Categories
Issues and Actions

Further Closing Of Distribution Windows?

“While the plan could be a boon for consumers, it stands to be highly disruptive for the movie business…”

Distribber’s Adam Chappnick tipped me to this WSJ article on Time Warner Cable’s pitch to Hollywood to open up a new distribution window that “would allow consumers to watch a movie at home just 30 days after its theatrical release—far earlier than the usual four months—for roughly $20 to $30 a pop.”

Variety has now chimed in on the window issue, and not surprisingly, they seem to want to keep it open longer. They also getting into the price point of it all, both stating that Hwood feels the $20 price too low, but also pointing out that VOD sporting events that once the price gets close to $50, people tend to watch in groups.

What works for Hollywood product does not necessarily apply to Indie, or TrulyFree, films though.  Hollywood’s been manufacturing the desire for their type of work for a century.  They have trained their audience well.  Indie film’s audience remains relatively clueless about what work is out there, much less understanding why they might want it.  Desire for Hwood stuff is highest when it hits the screen.  Indie work needs time to build that interest.  How we do that is still a major question.

Categories
Truly Free Film

Where Does Curation Fit In The New Model?

Steve Rosenbaum had an interesting post on Mashable awhile back, where he started to lay out some relevant questions about what the correct equation is for creation and curation:

it’s impossible to imagine curators as adding value without a reasonable economic arrangement to content creators. But the ethical issues around attribution, re-purposing, and editorializing around others’ content is far from resolved. Respect and remuneration seem to be reasonable starting places.

Mind you: curation is very different from aggregation. Curation provides the filter and the context. With the vast myriad of options out there, how much do we value the trusted sources that point us in the right direction