Film and Television are Merging, Here's What You Need to Know
Film and television are beginning to blend at a more rapid rate. What will the future hold?
The deeper we get into the pandemic, the sadder I get imagining a world where we never go to the movie theater or only go on special occasions. The one thing this time indoors has taught me is that having a large TV with an excellent soundbar is a must.
Especially if this is what the future holds.
The business is changing.
Streaming wars has taken that to a whole new level, with Netflix trying to force the Academy's hand on changing theatrical showcase rules and doing their best to change the industry.
Seeing movies like The Invisible Man and Trolls World Tour do gangbusters online changed a lot of perspectives. Maybe you don't need to play in theaters if you can make money and entertain people dropping online.
And maybe that's the future.
Check out the video from The Royal Ocean Film Society and let's talk after.
Film and Television are Merging, Here's What You Need to Know
What's really the difference between movies and TV shows now? It used to just be theatrical release versus waiting a week to see a connected serial. But now, with the reliance on sequels and franchises, are movies really that different than television anymore?
The Marvel phases feel like an idea being showrun by Kevin Feige, and not individually created films.
And when The Hateful Eight hit Netflix, Tarantino cut the movie into pieces to play like TV.
Gone are the days of the 4:3 broadcast and the crappy resolution. The level of visuals and effects in TV are almost at the same level as movies, depending on the show's budget.
TV is using the same aspect ratios, cameras, and cinematography as movies.
The delineation between the two mediums continues to shrink.
Guess what? Budgets are getting bigger and bigger on TV.
What about shows like End of the Fucking World or Fleabag?
The serialized episodes in each season, when added together, become basically a long movie.
So where does this leave us?
While the separation between movies and TV continues to shrink, it's going to be interesting to see how Hollywood shifts. When you're sitting at home and bored, do you throw on a movie or TV?
It really depends on what I scroll past and what I'm in the mood for that day.
Watching a movie no longer necessitates going to the theater. I'm mostly interested in seeing how streamers prioritize spending on both mediums. And how writers react to these changes. Will studios prioritize one over the other?
Unfortunately, I think metrics will dictate that.
Places could prioritize one over the other depending on what people are clicking on.
And speaking of clicking, casting is going to really change things. The line between TV and movie stars gets ever thinner, and having a recognizable face on a thumbnail is going to be important for marketing in general.
That means no matter what you're making, try to make it with a recognizable face. I do think that will prioritize your project, whether movie or TV, for a long time.
What are your feelings on this issue?
Let's get the conversations started in the comments section.
Up Next: How to Break Into Hollywood
The film industry is notoriously hard to break into. It's been compared to being a professional athlete; you have to continue to train and stay on top of your game if you want to start for a great team.
If you need help getting that new script finished check out our FREE ebook How to Write a Screenplay. It's full of tips, infographics, and a plan that can you finished with your script in 10 weeks.
Source: The Royal Ocean Film Society
