Flops caused Box Office Slump this summer

[Ivonia]

http://www.latimes.com/business/custom/cotown/la-fi-boxoffice1oct01,0,4092331.story?coll=la-home-headlines

I can't say I'm surprised by this. It's about time they realized people won't just pay to "see crap" (I'll be honest, I wasn't very excited to see many movies at all this summer, based on the trailers I saw, such as Stealth and Transporter 2, movies I probably would've liked a few years earlier).

So what does this mean for us as screenwriters? Does this mean that the average newbie screenwriter will now have an even tougher time breaking in?

This probably won't matter terribly much in the long run I suppose, but I hope that this doesn't shut us out of the industry (not that I'm trying to break in right now, but I would like to eventually, at least if my novels take off). I know that this is a tough industry to break into and be a success at it (unless you've got connections already), but the payoff is usually worth it if you can manage to pull it off.

[WritingFool]

I would say, if anything, this might make it somewhat easier on newer screenwriters, or unknown screenwriters. For too long now, its been a business of who you know, and too often lousy movies have been made as a result.

This might open the eyes of some of the execs and force them to use unconventional methods for attracting quality stories. There are definitely stories out there waiting to be made, able to draw an audience. So maybe this will help open the doors some. that didnt place high enough to get the attention they deserved. Who knows.
But dont every year they claim the same thing?

My own opinion, most of these big title movies are crap, as of late. You can tell by who's casted, even by the trailers of some of this junk. People can sniff out crap, and whoevers making this crap should be fired, or given the ultimatum, to deliver quality films within the next 2 years, or they will be fired. That outta motivate em emough to take the time to seek out the good scripts, get the good actors, and quality directors, and give all of us real value for our movie money.

But hey, goldne rule almost always prevails, doesnt it?

[aspiringwriter]

If Hollywood would come up with something original instead of remaking stuff...For instance.. HOUSE OF WAX, DUKES OF HAZZARD...just to name a few. FANTASTIC 4 was originally filmed in 1994 and directed by Roger Corman..it was shown once and shelved (and for good reason).

Maybe it's me but I think screenwriters and hollywood alike just want to churn out films to get them released for the summer...It never fails that films that are released after summer (say from September thru December) are your academy award nominees...

Anyway, this summer was lackluster instead of blockbuster in my opinion. It was probably one of the worst summer seasons i've seen. Then again (and i'm sure i'll get slammed for this) Star Wars Episode III was actually pretty good. Then again there are people who will pick apart anything. Oh well enough said.

[Aldenard]

Wow, this was a bad summer for movies? I thought it was actually pretty good, with some wonderful original movies. Some of my favorites included Lord of War, the Constant Gardener, and Sin City (well, it wasn't really summer). Also, I personally liked War of the Worlds, though, admittedly, the book IS better.

[scripter1]

thought it started with a huge bang, dragged for the rest, and ended with that horriable, horriable "NOOOOOOO".

Way way too much sitting around and talking.
Now that the novelty of watching the end of a movie history event has worn off the movie has lost almost all of it's appeal.

Will I buy the DVD?
Oh, heck yeah!!!!
But only for that one scene where a totally buffed and hot Hayden has his shirt off. :tongue

Well, okay. And for the documentaries.
Those are actually pretty cool and very informative.
Though I don't agree with Lucas's story telling choices it is very educational to hear and consider why and how he made them.

I added to the box office slump.
Just don't have the money to go to the big theater.
I mean, why?
Why pay 6 to 8 bucks when I can watch it at home for 3? Or catch it at the movies 8 for 50 cents on Tuesday night?

Few of the films out really got me excited to go to the movies.
I'm interested in Batman Begins begins I've heard plenty of people say it's a good story.

I'm actually interested in The Island, Stealth, and Fan 4 because how bad everyone says they are.

Sheesh, I'm like four months behind the current films showing.
Just went to see Madagasar and Herbie. (both really fun with my two kids along who participate in the film.)

I used to get really excited about lots of films coming out.
Then I got into writing and listened to every one on the boards.
Now I'm not so eager.

Heck, if it ain't Harry Potter, I ain't paying.

The quality of story is dropping.
The quality of acting is dropping.
While the price rises.

And Hollywood wonders what's up?

[Mac H.]

John August (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Go, Big Fish, Charlie's Angels, etc etc) has a counter argument to this in his blog: http://johnaugust.com/archives/2005/the-sky-is-not-falling

Then someone took a quick look at the figures using some basic statistical tools and has a counter argument to the counter argument.
(See http://artfulwriter.com/archives/2005/10/slump.html#comments - 1/3 way down the page - comment by 'Lee')

Now my head hurts...

Mac

[scripter1]

and call me in the morning.

[NikeeGoddess]

hollyweird cries, "boo-hoo" as they only made a billion dollars this year. last year they made 2 billion. and some lower executive will have to settle for the $90,000 porche instead of that $120,000 ferrari. "boo-hoo"

however, lackluster blockbusters only hurt the little man - as the financial rewards from the blockbusters are used to pay for the smaller, more interesting flicks. so, in that case it hurts newbie screenwriters. and studios will not take the risks of producing our projects.

on the otherhand, as their confidence in seasoned writers who wrote those lackluster blockbusters wan they could be open to giving newbies a chance.

i say to we newbies, forget the studios...go independent!

[Joe Calabrese]

Do you know what I think the biggest joke in Hollywood is?

That we believe Hollywood when they say it's been a bad year.

Yes, sales are down from last year, but the oversees and home markets make up for that (in many cases). Also, last were wasn't the norm.

The last three years, sales were askew unrealistically because of the Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, Xmen and The Passion. These "well over the top sales" films happen every decade or so and we hit the high from 2002-2004.

So Cinderella Man hasn't made it's budget yet. That 20 million will be made up with DVD and Cable sales.

Studios however look at the overall take from all their films for a year and not each individual film. Although Cinderella Man was a slump for Imagine, Flightplan, Inside Deep Throat and the upcoming Fun With Dick and Jane should put them in the black for the year.

Sometimes I think they report these slumps to make us feel bad and see more films.

[WritingFool]

Hey Joe. Just love your latest headshot. did something with your hair did ya?

[JERETHAL]

Good for em. I hope they starve. They want everything for nothing. when you pay a pittance, you can expect a pittance for your money.

They "steal" concepts and try to run with them. "HITCH" was a concept I was pushing for three years. I called mine " My CYRANO". Same concept, different name. "Theres nothing new in Hollywood", my package broker friend said".

[naimas]

I think connections are more important than writing quality. (On their list of values) Therefore if you want to break into the biz you should try to find a different way in than just writing. (But dont stop writing and sending in scripts)

I went to Hollywood for a convention and made more contacts and friendships in 5 days than I made in 5 years of living out of state and writing. I know TWO people who have scripts that have been bought as a result of simply visiting a horror movie convention and talking with producers and directors.

I read one of the scripts. It is horrible, but the connections made and the wash my back I wash yours situation that developed made the writer get his script made. I also know of more introverted friends who have scripts and some are far better, funnier, scarier than what is being done. But, they played the wallflowers at the industry parties we went to and sat back as other people stole conversations.

Its a business. Although Hollywood does accept outsiders on a limited basis due to kick *** scripts and stories it is far easier to do the script your dog guru who talked your canine out of suicide pitched to you.

In churches you ever notice how the pastors son gets all these open doors to ministry (even if he is a stupid jock) when really committed and mature kids in the church (who dont have connections) get nothing? They end up as toilet scrubbers or church program folders, deacons if they are lucky.

It is part of the business (and sorry, church is business)

The reason why horror movies suck and blockbusters fail has to do with favors being done and business deals being made. Just listed to the director commentary on a number of DVD's and they will outline the politics.

It stinks but it is advantageous to understand it.


Particularly for horror there are many small indie companies forming that are making their own stories and scripts and making a bundle selling to the DVD market.

There are always ways to get a movie made.

[Ragnarok]

I think the reason hollywood is freaking out is they're losing touch with their beloved market. All that's been mentioned here, the quality collapse in acting, scripts now also pops up regularly on cinema fan boards. And I have a feeling they're clueless as to what to replace their old recipes with.

One just has to see the proportion of recent blockbusters based on an original story, ie no remake, sequel, comic strip... There's hardly any R&D. They only rely on fan bases and promotional beating to often salvage a lousy script. The sick thing is it occasionally pays off like with Fantastic 4. So even if the system is bound to cave in at some point due to ever growing costs, all the entertainment market shares being snatched by the video game industry and other factors, they need more whacking to give up on their formatted products.

At least it leaves a good opportunity for the indie scene to make a difference.

[zeprosnepsid]

Hey, old threads!

I don't think it's the movies at all. Sure they're bad, but they've been bad for several years. Bad movies don't stop people from going to theaters. Theaters stop people from going. Who said 6-8 dollars? I'd pay 6-8 dollars! I live in LA where it's 8-14 dollars. You have to get there an hour early to get a seat. All the people are annoying and there are a thousand of them. Being forced to watch commercials. The food is bad and expensive. It's all terrible. Going to theaters has become hell.

There is going to be some major change in the movie business, although I'm not sure anyone knows what it is yet....