The question is

What field, if any, should local theatrical distributing studio for foreign movies occupy?  This is for DVD locality other than CoO. 

For example:

Revanche (2008)
CoO: Austria
Theatrical Releasing studio for Austria: Filmladen
Production Studios: Prisma Film, Spielmannfilm
Theatrical Releasing studio for US: Janus Films
DVD Distributor for US: The Criterion Collection (author/creator), Image Entertainment (distributor)

For DVD and Blu-ray profiles for The Criterion Collection (US), where, if any, should Janus Films be categorized in the DVD profile?

The current Studio rules state:

Quote:

Studios
List the Studios in the following priority.

    * Theatrical Release Studio(s)
    * Production Company(s)

Media Companies
The company(ies) responsible for the publishing (creating, assembling and ordering of the DVD/HD/BD content) and/or physical distribution of the media.

Enter in the following order:

    * Publisher (Content) - Usually found as a logo on the bottom of the back cover or in the credit block, often containing the words "home video" or "home entertainment. Secondary publishers (eg. The Criterion Collection's Eclipse label) may also be listed.
    * Licensor (Home Video Rights) - Usually found (dated with the year of the DVD release) on the back of the box or in the credit block with words words regarding "under license from...".
    * Distributor - Usually found as a logo on the bottom of the back cover or in the credit block with words regarding distribution.

Some companies (using similar but different names) may serve more than one function. List such companies only once, using the name from the logo. List secondary publishers even if the name is similar. If you are unsure of the function performed, do not list the company.

Do not abbreviate Studio or Media Company names. e.g, use Universal Pictures not just Universal; The Criterion Collection rather than Criterion or Criterion Collection; Walt Disney Pictures not just Disney. Exception: If the studio name is too long to fit, use standard abbreviation rules.

Omit company suffixes such as LLC, Ltd., Inc.

Omit any locality-specific suffix. e.g. Enter Paramount Home Entertainment, not Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)

There is further information about correct listings of studios and media companies, and the opportunity to ask questions if unsure, in the Contributions forum.

This poll stems from the discussion on where and whether Janus Films can be listed as one of the studios or media companies on The Criterion Collection DVD/Blu-rays.

Thread on Janus Films on The Criterion Collection

Another example:

Ponyo (2008)
CoO: Japan
Theatrical Releasing studio for Japan: Toyo Company
Production Studio: Studio Ghibli
Theatrical Releasing studio for US: Disney
DVD Distributor for US: Disney

For US DVD and Blu-ray, should Disney occupy the Studio field or just the media companies field?

I can't answer your poll, because I would let it depend on the film print that was used for the release in question. The Studio(s) that come(s) up during the opening titles of the actual film on your release would be listed in Studios. Sometimes some additional research may be required to find out which the theatrical release studio is and which the production company (or companies).

In that case (but ONLY in that case) the local studio goes first in the Studios field.
Which BTW does not preclude listing as Licensor in the Media Companies field, if they happen to co-incide.

Since the movie is still Japanese by origin, I know how I would handle it. I would list the production company Ghibli in the studio field and Disney as a media company. i assume any reference to Toho has been deleted in the American print, so for this release I would not include it unless I was willing to make some research, which would then have to be documented. I don't think I'd waste my time on it if people want Disney anyway... 

Quoting jmbox:

Quote:
I always thought we take the studios from the film's credits and not from any logos which precede the film.

Correct. I for one never claimed otherwise. Which is why I asked what was on the actual film print on the DVD. Quite often the theatrical release studio is listed at the beginning of a film as e.g. "a ... presentation".

I'm not sure which "logos which precede the film" you're referring to. If you're referring to the logos that come up when you insert the disc, then these would typically refer to the media companies. If however you're referring to for instance the roaring lion at the beginning of any MGM movie, then that is part of the film and is most likely the theatrical release studio.

Quoting jmbox:

Quote:
If there is just a logo for Janus, and the film print says "Filmladen presents a Prisma Film production", then I would list Filmladen, and perhaps put Janus in as a MC.

The Janus Films logo is all that shows, before the actual film begins.

Quoting TheMadMartian:

Quote:
Quoting KinoNiki:

Quote:
BTW, wouldn't the theatrical distributor for Disney be Buena Vista Distribution?

Yes, Buena Vista does distribute all things Disney, but we aren't talking about the distributor, we are talking about the release studio...the two companies can be different.

What's the difference between a theatrical distributor and release studio?