Hollywood, once the name for glamour, movies, stars, a place where dreams are put on celluloid. Today it is uncertain what is the future of the town and industry. Young people are less interested in going to theatres, instead scrolling over smartphones looking at anything from a cat video to street dance routines. Rumors swirl concerning streamer Netflix’s take-over of Warner Bros will shrink theatrical release windows to only 17 days before availability on television. What does that mean for the business or possible audiences leaving the house for a night of cinema with a large popcorn? Some say less relevance, while others claim it could be the end of the big screens. Regardless of the outcome, Tinseltown’s grip on entertainment has been shattered.
The media landscape changed faster than the industry could grasp. Protected by gates and security. Hollywood grudgingly changed with the times, absorbing the new, then repackaging for consumption. This time, coming to grips with a new reality has caused trade wide anxiety. Business models no longer apply. Franchise titles, bigger than life actors, CGI laden flicks come across as old-time diversions enjoyed by grandparents forty years ago.
The script is being on the fly while Hollywood is hoping for a happy ending.