Defamer
In an environment as volatile and prone to bullshit as the film business is, we tip our caps to the guileless souls who keep it real when things are looking down. Particularly people like MPAA president Dan Glickman, who, when asked by Time Magazine how the industry's '08 crop of retreads, sequels and adaptations might weather the sluggish economy, steadfastly refused to toe the company line:
"When times are bad, our business seems to buck the trend," says Dan Glickman. ... "The movies are great therapy. It's a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist." ...
At an average of less than $7 a ticket, compared to $23 for a Major League Baseball game and more than $50 for a concert, "movies are still a good value," says Glickman. "There's still this great desire to go on dates and have a social experience and a communal experience."
Indeed, there is something almost spiritual about sharing unintentional laughs with your fellow Indiana Jones 4 viewers, or the firefly-esque light show of watch- and phone-checking accompanying Get Smart. Author Rebecca Winters Keegan likewise notes the historical trend in grosses to rise during economic slowdowns like the energy crisis of the '70s and the dot-com crash. Of course, those were the days before Netflix, YouTube, iTunes, affordable home theaters and other, more personalized entertainment options, but who cares, says Encino's resident number-cruncher quote-whore Paul Dergarabedian: "That makes it a little harder to predict. But I still think the recession will have a negligible effect. If anything, you might see people cutting back on concessions." Just add a little recession-friendly alcohol behind the counters, though, and hear those cash registers sing.
Comments
7 dollars a ticket, my backside. More like 11 dollars in New York, (and I bet comparable in L.A.)
But he's right about movies being cheaper than the shrink.
Raise your hand if you live in a major metropolitan area and have paid less than $10.00 for a movie ticket AFTER 1995...
I remember when $7.50 was an outrageous price for a movie ticket. Now I'll sell my soul to the Arclight any night of the week for $13.00 and fresh caramel popcorn.
@wundergirl: Los Feliz 3 and the Vista! Cash only and walking distance from my place. Plus, $4.50 for matinees. (:
As Secretary of Agriculture, he recommended products high in corn syrup to relieve your recession blues.
This "number crunching quote whore" says my last movie was U2 in 3D and I could've used some 420 behind the concession stand if I may suggest some new ways to burnish concession sales. Think of it. Isn't the concession stand at any movie theater actually a munchie's paradise? Hmmmmmmmm
Pssshhht. The last two things I went to the movies for were Hannah Montana 3D and Ratatouille (yeah, I have a kid). And honestly...the ONLY thing anyone in my house is spending money on entertainment-wise is Disney-related apart from iTunes music purchases. I agree it is good escapist therapy; but anything other than the Diz depresses me as being trite and crappy without any excuse to ask my tolerance of such (unlike Disney)...Buy stock, peeps.
"When pressed further, Glickman claimed to have an answer to the failing industry. 'More from those wonderful boys at Spyglass,' he said to TIME. 'Seriously, Mr. 3000 ? Incredible. Why, Spyglass Pictures will revolutionize the industry!"
@wundergirl: Yeah, but I am hopping I can put my 2000-some Archlight points towards the down-payment on a house.
Oh, and anyone who can pay $23 for a baseball ticket don't live in Red Sox Nation.
@TheStarterWife:
If you get to cash in your points for that, make sure they include your own personal projectionist and concession stand attendant. It should all be a part of the package, like covered parking or a kitchen with a window. It's all about the details.
Just add a little recession-friendly alcohol behind the counters, though, and hear those cash registers sing.
I like the way you think. This would have turned Sweeney Todd into a sing-a-long!
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