David Levine and Michele Boldrin: Economical analysys of MPAA ads

[Asher]

Originally posted by JohnT
That's called "rationalizing", Asher. I note the lack of tales of instances where you downloaded a movie, enjoyed it, but decided it wasn't worth puchasing. Something tells me that happens far more than your Kill Bill scenario.

If I enjoy it I buy the DVD.

I downloaded Office Space, for example, after hearing so many people rave about it.

I ended up buying the DVD...twice...'cause my brother stole my first one.

[Asher]

Originally posted by JohnT
Well, why not?

Because we already paid $13 to see the movie. And then they tell us not to download it.

...

That's another thing: Movie prices are insane today, they're driving people away. Further, there's 15-20 mins of previews before movies, and 5 minutes of pure ads before that.

If they're concerned about people not wanting to go to theatres, they need to look at why...

[JohnT]

You begged the question. But then, I thought you would.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Asher

Because we already paid $13 to see the movie. And then they tell us not to download it.

...

That's another thing: Movie prices are insane today, they're driving people away. Further, there's 15-20 mins of previews before movies, and 5 minutes of pure ads before that.

If they're concerned about people not wanting to go to theatres, they need to look at why...

Previews have always been a big attraction of movies, since the invention of the long-form cinema format actually. If you don't like them that's fine, but don't blame market conditions of today for the existence of trailers. Back when my parents went to movies they not only had to sit through trailers, but there was a newsreel, a cartoon or two, and maybe even a 5-minute travelogue.

Ads before the movies came about in 1976 (years before you were born, iirc). In the Atlanta area (where I was living then), the first movie with ads (as opposed to trailers, travelogues, etc) to appear before the screening was Murder by Death. If you're complaining about it, it's because you've actually begun to notice them, not because they "just appeared."

[Asher]

Originally posted by JohnT
Ads before the movies came about in 1976 (years before you were born, iirc). In the Atlanta area (where I was living then), the first movie with ads (as opposed to trailers, travelogues, etc) to appear before the screening was Murder by Death. If you're complaining about it, it's because you've actually begun to notice them, not because they "just appeared."

No, they just appeared. At least in Canada.

I was used to the previews, but I've never seen full-out 30/60 second ads before movies before until about 5 years ago.

[JohnT]

I'm still trying to figure out why the placement of a few ads and $6.50 ticket prices gives you the right to steal movies.

Help me, I'm lost here...

[Asher]

Originally posted by JohnT
I'm still trying to figure out why the placement of a few ads and $6.50 ticket prices gives you the right to steal movies.

Help me, I'm lost here...

They're $13 here = $10.40USD.

And stealing implies lost revenue. If movies are only downloaded if you have no intention of ever paying $10.40 with a high chance of feeling ripped off, what is lost?

Think about it.

[Spiffor]

JohnT: did the movie market tendencially shrink since the beginning of massive filesharing?

[JohnT]

That's a long-term trend question that will be answered in about a decade or two.

After all, the greatest year for horse-droppings on NYC roads was 5 years after the introduction of the Model T. If that makes any sense. (It does to me, )

[Spiffor]

Actually, I strongly doubt that filesharing will mean a significant difference for the film industry, because most movies (hollywood ones at least) are intended to be a spectacular show, that you can't fully experience in front of your TV. I think that's the reason why the movie industry has actually grown since the 80ies, despite the complete penetration of TV and the wide distribution of cable/satellite. Filesharing is another way to get to see movies on a small screen, and I don't see why this particular method of distribution would disrupt the industry any more than ye olde TV+recorder.

OTOH, I think that the internet (filesharing + legit downloads) will spell the end of the CD industry as a mainstream one, and the CD industry will probably become a niche market. But I think music and movies are affected in a completely different fashion by filesharing.

[Imran Siddiqui]

most movies (hollywood ones at least) are intended to be a spectacular show, that you can't fully experience in front of your TV.

Interestingly enough, I think that has hurt the quality of movies in the movie industry. To combat piracy, I think, a lot of media execs are saying we have to make movies that are a SHOW, with big booms on the surround sound and fabulous special effects, which until recently, you could only really witness on the big screen.

I think that has seen the death of the Hollywood intelligent drama flick, which can be easily pirated because you don't need the big booms or large screen to fully enjoy it.

Though that move began more in the early 80s, I think there may have been an acceleration since the Age of Piracy began.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

most movies (hollywood ones at least) are intended to be a spectacular show, that you can't fully experience in front of your TV.

Interestingly enough, I think that has hurt the quality of movies in the movie industry.

When you have such shinola as LOTR and the Spider Man movies being hailed as great "adult*" cinema, then you're likely correct.

*read "literate", not "pron".

[Asher]

LOTR was entertaining.

Movies like Titanic are utterly boring except for those who are cheesy lovestory romantics looking for more out of our lives.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yes, perhaps it was entertaining, but not really 'adult' cinema. JohnT and I saw "Sin City" a week ago and I realized that they just don't make those kind of just catered to adults type of blockbuster anymore. Sure you have plenty of 'R' rated stuff, but a lot of the movie is marketed to teenagers who they know will get in somehow.

[Asher]

What's with the fascination on 'adult' cinema? Bit pretentious, isn't it?