Movies Doomed!
Three years huh? Maybe he thinks Episode III will be the final straw….
I don’t know the context of McCallum’s statements, but they’re crap. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] The only real danger to the movie business is Hollywood itself.
First, the issue of DVD’s destroying the movie industry: sure, they’re waiting in line right behind television, video recorders and whatever else Hollywood has been crying wolf over for the last umpteen years. In the meantime the studios are all running to the the bank with the millions they’re raking in re-releasing old titles in this format. And I think Star Wars has made a few bucks off of DVD’s as well.
How many Star Wars fans said, gee I don’t think I’ll go see the movie now on the big screen with surround sound, I think I’ll wait five months and watch the DVD on my 27 inch TV here. And Lexx Lurker is right as well, there has been no real attempt to make the experience of going to a regular theater in any way pleasant or special for the audience.
Wait, my real rant is still to come [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
There are legitimate concerns about piracy, but piracy is not putting Hollywood studios out of business. And “sharing” as McCallum so kindly puts it is certainly not doing so.
It’s been clear for several years that “Hollywood” is totally bankrupt of ideas for dealing with the new media environment. Instead they’re initiating rear-guard actions like the asinine Berman bill which their pet Congressman is trying to ram through Congress. McCasllum’s comments are just another volley in that effort–these guys all get them off the same crib sheet.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the bill, it will allow Hollywood studios and music companies to launch, at their own discretion, DOS attacks at any individual they suspect of violating their copyrights.
SUSPECT, not have proof against. And the individual affected has practically no recourse if the suspicion proves to be wrong. It’s obviously aimed at P2P networks but can be used against any individual who’s online. Here’s some more details on the bill:
[url=http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/20020802_eff_berman_p2p_bill.html]Berman Bill[/url]
Pretty damn scary stuff.
And finally, to follow up on Flamegrape’s comments, digital media are in many ways rescueing movies and allowing people who care about them to actually make them again. Digital video and High Definition have helped to fuel the surge of independent film over the last few years–when the average Hollywood movie cost 40 or 50 million to make, who’s going to take a chance on something new and different? Not Hollywood. So maybe the present Hollywood system will actually die a self-induced and well-deserved death, but movies sure won’t.
elmey