Movies, DVDs, and Gas

[Lex]

Ok, how are these 3 related? I've recently heard that studios with increased production costs for big budget films, and increased payrolls for high priced actors, increased cut for theaters (overdue), don't even plan on films being profitable at the box office. They depend on DVD, and other media related sales. I'm concerned.

I'm concerned that if they are already marginally profitable at the box office, will fuel prices take a big enough bite out of discretionary income, that a percentage of people that always went to the movies, will no longer be able to afford to go as often, if at all and result in further decreases in box office profitability?

I'm concerned that if the studios were already struggling some with movie sales due in part at least to increased sale of not only older movies in the cheap bins, but also TV shows on DVD, and LOTS of them, taking a bite from studio revenue on the movie side, increased satellite and cable offerings, what will the additional pressure put on movie sales from further decreases at the theater mean for DVD sales of Movies? Will it result in higher prices for movies on DVD? Cheaper? I don't know. Can studios continue to produce movies at the rate they have been? Will the films be as good, or will quality decrease greatly?

Will more people in fact begin to buy or rent DVDs than go to the movies with fuel costs what they are?

I'm asking questions, I don't have all the answers. But I'm concerned for the entertainment industry upon which we thrive for our pleasure. I don't know how this is all going to shake out...

what's your thoughts?

[Snap]

I like the fact that on Yahoo the other day they were talking about releasing the DVD at the same time that they were releasing the movie at the theater! That would be cool for me. I would never go to the theater again. My system sounds better than the "Radio Shack Optima Speakers" that they have on the walls anyways! Plus no rude people, bad seats, and over prices Dr. Pepper!

Oil prices are a touchy subject Lex........it effects everything! If something is not done just like the old saying goes..."Those who do not learn from History are doomed to repeat it". Does the 4 hour gas lines, and the 1970's ring a bell? Along with all that came with it? double digit interest rates on homes....etc?

One thing that Hollywood could do...cut the 40 million actors get, and pay them 20 million. That would leave 20 million to pass to the customers and the theater owners! It is not like Tom Cruise is going to starve if he only makes 20 million on his next picture! :rofl:

But I had better hit "submit reply" before I get mad.....Teachers make 25K a year! :rant:

[RobP]

Lex,

I am in the movie theatre biz myself and I can honestly say that by the way that some of my customers are spending money on their theatres that things are not as bad as they say they are. But with the current situation with the fuel prices it may slow things down a bit, I can already notice that this weekend a few of the local hangouts were not full as they usually are.

A good friend of mine owns a second run movie house, over the past few weeks his attendence has almost doubled,the reason he says...........high gas prices.

[George Bellefontaine]

No doubt about it, energery costs are ridiculous. As far as how this affects the studios, I'm not sure, and how it affects theater goers I'm not sure. It may indeed mean that those $25million plus actors may have to take a paycut if they want to work. And maybe the theaters have to start looking at the prices of admission and their popcorn. But, you know, when things get bad, historically people look for something to take their minds off the bad everyday stuff, so it may even mean more people going to the theater, or more people renting dvds or watching ( God forbid ) more TV.