In a write-up on The Playlist, it talked about the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) feel Hollywood should stick to their release dates, and deal with the “new normal”.
It’s old news how hard COVID-19 has affected the US. In terms of businesses, millions unemployment, and the businesses themselves having closed, be it permanently or temporarily, in the latter wondering if they’ll able to reopen after all of this. Definitely among those hardest hit is the entertainment industry, specifically movie theatres. Be a global multiplex, or local independent theatres, putting the ability to provide a safe environment aside, with releases repeatedly getting pushed back, they haven’t had any new films to make money.
And it hasn’t helped things with Studios considering PVOD & theatrical release models. Most notably the fallout of Universal considering that model, and most recently Disney announcing that MULAN would be premiering on Disney+.
This situation all led to an interview with John Fithian, the head of NATO, who spoke about the most recent delay of TENET. Ultimately stating:
They should release their movies and deal with this new normal.
But that definitely goes both ways. With success Studios had with releasing ONWARD and TROLLS: WORLD TOUR simultaneously with their theatrical release early on in the pandemic, streaming has become somewhat of a curious option for Hollywood. And as mentioned before, are exploring that as an option. Though outcry from theatre owners has definitely been loud as those considerations take place.
But again, if Fithian is talking about “the new normal”, you can’t have one without the other. All businesses need to find ways to bring money in. And speaking as a consumer, I couldn’t be happier about Studios adapting streaming & PVOD models. As much as I love the theatre experience, I am in no rush to head into a theatre regardless of what that release might be. I know there are those who are more than willing to risk it, but I am not among them, and I know I am not alone in that.
I realize that this doesn’t just involve global multiplexes like AMC Theatres, but also those on the independent/local level that are beautiful parts to local economies. But what I would love to see is a simultaneous release on PVOD and theatrical. Or if it’s PVOD only, or first, and provide a share to theatre owners to help them survive this, then in-turn re-release those movies in theatres when it’s relatively safe to gather, but theatre owners take a smaller share of the box office if they received a PVOD benefit.
Or something along those lines.
Because, again, as a consumer, I miss me my movies. And definitely starved for content.
What do you think? Drop your thoughts on the Fuzzybug Facebook Page.
Source: The Playlist