[IP] This Just in: Flops Caused Box Office Slump
Begin forwarded message:
From: Zach White <zwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 1, 2005 7:05:18 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] This Just in: Flops Caused Box Office Slump
(For IP, if you wish)
On Sat, Oct 01, 2005 at 01:40:07PM -0400, David Farber wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
From: Richard Forno <rforno@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 1, 2005 11:49:57 AM EDT
To: Infowarrior List <infowarrior@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Dave Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: This Just in: Flops Caused Box Office Slump
Give it a week, the MPAA will blame file-sharing for this slump and
say the
execs quoted in this article were quoted out of context....../
conspiracy.
The studios still don't get it. The reasons for declines at the theater
run deeper.
The fact is that the experience at the theater is no longer better than
the experience at home. I used to watch a movie at the theater at least
once a month. I now go maybe once a year.
I just saw a movie last night, in fact. It was the first time this year
I had gone to the theater, and the experience was the worst yet. Let's
start with the fact that the movie I wanted was only playing in a
theater
that doesn't do online ticketing. This meant waiting in line at the
theater and getting there early enough I didn't have to worry about the
movie selling out before I could buy a ticket.
Then I had to wait for 30 minutes in the theater, while ads were being
displayed on the screen and they played music I couldn't stand. Between
each song was an announcer for the "Movie Radio Network" who had a
thinly
veiled pitch for each artist played.
I was relieved when a painfully loud voice asked everyone to turn off
their
cell phones, as this meant the movie was finally starting. Almost.
I next got to sit through 3 coke commercials, for various drinks.
This was
followed by commercials for other products.
Then the previews started. I can't tell you what any of them were, even
though I watched them all hoping for a new movie that looked
interesting.
They made that little of an impression on me.
Finally, the movie started. I looked at my cell phone once before
turning
off the ringer and putting it away. It was now 25 minutes after the
stated
start time.
Contrast that with the experience at home, where I have a projector, a
5.1 surround sound system, a couch instead of stadium style seats, the
ability to pause the movie, and don't have people around me talking.
And the studio execs wonder why there's a box office slump?
-Zach
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