Soderbergh Embarks on Ambitious Project

[ah schucks]

Famous Hollywood Director Steven Soderbergh- is launching a new project which will affect every aspect of how we view films from here on out or will it? This attempt is a beta-test of what filmmakers may have to deal with to keep up with the future.

May 1, 2005 LOS ANGELES - We know he can direct. Now Steven Soderbergh wants to change the movie industry itself. The Oscar-winning director has formed a partnership with 2929 Entertainment to direct six films that would debut simultaneously in movie theaters and on DVD, pay-per-view cable and satellite television.


Soderbergh will have creative control over the films, which will be produced in high-definition format through 2929's HDNet Films.

"From a consumer standpoint, it's about choice," 2929 partner Todd Wagner said. "We're letting people decide, for the first time, if they want to go out or stay home when a movie debuts."

The first film, "Bubble," a murder mystery set in a small Ohio town, is currently in production. Soderbergh's credits include "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich."

Some theater operators have expressed concerns that such wide-scale distribution could lead to declining box office sales, but Soderbergh said the industry must move forward.

"Economically, the film business in general is using a model that is outdated and, worse than that, inefficient," he said. "It's worth finding out if this is going to work better."

Source: MSNBC May 1, 2005

[dramaqueen]

wow- I am not sure how I feel about that! I don't understand why that makes better sense from a marketing/money-making standpoint- especially since movies are available on all those formats eventually. It seems like a movie has more longterm viability if released on these formats individually.

How is the model outdated???? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why doesn't he release them on the internet too so people can pirate them right away. Now THAT would be up with the times