I need a little help understanding how the success of a movie
is determined. Opening weekend box office numbers apparently
mean everything. If a film does not fare well then it's considered
a failure.
It seems to me, however, those numbers are misleading.
Today's strapped economy is forcing many moviegoers
to be very selective. The cost of a ticket and what
is offered at the concession stand is astronomical.
Also, many consumers are investing in big screen tv's with
great sound systems and prefer the comfort
of their homes to watch the same movies.
I believe (admittedly, I have no statistical data to back
this up) that a lot of people would rather wait until a
movie is available for rent or purchase instead of going
to the theater. It has little to do with likes or dislikes.
The decision is based on economics and comfort.
Personally, there have been a lot of movies released that
I've been excited about that I've chosen to watch later.
I'll only go to the theater to see a movie if it's something
that I think requires a really big-screen experience. For me,
that usually means some huge tent-pole action flick with
lots of explosions and special effects.
Point is, it doesn't mean I prefer those movies over a
good drama or rom com. In fact, most of the films I love
are not action tent-pole movies. I just choose to watch
the smaller films later in the comfort of my home. I may be
wrong but I believe a lot of people think the same way.
So, when the industry measures the success of a movie
by opening weekend numbers, isn't the result skewed more
toward big production movies because most people would
rather rent or buy the smaller ones later? Smaller movies
could very well bomb at the box office but end up being
extremely successful later.
Am I totally wrong here? Someone who knows the business
please help me understand why everything hinges
on opening weekend box office numbers.
Thanks.
is determined. Opening weekend box office numbers apparently
mean everything. If a film does not fare well then it's considered
a failure.
It seems to me, however, those numbers are misleading.
Today's strapped economy is forcing many moviegoers
to be very selective. The cost of a ticket and what
is offered at the concession stand is astronomical.
Also, many consumers are investing in big screen tv's with
great sound systems and prefer the comfort
of their homes to watch the same movies.
I believe (admittedly, I have no statistical data to back
this up) that a lot of people would rather wait until a
movie is available for rent or purchase instead of going
to the theater. It has little to do with likes or dislikes.
The decision is based on economics and comfort.
Personally, there have been a lot of movies released that
I've been excited about that I've chosen to watch later.
I'll only go to the theater to see a movie if it's something
that I think requires a really big-screen experience. For me,
that usually means some huge tent-pole action flick with
lots of explosions and special effects.
Point is, it doesn't mean I prefer those movies over a
good drama or rom com. In fact, most of the films I love
are not action tent-pole movies. I just choose to watch
the smaller films later in the comfort of my home. I may be
wrong but I believe a lot of people think the same way.
So, when the industry measures the success of a movie
by opening weekend numbers, isn't the result skewed more
toward big production movies because most people would
rather rent or buy the smaller ones later? Smaller movies
could very well bomb at the box office but end up being
extremely successful later.
Am I totally wrong here? Someone who knows the business
please help me understand why everything hinges
on opening weekend box office numbers.
Thanks.
Comment