Hollywood needs to quit banking on blockbusters


Betting everything to win not only increases your chances of losing, but it makes your losses more spectacular
2005 is shaping up to be a weak year for the American film industry.

But they have only themselves to blame.

Every year they have to have a blockbuster, something with "proven" earnings potential. The focus is on a few films costing tens of millions and sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars. The films have to be a huge hit coming off of opening weekend, and then have to have DVD and video game sales through the roof in order to break even.

Let's step back for just a moment.

Say you are a film executive. Leaving aside all the Hollywood accounting, let's say you have operational control over $125 million in production costs.

Now if you listen to the marketing research, they will tell you that the biggest possible payback will come when you sink all or most of that money into one or two huge films.

But look at the niche market, the stories that no one is telling and that don't require mortgaging a third world country to pay for.

Do you know how few date movies there are? Do you think that the American public isn't interested in romance? And I am not talking about the propaganda stories masquerading as romance.

People like stories about everyday people coming out on top because of their character. None of this dark, brooding, tortured soul thing that has been done to death.

Kid friendly films are a major Hollywood blindspot. You can't even trust Disney to do them anymore.

Stories about extended family that give people a reason to belong. No it doesn't happen all the time in real life, but we want to belong.

And quit recycling successful films and television series. For every Addams Family, there is a Sgt Bilko, a Beverly Hillbillies, a Lost in Space, and a Dukes of Hazzard.

A good film doesn't have to be a blockbuster. And a cheaper film makes it's cost back faster.

That $125 million could bankroll one medium film. Or it could bankroll 8 small ones with capable directors and good writing and acting.

Which has the best chance of winning over the long term?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sun - December 18, 2005 at 04:36 AM  Tag


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