Which one would you rather prefer; going to the movies, getting dressed, standing in line for tickets, popcorn and soda, sitting in a crowded room in a uncomfortable seat OR download a movie, lie in bed, on the sofa or in your favorite chair, eating whatever you have at home, refilling your drink whenever you want and after the movie is done, you're already home, so you don't have to move?
Now a day many would go for the latter. So how is this affecting Hollywood? Is the new world of downloading things from the Internet good or is it killing the film makers slowly? Is it Hollywood's fault or the people? Let's have a look shall we..
The movie world has come a long way since 1895. It has gone from black and white without sound on the big screen, till black and white and then color on the TV, and then back to the big screen again, better and bigger. Then came the VHS, then the DVDs, the Blue-ray and now you can download what ever you want online.
Many people don't think about it and some just ignore it, but it is not legal to download movies from the Internet. The reason for this is that the producers, the actors and big companies have put in a lot of time, money and work in to these movies, and the only way for them to get paid and credit for their work is if people buy their product or go see the movie at the cinema. So why would people download movies in stead of paying to watch them?
Some would say the Internet gives movies free publicity. They hype up the movie and get people exited, so they just have to go to the premier or see it the week it comes out. But it would depend on the movie. For blockbuster movies, this might be true. But for smaller movies, it might be the end of their journey.
Hollywood has become aware that if they don't make a blockbuster movie like Avatar, Lord of the rings, Harry Potter etc., they are doomed and are going to end up with a flop. The budget are getting tighter and they feel the pressure. The studios use a lot of money on location, special effects and "extra cool stuff", so sometimes they have to postpone movies or pull the plug. Take "The Lone Ranger" for example. Disney have postponed it because they don't have money for it right now. They have Johnny Depp as the lead character and a 200million dollar budget, but that is just not enough to make it in the movie world right now.
Only a week after a film is showed on the big screen it is streamed out into the Internet. But not everyone takes advantage of that. Most people take the time to go to the cinema and enjoy seeing the movie on the big screen in good quality in stead of on a tiny computer or TV. These people are either aware of the consequences piracy have for Hollywood or they just don't know they can download it. While others are extreme movie lovers and it means a lot to them to be the first to see a movie or to have seen it at the cinema. This is why Harry Potter and The lord of the rings have done so good. Their fans are so committed and supporting, they sleep outside the movie theatre for days, just to stand in line for tickets for the premier. Some might even see it twice. Now Hollywood have gone big with the special effect "3D" to lure people out.
But it is not just in the cinemas Hollywood is loosing money, it is also in the DVD sales. Because of free downloading very few buy actual DVDs anymore. We can't just blame Hollywood for not making enough good movies, or the cinema for being too expensive. We have to admit that people are becoming lazy and ignorant too. But let's not give up hope. Maybe soon Hollywood will come up with something new and exiting yet again and people will come running.
Reference list:
Wednesday 28 sept.
https://learning.secure.griffith.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_101249_1&frame=top
Thursday, 29 sept.
http://www.news.com.au/business/movies-shelved-as-dvd-sales-dive/story-fn7mjon9-1226140043350
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