My Lipstick Is Not A Camera - Why Hollywood Is Going Too Far
from the going-too-far dept
Found over at BoingBoing is this great "open letter" from a movie critic to Hollywood complaining about how far overboard they're going in trying to prevent anyone seeing early showings of movies from taping them. She points out that she has no problems being subject to a search for getting on an airplane, but to write a review of "The In-Laws" seems like it's a bit much. No matter what they do, people are still taping movies, and they're still showing up on the internet. If the movie is any good, people are still going to the theaters to see them. Yet, studio execs are wasting time and money - while annoying the critics, because they think it will stop online copying of movies. She makes a pretty compelling argument that Hollywood is spending a hell of a lot more money doing this than they're "saving". She also points out that for all their complaining about people stealing movies, they still seem to send her press releases every day about just how much money this or that movie took in. As she says: "It's unseemly to claim poverty while you're bragging about your riches."Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Inside Jobs?
Also, in the vein that all of life can be compared to Seinfeld episodes (there is also a Simpsons theory), there is that one where Jerry is forced to film a movie he is watching for the black market...
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Re: Inside Jobs?
This almost proves that the films are being taped by someone at a time that the movie isn't 'officially' being shown.
If not, then I want to know where the theater is that I can watch first run movies the first weekend they are out without having a crying baby, an hyper-active 5 year old and someone who has read every spoiler on the internet and wants to discuss what's coming up next with the person seated next to them (and why does that guy always sit behind me?).
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When it comes to audio/video, the information that came directly from the inside is much better quality. Due to the laws of natural selection, this content survives better than that which was taped from an outsider.
The movie studios are obviously approaching from the wrong direction. But really, why don't they want us to get free previews? Hollywood always forgets to mention how this negatively affects their profits.
Does anyone else think that Hollywood / RIAA is only complaining about movie/music sharing for publicity itself? Is there a better explanation?
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