Regarding the Harper’s piece, I think it’s fair to push back on the financialization of major portions of the economy. High profile failures like Boeing make the criticism more salient as well.
It seems like there’s a general sense that a lot of these management types are sort of emperors with no clothes who would push their mother in front of a bus to make another dollar. The frustration is understandable if you’re creating stories, only for all the profits to be gobbled up by the corner office.
I think the standard for anti trust has been whether it harms the consumer, and I’m not sure you can make that case regarding content.
“10 of the 20 highest-grossing films of all time, domestically (unadjusted for inflation), are either comic book or Star Wars movies.” A little piece of my heart just broke. ☹️
Your last section is part of the first section! Those streamers paid for lots of shows that most of us will never see because we don't know they exist. That's why they need to do channels!
My best example of this is The Sandman on Netflix. I am a huge nerd and knew it was releasing. Except Netflix didn't show me that it existed. I had to search for the show manually. They have rows of carousels that are terrible at showing me things I might be interested in.
You're going to have to explain to me the appeal of these channels because I just don't get it. I have a subscription to BritBox and they always have a "marathon" going on. Right now, they have an "Agatha Christie marathon" streaming live. Why would I want to watch this? As you pointed out, you have no way to tell what is currently playing. I just clicked on it and there's an episode of "Poirot" playing. Great show! I have no idea which episode this is or how long ago it started. They have the whole series on the site! Why don't I just go to the page and stream whatever episode I want to watch FROM THE BEGINNING???? Maybe start with season 1 and , I don't know - binge watch them all in order?
We still want to own the media - we buy plenty of disks ... stuff disappears from streaming. But I guess we're in the minority. (Recently got "After Hours" based on your recommendation, by the way - what a trippy movie!)
Having "been there" when the "amiable dunce" (James Garner's 2-word description after working with him, which I agree with having met him when he was CA gov) was playing the role of "president," it constantly amazed me how many decisions he approved that actively harmed the movie business. Most prominently was the 1986 tax reform that killed the provision that promoted investment in independent film projects; it immediately killed five projects I was aware of when their financing disappeared. A friend at the time pointed out that Reagan's career in the movies wasn't really all that spectacular - he *needed* that "Death Valley Days" gig - and that as a "disappointed lover" (lots of them around in Hollywood), he felt why should he help people who never helped him?
During last summer's strike, I went down to the Warner's picket one day and talked to a group of young screenwriters. I almost felt bad telling them how things had been when I broke in, because that kind of wide-open opportunity situation will never happen for them. I also came away amazed that I make more money than they do, as a book author now. It sure didn't used to be that way! And I get to write what I want to write about, the way I want to write it, and work with people who see their job as making all that successful in fulfilling my desires.
I wouldn't recommend trying to break into Hollywood to my worst enemy now. At Roger Corman's last public event in 2011, Jack Nicholson showed up, and later I found myself next to him at the bar. We got to talking about our experience as students in the Roger Corman Film School, and at one point he said that he wouldn't have a clue how to break into Hollywood today. Of course the finest actor of his generation couldn't do it today - he wasn't a trust fund baby when he started out. Like all the other Corman success stories, he needed those jobs to survive.
Great piece Sonny. About that comment re your opinion on sports…Although maybe not in the Bulwark’s list of things to do this election year, I for one would read a sports column. Your podcast and columns help me remember the before-times and are an indulgence and pleasure to consume each week. Whenever I’m driving with my son (12) he will invariably take over the car stereo and play the pod, and I don’t think we’ve missed any (!). It’s a moment with his dad when I’m not thinking about work or the dismantling of the rules-based world that continues apace - you provide a rich, nutritious conversation between you and Alyssa and Peter that my kid and I have turned into a weekly ritual. It springboards me into a place of needed repose. And if you put out a piece of sports content you’d probably have two more solid consumers. Just saying. Thanks for all you guys do, enjoy your weekend!
Regarding the Harper’s piece, I think it’s fair to push back on the financialization of major portions of the economy. High profile failures like Boeing make the criticism more salient as well.
It seems like there’s a general sense that a lot of these management types are sort of emperors with no clothes who would push their mother in front of a bus to make another dollar. The frustration is understandable if you’re creating stories, only for all the profits to be gobbled up by the corner office.
I think the standard for anti trust has been whether it harms the consumer, and I’m not sure you can make that case regarding content.
“10 of the 20 highest-grossing films of all time, domestically (unadjusted for inflation), are either comic book or Star Wars movies.” A little piece of my heart just broke. ☹️
Your last section is part of the first section! Those streamers paid for lots of shows that most of us will never see because we don't know they exist. That's why they need to do channels!
My best example of this is The Sandman on Netflix. I am a huge nerd and knew it was releasing. Except Netflix didn't show me that it existed. I had to search for the show manually. They have rows of carousels that are terrible at showing me things I might be interested in.
You're going to have to explain to me the appeal of these channels because I just don't get it. I have a subscription to BritBox and they always have a "marathon" going on. Right now, they have an "Agatha Christie marathon" streaming live. Why would I want to watch this? As you pointed out, you have no way to tell what is currently playing. I just clicked on it and there's an episode of "Poirot" playing. Great show! I have no idea which episode this is or how long ago it started. They have the whole series on the site! Why don't I just go to the page and stream whatever episode I want to watch FROM THE BEGINNING???? Maybe start with season 1 and , I don't know - binge watch them all in order?
We still want to own the media - we buy plenty of disks ... stuff disappears from streaming. But I guess we're in the minority. (Recently got "After Hours" based on your recommendation, by the way - what a trippy movie!)
Having "been there" when the "amiable dunce" (James Garner's 2-word description after working with him, which I agree with having met him when he was CA gov) was playing the role of "president," it constantly amazed me how many decisions he approved that actively harmed the movie business. Most prominently was the 1986 tax reform that killed the provision that promoted investment in independent film projects; it immediately killed five projects I was aware of when their financing disappeared. A friend at the time pointed out that Reagan's career in the movies wasn't really all that spectacular - he *needed* that "Death Valley Days" gig - and that as a "disappointed lover" (lots of them around in Hollywood), he felt why should he help people who never helped him?
During last summer's strike, I went down to the Warner's picket one day and talked to a group of young screenwriters. I almost felt bad telling them how things had been when I broke in, because that kind of wide-open opportunity situation will never happen for them. I also came away amazed that I make more money than they do, as a book author now. It sure didn't used to be that way! And I get to write what I want to write about, the way I want to write it, and work with people who see their job as making all that successful in fulfilling my desires.
I wouldn't recommend trying to break into Hollywood to my worst enemy now. At Roger Corman's last public event in 2011, Jack Nicholson showed up, and later I found myself next to him at the bar. We got to talking about our experience as students in the Roger Corman Film School, and at one point he said that he wouldn't have a clue how to break into Hollywood today. Of course the finest actor of his generation couldn't do it today - he wasn't a trust fund baby when he started out. Like all the other Corman success stories, he needed those jobs to survive.
"we love doing these shows and would love to do more. Hopefully, the interest is there!"
I am interested in a Dallas show.
Great piece Sonny. About that comment re your opinion on sports…Although maybe not in the Bulwark’s list of things to do this election year, I for one would read a sports column. Your podcast and columns help me remember the before-times and are an indulgence and pleasure to consume each week. Whenever I’m driving with my son (12) he will invariably take over the car stereo and play the pod, and I don’t think we’ve missed any (!). It’s a moment with his dad when I’m not thinking about work or the dismantling of the rules-based world that continues apace - you provide a rich, nutritious conversation between you and Alyssa and Peter that my kid and I have turned into a weekly ritual. It springboards me into a place of needed repose. And if you put out a piece of sports content you’d probably have two more solid consumers. Just saying. Thanks for all you guys do, enjoy your weekend!