The Future of the Film Industry



     I definitely think that because of Coronavirus, the idea of streaming and online-only movie releases is going to become more of a staple for the film/TV industry than ever before. Although as of right now many movies are being released at later dates than originally intended, depending how long the quarantine lasts, there will have to be some change as to how the public gets to see these films, whether it be strictly on streaming platforms or through a new and unique online release that you pay a similar price to see as if you were going to the movies.

    Personally, I like the long-term idea of more content being released online because it means we get more open access to films earlier (for example, I never got a chance to see the newest Star Wars or the new Pixar film Onward in theaters, but they are both being released way earlier on Disney+ than they would have without coronavirus, plus I get to rewind/rewatch/fast forward as much as I want to), but I will miss being able to see films in movie theaters for the time being because it is a pretty unique and cool experience to see something on a big screen with a whole crowd of people.

    I think the most serious problem that the movie industry is facing is probably the idea of making films for the sake of making a quick buck, and not for the sake of telling a story. This is obviously a problem not only in film but in every artistic industry, and it has been happening for a long time. However, as we see more and more movies that rely on nostalgia (Disney's growing collection of remakes, etc), high-energy action films with unstable plots, and other tactics to draw the audience's attention, most big movies/blockbusters that do well are not the movies that are particularly "good." For me, I don't think this means that the age of good movies is over or anything that drastic, but I do think that there is a change happening within the industry when it comes to what is prioritized when making a film.

    Something that George Lucas said in a CNBC interview that I definitely concur with was that in the near future, "what used to be the movie business, which [he] concludes to be television and movies,"  is going to simply be "Internet television." He also mentions how the business of cable and television programming is going to be transferred to the Internet. In addition, streaming services, because of the separation of content (Netflix removing thousands of shows and movies because the original networks and studios are launching their own streaming services) and constant increase in prices, are going to become the new version of cable television entirely. Eventually, you'll need a "package" deal to stream all the shows and movies you want to, and it will have to include all these different streaming services, just like cable packages.

Like I mentioned before, the biggest part of film today that irks me is exactly that drive for "nostalgia" that all the studios seem to be picking up on, especially from Disney. The kids (myself included) that watched The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast when they were new loved those movies to pieces, but are all grown up now, but Disney would rather save the money spent creating new and original stories and just capitalize on the nostalgia everyone gets from the Disney classics. So I guess I miss the days when big movies were original and creative, instead of reusing old material and old stories.

Also like I said, I honestly do like the idea of more content being available to stream online because it makes it easier from a watchability standpoint. I also think it's great that there is a ton more representation and inclusion of different races, cultures, genders, orientations, etc on screen than compared to 15 or 20 years ago, even if there is still a decent ways to go for many facets of the industry like the awards shows, etc.

My fear for films in 10 years is that there will no longer be a standard for what separates an original creative story from a big money making blockbuster, and that the only thing driving the studios to make more films is money instead of actually telling a story or sharing a message. My biggest hope for films in 10 years is that there is the diversity, inclusion, and representation within the industry continues to increase, and that there are more creative and diverse films made because of this.

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