What I’m envisioning is a system of distribution of television style content through direct DVD release. Say Warner Brothers has a new property that they’re developing and they go to shoot a pilot. They send it through the regular rigmarole of focus groups and whatnot, but then instead of slotting for air on the WB, they, instead release it into video chains and stores such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video for rental.
They could include some making of featurettes to sweeten the deal and then watch the rental numbers for each title just as they would watch the Neilson's when they air the pilot on TV.
They could even go so far as bankrolling a short run, say three to six episodes and release them as a single disc.
Advertising could be sold in the form of non-skipable commercials [like movie trailers] at the beginning of each disc, and through product placement, thus covering most of the cost of production. With this system even shows that are perceived dogs at the outset could be released and bring in some amount of revenue.
This system would completely bypass the FCC and the MPAA. It would allow money to be made off of EVERY pilot shot out in tinsel-town (even the worst of the worst shows would be rented by somebody, look at all the people who rent Rob Schneider comedies). It would also allow for some creative latitude for the producers of the media, as they would be freed from the format imposed by television and would be free to make episodes as long or as short as they want and to explore different pacing and transitional styles.
If the rental numbers on a show do well further episodes and seasons could be ordered and then released for rental and eventually sold in stores.
Innovation of the media and evolution is what is needed, not further controls.
No comments:
Post a Comment