these days, movies seem to be coming to DVD faster and faster. I remember when it took at least 6 months for a movie to come to vhs as opposed to the 2 months we now wait. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother going to the theatre, we might as well wait a couple more weeks. So my question is, will dvd's eventually bring cinema's to their knees?
2006-06-22 09:55:57 · 45 answers · asked by 3 nails 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
There will always be some demand for movie theaters. Every year Hollywood will release several "event" pictures that a good share of us will want to see on a large screen that a home cannot accommodate.
DVDs are playing a role in declining attendance at theaters, but it really isn't the root of the problem. Opting for DVDs are really the result of bigger problems with movie theaters. The main problem stems from three things:
1. Bad product coming from Hollywood studios
2. Increasing ticket and concession prices at movie theaters
3. Rude audience behavior
Movies used to be affordable entertainment, but that is no longer the case. Try taking a family of four to the movies and you’ll shell out more than it costs to buy a week of groceries for a family. (Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm close). Ticket prices are above $10 in many markets.
With the increasing cost to see a film, moviegoers are becoming more selective on what they will pay to see. When ticket prices were half of what they are today and the film was so-so you just shrugged your shoulders and chalked up as a bad film. Now when it costs $10 per ticket, consumers get irritated when the film is no good.
Concession prices are also turning moviegoers off. Popcorn, soda and candy, the staples of the movie going experience for many, cost too much. When you’re stuck paying $15 for the above for one person you feel ripped off. There is a difference between paying for convenience and being taken advantage of. Sadly, the movie exhibitors have pushed the prices so high... they're well into that rip off territory. I never thought I'd see the day when the small popcorn would be $5. Thank you Regal Entertainment Group and others for taking advantage of us in your captive environment. You may have increased your sizes, but most of us don’t want more popcorn or soda, nor do our bodies need it.
The third issue irritating moviegoers is audience behavior. The majority of us do not want to hear ringing cell phones, or deal with obnoxious teenagers and rude behavior like talking aloud during the movie. Where have our theater manners gone? The rude distractions prevent us from escaping into the movie’s story, so many of us are opting to do other things since going to the cinema is not as enjoyable as it used to be.
So basically, all that I mention above can equate to a bad experience. That is where DVDs come into the picture. More folks are staying at home to watch DVDs because it is less expensive, there is no rude behavior and the cost of goodies for the movie is affordable. A family of four can rent two movies, and enjoy popcorn, drinks and drinks for just over $10. Plus, if the movie isn’t a winner, you just shrug it off, since you only dropped $3.99 to rent it for a week.
I think that answers your question about whether DVDs are really the culprit for the decline of movie theaters.
As for the shorter time between the theatrical release and DVD release a lot of that has to do with the fact that movie exhibitors have overbuilt. The US has a record number of screens so “sold out” showings are really a thing of the past. If you want to see a big movie on the opening night you no longer have to buy your ticket a week in advance. Since movies literally gross all of their money in the first two weeks they die in cinemas in just a matter of weeks. By shortening the time between the theatrical and DVD release studios can really par lay some of the money spent on marketing a movie for the theatrical release into DVD sales.
I hope that answers your question.
2006-06-25 10:28:23 · answer #1 · answered by Eric G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. People are still going to movie theaters(myself included). It's the "bootleg" DVD business that's putting the theater business in jeoardy. Sadly some people think it is ok
to buy a $5 copy of a film that just came out the day before. They don't seem to care that the people that worked hard on the film don't get proper credit/pay. However I feel the movie-going experience is alive & well. Films are still making millions of $ because of it.
2006-06-22 10:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by queenfdv12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ng to movie theaters(myself included). It's the "bootleg" DVD business that's putting the theater business in jeoardy. Sadly some people think it is ok
to buy a $5 copy of a film that just came out the day before. They don't seem to care that the people that worked hard on the film don't get proper credit/pay. However I feel the movie-going experience is alive & well. Films are still making millions of $ because of it.
2014-09-24 03:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by Russell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the movie studios are making a lot of money from sales of DVD's so that they can continue making more movies, and people will always want to go out to a movie theater to see a film on the big-screen because it's like an entertainment event.
2006-06-22 10:05:36 · answer #4 · answered by filmneye 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a question only time will tell. One one hand, many people (like me) love the atmosphere of the big screen. Home theaters and surround sound do a good job of "putting you in the movie", but they still can't compare to a 20' tall screen and speakers loud enough to drown out the sounds of everyone else around you. On the other hand, with a DVD you can enjoy a movie at your leisure in the privacy of your own home. I don't think DVD will ever totally replace Movie screens and theaters, because people still love to see a movie on the Big Screen.
2006-06-22 10:01:20 · answer #5 · answered by Corey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they'll ruin theaters because VHS tapes have been out for some time. DVD's are good for a lot of movies but for a true movie experience (heart clogging buttered popcorn included) you can't beat seeing a movie on a big screen with theater speakers.
Plus, it's a good excuse to get out of the house for a few hours.
2006-06-22 10:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by hpearl1968 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watching a movie at home is a lot different than going to the theater. And if advertised right, a movie can gather anticipation so that one will want to see when it first comes out rather than wait the extra two months. Going to the movies is part of our culture, it always has been, and I don't think that any kind of new technology can get rid of it. Besides, two months is a long time...and advertising is usually based on the movie's release not coming out on dvd.
2006-06-22 10:05:45 · answer #7 · answered by karen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theaters: That's My Boy DVD: The Money Pit
2016-03-15 16:14:20 · answer #8 · answered by Marie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think so because people still want to go to the cinema for a night out of the house and to see movies up on the big screen. Bigger movies take longer to come out on DVD as well still so I think it's just if the movies are not as good that they come out on DVD quicker because no one is interested in seeing them at the cinema.
2006-06-22 10:33:33 · answer #9 · answered by smitten_kitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not anytime soon. Our culture would need to change or progress first. We still enjoy going out to the movies. It's gives us something to do...instead of stay in at home, we could go out to eat, then maybe go out to a movie. It's a social thing. Watching a movie at home seems to be less of a social thing and less of an event. It will be interesting to see how simotaneous theatrical/dvd releases do, such as Bubble which I think didn't do very well. Also, I think Flight 93 went to both??? But definately no time in the near future.
2006-06-22 10:03:49 · answer #10 · answered by SS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋