for reasons already stated.

The planned extras for the NWZ DVD set all have to do with this specific version of Zorro, which is why they will be included.

Danny said...

thanks for the compliment, Anonymous. I appreciate it. I already submitted my idea to Mr. Gertz, so maybe it won't or will come to something. If anything, I hope they film a 2 hour finale using a connection to Risendo. As for including the 1920 silent film
"The Mark Of Zorro" in the set, it was just a wild thought.

Danny said...

Mr. Gertz just told me that they will do a finale to the 1990 series, but not on film. that really stinks, in my opinion, but any sort of finale is welcome.

Anonymous said...

Danny,

To make a 2 hour made for TV movie finale in today's market is just too expensive. No one is going to invest the kind of money it would take to put this show "on film" 17 years after being canceled. I believe it cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000 per half hour episode to make NWZ in the 90s. By today's standards it would cost somewhere between 3/4 - 1 1/2 million dollars to make an episode. And that's a low end budget. Now multiply that times 4 for a 2 hour movie. It's just not feasable even with the number of NWZ fans out there. The only realistic way to make a finale happen is as a full-cast audio drama.

As for Risendo, he has to be a catalyst for the finale though not 17 years later. Everyone seems to have overlooked the obvious when it comes to Risendo.

BTW, are you a member of the NWZ Yahoo group?

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/New_World_Zorro/?yguid=402499340

Daryl

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I strongly prefer as Title: The New World Zorro.

That is how the series is known. I didn't know that as a child, that is correct, but you will know it soon enough if you start looking for "this" zorro.

And if you put a photo of the cast or a photo of Duncan Regher as Zorro on the cover, people who don't know the series that well, will recognize the photo.

Danny said...

Daryl, what do you mean,
"Overlooked the obvious when it comes to Risendo"? I don't understand. In my revised idea, I also included Colonel Palomarez returning, and Inez Risendo telling Del Amo about Risendo's death and the circumstances surrounding it before she died shortly after her return to Spain. I'm not really good with money issues, so I completely overlooked the financial aspect of it. I'm not a member of the Yahoo group, but thanks for posting the link. I'll definitely join up. I love the show (please read what I did when I was around 4, when the show aired.

Anonymous said...

Danny,

You'll find an answer to your question in the nwz group.

Daryl

Anonymous said...

ZPI tells me that A&E is weighing all of the great input from the fans, but has not yet made its final decision.

I'll pass along the official name of the series as soon as it's available.

Daryl

Anonymous said...

Changing the name is just stupid.
The name should be left as is.

New World Zorro
or

Zorro The New World

Anonymous said...

The fact is that the official name of the series is "ZORRO". That's the licensed name of the series. The same is true of the Disney series. The licenced name of that series is "ZORRO". That series is recognized as Disney Zorro because it was Disney that produced it. New World Zorro is term coined by the fans of the series because it was New World Productions that produced the series. So if you want the series to be officially named New World Zorro then what you are asking for is ZPI to officially "change" the name of the series to New World Zorro. So ultimately changing the name is not stupid.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I forgot to sign the last post.

Daryl

Ellie said...

Have the DVDs been released? Are they going to be? I cannot find it on Amazon or elsewhere and would really like to get it for Christmas, if at all possible.

Anonymous said...

Ellie,

The DVD's haven't been released yet. ZPI and A&E are working as fast as they can to get them ready for release. Their hope is a December, 2010 release date but everything depends on how fast the finishing touches can be put on things. That said the date could be early in 2011. There should be an official release date in the next few days. When it's available it will be posted here, the new world zorro yahoo group
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/New_World_Zorro/
as well as several other internet locations.

Daryl