- Luca Coppola-
Movie theaters have provided many people with affordable
entertainment since the early 1900s. Nothing quite beats getting your family or
friends together and going to see this season’s big blockbuster. But within the
last decade or two, movie theaters have been facing a dilemma. Ticket sales have been declining, and now
with talk of an “at home” movie theater streaming service, the real question is
can theaters do anything to turn business around, or are they soon to become
extinct?
TheNumbers.com put together a Domestic
Movie Theatrical Market Summary with data between 1995 – 2016, and it’s
findings show that in 2014, movie ticket sales were at their lowest since 1995
at only 1.27 billion.
These numbers suggest that either people are giving up on
seeing movies, or opting for another way all together. Movie pirating has been
a big issue in the movie industry for years now, with some films taking big
hits financially when an illegal copy is released online prior or during it’s
theatrical run. While it’s tough to fight online piracy, there are some people
who want to meet in the middle, and find a better solution for those who want
to enjoy movies in their own home. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Napster Founder Sean Parker and music
executive Prem Akkaraiu created a new company, the Screening Room, which aims
to bring newly released movies into people’s homes through a subscription
service. The idea, which is backed by Hollywood big shots like J.J. Abrams,
involves consumers who want to view new releases at home purchasing a set-top
box for $150, and would then be able to rent films for 48 hours by paying an
additional $50 per film. Theater owners wouldn’t be left in the dark, as they
would receive 20% of the movie sales.
While
I believe this is a great opportunity to appeal to a demographic of people that
would normally not attend the movies, I think this would definitely harm movie
ticket sales. Movie theaters charge around $9-$14 per ticket depending on the film. If a group
of five people decide to go to the movie, they’re spending around $40-$60 on
tickets alone, and that doesn’t include money from concession sales. With a movie being rented at home, a large
amount of people could gather and watch the movie together, but they’d still be
paying a set price of $50, with only $20 going to theaters.
With
these declining attendance and new threats on the horizon, some theaters are
deciding to change up the classic movie going experience in order to renew
interest and increase sales. The new Cinemark in North Haven CT is a perfect
example of a theater that has upgraded significantly to attract more customers.
According to The New Haven Register,
the Cinemark has installed 1,200 electric-powered luxury reclining seats with
footrests, a refreshments area which sells alcoholic beverages which can be
brought into the screening, self service concession stands, eight 3-D capable
screens and one 68x32 ft. Imax screen. This set up aims to bring a great
experience to people that “they wouldn’t be able to get at home.”
While
I haven’t personally been to one of these new top of the line theaters, I’m all
for the idea. Since I was a little kid, I loved going to the movies. I have
countless memories of begging my parents to take me to the movies, or taking a
girl to one on a first date. It’s almost nostalgic, but at the same time, there
are negatives. Some of the bad “stigmas”
that go along with movie theaters are uncomfortable chairs, dirty conditions,
and poor screening rooms. These new upgrades made by Cinemark aim to fix all of
these problems, and add a whole new energy to movie theaters, turning this easy
entertainment solution into a “luxury outing”.
Whether the at home streaming service takes off or not, I strongly
believe movie theaters can stay alive if they follow Cinemark’s lead and
provide an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Work Cited
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New
Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven." Out with the Old, in with the
New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
"Domestic Movie
Theatrical Market Summary." The Numbers. N.p., n.d. Web.
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J.
Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie
Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.
There is no doubt that movie theatre attendance has been declining for theatres in recent years due to a number of different factors. However, I agree that these new “luxury outing” theatres may be the savior for these declining box office sales. I personally love movies and when I was younger, when my parents supplied me with all the money I needed, I loved going to the movies. That is no longer the case anymore. Now I find it pointless to spend $12.50 on a movie that I could most likely find on the Internet (even if it is rough quality) or just wait a couple months for it to be released on Blu-Ray and DVD. However, now these luxury theatres are completely changing the game and reinventing the whole moviegoer experience.
ReplyDeleteI believe that one factor that significantly effects people’s decision to go to movie theatre is whether or not they were actually getting an “experience” from it. Why pay to go sit in a crowded theatre next to a stranger who is breathing too loudly when you can relax in your basement and watch it on your 60” flat screen while sitting on your leather couch? Now with these luxury theatres people actually are getting an experience that they have never gotten before at a movie theatre. In our reading, “Out With the Old, in With the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven” it states, “’The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home…in this case, bigger is better.’” By making these luxury theatres a brand new outing for people it will draw them away from their typical routine of staying in and watching movies. These theatres allow people to have a new level of comfort while also including an in-theatre dining experience as well as serving alcohol and other beverages directly from your seat.
I believe that these new luxury theatres would be the best competition against J. J. Abrams proposed $50 home movie service that we also read about this week. Cinemark, the same theatre chain that has a number of these new luxury theatres, including the one in North Haven, also made the following comment about Abrams proposal, “Cinemark diligently evaluates and considers all business proposals. We have great relationships and an open dialogue with our studio partners and work directly with them individually regarding film content, windows, and decisions that may impact the long-term health of our industry," (Ford). No matter what it is, these luxury theatres or Abrams new home movie service idea, I believe that something has to be done for the movie theatre business to survive in this age.
Works Cited
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Rachel LaRotonda
ReplyDeleteIf there is one thing in this world that I would never want to see go out of business, it would be movie theaters. Like you said, it feels like movie theaters have been around forever. Nothing beats grabbing everyone you know and going to the movies on a Friday night. As technology keeps getting better and better these “at home” movie theater streaming services scare me. Personally, I grew up going to the movies every chance I had. I don’t think people aren’t going to the movies because of any sort of “problem” but because they are lazy. Going to the movies requires energy, actually getting there, paying for your ticket, buying snacks, picking a seat… it almost feels never ending if you’re one of those “I hate everything about this” kind of person.
With all the buzz of the next biggest blockbuster or how much a specific movie made in its first weekend, I can’t help but think, are movie theaters really doing that bad? According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Four of the six major studios posted profits exceeding $1 billion for the calendar year, based on newly released numbers, though only three managed to grow their bottom lines. Total film-unit profits for the majors came in at $6.5 billion, up 11 percent from $5.87 billion in 2014 and the highest total since THR began its annual analysis in 2009” (Bond, Szalai). The movie industry as a whole is doing well, but drawing people into seeing these movies must be the hard part.
In your post you explained how Mapster Founder Sean Parker and Music Executive Prem Akkaraiu created a new company called The Screening Room. The idea of this company is to release new movies straight into people’s homes through a subscription service. Now, although I am a huge fan of subscription services, I just can’t see myself letting go of the experience the movie theater gives you. Shouldn’t we be trying to get more people into the theaters and off their couches?
Like I said before, with technology changing faster than ever we don’t need to abandon tradition, we just need to “upgrade” it. A perfect example of this “upgrade” would be the opening of the new Cinemark in North Haven CT. According to the New Haven Register, “Dallas-based Cinemark spent in excess of $16 million tearing down the former Rave Cinemas location on Universal Drive and replacing it with a lavish new 57,000 square foot, 14-screen multiplex that pulls out all the stops in an effort to lure the movie going public out of their homes. The new theater’s features include, over 1,200 electric-powered, luxury reclining seats with footrests, the ability to buy beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages, self service concession stands, eight screens capable of showing 3-D moves and one screen that is 68 feet wide by 32 feet high” (Turmelle). After reading all that they have to offer why wouldn’t you want to go?
With all of these new ways to get people out of their homes and into the theaters, I don’t see why the movies should be “in danger”. Everyone’s been to the movie theater at least once in their life, if we stop making going more of a task and really show how much of an experience it is, I think more people will be in those seats in no time.
Works Cited
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Bond, Paul Szalai, Georg. “Studio-by-Studio Profitability Report: Who’s up, Who’s Down” The Hollywood Reporter. Web.
Going to the movies was always a special event in my family. It was certainly a treat to my sister and I, and it didn’t happen very often. However, as you mentioned, times have changed for the movie theatre industry and I’m not surprised by this at all. According to The Hollywood Reporter article Hit-Driven Film Business Getting ‘Very Ugly,” Wall Street Analyst Says, “the dynamics of the film business now look very ugly” (Bond). Today, I rarely go to a movie theatre to watch a blockbuster film for a few reasons. Firstly, the major drawback from going to the movie theatres now is the price of actually going there. I think the price to see a film is a little excessive in my opinion. I understand that it’s an experience but now that I’m not going with my parents (and their wallets) anymore, I don’t want to spend that much money on an hour and thirty minute to two-hour film. Secondly, I enjoy being in the comfort of my own home. If I’m watching a movie at my house, I can do so in my bed or in the common room. I can make my own snacks, pause the movie when I want, get up and not disturb anyone, etc. I think it’s more appealing to think about curling up on my own coach and watching what I want and having all the control, but that’s just me. Lastly, I know a lot of people who stream movies even if they are still in theatres. So what is the point in spending the money when you can simply watch it for free?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think movie theatres will be completely eliminated from society but I think the number of them will certainly decline and this could increase already high prices. I do, however, think the “luxury theatres” are great idea to appeal to more people. These theatres, like the one in North Haven, give people more options for food and drinks but they also tie in the aspect of “home comfort” by installing reclining chairs. Like you mentioned, I think these theatres are a great way to draw people in. Cinemark’s marketing director said, “the industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying at home” (Turmelle). I think it all depends on the person and what kind of experience they’re looking for when it comes to viewing movies.
Works Cited:
Bond, Paul. “Hit-Driven Film Business Getting ‘Very Ugly,’ Wall Street Analyst Says”. The Hollywood Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 March 2016
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
I could see why ticket sales are decreasing; I personally wouldn’t trade the quality of a film by watching it online. The process of finding a film illegally is exhausting. I travel from site to site looking for one that actually lets me watch the movie or that’s actually in English. A billion pop ups come up trying to get me to put my email in on some site and its just a pain. If I really want to see a movie, I’ll just go to the theater and do it. I know when I got see a movie that it will be good quality even though its not the comfort of my own home.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time I was able to get into movies for free, my relative owned a theater chain and one wasn’t very far from my house, I was spoiled, I never had to deal with ridiculous ticket prices. Now unfortunately that theater has closed so I am forced to pay.
The idea that J.J. Abrams supports is very interesting and a good idea. This idea would allow fans to watch movies the day they are released in the comfort of their own home. In my opinion $50 is a little steep, its not worth it if I want to watch a movie alone or with one other person but also how do you force your friends to split the price if they all come over to watch a new movie. This idea would also still make movie theaters money but not nearly as much as if people actually went to a theater to see a movie.
I believe half the fun of going to a movie is getting Movie Theater popcorn. It’s honestly my favorite and I probably would chose going to an actual theater than using the Screening Room. With all these new theaters like Cinemark like the one in North Haven popping up why wouldn’t I want to go? I have been to a few theaters with these new recliners that they are offering and they are great. Now moviegoers are able to be comfortable while still enjoying a good quality movie and movie theater popcorn. The article also mentions opening retailers or food in the same plaza, I can imagine you would be able to bring these food options into the theater which would be really convenient since theaters usually don’t allow this.
The price of seeing a movie in a theater might still be pretty expensive but how can you turn down all these options to make it the best experience possible. Also a lot of theaters offer cheaper tickets to students or even cheaper nights, I believe the theater in North Haven actually does $5 Tuesdays. This is a great way to spend a night every few weeks or so. Like you mentioned in your blog, its nostalgic. I remember my parents going to movies every few weeks or going on dates to movies. Honestly I went to a movie last night and have seen at least 4 movies in theaters already this year and I have probably 4 more on my list to see in theaters already. I wouldn’t trade going to a theater to see a new release, it is just one of those things you can’t phase out.
Works Cited:
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie
Theater in North Haven." Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service
"Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., n.d.
Web.
If I see a trailer for a movie I’m really interested in, I will spend the money to go see it in the theater. Movie theaters are like newspapers in the way that there are now easier ways for us “lazy millennials” to access the media they hold. Speaking of lazy, I agree that the new luxury aspect is saving the theaters. As someone who recently found the luxury theater near my hometown and in North Haven, an experience in the old seats does not compare. Cinemark’s marketing director Bryan Jeffries said, “The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home,” (Turmelle). In the New Haven Registrar, there is a list of five new features that allowed for this one of a kind experience including over 1,200 electric-powered reclining seats with footrests and self-service concession stands with the ability to buy alcoholic beverages.
ReplyDeleteThere are some major differences between the theater and streaming services. First, there is no wait other than the car ride when seeing a movie in theaters. Streaming services, On Demand and DVD do not pick up a movie until it has already been in theaters. “Screening Room will expand the audience for a movie — not shift it from cinema to living room,” (Ford). Also, there are less or no distractions in a theater, unless you’re the person that has the iPhone out (don’t be that person). On the contrary, you can stream anywhere, which means your connection can get lost, a notification can pop up at the top of your screen or the worst – it freezes right when it gets to the good part. Even for On Demand and DVD, probably more times than not wherever you are watching, there is probably something else going on in the background. Lastly, is it just me, or do movie theaters have the best snack food? There’s a reason they call it “movie theater popcorn.” Although the prices may be high, most people love to snack at the theaters and nothing is worse than being at home about to play a movie and find zero popcorn or candy in your kitchen cabinets.
Movie theaters haven’t only been an entertainment thing for me. Like you stated, “Nothing quite beats getting your family or friends together and going to see this season’s big blockbuster,” and you’re right, no movie experience I’ve had has beat a movie theater experience. Movie theaters allow for a social aspect of movie viewing. Rarely do people go to the movies by themselves so not only are you surrounded by friends or family, you then have something you can talk about for the next week or so whether it be the movie itself or your experience in the theater.
I’m a firm believer that movie theaters will improve rather than go extinct. I agree with your overall point that it is an experience you can’t get at home and it’s an experience worth taking for the right movie.
Work Cited:
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven." Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.
Going to the movies is a very popular activity that people love to experience. Whether you go with your friends, family, or significant other it is not just about going to see a movie, it is also a social experience.
ReplyDeletePersonally when I go to see a movie it is more for the experience rather than the actual movie. Of course there are exceptions where if I really want to see a film I’ll make a point to go but if not I can wait for it to come out on DVD or stream it. But for the other 90 percent of the time when I go it is for the experience. I like going with a friend or group of people to see a movie because it’s fun even if the movie sucks.
As you mentioned in the instance of the North Haven movie theaters upgrade the idea of going the movies being an experience is a common notion. Luther Turnelle mentioned this in the New Haven Register, “’The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home,” said Bryan Jeffries, Cinemark’s marketing director. “In this case, bigger is better.’” (Turnelle) Since the reopening of he Cinemark in North Haven I enjoy going to the movies there even more. The seating and other conditions of the theater were by no means bad previously by they have significantly improved. I have to say that the reclining leather chairs definitely make it a much more comfortable experience.
I feel that if a theater is able to provide a customer with a better experience, box office revenues will increase. It seems to me that while Hollywood is producing movies, they are not necessarily all doing well. The article by Pamela McClintock, Biggest Box Office Flops of 2015 which laid out all of the failed movies of 2015 did not surprise me. While I did recognize some of the movie titles like Steve Jobs and Fantastic Four, the others I did not. In my opinion I think it is harder for lesser known movies to compete with blockbusters like Jurassic World and The Reverent where you would be willing to go to a less than great theatre to watch it than one you aren’t sure is going to be a hit. People would be more willing to go to a very well known film that they know is going to be good and sit in a broken seat just because they want to see the; but this is not the case with bad films.
If owners took the initiative to improve their cinema’s it is very likely that movie ticket sales will go up, even if there are no “good” films out at the time.
Works Cited
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven." Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Madeline Boardman. “Biggest Box Office Flops of 2015.” Entertainment Weekly, Dec. 2 2015. Web.
Going to the movie theaters carries a lot of the same nostalgia and preference upon people as reading a physical book vs digitally on Kindle, Nook or iPad. Theres something special about going to the movie theaters, watching a movie on the big screen in the theaters amongst family or friends. Going to the movies was a past-time an activity enjoyed by all, but with ticket sales down, the ease, comfort and connivence of streaming a movie later on your own time has brought to the decline of movie theater sales. I often wonder if its that people don't want to pay high ticket prices or if people are just getting lazier and lazier. With the mind set of "I can just stream it and watch it in the comfort of my own home for free", its no wonder pirating and streaming methods have taken a toll on ticket sales. I was shocked to see how much ticket sales have gone down. I knew they had dropped, but I didn't know it was this dramatic.
ReplyDeleteI hope and do believe movie theaters will stay alive. Then again, I thought Blockbuster would be around forever as well. I think movie theaters have to re-invent themselves in order to keep the customer attraction alive and ticket sales up. Its true what you said about the movie theater "stigmas." Movie theaters aren't the most comfortable, sanitary place. Adding new luxury theaters will hopefully increase the desire for theater-goers to go to the movies and raise sales, especially if these luxury theaters are selling tickets at a much higher price due to the "luxury experience," as opposed to a regular theater. The theaters must also compete with the lazy customer of this generation. A luxury theater is not something most people have in their own homes, making them want to experience it themselves. According to Cinemark's marketing director Bryn Jefferies, "The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home." I also have seen heard about drive - in theaters starting to come back as well. This experience will be nostalgic for those who used to go to drive in theaters and millennials of our generation who never experienced drive in theaters.
The idea you mentioned of the "Screening Room" for streaming newly released movies in your home could definitely do damage to the theater industry. The Screening Room is aimed to attract those "whose focus is capturing consumers who don't otherwise go to the movies, versus catering to the typical filmgoer." However, I don't believe it will be a big hit amongst certain demographics, especially ours as college students/young adults. I'm not a big movie person, but I couldn't see spending $150 for a set up fee and $50 per movie to rent. I think this service would only be really beneficial to those in the industry, and specifically film critics who may want to watch a movie in depth in the comfort of their own home with the ability to pause and rewind and what not to take notes and critique.
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter.
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register.
It is completely obvious that movie theaters are in danger. Growing up as a kid, I would make it a point to go to the movies at least once every one to two weeks or so to see the newest releases; it was a norm for my friends and me. I even remember a period of time in which movie theaters greatly flourished, as several locations around me went through a series of renovations and revamps to better our experiences. Now, some of the same theaters that were once new and exciting are permanently closing their doors.
ReplyDeleteAs you stated in your post Luca, theaters provided many people with affordable entertainment. Now, we have Netflix, On-Demand, or even piracy, which makes our viewing experience even more affordable – or even free. In a time where Americans seem to be so caught up in saving money, the desire to save time and money now overpowers the once powerful hunger to enjoy the authentic theater experience.
It is interesting to notice that despite the dramatic fall in box office sales, movies do not really suffer from loss of profit. In this day and age there is so much profitability elsewhere, whether it is through merchandise, online games, mobile applications, or streaming through the top services like Netflix, Amazon, or Apple TV. Of course, the biggest influence of all is social media. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “2015 has seen the worst wide openings in history, despite expensive marketing. Blame social media. […] The good news is that when you have a good movie, people equally share this” (McClintock). This certainly goes for bad movies as well. This is “the Box Office’s new normal.”
The new challenge that movie theaters face today is how to effectively attract and retain audiences, and marketing director Bryan Jeffries of North Haven’s Cinemark Theater agrees. “The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home. In this case, bigger is better” (Turmelle). While big name franchises like Cinemark, AMC, and Showcase Cinemas have the necessary funds to revamp their theaters with glamorous recliners and self-service concession stands, the smaller independent theaters do not, and are in great danger of failure. For example, the two independently owned family theaters near my home that I grew up going to have gone out of business within the past couple of years. The current movie theater business has proven to be one big game of survival of the fittest.
My prediction is that Netflix and its competitors will continue to drastically grow over the years, as they continue to hand insurmountable content – both old and new – right into the grasp of users. This ease of access, range of selection, and user-oriented experience has proven to reign over the quality of the true movie viewing experience that we grew up with. But then again – when you really put into perspective – how would one even accurately define the movie viewing experience in this present age? The line continues to blur with each passing day.
McClintock, Pamela. "Box Office's New Normal in 2015: "You Can't Cheat an Opening Weekend Anymore"" The Hollywood Reporter. 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven." New Haven Register. 23 July 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn this day and age, it is obvious that ticket sales have dropped and that less people are actually going to he movies. We are in the generation of the millennial where we are classified as lazy, idealistic, and modern. A millennial would much rather subscribe to a cool service such as, The Screening Room, and watch films on a big screen TV in the comfort of their own homes. My mom is actually in the film business, and I am able to see their views on this issue as well. One major concern is that right before the academy awards come out, every individual in the academy is sent all of the movies nominated for this season. Some are received even before they come out in theatres. Although this is one of mine, and I am sure many others families favorite things, we do not go to the movie theatre to see these movies. Most of the people in the film industry do not even step foot into a movie theater because it is so easy for them to get a copy of the movie on DVD. Although the film industry seems like a small percent of people to be concerned about, this is a problem.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those few people that do not have the nostalgic feeling when it comes to the movie theatres. Of course, I have memories of going when I was a kid…I even have memories of going to the movies last month! What makes a difference to me is the movie theatre itself. In California, they have began to open theatres called “IPic” where you actually have comfortable seating, a blanket, pillow, and a waiter during the movie and can order as much food as you’d like. It is the “full movie experience.” Although some people may say this defeats the point of going to a movie and is too modernized, I actually loved it. An article in the New Haven register reads, “The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home,” (Turnelle). The IPic movie theatre is an example of a new and creative theatre that will draw people in and make it different than the experience at home.
I believe another major issue with movie theatre sales is that people do not want to go and see a movie that they do not think is going to be good. Movie theatre prices have sky rocketed in recent years and no one wants to waste their money on a bad movie. In the article, “Biggest Box Office Flops of 2015” by Madeline Boardman, I am not the slightest bit surprised that these movies did not do well. With the exception of three movies, I have never even heard of any of these movies, which is probably the same for many other people. In this case, I blame the film industry for poor marketing and promotion as well as the movies just not being very good. Why would I want so spend my money on a movie that I don’t know about or received terrible reviews? That is a big issue.
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven." Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Madeline Boardman. “Biggest Box Office Flops of 2015.” Entertainment Weekly, Dec. 2 2015. Web.
I often find that when people ask me if I’ve seen the latest movies in theaters, I usually have to say no. It’s not that I dis like movies, but having time to actually go to the movies and watch the latest ones has become a rare event for me. Being able to wait a few months till the movie is out of the theaters and available on my Verizon FIOS device on my TV seems to just be easier to me to watch a movie. The pictures that have been coming out are not extremely appealing to me either where I don’t really mind to wait a few months for it to be released on an easier streaming service rather than going to the movies when it’s first released. Or if I hear about it from other people who have seen it or watched it on movie sites and they say it’s not a big deal to wait to watch it after it’s out of the theaters, I tend to not really have a desire to go to the movies and watch it.
ReplyDeleteAttending a movie and going to the actual theater has become almost an outing event as if it was going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. It was once something that everyone did, something that everyone loved and it was common to see people going to movie theaters, but now, after our advanced technology has given us different and faster ways to see movies, it has become something that is very rare in my opinion. We have all these new services such as Netflix and our TV provider movie feature that watching a movie is as easy as picking up a remote in the comfort of your own home and clicking ‘BUY’ for $5.99 which is even cheaper than an actual movie ticket these days. In the article “Box Office’s New Normal in 2015”, we learn that the actual movie released isn’t the “story of the year”, the real “Story of the year has been the dramatic highs and lows that have become the new normal” for movies. It continues on to say that, “At the same time, 2015 has seen the worst wide openings in history, despite expensive marketing. Blame social media. "You can't cheat an opening weekend anymore," says Paramount vice chair Rob Moore. "And anyone under 30 is checking Rotten Tomatoes and telling their friends what the score is on a Thursday. You saw it with Fantastic Four: Fox actually had good tracking, but by opening day the audience knew the film was bad. The good news is that when you have a good movie, people equally share that." There are so many new ways through technology that is so accessible to us to learn about a movie before it is even released. Even after my friends all recently went to the actual movies to see “Deadpool”, I still had no desire to go to the movies and see it. Going to the movies has become a special event for me and for a lot of people that I know. If I want to watch a movie on a Monday night, I’m not looking to go all the way to the theater when I can just watch something on my computer through Netflix or even iTunes.
Gab LaRosa Comment Continued:
ReplyDeleteBut as you said in your blog, a lot of my childhood memories come form being at the movies with my family or friends. It was an exciting thing to see commercials on TV or see the new toys that were based off the new movie and it allowed us to cherish these movies instead of looking at them as just another media site to go on when we’re bored at home. I will still continue to go to the movies if I’m home with my family or if all my friends and I want to see one movie we are all interested in together. The movies are made for being watched in the theaters. It is the whole experience you get when going to watch the new movie in an actual theater that makes it so special. I remember thinking when I was younger how cool it was to be going to the movies with my friends and now it seems that it has become so easily accessible to us we do not appreciate the experience as much. In the article J.J. Abrams Proposed $50 Home Movie Service “Beneficial” to Movie Theaters, we learn that Abrams think that the movie service is “targeting groups that actually don't go to the movies at all. If they could harness even a fraction of the number that don't [go to theaters], the amount of money that would go to the cinemas is significant and actually is amazingly helpful to the cinematic experience.”I would have to disagree with this. I’m not a big movie-goer and I would not be interested in this at home movie service. I think the only thing that will keep me watching these new movies is the fact that going to a theater is a special event for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is easy to just sit on my couch at home and pick up the remote and order a movie, but there are always going to be movies that are meant to be seen in the theater first.
McClintock, Pamela. "Box Office's New Normal in 2015: "You Can't Cheat an Opening Weekend Anymore"" The Hollywood Reporter. 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporte
I have always been a huge fan of going to the movie theater to watch a movie. I think its how movies are intended to watch and it definitley takes away something from the movie watching it on a small screen with bad speakers. I never understood why people would sit at home and watch a bootleg copy of whatever the hottest movie was when they could go to a theater and get a much better experience. Even though watching movies at home is becoming more and more popular it is interesting to see that there were still two of the biggest movie releases of all time within the past year, Star Wars and Deadpool.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely in the best interest of movie theaters to remodel, such as North Haven did. Having nicer seats and a cleaner environment is what people want when they go to the movies. It also forces people to buy tickets in advance because the theaters have significantly less seats. I have been to the north haven theater multiple times and I love it. I also have been there a couple times without buying tickets in advance and couldn't get into a movie even within an hour.
I don't think it is smart for new releases to be available right to your home because it would take away from a big aspect of watching movies, which is the big screen and great sound. Doing this would take away some of the art that movie makers put into their work. I would like to think movie theaters will stay alive and I from what I have been seeing it looks as though they might make a comeback. With nicer seating, better sound and video quality, as well as better amenities the theaters provide I think they are starting to draw the crowd back to theaters, rather than watching at home.
Works Cited:
Bond, Paul. “Hit-Driven Film Business Getting ‘Very Ugly,’ Wall Street Analyst Says”. The Hollywood Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 March 2016
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
I think you make some great points in your blog and I too strongly believe that movie theaters improvements will help bring up ticket sales. In your blog you mentioned that TheNumbers.com put together data with findings that show that in 2014, movie ticket sales were at their lowest since 1995 at only 1.27 billion. However, according to the Hollywood Reporter article Box Office 2015: How Revenue (Narrowly) Hit a Record $11B in the U.S., “Box-office revenue hit a record $11 billion in North America in late December 2015, beating 2013's $10.9 billion and up 6.3 percent from last year's $10.35 billion.” Even though your data from TheNumbers.com shows that ticket sales were at their lowest in 2014, I think that with movies like Disney and Lucasfilm’s Sar Wars: The Force Awakens, can help bring up these ticket sales as well as the improvements in the movie theater industry.
ReplyDeleteThe most recent Star Wars film was so hyped up, it was predictable that the ticket sales would be extraordinary. According to Pamela McClintock in The Hollywood Reporter, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens, box-office revenue in North America still has a shot at hitting $11 billion for the first time in 2015.” This kind of number is unheard of nowadays because people barely go to the movies anymore. McClintock said it herself in The Hollywood Reporter, when she said it was “only a few years ago, a $15 million debut was considered poor for a major studio film — but now, $5 million or less is possible.” Like you said in your blog, I too enjoy going to the movies with my friends and family. Going to the movies wasn’t just to go see the movie; it was all about the experience. The popcorn, the previews and the seats, it’s more than just the movie. Growing up I looked forward to it. I still today look forward to going to see a movie because of the cool new additions movie theaters have!
However, I disagree on one point with you that not all ticket sales have to do with people wanting to stay at home and watch movies. One of the biggest reasons why movie theater ticket sales are declining is because of social media. When I go on any sort of social media I already know if a movie is good or bad because of people sharing articles with huge headlines that give it away. I am guilty of using Rotten Tomatoes which is a very big indicator if I go to a movie or not. Paramount vice chair Rob Moore said, “You can't cheat an opening weekend anymore, and anyone under 30 is checking Rotten Tomatoes and telling their friends what the score is on a Thursday.” It’s true. I’m always checking Rotten Tomatoes before I go see a movie.
Although I might be guilty of checking social media or Rotten Tomatoes before I go see a film, I am a fan of going to the movie theaters because it is a way different experience than going to the movies 10 years ago. Now when I go to the movies, I can be served alcohol and even order full dinner meals! It’s unbelievable. With this type of movie theater service and incredible films being made, I believe that ticket sales will start to increase again.
Works Cited
McClintock, Pamela. "Box Office's New Normal in 2015: "You Can't Cheat an Opening Weekend Anymore"" The Hollywood Reporter. 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
McClintock, Pamela. "Box Office 2015: How Revenue (Narrowly) Hit a Record $11B in the U.S." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., 29 Dec. 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. .
Markella Damianos
ReplyDeleteI love going to the movies, especially here at the new North Haven Theater. This theater has changed movie going. It is truly all about the experience: “The industry is going more and more towards making the customer’s experience something that they can’t get by staying home… In this case, bigger is better” (Turmelle). This is truly the case. The new addition of comfy chairs that recline is truly an experience. I cannot watch a movie any other way. During Christmas break, I went to the movies with my family and I could not enjoy seeing it in the theater. It was uncomfortable and very crowded. I love that North Haven allows for space and comfort. Although many believe that movie theaters are becoming an old form viewing, theaters like North Haven are working to change that.
While they have done a complete theater make over, they have also changed the movies that viewers can see. The addition of bigger screens, bigger sound systems, and more abilities for 3-D movies has truly made the theater are more desired place. When I go to the movies, I have to arrive early to ensure that I can still get seats because the theater is such a high demand. Another great thing that the theater has done to reinvent itself is to bring back older movies. This passed year I went and watch two older movies: Home Alone and To Kill a Mockingbird. There was no comparison to watching these films in a theater. It was the way they were meant to be watch. I have seen both of these films on my laptop and television at home and it does not compare.
J.J. Abrams highlights how he is a fan of a new system that brings the movies in theaters into homes: “I think the metrics on that are very impressive and they’re targeting groups that actually don’t go to the movies at all. If they could harness even a fraction of the number that don’t [go to theaters]… actually is amazingly helpful to the cinematic experience” (Ford and McClintock). I actually believe this would take a way from the cinematic experience. When you make popcorn at home, at least for me, it is not as good as the one in theaters. The screen, often times, is not big enough to show the full affect of the film. The sound system does not help to truly transport you. Although I think there is definitely a target demographic, I still think theaters will survive.
If theaters follow the path of North Haven and adapt and create new viewing experiences, they will continue to endure. There is nothing that compares to seeing a movie in the theater with a big tub of popcorn.
Works Cited:
Turmelle, Luther. "Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven."Out with the Old, in with the New Cinemark Movie Theater in North Haven. New Haven Register, n.d. Web
Ford, Rebecca. "J.J. Abrams: Proposed $50 Home Movie Service "Beneficial" to Movie Theaters." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.