In relation to film, discuss the ways audience consumption has changed over time
Film and media distribution has changed and adapted to modern society over the past few years. With more streaming services starting, movie theaters and film festivals being closed and postponed due to a pandemic. Having movies only be premiered in accessing movie has become easier with in-home services and a demand to have it in our hands
Movies used to only be available in the theater, then later released onto DVD months after. This worked for the time being back then, society wasn’t in high demand and had the patience to see their favorite movie again. Later streaming services like Netflix offered a monthly fee to watch a bunch of movies and everyone adapted and preferred that method of watching. For example, The live-action Beauty and the Beast was a total hit in the box office making $1.3 billion and dominating making headlines. Once it was done in theaters it was quick to be added to Netflix, however after Disney removed all their films and moved them to their new streaming service Disney+. So, the movie is still talked about and being enjoyed by others.
But what happens to movies that aren't immediately put onto streaming services? Well, Lego Movie 2 made around $106,000,000. This movie, however, was only released onto DVD. I think that the high demand or lack of the Lego Movie affected their numbers. This would be a prime example of how the media has affected consumption. The movie wasn’t available in the hands of little ones which affected it’s “relevantly”. The movie wasn’t distributed to the pleasure of audience consumption.
Movie distribution goes hand in hand with how the audience consumes it. If the film is easily accessible, then more people will watch. Audiences will watch what's on their streaming service. Looking through the selection while bored and picking one that looks interesting maybe what does it. Furthermore, movies like Black Panther made it easy to watch. The film was a huge hit making $361 million the first week, and as soon as it was done in theaters it was on Netflix. It had to switch over to Disney’s streaming service later but the buzz about it and everyone watching it make it still popular.
Spider-Man Homecoming is another movie that adapted to the streaming world to keep the success going. The movie's exhibition was due to the high demand for already marvel fans wanting to re-watch the movie. Once out of theaters after making $880,000,000 it’s on Xfinity streaming service. This allowed for cable user to purchase the movie to watch repeatedly. However, the movie did get onto an illegal movie platform so many are finding ways to watch the movie wrongfully. Illegally downloading movies is a way of consumption that has become more of a recent strategy, but hackers are finding ways to watch their favorite movies too.
Movie consumption has primarily changed over to in-home streaming the past few years. The companies that change with it and allow their movies to be on any streaming platform seem to stay more relevant and a household name. The consumption has changed over time for the better because it's all in our hands and easily shared.
