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So Far, Amazon and Netflix Are Sundances Top Buyers
- Thread starter Armadilo
- Start date
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A Link to the Past
Banned
This is what I like to see. Digital marketplaces are going to be great alternatives for people who are more tired of traditional film venues.
Large Professor
Member
Cool. Looking forward to see these movies on netflix.
Ampersands
Member
This is great. Not just because more non-traditional movies will be picked up, but also because more people will actually watch them. The convenience of streaming as opposed to going to the theaters really encourages people (in my experience at least) to watch stuff they normally wouldn't.
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
Good. It's good to see there's a place for indie films with these streaming services.
Servbot #42
Unconfirmed Member
Is it really? I read some grumblings from some people in the biz.
It's interesting to see the momentum these services are picking up. Last year as part of a course in high school we were discussing the future of the independent film industry of America and how these online platforms will continue to affect them. It's interesting to see some real moves being made by Amazon and Netflix.
like?
Discotheque
Banned
No doubt, fukunaga was the biggest oscar snub this year and I think his movie being on Netflix was the primary reason for it
There's some people that are actually mad that Netflix or Amazon are paying so much for these films( a lot of bubble bursting talk). I think its good that they are going after indie films
vinnygambini
Why are strippers at the U.N. bad when they're great at strip clubs???
Netflix bought global streaming rights for its films, while theatrical and distribution are still available - the big 6 aren't happy about that.
Amazon bought streaming and theatrical rights.
Amazon bought streaming and theatrical rights.
Why would they lose interest? Giving people streaming content is their business model.
demosthenes
Member
For indie movies I agree just because my area doesn't get a whole lot of these (Buffalo, NY). Wish we had more theatres that would carry more indie stuff. I love going to movie theatres.
Why would the big 6 (I assume studios) be mad at Netflix for not buying the theatrical or distribution? They could still get a piece of the pie then.
LoveCake
Member
Is there a danger that they are paying too much for the content though, it could lead to huge distortions in the industry, Amazon & Netflex have money & a lot of it but are they not just burning through it?
I have Sky TV with everything (not HD, not paying the extra) & also Amazon Prime, only had it a couple of months, I have only watched The Man in the High Castle & Mr Robot, nothing else appeals to me though :/
I have Sky TV with everything (not HD, not paying the extra) & also Amazon Prime, only had it a couple of months, I have only watched The Man in the High Castle & Mr Robot, nothing else appeals to me though :/
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
Thoughts of 'Beasts of No Nation' come up and the whole controversy over that. Definitely a quality film.
vinnygambini
Why are strippers at the U.N. bad when they're great at strip clubs???
Usually studios buy the whole lot: theatrical, video distribution and streaming rights.
What Netflix did was buying streaming rights outright prior to the film being viewed at the festival and leaving the rest to whomever.
Studios don't like that since a revenue stream is cut-off, there was a piece on Deadline about it.
The article does make a good point why the filmmakers would have gone with Fox Searchlight instead with the framing of how they handled 12 Years a Slave. Even in Netflix's capable hands, they wouldn't be able to shake the VOD stigma that hurt Beasts of No Nation, which would hurt awards chances.
Yep. Indeed.
Very interesting.
It's too bad they feel forced to stash these films until awards season, where they're going to end up botching the campaigns for them anyways and overshadowed by theatrical releases anyways. I want to see stuff like Manchester by the Sea now; isn't the whole point of disruptive businesses to... well, disrupt? not to play and lose by the old rules?
It's too bad they feel forced to stash these films until awards season, where they're going to end up botching the campaigns for them anyways and overshadowed by theatrical releases anyways. I want to see stuff like Manchester by the Sea now; isn't the whole point of disruptive businesses to... well, disrupt? not to play and lose by the old rules?
Seems like a pretty good deal. Amazon may pay a bit more, but FoxSearch Light has been present every time in the past 10 years, with 3 wins, and a few multiple noms several of the years. I believe they have the best track with Oscars as this decade.
MikeHattsu
Member
Hm... What happens if nobody bothers to buy the theatrical and video distribution rights then?
Interesting. I don't think a lot of Netflix's actual business practices are made public very often, so I do wonder how they figure on accounting for that. Overpaying is a common enough practice at film festivals that it can be reworked to make up for whatever loss they're taking on gross participation, but it's still a relatively new market for something else to come along and make more sense.
Discotheque
Banned
IISANDERII
Member
I love the indie dramas Netflix gets but I don't see why they need to get exclusive premiere rights or whatever. These films aren't about hype!
This actually annoys me, because I know Amazon isn't going to put Manchester by the Sea anywhere by me so I'll have to wait to stream it. Also, it screws over Kyle Chandler's chance to get an Oscar. Don't know why they sold it so quick too; with the acclaims it's been getting, I could see Weinstein or Fox Searchlight paying $15M for it.
Amazon actually has a different strategy for releases than Netflix. Chi-Raq was theatrically distributed by Roadside Attractions with a month-long engagement, with the VOD release not hitting until the very end of December. While 305 screens ain't exactly big, it still played at major chains and is a hell of a lot more than Netflix could get for Beasts of No Nation.
Because if they don't they'll risk somebody else getting exclusive streaming rights.
shortsFortallPeople
Banned
Naw, it just wasn't a really good movie. It contained some great performances, sure, but as a film it was a bit of a bore.
Especially if Amazon is in the picture, as Amazon already enjoys streaming rights to bigger indie distributors like A24 and Drafthouse Pictures. I think the only big feather Amazon has to themselves has been IFC, but even that gets a little screwy as of recent with the deals IFC has made with Paramount to boost awards chances on a couple films, which has been preventing something like Boyhood from hitting the service. Even guys they have a good relationship with aren't entirely loyal, like the Weinsteins giving Netflix the new Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie day-and-date, but throwing Macbeth at Amazon instead.
Servbot #42
Unconfirmed Member
Yeah this was the grumbling i read about, i wonder if that kind of rights segmentation can be good for everyone involved, hopefully no one gets screwed.
Like forcing studios to pay eight-figure sums to buy up small indie movies, many of which won't come close to making that money back anyway. It sets a bad precedent and makes it harder for a lot of filmmakers to get distribution just because they can't sell for a $10-15 million deal.
Not that that hasn't been the case for 20 years already, but it's a constantly growing trend.
jack_package_200
Banned
Living in the future, ladies and gentleman.
Bring on the the streaming content.
Bring on the the streaming content.
That's true, but let's just say I hope Manchester by the Sea goes wider, because the closest Chi-Raq showing for me was three hours away.
Dark Ninja
Member
You mean the present. Hopefully big studios don't come in late and try to ruin it. Thankfully Netflix is already too ahead to be stopped now.
TAJ
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Studios were exploiting the shit out of indies. They can fuck off. Critically acclaimed movies with star power and highly commercially viable projects were regularly selling for one or two million at Sundance just a few years ago, and for the whole deal not just streaming.
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