CMG CINEMA BuzzFEED - 4 June 2014

IN THIS BuzzFEED

- What Does Recent Military Coup in Thailand and 'Hunger Games' Film Have In Common
- Studios Want To Be Allowed To Use Drones in Film Production
- Study Says Film Streaming/Downloading Will Overtake Cinema Box Office By 2017


'Hunger Games' Salute Gets New Meaning in Thailand

Thailand's citizens against the recent military coup that ousted the elected government are protesting their condemnation by using the three-finger salute borrowed from the film 'The Hunger Games'.
In this new form of silent protest the new military rulers say they are monitoring its use and will arrest those in large groups who ignore their warning - a large group is deemed to be five or more people.

Thai Protesters Using 3 Finger Salute

The three finger, raised arm salute has become the unofficial symbol of opposition to the May 22nd military coup which seized the government. According to a spokesman for the ruling junta, "If it is an obvious form of resistance, then we have to control it so it doesn't cause any disorder.  We know it comes from the movie, and let's say it represents resistance against the authorities.  If a single individual raises three fingers in the air, we are not going to arrest him or her, but if it is a political gathering of five people or more, then we will make arrests." Since the bloodless coup, the military has attempted to ban criticism by closing TV stations and blocking hundreds of websites.

Social activists says the raising of three fingers is a symbol of their discord with the new junta. "3 fingers, 3 times a day in a public place is what we call for. Let's escalate the anti-coup movement three times a day, together" - is the protesters' cry.  Saying that protesters should raise their right arm and stay still for 30 seconds 3 times each day.  Asked what the salute meant responses were: liberty, equality, and fraternity.  In the 'The Hunger Games' film, the 3 finger salute is a symbol of rebellion against totalitarian rule, and stands for: thank you, admiration, and goodbye to someone you love. 

Hollywood Wants Permission To Use Drones

Drone which can be used for filming

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pondering a request from Hollywood film-makers for permission to use drone aircraft for filming purposes.  This would allow for the wide-spread use, by film studios, of large drones for aerial filming.  In a letter to the FAA the Motion Picture Assoc. of American, on behalf of the studios, stated, "Unmanned aircraft systems offer the motion picture and television industry an innovative and safer option for filming.  This new tool for storytellers will allow for creative and exciting aerial shots and is the latest in a myriad of new technologies being used by our industry to further enhance the viewer experience."

For their part, FAA spokesperson Les Dorr stated,  "the FAA will consider Hollywood's request for an exemption that would allow for the use of drone aircraft under controlled operations." The exemptions would include aircraft weighting about 55 lbs. (25kg) or less.

Drones come in all sizes

I believe the FAA will allow the exemption for the Hollywood studios and that drones will be used extensively for film shooting and for other uses, such as evaluating filming locations.  Drones have been used extensively by governments and law enforcement for years - they are here to stay and already impact our daily lives. Their use will become more pervasive as time goes on - like Amazon's current experiment of using drones to deliver packages to homes.


Growing Popularity of Streaming Movies Was Predicted

A dramatic study by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, the large public accounting and business consulting firm, declared that the market for DVD and BluRay videos is rapidly declining due to the ever increasing popularity of on-demand content via on-line streamers, and further that these downloads to living rooms will overtake total cinema box office revenue by 2017.

The study found that electronic home video (the streaming and downloading of films) will overtake physical media (DVDs/BluRays) by 2016. PwC further found that by 2017 home electronic videos will overtake the cinema box office as the biggest contributor to total film revenue - reaching $17 billion in four years, twice the $8.5 billion home streaming currently generates.

Cindy McKensie, managing director at PwC told CMG that, "People still want to go to the cinema,
especially to view the blockbusters."  I agree. The impact for those cinemas that have prepared for the future and offer superior presentations and great concession values, will prosper. This study bolsters CMG's contention that all movies will eventually be distributed day-and-date across all media outlets. Those cinemas that have properly prepared can look forward to continued profitability while those that did not will simply have to shutter their doors.  Netflix, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Hulu and others have all embarked on ambitious production projects, and do not want to be content distribution middlemen but the creators of original movies and TV series - this is where the cinema's competition will come from.

Best
Jim