Napster Founder's Movie Plan Will Fuel Torrent Sites, Theaters Say
torrentfreak.com
torrentfreak.com
To me the only way they can remain viable is artificially by keeping a monopoly on distribution, otherwise there isn't a compelling reason for leaving the comfort of one's abode to go see a movie in a shared space next to strangers who might behave very annoyingly. Plus there is getting there, the grime on seats, the crowds, etc.
Once screens get big enough, the form factor will cease to be a deciding factor. Sure, they have some years before that happens but they'd better prepare.
On the upside, the theaters could be reused for other community purposes, either as rec centers, hack spaces, etc.
It's pretty clear to me that this is the way a lot of people will want to watch movies in the future once resolution in VR is increased. This will either by higher pixel density or a move to retina projection based technologies. Both of these things are likely to hit the market with the required resolution within the next 2-5 years.
I go to the cinema a lot, but usually only if I can see the film I want on to on Screen 1 - i.e the biggest one.
VR will negate the need for me to do that so often, though I'm still sure I'll go with friends once in a while.
The showings of non-mainstream media interests me, as a MST3K/RiffTrax fan.
I hate, deeply and profoundly, the sound of people eating. If it doesn't bother you then you might not have noticed this, but about 50% of popcorn eating cinema-goers cannot chew with their mouths closed.
Regardless, does the theater in question seriously notify loud eaters to quiet down or risk being removed from the theater? That is way too strict. Or maybe the theater uses sound-cancelling tech?
The only time out of the past six or so theater trips that I did not encounter rudeness (excessive/loud talking, cellphone use, etc.) was when I saw the new Star Wars at a late night showing a month or so ago. And that was mainly because I was (literally) the only attendee.
Theater behavior was essentially churchlike before the advent of home video.
The other big annoyance at the moment is people checking their phones. It's like getting flash lights out and shining them around.
He'd been scrolling through his timeline for a few minutes before I said anything, he put his phone away and started watching the movie but started checking every setting for iOS shortly after which I spoke louder so everyone could hear that he was being an annoying prick.
The only negative is that they are so popular that tickets often sell out nearly a week in advance. It's a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night in Austin.
Still, as the interactive aspect ramps up (where you can "watch together" virtually (VR, or alternative), this will be less of a concern.
As for the part about "getting out of the house" there are lots of other things people can do for that, walk the dog, go to the caffe, "get some milk" at the grocer's, drop by the pub, etc.
In fact someone can even say "there isn't a compelling reason for leaving the comfort of one's abode to go get a beer in a shared space next to strangers who might behave very annoyingly. Plus there is getting there, the grime on seats, the crowds, etc." to your suggestion.
I do still see movies in theatre on occasion if the movie is better experienced in a group. Movie theatres need to start showing live events and offering better concessions, and alcohol. essentially become sports bars but with exceptional viewing quality.
And bars are currently eating their lunch, expanding in to other markets than sport that would be well suited to cinema venues. A number of bars in my area offer nights where they stream pro video games and they are regularly filled completely. Same thing with live streams of plays/operas which repertory theatres in my area have started to do, albeit with projectors that aren't nearly as good as your local cineplex.
So what you are saying needs to happen already is happening.
For me, piracy has never been as convenient as clicking a button on iTunes.
Everyone likes to save money though... :)
After getting kids the time we have for going to the cinema have decreased a lot and the technical capabilities of home systems have improved.
So if we could watch for example the new starwars on launch day I would have absolutely no problem paying 50 USD.
It's probably a good idea because it seems like a terrible idea, especially if it offers multiple defensible, durable advantages.
# There's both 'last-mover' and 'first-mover' advantage(s) in most categories.
I think it is mostly because they charge $20+ for the movie ticket in the first place, though I get cheep tickets, $11, because of the deal with the major telco Spark
How large? Because we can't pretend that piracy isn't a thing.
The theatre is expensive, sure. But it also has an audio visual experience that dominates anything anyone can have in their home, which is part of the premium.
Is it worth $50 for a one-time movie experience in your home? Are people so desperate to see a movie they can't wait for it to reach Netflix or Amazon for "free", or pay $20 to own it on Bluray? I'm skeptical.
There are fewer and fewer reasons to go to the theater. Why would you pay upwards of $10 for a ticket, $20 for a popcorn and soda to sit in someone else's filthy chairs to be advertised to for 30 minutes straight and listen to people chatting and children screaming?
Unless you're there for the social aspect, i.e. with friends, the value just ian't there.
I've noticed in the last few years that there are fewer and fewer movies that I'm even vaguely interested in seeing. Maybe when I was living at home and near a theater that offered $4 tickets, and no ads, I might take a flier on a potentially bad movie, but at $12-15 a pop at the chain cinemas around here, when the movie doesn't start on time because they are showing 45 minutes of ABC commericals... Nope
Plenty of movies I want to see will never see Amazon or Netflix (Where can I stream The Avengers?), and plenty of people have no interest in cluttering up their house or apartment with BlueRay copies of movies they only want to see once.
Unfortunately despite this I don't see this service becoming a reality. At least not with a selection of movies beyond indies. I don't believe the major studios will risk their relationships with the theater chains.
Is additional piracy really a major concern with this?