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Question about installed base

442 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by tsd2005, Sep 30, 2006

Art Sonneborn

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2006

I was just wondering about general thoughts regarding the discussions early on ( four months ago or so) about released titles in the format. Then it was said by many that we would not see some of the recent blockbusters untill there was a very large installed base of players. With Batman Begins,King Kong and Superman Returns all on the release list soon, is this pretty much shown to be false ?

Art

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wired1

· #2 · Sep 30, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Sonneborn
I was just wondering about general thoughts regarding the discussions early on ( four months ago or so) about released titles in the format. Then it was said by many that we would not see some of the recent blockbusters untill there was a very large installed base of players. With Batman Begins,King Kong and Superman Returns all on the release list soon, is this pretty much shown to be false ?

Art

Good point, Art. Perhaps in our ever changing, NOW NOW NOW world, the powers that be feel it important to provide content and provide it fast.

Afterall, this is not the same as when other technologies have arrived. We have the internet, and it is far more advanced (as are we) and buyers far more demanding, that to wait for things is not in our collective "know-how".

Yes, we had the internet in 1997, but let's face it, most were on dial up and plenty still are, believe it or not. That being said, the net changed a lot of things, especially our patience. Kind of like the microwave makes you anxious for 3:30 to pass yet not so long ago TV dinners took 45 minutes and we thought they were fast!

I think that the studios USED to have this luxury, but do not anymore. A format will die a fast, ugly death now if the people don't get what they want. Just look at how fast (and powerful) petitions are now. No more knocking on doors or staying local. Every day there is some new petition to RELEASE THIS MOVIE OR WE WILL NOT BE HAPPY. It is easy to organize, and fast as hell!

That being said, I repeat my belief that studios NO LONGER have this option. At least not with ALL of their blockbusters. Sure we will wait for some, but not all.

It's like a hostage negotiation and we are the Cops. If you release some hostages, negotiations continue.

If not... we storm the building guns blazing.

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tsd2005

· #3 · Sep 30, 2006

No.

New Formats have to release new titles at the same time as the other formats. That means all new big movies should find a home on one of the formats.

It takes time however for the BIG titles in the catalogs to make their way out. Batman Begins is a catalog title, but not an old one.

Star Wars, Indy, Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, and Ishtar will all take time to be released. Studios pick release dates for these carefully.

Because they sell extremely well when released new to a format. So you want to have the correct base ready.

Trust me they have a chart that lets them know when they should start preparing titles. They know which back catalog titles do well in the startup stage and heavy steady sales thru-out (5th element).

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tsd2005

· #4 · Sep 30, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wired1
Good point, Art. Perhaps in our ever changing, NOW NOW NOW world, the powers that be feel it important to provide content and provide it fast.

Afterall, this is not the same as when other technologies have arrived. We have the internet, and it is far more advanced (as are we) and buyers far more demanding, that to wait for things is not in our collective "know-how".

Yes, we had the internet in 1997, but let's face it, most were on dial up and plenty still are, believe it or not. That being said, the net changed a lot of things, especially our patience. Kind of like the microwave makes you anxious for 3:30 to pass yet not so long ago TV dinners took 45 minutes and we thought they were fast!

I think that the studios USED to have this luxury, but do not anymore. A format will die a fast, ugly death now if the people don't get what they want. Just look at how fast (and powerful) petitions are now. No more knocking on doors or staying local. Every day there is some new petition to RELEASE THIS MOVIE OR WE WILL NOT BE HAPPY. It is easy to organize, and fast as hell!

That being said, I repeat my belief that studios NO LONGER have this option. At least not with ALL of their blockbusters. Sure we will wait for some, but not all.

It's like a hostage negotiation and we are the Cops. If you release some hostages, negotiations continue.

If not... we storm the building guns blazing.

They don't really care.

However if they know there is a strong desire for certain titles and the demographics fit, then they will release it.

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HorrorScope

· #5 · Sep 30, 2006

tsd2005 has history on his side with those thoughts and my educated guess is that will most likely be the case again.

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jfrlhobbs

· #6 · Sep 30, 2006

tsd2005 said:
No.

Ishtar

If HD-DVD release this title, Blu-Ray may take the lead.

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darinp2

· #7 · Sep 30, 2006

I think it depends a lot on who really controls the distribution for a particular film. A studio with a lot of movies may release a big title even if they will make less money on it than waiting for a bigger installed base, largely because it will help push one or both of the formats and sell other titles in the long run. When an individual gets to make the decisions and benefits financially (like George Lucas) it can make a big difference whether they are in this for the most money, or want to get their stuff out for artistic or other personal reasons. Those who want people who will appreciate their stuff to be able to experience it in HD may agree to an earlier release, even if they think it will make them less money.

--Darin

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tsd2005

· #8 · Sep 30, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by darinp2
I think it depends a lot on who really controls the distribution for a particular film. A studio with a lot of movies may release a big title even if they will make less money on it than waiting for a bigger installed base, largely because it will help push one or both of the formats and sell other titles in the long run. When an individual gets to make the decisions and benefits financially (like George Lucas) it can make a big difference whether they are in this for the most money, or want to get their stuff out for artistic or other personal reasons. Those who want people who will appreciate their stuff to be able to experience it in HD may agree to an earlier release, even if they think it will make them less money.

--Darin

Yeah, but Lucas promised Star Wars in HD-DVD in 2007 what 5 years ago?

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Milt99

· #9 · Sep 30, 2006

I think it shows that the vast majority of speculation on the BD and HD DVD threads is just that.

The fact is, most people claiming this or that will\\has to\\must happen, have no idea what they're talking about.

Decisions made by music and movie studios are often times like those of school boards, totally mystifying.

In this, case I think that better than anticipated sales may have contributed to accelerated release schedules but I'm no insider, perhaps these movies were slated for release from day 1.

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tsd2005

· #10 · Sep 30, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milt99
I think it shows that the vast majority of speculation on the BD and HD DVD threads is just that.

The fact is, most people claiming this or that will\\has to\\must happen, have no idea what they're talking about.

Decisions made by music and movie studios are often times like those of school boards, totally mystifying.

In this, case I think that better than anticipated sales may have contributed to accelerated release schedules but I'm no insider, perhaps these movies were slated for release from day 1.

Actually they've been unable to release all the titles they had planned due to having to wait in line for pressings, and other unforseen issues.

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