No creativity in Hollywood
Discussion
I saw yesterday that 2024 is shaping up to be the first year in cinema history where the top 10 box office films are all going to be sequels, remakes or prequels. In fact only three of the top 20 are original.
A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
I was talking to my brother about this at the weekend. I used to visit the cinema reguarly, but nowdays it just seems a relentless stream of marvel movies and Disney remakes where they've just recast to be inclusive or whatever. Currently 34 Marvel movies already out with another 10 in the pipeline 
It’s is a consequence of the risk / reward ratio of filmmaking having shifted enormously over the past 20 years.
Prior to streaming, if a film tanked at the box-office, there were always DVD sales and TV rights. Films very rarely made a loss. The only variable was the time over which the returns were made. (The Shawshank Redemption is a good example of this having done nothing at Cinemas yet a highly profitable film due to DVD and TV). This gave investors the confidence to back a wider range of films as well as take risks on more creative, left-field stuff.
Although the potential rewards remain very high, there’s a far greater risk that a film will make a loss, so studios and investors focus more on those that they know are likely to be a hit and less on those ‘let’s see what happens’ films. They’ll also favour films where there is the propensity to see revenue from product licensing as this further mitigates risk. And explains why there’s so many Marvel type films being made.
However.....
Whilst the output of traditional ‘Hollywood’ content is diminishing, the creative mantle is being taken up by the streaming platforms who are assuming a far greater role in film production. Some of the stuff that Apple’s making is both creative and epic. Netflix is making some outstanding films.
Netflix is currently running a competition for Film Students where they’re being asked to pitch a film concept, winners receive budget and support to make it.
The BBC has an ongoing programme of supporting emerging filmmakers.
There is massive demand for content so it’s in the studio’s best interests to nuture new talent to meet that demand.
Prior to streaming, if a film tanked at the box-office, there were always DVD sales and TV rights. Films very rarely made a loss. The only variable was the time over which the returns were made. (The Shawshank Redemption is a good example of this having done nothing at Cinemas yet a highly profitable film due to DVD and TV). This gave investors the confidence to back a wider range of films as well as take risks on more creative, left-field stuff.
Although the potential rewards remain very high, there’s a far greater risk that a film will make a loss, so studios and investors focus more on those that they know are likely to be a hit and less on those ‘let’s see what happens’ films. They’ll also favour films where there is the propensity to see revenue from product licensing as this further mitigates risk. And explains why there’s so many Marvel type films being made.
However.....
Whilst the output of traditional ‘Hollywood’ content is diminishing, the creative mantle is being taken up by the streaming platforms who are assuming a far greater role in film production. Some of the stuff that Apple’s making is both creative and epic. Netflix is making some outstanding films.
some bloke said:
Sometimes I wish a studio would give ten up and coming directors a tenth of the budget they would spend on a sequel or a remake. They should get at least one hit movie out of it.
They do!Netflix is currently running a competition for Film Students where they’re being asked to pitch a film concept, winners receive budget and support to make it.
The BBC has an ongoing programme of supporting emerging filmmakers.
There is massive demand for content so it’s in the studio’s best interests to nuture new talent to meet that demand.
Skeptisk said:
I saw yesterday that 2024 is shaping up to be the first year in cinema history where the top 10 box office films are all going to be sequels, remakes or prequels. In fact only three of the top 20 are original.
A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
Top 10 lists are always populated by generic, blockbuster affair that the masses go to see. To say there is zero creativity in film right now is misleading; there is as much creativity as there has ever been especially now that budding film makers can make oscar-worthy features on an iphone and final cut pro. And whilst it can be critically and financially successful for those individual projects, if you only ever look at pure box-office revenue will always lead you to believe that superhero and comic book movies are the only thing out there, which isn't true.A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
It's not like sequels are anything new, been around since literally the second year of moving pictures being invented. It's just the economics of running big studios are what they are now-a-days, that they need to rely on these tent-pole movies to survive.
StevieBee said:
They do!
Netflix is currently running a competition for Film Students where they’re being asked to pitch a film concept, winners receive budget and support to make it.
The BBC has an ongoing programme of supporting emerging filmmakers.
There is massive demand for content so it’s in the studio’s best interests to nurture new talent to meet that demand.
Netflix is currently running a competition for Film Students where they’re being asked to pitch a film concept, winners receive budget and support to make it.
The BBC has an ongoing programme of supporting emerging filmmakers.
There is massive demand for content so it’s in the studio’s best interests to nurture new talent to meet that demand.
Skeptisk said:
I saw yesterday that 2024 is shaping up to be the first year in cinema history where the top 10 box office films are all going to be sequels, remakes or prequels. In fact only three of the top 20 are original.
A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
The problem is, whilst you or I might not have much interest and skip them at the cinema they continue to absolutely rake in cash. So from a purely business perspective why wouldn't Disney continue to pump out live action remakes that everyone agrees aren't a patch on the original when they generate huge profits and are sitting there with the story ready made. They're (currently) guaranteed successes. A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
It's even more depressing when you look outside the top ten, of the top 30 only around 6 or 7 are new IP. You can argue that Furiosa and Dune Part 2 aren't sequels but expansions of the original films that the director wanted to do from the start.
It's not exactly new though. Go back ten years and only Interstellar from the top ten grossing films was new IP. You've really got to go back 15-20 years before you start to see some change.
I totally agree that I'd much prefer smaller budgets, independent directors with original stories over Bridget Jones 4. That's what the streamers were supposed to do but what we've ended up with is almost the exact opposite; studios spending huge sums on a straight to streaming product that pisses of the director because they weren't told (see Wolfs) or screws people out of money or worse still, gets cancelled and never released (Coyote Vs Acme, Batgirl).
The lack of market for independent films (or rather studios making original films badly that then lose money due to their huge budgets) has certainly caused several studios into trouble which then results in them being absorbed into bigger studios which in turn limits competition and creativity. There are a few that still do well (A24 for example) but it's a shrinking pool.
All that said, I'm not against a sequel/prequel/requel (Scream did an outstanding riff on this) if it brings something originator the table. But these lazy cash grabs are insulting. The new How to Train your Dragon is a shot for shot remake of an already perfect film that will never look as good as the animated version. Who asked for it? But will it make a shed load of money at the box office? Of course it will.
parabolica said:
To say there is zero creativity in film right now is misleading; there is as much creativity as there has ever been especially now that budding film makers can make oscar-worthy features on an iphone and final cut pro. And whilst it can be critically and financially successful for those individual projects, if you only ever look at pure box-office revenue will always lead you to believe that superhero and comic book movies are the only thing out there, which isn't true.
It's also never been easier(ish) to get a film to the mass market. Film content is rarely commissioned these days except for well established directors/producers/studios.
If you have an idea for a film, go and make it and if it's of the right quality and technical specification, then Netflix / Amazon, etc. will run it.
It's not quite that simple. You have to finance the production which requires finding investment and having someone like Netflix hosting your film is very different to them promoting your film. But the route to release is easier which poses a problem similar to that faced in the Music industry in that there's so much good stuff out there, it's difficult to find what might appeal to you.
Skeptisk said:
I saw yesterday that 2024 is shaping up to be the first year in cinema history where the top 10 box office films are all going to be sequels, remakes or prequels. In fact only three of the top 20 are original.
A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
There are original films being made, they're just not the Blockbusters, for a Blockbuster these days they'll want to spend at least $100m on marketing and they want sure fire things sadly. A fairly depressing statistic. At least for me. One reason we don’t go to the cinema much these days.
There are a couple of interesting films due next year which are, well, if they're not exactly original (two films based on Frankenstein for example) they aren't part of a franchise.
This is why I don't go to the cinema very often for the following reasons.
1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
This is why I don't go to the cinema very often for the following reasons.
1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Agree with this.1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Boobonman said:
The accountants took over and all that matters nowadays is the share price and merchandising potential.
And this.'Hollywood' has a formula which works, pleases most people and makes money. They are very risk averse, and ultimately it is business, not art.
LimaDelta said:
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
This is why I don't go to the cinema very often for the following reasons.
1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Agree with this.1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Boobonman said:
The accountants took over and all that matters nowadays is the share price and merchandising potential.
And this.'Hollywood' has a formula which works, pleases most people and makes money. They are very risk averse, and ultimately it is business, not art.
A few years ago post pandemic I was in LA and went to Paramount to do the studio tour, the guide was telling me that most of the studios now are leased out to Netflix, Amazon etc as there just isn't the demand for huge blockbusters that stuck in my mind.
Lotusgone said:
StevieBee said:
The BBC has an ongoing programme of supporting emerging filmmakers.
What sort of films are the BBC going to promote? The same stuff that audiences are spurning.BBC Film is quite a prolific film studio. They tend to invest and make the sort of films the OP is talking abut - original, creative, interesting stuff that the bigger global studios don't do much any more.
Off the top of my head, recent BBC Films include the Johnny Worricker trilogy, Philomena, Alan Partridge (Alpha Papa), that Luther film...
A friend of mine has a BAFTA or two to his name and is quite vocal about this.
Says that back in the day you'd meet with studio bosses and if they liked an idea they'd give you a budget and let you go and do your thing. They only wanted to be the one who gave the green light to a good film.
Now the studio execs all think they're budding Spielbergs and want to have a say in every step of the process.
Says that back in the day you'd meet with studio bosses and if they liked an idea they'd give you a budget and let you go and do your thing. They only wanted to be the one who gave the green light to a good film.
Now the studio execs all think they're budding Spielbergs and want to have a say in every step of the process.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
This is why I don't go to the cinema very often for the following reasons.
1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Pretty much, films have way too much over the top CGI now too which I hate. 1) I don't like DC or Marvel films so that is 50% of films eliminated straight away.
2) I don't want to watch Transformers 10 or Jurassic Park 12.
3) I don't want to watch animated films.
4)I don't want to watch some woke remake of a classic film.
5)I don't want to watch a desperate reboot or sequel to a film from 30+ years ago.
Doesn't really leave much else, hence why I go probably once a year.
Also the 20 minutes of adverts then 20 minutes of trailers for upcoming films puts me off too.
Probably average 1 cinima visit a year. Top Gun 2 was great. The most recent sequel to a great film... wasn't.
Best films were late 90's to early 00's
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