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It is going to be interesting to see how things pan out with this because tbh it is a logical progression so far as distribution goes just as the BBC and license fee. It is a win-win for the studios because they are going to potentially attract a greater audience who wouldn't normally pay to go to the cinema however no matter which way you look at it, it is going to negatively impact cinema chains.
Everyone loves going to the cinema but it is a very costly venture. My friends moan all the time that a family ticket costs £37 and on top of that you have got sweets, drinks and parking so a trip to the cinema is £60 a time. Compare that with staying in and paying £10, £15 or £20 to watch it on demand and you are saving a fortune. You are obviously making a compromise in so far as the experience goes but some parents will make it because in the long term it will allow their children to watch more new films for the same price. I have got a limitless card so I technically get to go to the cinema for free but even for me every time I go it is £2 extra for a premiere seat, £5 parking and £10-£12 for lunch from Costa or a nachos combo etc so each visit is still the best part of £20. I am happy to pay for the experience because going to the cinema is a hobby for me but you can definitely see how staying at home will appeal to some people and definitely put a dent in cinema revenue.
Like I said, it makes sense going forward just as magazines and newspapers are available online now and you don't have to go to the shop to buy a paper copy. The question is what it means for cinema chains. I can't see a way around it and if other studios follow suit you may see a climatic shift in the way cinemas operate. I think blockbusters are safe for now but you are only talking about a handful of films every year. Who needs to go and see stuff like Downton Abbey at the cinema. Maybe they are the sort of titles which can be migrated to on demand and will prove to be more profitable for the studios.?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
No Universal releases in any Odeon in the U.K.? That’s going to be needlessly self-harming.
What about Jurassic Park? I have got a large screen tv and Bose surround sound system which is amazing but it still won't come close to watching something like Jurassic Park at the cinema.
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Re: Movie news, trivia and other snippets
I think whoever has taken this decision at AMC is suffering cabin fever and is not thinking clearly. Putting an animation out straight to VOD is one thing, but I can't believe Universal would seriously consider putting their major blockbusters out that way. I can't believe any serious director, or any talented head of department, would want that. No matter how good your home rig is, it is not going to match the equipment in the cinemas that the film was made for.
No matter how good your home rig is, it is not going to match the equipment in the cinemas that the film was made for.
Exactly, and Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel etc know that they are going to make more money releasing films as cinema-only than they will if they do dual release or on demand only.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
I can't believe any serious director, or any talented head of department, would want that.
you can call it artistic snobbery or not moving with the times but putting the bean counters aside, people who make these films do it because they want people to enjoy them and I have said quite a few times recently with series (like The Mandalorian) and films that sometimes we don't realise how much effort and thought go into them. It isn't just a straight forward process of writing a story, making a script, make the sets and film it. It would be a disservice to the creators to simply dismiss the final product and think of it purely as a commercial venture and how they can make the most $$$. My hope is that if certain studios like Universal go down that route without consultation, you'll start getting very prominent directors grouping together and refusing to make films for those studios and only working with studios that will guarantee a cinema release so they know that fans can enjoy the ultimate experience as they had envisaged. As soon as you get people like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese chipping in things will change.
Perhaps the way to go forward might be a limited theatrical run of 4 weeks and then immediate on demand availability. I think that should be happening now anyway. I cringe at the thought of going back to 20 years ago when most films would be released 3-4 weeks after the US at cinemas over here and then it would be another 9 months for video/dvd release.
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Re: Movie news, trivia and other snippets
Well I guess Cineworld and Showcase will be rubbing their hands at the thought of all those extra customers wanting to see Universal films.
They sound like a spoilt child, spitting their dummy out.
---------- Post added at 23:33 ---------- Previous post was at 23:32 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by General Maximus
What about Jurassic Park? I have got a large screen tv and Bose surround sound system which is amazing but it still won't come close to watching something like Jurassic Park at the cinema.
Doesn't surprise me and good for them. Cinema chains need to make a stand early on and let studios know that if it is ok for cinemas to lose money then movie studios can lose money as well. It would have been a win-win for the studios to dual release on multiple platforms but if they know they are going to lose hundreds of millions $$$ if they cant show it at the cinema it will make them think twice.
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Re: Movie news, trivia and other snippets
China chains need to take note, the world is changing and they need to adapt.
Releasing a movie on demand the same day as a cinema release, will not harm them that much. Not everyone will want to order a film for rental at £15 a pop. Many will still want to see on the big screen.
At the end of the day boycotting a studio will only harm themselves and their profits.
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