http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/19/business/media/19music.html

QuikQuote:

The tension in Hollywood over declining box-office receipts heated up on Thursday as the head of the trade organization for movie theaters accused the chairman of the Walt Disney Company (http://www.nytimes.com/redirect/marketwatch/redirect.ctx?MW=http://custom.marketwatch.com/custom/nyt-com/html-companyprofile.asp&symb=DIS), Robert A. Iger, of leveling a "death threat" against his industry.
The trade official, John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners, was responding to a statement by Mr. Iger to Wall Street analysts this month that movie studios need to accommodate changing consumer demand by releasing films simultaneously in theaters and on DVD. "Simultaneous release would seriously damage the theater industry," Mr. Fithian said in an interview, referring to the prospect as a "death threat to our industry."

I think it's a perfect example of American culture - "I have a problem - but it's not my fault. It's this other problem, so I am going to do X to fix the problem". The deflection of the real issue - poor stories and lack of imagination - are the real issue here. If studios would spend more of their budgets on better stories and ideas instead of playing "let's do what's hip" they might not be in the same predicament. And yet - they blame some nebulous enemy called "the market" that is not delivering enough revenue.

The way we watch movies is definitely changing. People just don't view the theater experience as part of the pleasure any more.

I think simultaneous release is not to far into the future. Studios spend millions to advertise the theatrical release and then millions more to advertise the DVD release. I'm guessing the studios would love to just go straight to DVD but for the market predisposition to view direct-to-video movies as tainted.

Piracy in foreign markets is also an issue. Simultaneous release would allow studios to get legitimate DVDs into high-piracy markets at the same time as the pirates.

I think this is a situation where there are sooooo many factors involved in the drop in BO that noone is really sure where to begin. The studios are taking one approach because it's what they belive is best for their businesses, and the theater owners are just trying desperately to stay in the picture. Yes, the quality of the films is a huge factor, but so are the negative theater experiences people are having. Between soaring theatre prices and increasingly inconsiderate fellow patrons, it just doesn't make sense to venture out into the theater world unless you know you are going to get an experience that is worth the cost.

i'm deffinitely one of those people who very rarely sees films in the theater. As a film fan, i would LOVE to see more on the big screen, but I don't have the time the money or the patience for it. When films are released I categorize them and determine how important the trip to the theater is. Some larger films are just much more impressive on the big screen while others will be just as entertaining on my own personal (not as) big screen.

I like that some of the theaters, rather than whine and blame studios are getting more creative themselves. There have been several recent magazine articles on the companies that are offering truly special experiences complete with higher quality food and beverages, specialty film fests, etc...

I'm not sure where exactly this will all lead, but you can't deny the changing landscape of the film world. The various factions just need to learn to work together so they can successfully adapt to this new world.

I think this is a situation where there are sooooo many factors involved in the drop in BO that noone is really sure where to begin. The studios are taking one approach because it's what they belive is best for their businesses, and the theater owners are just trying desperately to stay in the picture. Yes, the quality of the films is a huge factor, but so are the negative theater experiences people are having. Between soaring theatre prices and increasingly inconsiderate fellow patrons, it just doesn't make sense to venture out into the theater world unless you know you are going to get an experience that is worth the cost.

i'm deffinitely one of those people who very rarely sees films in the theater. As a film fan, i would LOVE to see more on the big screen, but I don't have the time the money or the patience for it. When films are released I categorize them and determine how important the trip to the theater is. Some larger films are just much more impressive on the big screen while others will be just as entertaining on my own personal (not as) big screen.

I like that some of the theaters, rather than whine and blame studios are getting more creative themselves. There have been several recent magazine articles on the companies that are offering truly special experiences complete with higher quality food and beverages, specialty film fests, etc...

I'm not sure where exactly this will all lead, but you can't deny the changing landscape of the film world. The various factions just need to learn to work together so they can successfully adapt to this new world.



you know, i think this is exactly one of the moves Disney should do. Spearheading a transition away from the tradtional way of movie distrobution. It's a gutsy move from a company that has ben short on guts over the last few years.

I wouldn't like simultaneous theater and DVD release. Personally, I really enjoy the traditional theater experience. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of people who don't care if they see a film in an elegant theater with digital surround, or on a 4" personal DVD player with mono sound. These are the people who will also buy pirated DVD's recorded on a camcorder by someone sitting in the theater.

I recently saw March of the Penguins at my local art house theater. The audience, many of them children, were cheerful but very polite. There were a few previews, but no ads before the movie. The people working at the theater were mature and knew what they were doing.

Of course, this entire experience is in direct contrast to my local megaplex. Sure, it has great digital sound, stadium seating and very large screens. Too bad it's run with no adult supervision, the popcorn is stale, the hot dogs are lousy and many of the patrons behave like Huns.

Yep, I have to have a very good reason to visit the theater these days. Obviously, "Stealth" isn't it.

I wouldn't like simultaneous theater and DVD release. Personally, I really enjoy the traditional theater experience. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of people who don't care if they see a film in an elegant theater with digital surround, or on a 4" personal DVD player with mono sound. These are the people who will also buy pirated DVD's recorded on a camcorder by someone sitting in the theater.

I recently saw March of the Penguins at my local art house theater. The audience, many of them children, were cheerful but very polite. There were a few previews, but no ads before the movie. The people working at the theater were mature and knew what they were doing.

Of course, this entire experience is in direct contrast to my local megaplex. Sure, it has great digital sound, stadium seating and very large screens. Too bad it's run with no adult supervision, the popcorn is stale, the hot dogs are lousy and many of the patrons behave like Huns.

Yep, I have to have a very good reason to visit the theater these days. Obviously, "Stealth" isn't it.


i think to a degree thats why the simutaneous release is a good idea. I myself love going to the theater... for some movies. Nowadays though its not worth it to go see most movies in the thater and ive got a DLP widescreen at home... why go deal with noisy screaming kids, lousy expensive food, rude employees and customers... when i can sit in my living room with a well made dinner and the polite company of whom i choose.
The theater expirence is not what it used to be, the growing rudeness of our culture has ensured that. Parents can't control their children, or bring them to movies the shouldnt be at... (i saw a family with 8 kids 1 -14 at The Devil Rejects, that was a pleasant movie expirience... when asked to take kids outside parents made it into a bigger scene) , a lack of courtesy and lack of common sense. mix that with rising ticket prices, lowering movie quality, and dwindling quality of the overall theater expirience, and you have a nessecity to cater to the home market as well.