We’ve long-since given up trying to understand the finances; the math; the numbers … how can any studio produce a film for a reported budget of $175 million — all that talent, creative process, technical aspects, etc. — and bypass theatrical venues for a streaming option?
For all we know, 100-minutes worth of new streaming programming costs $175 million, or $1,750,000 per minute. Maybe that’s the new normal. Maybe that’s the new math.
But when a major studio, in this case, Walt Disney Studios, eschews theatrical distribution of a major new animated film (or live-action for that matter), it sort of defeats the purpose of being a “Hollywood” studio.
Since the 1930s (and certainly before that in the silent era), the studio-system created dominance by controlling theatrical distribution … in the new streaming/Covid era, this investment seems to be forfeited. Case in point, this past week Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment announced that director Domee Shi’s Pixar Animation Studios production of Turning Red will be moving from its streaming venue (Disney+) to the home entertainment packaged media marketplace on May 3.
Normally, we would say at this point, Turning Red arrives with an ARR of so many days (from theatrical debut to DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) and, being a Pixar film, some nine-figure number in terms of box office performance. That’s not the case here, instead the industry talks now about SVOD ratings … the eyes glaze over.
With that said, Turning Red will arrive on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray as Combo Pack purchasing options, plus there will also be a stand-alone DVD SKU.
Bonus features include commentary from director Domee Shi (Oscar-winner for her animated short film titled Bao), who is joined by producer Lindsey Collins (whose producing credits include WALL-E, John Carter and Finding Dory) and cinematographer Mahyar Abousaeedi, six deleted scenes (with introduction by director Domee Shi) and a trio of featurettes — “Life of a Shot,” “Build Your Own Boy Band” and “Ani-Mei-Tion.”
No comments:
Post a Comment