This movie stinks, lets blame text messaging

[Dagger75]

http://news.independent.co.uk/digital/news/story.jsp?story=434778

This article is funny. They are blaming text messaging on why movies aren't making money.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Hmmmm. I can see what they're saying there. If films are dropping off much quicker with word of mouth, then that's a problem. However, it's something they have to adapt too - it's not the cause of bad film-making, it just means that bad films won't be able to survive for long.

Hopefully this will push the quality of films up.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Hopefully this will push the quality of films up.

Well we can hope... but I doubt it will.

 

[Henry]

I love the shyster-level concept of "overcoming bad word of mouth" with slick marketing.

Basically, what they are complaining about is the loss of ability to at least make their money back on films that they know will not do well. Which is funny, but unfortunately, instead of better rules for putting together focus groups, it will only lead to studios being tighter with funding, and less likely to greenlight things that sci-fi and fantasy fans want to see.

PLOT, PEOPLE! PLOT! GOOD STORY! THAT'S HOW YOU PACK 'EM IN!!!!!

Sorry - rant over, now.

 

[madriel]

Instead of blaming the (text) messenger, the movie studios should just make better movies. Don't greenlight a weak script. Pick the projects they back carefully. Learn from indie filmmakers who make movies on a shoestring. Listen to the focus groups.

They won't though. It's easier for them to whine about technology subverting their fancy marketing campaigns, than it is to change their spots.

 

[Wormwood]

Instead of blaming the (text) messenger, the movie studios should just make better movies. Don't greenlight a weak script. Pick the projects they back carefully. Learn from indie filmmakers who make movies on a shoestring. Listen to the focus groups.

You're three for four there.

Studios need to rely *less* on focus groups and *more* on film-makers.

A focus group is an appeal to the lowest common denominator.

 

[madriel]

Good point, Wormwood. Sometimes they luck into a focus group full of intelligent and insightful people who tell them what a piece of crap they have on their hands...but not often.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I love the shyster-level concept of "overcoming bad word of mouth" with slick marketing.

I loved that line as well. Basically the media pricks are whinning that it is becoming harder and harder to lie and trick people into the movie theatre since it is becoming easier and easier for the audience to quickly tell their friends to save their money.

I am just crying buckets for the bastards.

Maybe this will entice them to make better movies. Naw, odds are it will entice them to start a media blitz of advertising before a movie starts about how you should turn off your phone during the movie. The mantra will be something like:

"Don't let your text message ruin someone elses chance to see and enjoy the movie."