Spielberg is worried that the success of streamers means for theaters



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Over the weekend, director Steven Spielberg, in his speech to the CAS Audio Cinema CAS Awards, reminded listeners that he was specifically dedicated to a theater-based cinematic experience, as a "convinced convinced that cinemas were to be forever" Prize of the filmmaker at the event, Spielberg said: "I hope we all continue to believe that the greatest contribution we can make in as filmmakers is to give the public the experience of a theatrical movie. "

Spielberg's comments may seem trivial. A director who has become widely known on big blockbusters expensive in Hollywood said he liked movies on the big screen and wanted to see the latest format, but his remarks have been interpreted as a slight tip. streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. And they arrive at a controversial time in the industry, as continually perceived beginners challenge major studios for their audience and their official recognition. Netflix's first participation in an Oscar for best film, with his original film Roma, sparked a renewed debate on the relative importance of theatrical release versus streaming.

Faced with this debate about why an exit is called a film, Spielberg seems to be on the side of people who believe that the outputs in streaming service should not be eligible for major awards shows because, whatever the chosen format, re mainly intended for a home viewing platform. "Once you have engaged in a television format, you are a TV movie," Spielberg said. ITV News in an interview last year. "If you have a good show, you certainly deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I do not believe that films that receive only symbolic qualifications in some theaters for less than a week may qualify for the Oscar nomination. "

Spielberg echoed a thought similar to the CAS Awards, noting that, despite the quality of the streaming streaming services produced and regardless of the quality of home theater installations, "nothing beats going to a big black theater" with never met before, and have the experience of washing on you. "

It seems odd that Spielberg opposes so much the idea of ​​outlets like Netflix and HBO funding non-commercial personal films like RomaHowever, since he has expressed urgent concerns about the current studio model and about how it is more focused on big budget blockbusters that exploit popular franchises at the expense of small films.

In 2013, in Hollywood, Spielberg spoke of his fears about "a whole series of really interesting, deeply personal – and perhaps historical – projects that are likely to get lost quickly", while the studios focus on big films with a multi-billion dollar potential. paydays. Spielberg had predicted an "implosion: three or four or even half a dozen of these huge budget films are going to crush". At the same event, filmmaker George Lucas feared increased film costs and studio suffering. Theater ticket prices: "Going to the movies will cost you 50 dollars, maybe 100. Maybe 150."

But while Spielberg is concerned about the future of theaters, he also seems to oppose the recognition of alternative channels allowing small and medium-sized films. In the same ITV An interview where he lamented that a "TV movie" at the Netflix is ​​not nominated for an Academy Award, he added. little films. And those little movies that the studios were usually shooting now go to Amazon, Hulu and Netflix. "

These two concerns – that the studios cut the small films and that the streaming services are too often recognized for the small films – appear antithetic. But Spielberg's argument above all seems to put the emphasis on categorization: it seems that, no matter what the price of a film (and as he noted in his speech of the CAS, the "televised" streaming services showcase some of the most prestigious works in the industry right now), "television movies" undermine the theaters, even if these films spend time there first . This seems like a strangely retrograde philosophy that places the presentation on top of the content.

But it seems authentically to mean that not as a gesture against the broadcast industry, but as an expression of concern for the theaters. At present, the numbers give rise to some concerns. The annual ticketing numbers of the Motion Picture Association of America show that ticketing has been relatively fair over the last 20 years, despite the steady rise in ticket prices. But it seems very unlikely that the recognition by the industry of a film like Roma would have no effect on people's willingness to go to cineplex for the last Godzilla remake or movie of superheroes. It is quite possible that respected and respected industry leaders, such as Spielberg, will come up with innovative solutions to the problems they see as dominating the industry. If Spielberg does not like big studios that focus on big films and big payment days or small streamers that catch the eye for their daring projects, Is he wants to see happen in the industry?

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