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The Uncertainty of CInema 🎬
Zack Sharf Zack Sharf
@ZSharf
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DENIS VILLENEUVE GO OFF! He wrote an essay about #Dune going to HBO Max: https://t.co/eZTfaFskat “There is absolut… https://t.co/PoQvEjNRn3

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IndieWire IndieWire
@IndieWire
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Christopher Nolan in ‘Disbelief’ Over Warner Bros.’ HBO Max Shakeup: ‘It’s Very Messy’ https://t.co/WFKdvtIfYd

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IGN IGN
@IGN
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After Warner Bros. announced it will release all of its 2021 movies on HBO Max the same time as in theaters, Cinema… https://t.co/rsgqKvdmUC

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Links 🔗

- The Streaming Future Is Already Here for the Movie Business

- Cinema vs streaming: The battle over when and where you can see movies

- Why cinemas will bounce back from the Coronavirus crisis


If cinemas weren’t already in trouble due to the pandemic, they are now in bigger trouble as Warner Bros. have announced to stream all their 2021 movies via HBO Max on the same day as theatrical releases. Typically, movies are screened in theatres exclusively before digital release around 90 days later. The Warner Bros./HBO Max plan will cut this “theatrical window” basically to zero days, slashing the “earlier-release” edge off from cinemas.


Following the announcement, theatre stocks in the US (Cinemark, AMC, IMAX) plummeted.


    The Reactions:

    • Christopher Nolan (“Tenet”, “Inception”) is in ‘disbelief’. He was not informed of this arrangement despite being among Warner Bros.’ top filmmakers
    • Denis Villeneuve (“Dune”, “Arrival”) is worried Warner Bros. has killed the “Dune” franchise


    Silver lining for silver screens?

    To compete with streaming platforms, cinemas should utilise their difference and market themselves as an experience rather than a viewing medium:

    • Cinemas can’t beat the comfort of viewers’ own homes BUT can offer the ‘Cinematic Experience’ (i.e. atmosphere, screen size, sound system)
    • Cinemas can treat tentpole/prestige releases as an ‘event’ (‘Film Release’ NOT ‘Streaming Flick’)


    Video killed the Radio Star

    …Unless the radio star turned to podcasts. It’s definitely a ruthless uphill battle for cinemas, but with the right strategy and adequate COVID measures, a bounce-back is not impossible. HBO Max is not available in Malaysia yet, so our cinemas should capitalise on this head start.


    This series is brought to you by Lee Way (@leewaylau). He will be writing about political, societal, history, movies and music on What's Up Wednesday.

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    If you like this sort of stuff, please do follow me on Twitter (@hong_1011).

    If you would like to chat about something or rev with me about ideas, don't hesitate to DM me, I reply to every message.

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