Author: BRWC

E Commerce: Disrupting The Film Industry?

By Frankie Wallace.

Brick-and-mortar stores have been threatened by e-commerce for some time now, and that’s edged into the film industry as well. The more consumers can access online, the less need there is to leave the house and go to an actual location, like a mall, grocery store, or movie theater. This replacement of real-life interactions has been happening since the 1990s when chat rooms and instant messaging became a way for people to connect without having to speak on the phone or meet in person. E-commerce is undoubtedly changing the movie industry and shopping habits as a whole, but what is there to learn from these changes? Let’s explore.

The Rise of Netflix and the Decline of the Video Store

Before Netflix killed the movie theater, they did a number on brick-and-mortar video stores. Remember Blockbuster? Early Friday evenings used to be spent searching through the aisles for the perfect movie to watch along with a bowl of popcorn. Watching a movie at home was an event, one that was taken seriously and not rushed into. You could roam the aisles of Blockbuster for an hour, carefully weighing your decisions.

When Netflix came around, that browsing could be done without even leaving the house. Plus, instead of spending $5 per movie, you could spend little more than that a month and have access to hundreds of movies and TV shows. While that access seems like Netflix’s biggest perk, it’s not; customisation is. What Netflix really got right was how it put the perfect movie in front of the user based on their preferences. Blockbuster didn’t do that – you had to find a movie and take a chance on whether or not you’d like it.

MoviePass’ Subscription Model Was Great for Customers, Not for Moviemakers

At first, MoviePass seemed like a great deal for everyone involved. Moviegoers could spend a fraction of the cost on tickets, theaters got people in the door (and to the insanely overpriced snack stand) and box offices still got paid. However, there was a concern from movie industry professionals that the increased and cheap access to movies would undervalue the actual content. In other words, if every MoviePass holder could go to a movie basically for free, they’d see as many as possible, whether or not they wanted to or even if they read negative reviews. How do you track the success of a movie if that many people see it simply because they can?

Movie Industry Changes Mean E-Commerce Managers are In-Demand

While film industry traditionalists may not like the changes they’re seeing, it’s opened the door for tech-savvy workers. Notably, there are now film company roles for e-commerce managers. This allows film companies to adapt to the modern e-commerce market and see success online. According to Job Hero, “The Ecommerce Manager will be primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the ecommerce department of a company with a significant online presence. They will handle decision-making for the website, social media accounts, and online advertising.” Ultimately, their job is to create online experiences that are innovative and competitive.

Here’s What Else E-Commerce Gets Right

Love it or hate it, the e-commerce world, movies and beyond, is doing a lot right. Companies that want to stay relevant and competitive would do themselves a favor by taking note:

• Convenience: E-commerce companies, MoviePass included, realize that customers want convenience and that they’re sometimes willing to pay a bit more or learn how to use a new app to get it. Amazon’s Prime subscription is a great example of this – the annual rate is high, but the convenience of getting free, fast shipping throughout the year is worth it to shoppers. Even Netflix, which has odd release schedules, is appealing to movie fans who’d rather pick from their selection than head out to a theater.
• Customization: E-commerce has a brilliant way of reaching the masses while still catering to the individual. Advanced algorithms show people what they’ll like best, even if the breadth of what’s offered is much greater. Customer tracking is a cornerstone of this, allowing companies to gain insight into who their customers are and how they behave so that they can design a user-centered product and experience.
• Social Proof: E-commerce relies heavily on social proof via user reviews. For example, Amazon shoppers often refer to the user reviews and Q&A section before making a purchase decision. Brands can also learn a lot from the feedback they receive and improve their offerings based on what customers want.

Traditional movie companies can check a lot of these boxes with some sort of rewards program and mobile app. For example, Regal’s rewards program requires a user to log in, which means they’re gathering information. The app can see which tickets you’ve purchased and the snacks you’ve bought. To personalize, Regal could use this information to make movie suggestions and offer custom discounts on the foods you buy the most.

Wrapping Up

While some e-commerce companies, like MoviePass, start strong and then unravel soon after, you can’t fault them for trying something new and taking a risk – and many companies are learning from their mistakes and revising their plans to avoid those pitfalls. For example, Sinemia allows moviegoers to choose any showtime they want, which was a major blind spot after one of MoviePass’ many updates. Without risk, there can’t be change and evolution, and instead of fighting the shifts, moviemakers may want to think about how they themselves can change to keep up with what audiences now expect.

The MeToo Movement is important.

By Frankie Wallace.

It seems like just yesterday that a women’s movement over a decade in the making took off across social media to demonstrate the real impact of standing together as one. In fact, it’s been almost two years now since MeToo Movement went viral, spreading like wildfire across social media platforms and empowering women to speak out about their sexual assault experiences. The movement successfully demonstrated how many people are impacted by sexual assault.

The MeToo movement took off less than two weeks after actress Ashley Judd accused famous film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. In the following months, several victims of sexual assault came forward to accuse other high-profile Hollywood men of sexual assault, several of which faced career-altering consequences.

The movement continues to push forward, and while it’s difficult to say what its impact will be down the line, there are a few things that are clear. The MeToo movement helped unite and strengthen victims of sexual assault by giving them a voice. It also changed the debate on consent and sexual assault, both in Hollywood and day-to-day life, giving men in positions of power new angles from which to view and hold themselves accountable.

Changes in the Film Industry

Over the last year, several prominent Hollywood figures have faced criticism and backlash from their peers and colleagues for allegations of sexual abuse. Due to the public nature of Hollywood, the repercussions faced by those accused of sexual assault have been very clear, especially as networks and media companies attempt to make their intolerance of sexual misconduct clear.

The following are consequences faced by prominent Hollywood figures:

• Harvey Weinstein: Upon being accused by several women of sexual assault in 2017, the film producer was dismissed from his company Miramax and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was arrested the following year.
• Bill Cosby: The comedian and actor faced accusations of sexual assault and abuse by dozens of women that dated back decades. Cosby’s NBC and Netflix shows that were set to be released in 2014 and 2015 were both canceled, as were reruns of The Cosby Show. The actor was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison last year.
• Kevin Spacey: At the dawn of the #MeToo movement, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances towards him when he was 14 years old, causing several other men to come forward accusing Spacey of sexual assault. He was charged with indecent assault and battery towards an 18-year-old man, was removed from House of Cards, and his role in another film was reshot with another actor before its release.

Hollywood and the film industry are both hugely influential in what the world sees as an example, as they are both largely responsible for much of the content that is consumed by the public. Seeing as famous Hollywood individuals are often in the spotlight, the manner in which sexual assault allegations are addressed within the industry helps set an example in all other sectors.

Addressing Sexual Assault

As a microcosm of society at large, the film industry could seriously change gender politics. Out of fear for being accused of sexual assault, many men in power in the film industry are becoming more considerate regarding their actions towards women. The example set by the film industry, in regards to preventing and calling out instances of sexual assault, could bode well for every industry.

Schools and businesses, for example, are both often guilty of poorly addressing instances of sexual assault. College campuses in particular have a history of ignoring or covering up reports of sexual assault, especially when it comes to their athletes. In the last few years, reports of sexual assault have increased — although it’s unclear whether this is a result of more sexual assault or simply more women feeling empowered to report it. With the #MeToo movement, the climate regarding this topic is changing for the better.

Movies Shedding Light on Sexual Assault

Seeing the consequences of sexual assault in Hollywood can help children and teenagers become familiar with sex, consent, and sexual assault. Many school administrators and parents treat these topics like taboos, which does children and teenagers a disservice. In order to teach them what consent means, and how to stay safe, they need to be aware that these situations are common and become more common as they get older.

Another way to familiarize older teens with sexual situations and consent is by exposing them to films and media that address some common scenarios in these topics. Three films that talk about sexual assault and empowerment include:

• Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003): Like most Querintino films, Kill Bill is rated R for violence, language, and sexual assault. Beatrix Kiddo is a former assassin who was left for dead by her ex-lover on her wedding day. She survives but is comatose for four years, in which she is raped at the facility where she receives her care. Upon awakening, she kills a man that attempted to rape her and another employee who had been selling her body.
• Precious (2009): Rated R for sexual assault and pervasive language, Claireece “Precious” Jones is raped by her father. She is pregnant for the second time and is regularly abused by her mother. She is illiterate and in a bleak situation until being transferred to an alternative school, where a teacher encourages her to read and write to improve her future. The movie encourages victims to escape their abusive situations.
• Assassination Nation (2018): This drama thriller is rated R for disturbing violence, sexual material, and pervasive language, all committed by teens. The movie channels feelings of frustration regarding widespread apathy about the state of politics today, leaving audiences with renewed vigor and conviction.

Transforming the Film Industry

The film industry has the power to address all kinds of current social issues. It has the opportunity to tastefully address situations that are not yet at the forefront of social movements. One of these that is not well addressed by #MeToo is the prevalence of sex trafficking.

Many people believe that sex trafficking only occurs in less developed countries, where people are more socially and financially vulnerable; however, human trafficking occurs in many areas of the U.S. as well. When people don’t realize that sex trafficking occurs in the U.S., it can lead to a lack of awareness among people who could possibly intervene and help victims.

One way to raise awareness of these issues that mostly affect women is by getting more women involved in every industry. The MeToo movement has helped many people realize the need for equality in the film industry, and by raising awareness of this, has helped change Hollywood — and its audience — for the better.

Many screenwriters have been inspired by real life memoirs and adapted them for the screen. For the critically-acclaimed drama BEAUTIFUL BOY, Luke Davies and Felix van Groeningen based their screenplay on the real-life memoirs of David Sheff and his son Nic. “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction” and “Tweak: Growing up on Crystal Meth” unflinchingly describe Nic’s downward spiral into drug addiction and his dad’s tireless efforts to save his life.

Ahead of the release of BEAUTIFUL BOY on Blu-ray and DVD, we take a look at some of our favourite films inspired by real-life memoirs which chronicle intense, emotional and ultimately inspirational life experiences.

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007) – Julian Schnabel

Ronald Harwood’s (The Piano) Bafta-winning and Oscar-nominated screenplay for The Diving Bell and The Butterfly was based on Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir of the same name and portrays Bauby’s (Mathieu Amalric) life before and after the massive stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome. Almost completely physically paralyzed but mentally normal, Bauby’s only means of communication is to spell out messages letter by letter by blinking his left eye. Remarkably, Bauby was able to complete his life story using this laborious process. Unflinchingly honest, the film and original memoir are an inspirational testament to love, family and the human spirit.

Wild (2014) – Jean-Marc Vallée

Following the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed descended into a deep depression that she tried to numb with heroin and anonymous sex, eventually destroying her marriage. Having reached rock-bottom, she made the rash decision to embark on a 1,100 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail despite having no hiking experience.  

In 2012 she published a memoir of the walk “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” which was adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby. Starring Reese Witherspoon, who received an Oscar nomination for the role, Wild powerfully captures the determination of a young woman who, against all odds, completes this immense physical and emotional challenge in her quest for redemption and healing.

127 Hours (2010) – Danny Boyle

“127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place” is Aron Ralston’s heroic story of survival following a freak accident while hiking in the Utah canyons. When he slid down a boulder, it shifted, trapping his right hand against the canyon wall where he remained for five days. Finally, he faced the most terrible and agonising decision of his life as the only way to free himself was to amputate his own hand.

Adapted by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy 127 Hours,starring James Franco,is a riveting depiction of Aron’s extreme ordeal and the determination that led to his survival.

12 Years a Slave (2013) – Steve McQueen

Solomon Northup was a free-born African American but in 1841 he was kidnapped and sold in to slavery. He wrote about his experiences following his release, after 12 years of unthinkable hardship, and his compelling and extremely dignified first-person account of slavery helped to further the abolitionist movement in the U.S. 160 years later his incredible life story was brought to the screen by John Ridley (screenplay) and Steve McQueen (director) in the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Beautiful Boy (2018) – Felix van Groeningen

Beautiful Boy is based on a collection of best-selling memoirs written by a father and son, outlining their experiences with addiction and how they dealt with it within their family. Timothée Chalamet plays Nic Sheff, a talented student who has succumbed to the tyranny of hard drugs. His devoted dad (Steve Carell) tries everything possible to save him and the rest of the family while in constant fear that all his efforts will be in vain. The film is a stark and raw look at the frustrating nature of addiction and how it not only affects the individual, but those close to them.

BEAUTIFUL BOY is ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD 13^TH MAY 2019 and ON BLU-RAY™ & DVD 20^TH MAY 2019

Game Of Thrones. The winter is here and we are all desperate. More desperate than ever because it looks like the ending of the entire series is not going to be as satisfying as we hoped, especially if you look at how low the ratings of the actual season have been: some of the lowest in the history of the show. And the reasons for this are many – people feel like the show has abandoned what it has been about for a long time.

They feel like the writers are no longer interested in writing a story that is good or interesting but are rather dedicating their time to working through the show to get to new projects that they are more excited about instead of, you know, finishing one of the greatest television shows in the history of television. But alas, life is what life is and sometimes the card we get dealt (all millions of the fans around the world) are not what we hoped they were.

You just gotta work with what you have, and in the case of what we have right now, we should figure out a way to survive the coming winter. So here are a few suggestions to all of you fans of the Game of Thrones series and all the fun associated with the show, hopefully you find them to be good enough to survive the long, coming plague where we don’t get anything Game of Thrones or a Song of Ice and Fire related for years from now. 

Game of Thrones content 300

If you are one of those people (like me) who will be missing a whole lot of game of thrones lore, content and stories that have been filling your life up over the past few years, then I have good news for you. The first piece of good news is that GRR Martin has not just been sitting on a chair and not doing anything over the past few years instead of writing the last two books of the Song of Ice and Fire.

He has, instead, been writing spinoff books, or to be more accurate, prequel books. The first of these is Fire and Blood and it is really good. Set in the same world, except much earlier, the book explores the events that took place three hundred years before the first book and the continued events of the Game of Thrones.

And if you are not necessarily a fan of reading the lore-heavy books that GRRM writes (can’t blame you, those can be pretty dense) then you should get excited about the fact that the book will soon enough be made into a TV show of its own. And yes, the book is pretty thick, so there should be enough or a couple of seasons. Although, whether it is enough to fill the seasons up meaningfully, we are not sure. What scares us is the prospect of the book not being done justice, just like two of everyone’s favorite showrunners are seeming to be doing right now.

And if that does not seem to be good enough for you either, there are many other prequel and spinoff stories that GRRM has written, based in the same world. Like the Dunk and Egg novellas that he has been publishing over the years and that is to be part of a series called the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. And there is so much more to read that he has published so you might not need to worry about running out of related materials any time soon. 

Game of Thrones games 300

If you are not one to be reading any new lore and watching any new shows and are instead interested in the other entertainment that has been provided to you over the years with the help of the show, there is that as well. Specifically, we are talking about games. Many fans have been participating in death pools or basing their adventure Role-playing games in the world of the Game of Thrones for a long time now, and they might feel a little deprived of the fun if they don’t get to participate in the fun again. Thankfully, capitalism understands our desire to have everything Game of Thrones related, which is why they have given us some fun stuff to play around with. 

The first thing to mention is the Game of Thrones board game which has been updated many times over the past few years. The game is one of the most involved strategy board games available out there. Being a mix of settlers of Catan and RIsk, it provides a group of friends with hours upon hours of fun and rivalry. If you ever wanted to participate in the game of thrones, this game would be how you would go about participating in the full-scale war aspect of it.

If you were more of a deathpool person, who liked taking their chances with the world and risking a little bit of money while you were at it, you might find something a little more gambling-related more interesting to you. You are lucky – Game of Thrones has been used as a theme for many online real casino slots games over the years. It doesn’t matter whether you are in Australia or anywhere else in the world, you will have the opportunity to play these games and enjoy them.

If you are more of a physically involved person, then you might want to consider battle reenactments. There are currently some happening in Australia, where people will get together, dress up as GoT warriors and start the battle. Although this might be only in Australia for now, this trend will be spreading around the world soon.

A new hope: the final books 

And if none of that interests you, and all you want in your life right now is the end of the story as GRRM intended, then I have some good news for you. Recently, Ian McElhinney, the man who played Barristan Selmy in the show, confirmed that the final two books A Song of Ice and Fire are written and that GRRM is simply waiting for the show to end to release them. This is because of the deal that he struck with the showrunners, where he promised he would not be getting in the way of the show with releasing his books. So he has been sitting on the books for a while now. 

And while we are not entirely sure whether to believe this or not (rumors are known to hurt, and expectations are known to be ruined), we are still pretty hyped about this. Over the past years, we have gotten used to the idea that the books might not be released for many years and maybe that even GRRM would not be alive by the time they get released. If the books get released, it does not matter to us how unsatisfying the show will be in its ending, we still get to read the real ending, and everything will be good (even if bittersweet and sad).