The Free CD is a compilation of about twenty rock 'n' roll bands or hip hop acts each contributing one song. The discs are given away for free to the public because businesses sponsor it. The logos of the businesses are on the back of the CD packaging, and these are the places where the discs can be picked up for free.

The Free DVD is a lot like the Free CD, but instead the content is short films and music videos. The sponsoring businesses not only receive their logo on the back of the disc's packaging, but they also get a 30 second commercial produced and then inserted onto the DVD between the short films and videos.

The about page gives more of the story on how the Free CD and the Free DVD concept emerged, but in short, the idea for the Free CD took hold in 1994 when Rich Seng used to think of ways to promote a local band from Toledo, Ohio called The Sprags. The Free DVD (as a concept) emerged a few weeks later, but the technology was still far away from the hands of the consumer. It is only as of late that DVDs are inexpensive to manufacture (like CDs were 12 years ago) and where now DVD players are practically in every home. The first Cherry Bomb Free DVD came out in September of 2003.

The goal of Cherry Bomb (as a publication) is to develop the Free DVD into a new media, in the same league as television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. The Free DVD will eventually take on many different forms, but Cherry Bomb is dedicated to finding the top talent of tomorrow. It will become a stepping-stone in the careers of independent filmmakers and bands as they move from the underground into a realm where most of these artists should be able to increase their fan base and therefore the likelihood of being able to make a living off of their art. Furthermore, Cherry Bomb is going to convert a portion of its profits (from the advertising dollars of national sponsors) into payments for its content contributors.

As far as Free CD compilations are concerned, they are best when focused in genre, but for the most part, more effort is now being put into releasing Free DVDs. The Free DVDs feature a broad range of independent short films (comedies, experimental, animation, movie trailers, and documentaries) and videos of all musical styles. The goal is to feature innovative pieces that have not yet been picked up by (or may be too hot for) mainstream media. Furthermore, Cherry Bomb hopes to shine light on various social justice issues — especially in regards to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Right now, no, as the Free DVD is still in its infancy. Cherry Bomb is sponsored by small businesses — and the profit margin is very small. However, in time, as larger companies begin to underwrite the Free DVD, a portion of the profits will go to paying the independent producers for the use of their short films. A formal policy on this matter will be devised at such a time when national advertisers are making the Free DVD profitable.

Yes. All content contributors to either the Free CD or the Free DVD retain all rights and ownership of their art. Furthermore, Cherry Bomb shares with the artists the specifics of how many disc will be made and where they will be distributed.

Visit the submissions page. Download the release form, read it, sign it, and mail it with a copy of your short film(s). Submit your short film either on a MINI-DV tape, DVD, or CD-ROM as a Quicktime Movie (but only if it is under 3 minutes in length). The ideal length of a short film is 5 minutes or less, but there are always exceptions. Send as many shorts as you like — and send them with the understanding that they might be used on a moment's notice. Also, materials will not be returned, so do not send originals. Finally, be certain to have secured the reproduction rights of any images, clips, or background music in your short film.

You can't. They are all gone and fully distributed. However, feel free to try contacting one of the past advertisers who might have a copy or two squirreled away.

Yes. Visit the subscriptions page.

Visit the advertisers page. But on a side note, Rich Seng has found that there are basically two types of advertisers. Those who want to "give" and those who want to "take." Cherry Bomb prefers sponsors dedicated to the idea of how the Free DVD can play a role in helping independent, innovative filmmakers make a living off of their art — and, how the Free DVD can raise the artistic and social consciousness of many thousands of people. What Cherry Bomb doesn't want are sponsors only looking for a demographic to "nail."