Picture This! - Frequently asked questions

We have recently started updating our technology to provide much clearer, larger and more exciting trailers in the H.264 format. For more info about this technology, click here.

You will need to upgrade to the latest version of Quicktime in order to see them.

If you own an iPhone, you can now see our most recent trailers on your iPhone directly in the Safari browser -- either via wi-fi or AT&T's Edge network. Check them out on wi-fi; the quality is amazing!

(If all else fails, you can also go to YouTube.com and type picturethisent in the search field.
Our older, smaller trailers can be seen there)

About our products

What's better about Picture This DVDs?

Almost all of our titles go out in the Widescreen format, making them well suited to the new breed of 16:9 televisions. (They still play on regular 4:3 TVs, too!) Almost all of our titles include an optional 5.1 audio track giving customers with surround-sound DVD systems a more enriching experience. (A standard stereo track is also included). Many of our titles go out with special features like filmmaker / actor interviews that in many cases we produce ourselves. All of our titles include trailers for other Picture This DVD and theatrical releases. Almost all of our subtitled films make the subtitles optional, so persons wishing to view the film in the original language with no subtitles have the opportunity to do so. All of our titles include chapter stops to facilitate resumption of viewing in households where several persons share the same DVD player. All of our short film compilations include a host who introduces each film, putting it in context with the other films in the collection. Many of our DVDs have additional subtitles in French and Spanish, making them more valuable collectibles.

Do you carry movies from manufacturers other than Picture This?

No. We are the publisher/manufacturer of Picture This product and proudly offer it for sale directly to you. We believe strongly in each of our titles and do not want to dilute our product quality by trying to be all things to all people.

I am looking for porn. Where is the adults-only section on your site?

We don't have one. Like we said, we are not trying to be all things to all people. Our films all have strong stories, good acting and critical acclaim.

How do you decide which movies become Picture This movies?

Our acquisition team attends film festivals around the world (Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, etc.) and pursues award-winning, critically acclaimed, exceptional cinematic fare that touches them emotionally or aesthetically. Filmmakers and sales agents also send their submissions directly to the company.

Why do most of your movies come from other countries or have points of view unlike the standard "popcorn" movies I see at our local multiplex?

We started Picture This to provide an alternative to the filmed entertainment one finds on TV and at the neighborhood video store. We feel the typical commercial American movie has been done over and over to the point where only the cast and director change, but the stories are same ones just reformulated from 20, 40, 60 years ago. By digging outside our own borders, we have discovered alternative points of view and subject matter that we feel enlightens as it entertains.

I've been hearing a lot lately about movie downloads. What 's the best way to ensure that the movies I buy today I can still view 20 years from now?

Buying a tangible format like DVD means that as technologies advance, you will still have an archival format of the film. Think back on VCRs. Emerging in the 1970s, these machines still play VHS tapes today. No matter what happens to your computer (average life span = 3 years), a DVD disc will still be playable on a DVD player. And as new High Definition DVD formats come into being, the new machines will be backwards-compatible with today 's generation of DVDs, ensuring seamless playback. At present, movie downloads are slow and they take up a lot of space on a computer hard drive. DVDs are much easier to use and collect.

About ordering our products

Why should I buy a DVD when I can rent it instead?

By adding a DVD to your personal library, you will always have it available when friends come over and you want to share the experience with them. Like books, movies should be cherished, chronicled and saved. The box art is an important part of your collection. A DVD can be viewed in the living room, in the bedroom, on your computer – just about anywhere. You can also walk next door to your neighbor 's house and provide the entertainment for their social event just by popping the DVD into their player. No configurations, downloads, uploads, servers, etc to worry about.

I am nervous about ordering online. Are there other ways I can order?

Our https shopcart is secure, but if you'd rather not order online, you can print out the order form on http://picturethisent.com/dvdvideo/howtoorder.html and either fax it or mail it to us. You can also order by phone Mon-Fri 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pacific Time by calling Toll Free 888-604-8301.

Do you ship discreetly?

Yes, all DVDs arrive in plain boxes.

How quickly will my order be processed?

All phone and internet orders will be processed and shipped within 24 hours unless you have pre-ordered something or you have paid by check or money order. Also, orders received after 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday and on the weekend will not be processed until Monday, or if Monday is a holiday, then Tuesday. All mail orders will be processed within 72 hours of receipt unless you pay by check or money order.

What if my order includes some pre-order titles?

We will wait until all the pre-order titles are available and then ship everything in one shipment unless you instruct us otherwise. If we split up your order, there is a $5.99 minimum shipping charge for each shipment (plus $1.00 for each DVD after the first one in each shipment)

How long will my order take to reach me?

UPS Ground takes 5-7 working days to arrive. The closer you live to Los Angeles, the sooner you will receive your order. Note that if you pay by check or money order, this timeframe applies only after the 3-week waiting period for your check to clear. For this reason, we strongly advise you to pay by credit card.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes. Amex, Diners Club, Discover, Master Card and Visa.

How about money orders?

Yes, but we treat them as checks. See below. Please accompany money orders with a copy of your photo ID showing you are at least 18 years of age

How about checks?

Yes, although we wait up to 3 weeks for them to clear. Please accompany checks with a copy of your photo ID showing you are at least 18 years of age.

How can I get a discount?

Buy something at regular prices. We will ship you a discount coupon with your very first order that you can use on your next order. Or join our snail-mail mailing list. Our catalog mailers regularly include special offers. Watch for our ads in national magazines and film festival catalogs. They typically include special discounts as well.

Do I need to pay sales tax?

Only if you live in California. The rate is 8.25%, since the sale is being made in Los Angeles County.

Can you ship in ways other than UPS?

Yes, you can also request shipment via the U.S. or Canadian postal service. Please note that all deliveries require a signature, so we can be certain your DVD(s) arrived safely.

What's the best way to keep track of my order?

Be sure to include your email address and/or telephone number. That way, if there is any problem with your credit card, address, etc., we can contact you right away. Also, if you provide your email address, UPS will send you a tracking number.

I live outside the United States and Canada. Can you ship to my country?

No. We have licensed the video rights only for the countries stated on the detail page for each film. We never ship outside of that licensed territory.

What is your return policy?

If a video proves defective within 30 days of purchase, send it back to us, we will exchange it for another copy of the same video. Include your name, address and Order Number. If you receive the wrong video, do not open it. We will not accept opened mis-shipped videos for return. All returns must be properly authorized in advance by the customer service department. 323-852-1398.

What is your cancellation policy?

For credit card orders only, if you change your mind after ordering and want to cancel your order altogether, and if the product has already shipped, you can return the product within seven (7) days of receipt -- unopened and in perfect, new condition -- and we will credit your account LESS the shipping cost and a 15% restocking fee. If the product has not yet shipped, you will not be charged.

Technical questions

Why does the image look all squeezed on my TV set?

You need to SET UP your DVD player to correspond to the type of TV set you are using with it. You would be surprised to learn how many people do not know this! Find the SET UP button on your DVD player remote control. Select ASPECT RATIO under VIDEO selections and pick “4:3 letterboxed” if you have a standard 4:3 TV set. If you have a newer, widescreen set, choose “16:9”. This is very important and should make the image look normal on a 4:3 set. It will be letterboxed but not squeezed. On a widescreen set, you may need to choose “Full” on your TV remote control to unsqueeze the image so it fits perfectly on your set.

How do I get the subtitles to appear?

You need to SET UP the disc by selecting SET UP from the Picture This DVD main menu. There you can choose which subtitles or closed-captions you would like to appear. In most cases, you can also choose none. From this menu you can also select between regular 2-channel stereo (2.0) or 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound (5.1).

I get a message on my TV screen that my player won’t play this type of disc. What do I do?

Make sure your DVD player is Region 1 designed for DVDs distributed in North America. If it is, try ejecting the DVD, taking it out, repositioning it in the machine and trying again. This will fix most problems of this sort. If the problem persists, try other DVDs. If they play with no problem, try one more time. If you still can’t get the disc to play it is probably the one in 5000 that is defective. You can exchange it for a new DVD from where you bought it.

About our company and you

I made a film I think would be perfect for you guys. Would you consider distributing it?

You bet. Send us an email with some still images and the synopsis. If we agree with your assessment, we will get right back to you with information on where to send a screener.

I just finished writing a script. Would you consider reading it?

Nope, sorry. We are not funding production at this time.

I would like to work at the Picture This offices. Are you hiring?

We are always looking for student interns and on-camera talent. You must be over 18. Please send your resume and/or photo to: INTERNS, Picture This! Entertainment, PO BOX 46872, Los Angeles, CA 90046

I would like to model and/or host for you guys. Any opportunities?

We are always looking for new models and hosts. Please send recent photos here:
http://picturethisent.com/biz/models.html. We will contact you.