showbizdata.com?

[GreatOz]

Through a friend, I was recently able to access my.studiosystem.com. Wow. I spent hours going through scripts in development and getting the 411 on creative executives. Unfortunately, it costs thousands of dollars a year to get on the system. Since the demise of 4filmmakers.com, I’ve been looking for an alternative. Filmtracker.com is high too, but I was wondering about showbizdata.com. Reasonably priced, but how good is the database in comparison to the others? Anybody have any experience on it?

[E J Pennypacker]

Oz --

The time I visited I was allowed a free trial. And to be honest, it wasnt all that good. The data seemed out of date. That might have changed now. But I think you'll find showbizdata 411 will yield the same results. A company that used to be. But is now no longer...

EJ

[PurpleCurtain]

You can now access info on specific titles (and maybe talent, too) on showbizdata.com for a fee of around 25 cents. You have to give them a credit card number, of course, but so far I haven't had any problems.

Not all the info works on this pay-per-view basis, though they promise it all will eventually. I was underwhelmed by the database, however; I looked at two projects out of curiosity, but I didn't get any useful info from the site. It was worth fifty cents to satisfy my curiosity, but I sure wouldn't spring for a monthly or yearly membership.

I miss 4filmmakers.com BAD. That site was so good, and free was a good price :) .

[CarlColt]

Although I've never paid for the upscale version/access to showbizdata, I've found the site to be somewhat useful.

However, I don't think it's the final word by any means. I think they cover most of the major players and major projects, but they're definitely missing some important names (executives at studios even), and their list of what's in development definitely has titles missing.

I do miss 4filmmakers quite a bit. Oh, how I used to take them for granted....

If anyone knows of a good place to get solid data, then please share!
c

[brough]

Through a friend, I was recently able to access my.studiosystem.com. Wow. <snip> Unfortunately, it costs thousands of dollars a year to get on the system.
Yeah, but my.inhollywood.com is $49 a month, and that's basically what you were using, even though a year's subscription to In Hollywood is $60 less than a mere month on Studio System. So far as I can remember, everything you were browsing on Studio System -- extensive contact and development info etc -- is accessible via In Hollywood.

I think all you get for the extra $425 a month on Studio System are Variety articles, TV data and greenlight reports... Anybody?

To be sure go to www.studiosystem.com (http://www.studiosystem.com) and get a trial for In Hollywood (on a Friday if you want a 96hr trial instead ;) )

As you say, Filmtracker's INFOSOURCE (the original online industry database) is $10 more than In Hollywood @ $60 a month. However, since Infosource also includes TV data, it's actually the alternative to the full Studio System. And in my experience, the only thing they have on Infosource are numerous email addresses, so I think it's pretty obvious who has the better deal. When it comes to film and TV data, it really just depends on the specific project/company as to whether Infosource or Studio System has the most thorough details, but overall I think Infosource probably maintains the sharper edge.

Confusingly, Infosource is also available on a per-document basis via Baseline's website at baseline.hollywood.com (http://baseline.hollywood.com)

But for flat-rate access ($59.95) you need to sign-up via www.filmtracker.com (http://www.filmtracker.com)

Since the demise of 4filmmakers.com, I’ve been looking for an alternative. Filmtracker.com is high too, but I was wondering about showbizdata.com.
Never heard of it, have a feeling I should have, but it looks tacky and still quite expensive. Probably better off with imdbpro, which is half the price.

In the end, it all depends what you need it for. Of course, you can get a copy of Producers 411 or HCD for a month's subscription. But when it comes to development data, Studio System and Filmtracker are the only reliable resources for extensive details on what's what, set-up where and with whom.

However, along the lines of showbizdata and imdb, I've mentioned the free Phone Book on FilmStew.com in the past. They also have a "Development and Production Tracker". From the blurb it aims to provide the same service as Studio System and FT. I've never used it so I have no idea how extensive or up-to-date it is, starts at $15/month and you get what you pay for, but it may beat showbizdata on content as well as price. They provide a free trail.

I've only used it for a handfull of specific searches, but for basic contact info I've found imdbpro.com to be actually quite good, and it's inexpensive and came with a decent 2-week trial last I knew.

[brough]

The time I visited I was allowed a free trial. And to be honest, it wasnt all that good. The data seemed out of date. That might have changed now. But I think you'll find showbizdata 411 will yield the same results. A company that used to be. But is now no longer...

EJ, which company were you referring to?

[E J Pennypacker]

brough --

I can see how you got confused, but I was referring to showbizdata.com. I get access to imdbpro.com, and it is a nice little package. You can not only get producers emails, but agents & managers too. But then again the site isn't the be all and end all of the industry, regarding emails and personal details...

EJ