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Streaming
Streaming Saves the Day: Global Entertainment Makes a Rebound
A recent report by the Motion Picture Association revealed that the entertainment industry is finally making a return to pre-pandemic revenue levels. In 2021, the combination of theatrical box office and home video sales and rentals reached $99.7 billion, much of this number attributed to the rise of streaming services. This still doesn’t beat the record high set in 2019, but these numbers are a big improvement from 2020, when revenue sank by 18%. This information is provided by the MPA’s Theatrical and Home Entertainment Market Environment (THEME) report, which highlights film, television, and streaming performance every year. Subscription-to-streaming services rose globally by 14% in 2021, with 1.4 billion people joining at least one platform. In a statement by Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, he said, “We are just getting started in writing the next chapter of our industry as streaming continues to boom, theaters are rebounding, and the overall global market for our entertainment product recovers and breaks records.” The report shared other key statistics highlighting the production boom as more studios were able to implement safety protocols. It showed an 80% increase in box office sales as more people comfortably returned to the theaters in 2021.
Production
Hollywood Across the Pond: Liverpool Soundstages Popular With Studios
Lynn Saunders, head of the Liverpool Film Office, has big plans to take an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city and transform it into a hub for TV and film productions. Currently, Saunders’ scheme is one of two dozen major studio expansions planned for Britain, and it stands as the first film production complex in Liverpool. 2021 saw record high production in the U.K. with $7.4 billion spent. 80% of that money is flowing in from American and foreign studios. Early on, film productions were attracted to Britain because of the available amount of skilled labor and tax incentives. When the tax program was extended to include television in 2013, the U.K. saw increased production with shows like The Crown and Game of Thrones. And in the 2020—2021 fiscal year, tax breaks for British productions reached £1.2 billion. TV show spending continues to jump in Britain, as 211 series were filmed there just last year. Liverpool stands behind London as the second most popular filming location. Littlewood Studios, created by Lynn Saunders, is expanding to build additional soundstages to meet production demands. Meanwhile, other studios have caught the attention of streamers like Netflix. All these expansions aim to increase business in the area, and the industry has a renewed focus on training programs in the hopes of getting more local people working in the field.
Film
The Next Filmic Generation: IMAX Teams Up With Filmmakers To Create Cameras
The future of film cameras is looking high-res as industry leaders team up to create new equipment that meets filmmakers' needs. IMAX is currently collaborating with Kodak, Panavision, and FotoKem to develop the next generation of cameras, set to become available for use by 2023. IMAX is currently connecting with several cinematographers and directors (such as Jordan Peele and Christopher Nolan) to identify key features they’d like to see with newer cameras. Megan Colligan, President of IMAX Entertainment, said, “These new film cameras will enable a new generation of creators along with those who already love working with the cameras a better way to unlock the power of IMAX.” While the existing fleet of IMAX cameras is undergoing major upgrades to incorporate the latest research, the new cameras will explore things like a quieter design and usability enhancements. Kodak, Panavision, and FotoKem are all contributing by offering enhanced technical support, service, maintenance, and help with post-production workflows.
Festivals
Social Media Meets Film Festivals: TikTok Is Now an Official Cannes Partner
TikTok is partnering with the Cannes Film Festival to provide users with exclusive access to the event, including backstage content and talent interviews. The social media app, known for its young audience and dancing videos, is also launching a #TikTokShortFilm Competition, which will recognize videos between 30 seconds and three minutes in length. Three #TikTokShortFilm awards will be handed out at the illustrious Cannes Festival in France. This partnership may seem strange toaudiences, but the two platforms have something in common: the goal of recognizing emerging talent. Rich Waterworth, General Manager of TikTok in Europe, believed that this allyship is a momentous change in the cinematic landscape. Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux said that he is excited to “share the magic of the festival with a wider, much more global and just as much [of a] cinephile audience than ever before.” While the festival banned selfies on the red carpet back in 2018, they are still embracing the power of handheld social filmmaking to connect with the next generation of creators.
Industry
Employees Speaking Out: Disney Walkouts Staged Over “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
Last Week, Disney made news because of the perceived lack of support the company was showing to the LGBTQIA+ community with Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The company initially declined to put out a statement on the matter, citing the fact that it could be weaponized by both sides of the debate, but intense backlash from employees and planned walkouts forced CEO Bob Chapek to comment on the matter. Detractors also pointed out that Disney has made campaign donations to each of the politicians who backed the bill. The employee backlash has forced a pause on all donations for the time being, but these actions come too late for many. Many shorter 15-minute walkouts will lead to a planned full-day walkout on March 22. While the number of employees taking part remains unknown, Disney employs over 75,000 people in Florida who may be affected by this bill if passed. The organizers, who remain anonymous, said they appreciated Chapek's apology, but believe there is more that must be done to regain the trust of the LGBTQIA+ community. Similar events took place at Netflix last year when employees of the streaming services staged a walkout in support of LGBTQIA+ employees after a controversial comedy special was released on the platform.
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