Here’s some good news for Wisconsin filmmakers: Four Star Video Heaven wants you. Well, your films anyway.
The Madison video store is looking to expand its collection of films made by Wisconsin-based artists. Currently, Four Star’s local selection is less than sizable, however the store already rents out copies of local productions including the Chad Vader series, Incest Death Squad, a number ofĀ Madison-based dramas and at least one Act 10 documentary.
The decision to expand the local video library comes on the heels of a change in business model. Long a staple for Madison cinephiles, Four Star Video Heaven is in the midst of an ownership shuffle as six employees are looking to buy the store from current owner Lisa Brennan and turn it into a cooperative. The prospective buyers even started an Indiegogo campaign to help raise funds for a lease renegotiation, although the campaign failed to reach its $50,000 goal before its April 24 deadline.
With an ownership change seemingly on the horizon, Four Star likely won’t begin collecting local films en masse for “another month or two” according to Andy Fox, one of the potential buyers who spoke with me over the phone. The decision does, however, resemble a piece of Four Star’s desire to give customers a “personalized touch.” As far as whether distinguishing itself from ubiquitous competitors like Netflix and Hulu will keepĀ Madison’s video store afloat, only time will tell.
- For more information, contact Justin Schober or Four Star Video Heaven directly