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Topic: Study Shows That BitTorrent Piracy Doesn’t Affect U.S. Box Office Profits
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Scott Jentsch
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1061
From: New Berlin, WI, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 02-23-2012 06:53 PM
On the original topic of whether illegal downloads (not just torrents) hurt theatrical release box office figures, I think there may be a small effect, but largely, people willing to watch a movie that's been recorded off a movie screen with a camcorder tucked away are not going to be prime candidates to pay theatrical admission prices to see that movie.
That doesn't make what they're doing any less wrong or less illegal, it's just that I don't think these people would magically pay for movie tickets if illegal downloads were suddenly unavailable.
I think the point that the delayed theatrical release driving more people to download movies illegally has some merit. Studios create a demand by advertising the latest and greatest movie, but if the audience can't get it one way (going to their local theater), but they can get it another way (downloads, street vendor, etc.), they're going to do it.
Now that digital cinema is becoming more prevalent, the logistical challenge of worldwide releases is largely nonexistent. If anything, it would be a way to encourage conversions to digital cinema, as theaters could get a DCP now, or wait 3-4 weeks to get the film cans. That probably won't work because studios want to manage the marketing and release of their product, and such staggered/inconsistent releases would impact the first weekend's numbers.
This is also why I think that lengthening the home video release window would encourage more piracy. If they don't want to go to the theater to see the movie (reasons for this follow), knowing that they won't be able to see the movie for more than four months would encourage them to look for alternatives.
quote:
1) - The "Big screen" experience.
2) - The "Big sound"
Way too many theaters fall down in these two features. A decently-sized screen is going to cost you extra for the XD/ETX/RPX/IMAX/UltraScreen upcharge. That's like Taco Bell wanting to charge you extra for real meat in their tacos -- what would the market's response be to that?
Getting sound in the home that can beat a vast majority of movie theaters will cost an enthusiast approximately $2,000. This is not a sum that would scare away any enthusiast that wants to have an impressive sonic experience. Add another $2,000 and a decent room environment, and you will blow away any movie theater open today, bar none.
Good video in the home is a little more expensive, but not much. LED TV's that produce great pictures in the 60-70" range can be had for about $2,000. A really nice projector and screen can be had for about $3,500 total.
Take that $4,000 sound system, combine it with the $3,500 video system, and put it in a dedicated room that is up to the task, and you have an environment which will kill 95% of the movie theaters when it comes to sound and picture quality.
Most theaters lose in this competition, because even non-enthusiasts are likely not going to discern the difference between their inexpensive setup at home and what's in most theaters. So they can't compete with the enthusiasts, and they can't impress the non-enthusiasts. Not a good position to be in.
quote: Joe Redifer
3) - To "experience" the movie with a real crowd
Very rarely does the crowd add to the movies I see in theaters. Many times, I'm going on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, so there's usually less than a dozen people in the theater. The right crowd can really make a difference, and that's usually with comedies, but I remember a viewing of Jurassic Park that the collective reactions during the jump moments made them more enjoyable. For every great experience, there are many more with cell phone usage, talking, seat kicking, or other crowd-related disruptions.
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4) - A night out on the town, great for dates!
As long as your home environment isn't offensive in some way (what's that smell?), cozying up on a couch is going to be much more romantic than going to a theater. There is the "going out" factor, but I think that's often overstated as a plus for the movie theater side of the equation.
quote: Joe Redifer
5) - The delicious movie snacks from the concession stand enhance the moviegoing experience.
Concessions with movies kind of naturally go together for many people. Cheaper ticket prices make for more concession sales in some theaters I'm aware of. Per-caps are higher than competitors for the same movies in the same markets (price for adult evening show: $5.50 vs $9.00).
quote: Joe Redifer
6) - You get to see the movie when it is brand new.
This exclusivity of product remains the sole reason that movie theaters don't fade into the sunset. Not because of any other reason except for the fact that most movie theaters do very little to deserve getting the money their customers are spending. Given an equal opportunity to obtain that product elsewhere, people would avoid substandard movie theaters in droves.
Am I happy with that? Absolutely not, as I make my money on the basis of people going to movie theaters. I just wish more theaters tried harder to attract their audiences...
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