Watch newly released movies at home? CinemaCon 2016 takes up the debate.
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Molly Driscoll Staff writer
Paramount Pictures presented various upcoming films at this year鈥檚 CinemaCon, which has film studios promote their new movies to theater owners, as discussion over a possible home viewing system continues.聽
Paramount Pictures鈥� upcoming films which were seen at CinemaCon in Las Vegas included the remake of the classic 1950s film 鈥淏en-Hur,鈥� a 鈥淭eenage Mutant Ninja Turtles鈥� sequel, and a film version of 鈥淏aywatch.鈥� The first two are set to debut this summer and 鈥淏aywatch鈥� will come out in 2017.聽
Others that will present at CinemaCon include Warner Bros. and Sony.聽
As the event continues, one possible innovation that seems to be on the minds of both theater owners and those at the studios is an initiative called the Screening Room, which includes Sean Parker of Napster and Prem Akkaraju. The idea is that moviegoers would pay $50 a movie to watch new films at home. (Users would also pay $150 for a box for their TVs.) Studios and theater owners would receive a share of the profits.聽
Some surmised that 鈥淪tar Wars: The Force Awakens鈥� director J.J. Abrams was discussing this idea during his acceptance speech for the showman of the year prize at CinemaCon.聽
鈥淢uch has been said of other technologies that threaten the theater experience 鈥� and of course I am no expert, and I鈥檓 open to all points of view and good ideas to keep theaters thriving,鈥� Mr. Abrams said during his speech, . 鈥淏ut we need to do everything we can in this age of piracy digital technology and disruption to be thoughtful partners in the evolution of this medium. We have to adapt. It鈥檚 going to be required of all of us. We need to meet that challenge with excitement and create solutions and not fear. But in my view, it鈥檚 simple: There is nothing better than going to the movies and there never will be.鈥澛�
John Fithian, National Association of Theatre Owners CEO and president, shared his thoughts on the Screening Room with Variety. (CinemaCon is the convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners.)
鈥淥ur membership understands that we have to be sophisticated about business models,鈥� . 鈥淏ut we have to work together, studios and exhibitors, to find ways to evolve and grow the pie. Those ideas won鈥檛 come from third parties. They will come from within the industry.鈥�
