Steven Spielberg Says Netflix Films shouldn't Quality for Oscar Noms.

[sandman slim]

I'd say he's right. Streaming is to theaters what Napster was to CD sales, and we all know how that turned out. We're right in the middle of the tipping point, with major stars like Will Smith, major productions like Cloverfield & Annihilation, and major directors like Scorsese all opting for Netflix. They apparently have unlimited cash, and they're using it to disrupt the movie business in ways that Hollywood can't (or won't) compete with. $175 million for a gangster movie? Nobody in Hollywood is going to finance that, even with the talent involved, because it will never recoup that kind of investment. Released theatrically, it might have a chance at being in the same neighborhood as The Departed: $100 million or so at the box office, and some big awards. And it would have had a much smaller budget. Netflix doesn't play by the same rules as the movie business, there's no reason they should be eligible for their awards.

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

“maybe with the promise of a slight one-week theatrical window to qualify them for awards,” ... How is this any different than when you and your contemporaries get your movies in 2 theaters on December 31st so you can qualify for Oscars. Or am I reading this wrong?

Difference being that movies like Spielberg's most recent, The Post, open in limited release, then go wide a few weeks later and play theaters for months. Unless I missed something, no Netflix film has ever played nationwide theatrically; I know they've never been shown here.

Originally Posted by Zillamon51

I understand where he's coming from, and in principle I agree. But the rules are the rules, and the films qualify if they meet the criteria. If they make it harder to qualify, like upping the number of theaters or the length of the run, it might shut out some smaller films that aren't made for streaming. All I can see them doing, is possibly adding a rule that a film can't be released for home viewing until after a certain time has elapsed from its qualifying theatrical run.

That would be the movie industry's only real solution to the situation, and it would force Netflix to make the decision: forget the awards prestige, or incur all the extra expenses involved in being a theatrical distributor. Do they really want that Oscar bad enough to pony up another hundred million in P & A? Doubt it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

Yeah, how dare he praise Netflix by saying they should get Emmies. The nerve of the guy.

Why does he care whether a low-budget Netflix film gets an Oscar or an Emmy?

He sure isn't willing to make those kinds of films.

He make like the kids.

...but they damn sure better stay off his lawn.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Why does he care whether a low-budget Netflix film gets an Oscar or an Emmy?

He sure isn't willing to make those kinds of films.

He make like the kids.

...but they damn sure better stay off his lawn.

Because Netflix brings the danger of movie theaters coming to an end. Just like what happen to Blockbuster.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

Because Netflix brings the danger of movie theaters coming to an end. Just like what happen to Blockbuster.

Dude, he says that "A lot of studios would rather just make branded tentpole, guaranteed box office hits from their inventory of branded, successful movies than take chances on smaller films."

Meanwhile, what are his next two films in the pipeline?

...Indiana Jones 5 and a remake of Westside Story.

If he wants to save the theater system, then convince the studios to start making better films, rather than pointing to Netflix as the problem. The studios will have no one to blame but themselves if the theater model dies.

...and Spielberg has been the biggest director in that system for more than 40 years.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Yes, he is. Netflix is just another means of distribution, to compete against overpriced cinema tickets. And it is not television.

All movies are TV movies. They spend several weeks in the theatre if they're lucky, followed by an eternity of being viewed on TV going forward (streaming, discs, cable).

So are people of the opinion that all this time made-for-network-television movies should have been eligible for Oscars as well? What about straight-to-VHS and DVD movies?

...and yes, Netflix is television

[shinobipopcorn]

I wouldn't go so far as to say Netflix is the same as Napster. You pay for Netflix at least. Password sharers are next door to cable stealing punks if you ask me.

Should the OJ doc have won an Oscar? No, that was a bit of a cheat if you ask me. But Netflix movies are still "movies" in every sense of the term (they have a crew, they were filmed, etc), and if Spielberg is going to pull his one week shenanigans, why can't Netflix and Amazon?

[Rodney-2187]

They shouldn't send out Oscar screener blu rays then for people to watch at home ON THEIR TVs.

[Mr Walker]

So Netflix et al are making "homologation specials"?

Not really seeing a problem with it, if it fits the rules it fits the rules.

[Sozo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hTT...ature=youtu.be

[Kyle15]

A movie is a movie. Period.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

I wouldn't go so far as to say Netflix is the same as Napster. You pay for Netflix at least. Password sharers are next door to cable stealing punks if you ask me.

Should the OJ doc have won an Oscar? No, that was a bit of a cheat if you ask me. But Netflix movies are still "movies" in every sense of the term (they have a crew, they were filmed, etc), and if Spielberg is going to pull his one week shenanigans, why can't Netflix and Amazon?

I don't think Spielberg has ever done the one week qualifying run. Sure some of his films open in limited release, but they all expand, and wait the typical 3 months+ before being available for home viewing.

Yes, some Netflix movies are even acquired out of film festivals, meaning they were made with the intent to be seen on the big screen, but their one week in the NY/LA iPic theaters just to qualify does feel kinda cheap (even more so when some of their films have been submitted for both Oscars and Emmys, at the very least that should become a rule that a film submits for one award then it's ineligible for the other). Amazon is also different from Netflix, they give their films theatrical windows before playing on Prime, not same day, and they have had a number of films which ended up with wide theatrical releases (Manchester by the Sea, The Big Sick, Gringo just this month, etc).

[Monterey Jack]

Netflix's Gerald's Game was one of my favorite horror films from last year, and had it received a theatrical release, I wouldn't have been surprised to see Carla Gugino's performance receive some Awards Season props.

Spielberg seems spectacularly out of touch with his argument. The times are changing, and we will continue to see high-quality Netflix movies receive critical acclaim and even awards nominations.

[CyberpunkCentral]

So much hypocrisy in this thread.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I said this in the 91st Oscar thread when this came up but is Spielberg going to call Scorsese’s The Irishman a TV movie when that comes out?

Scorsese fully understood what he was doing when he let Netflix distribute it. All he asks for is creative control no other studio is willing to give him.

[DrWally]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Why does he care whether a low-budget Netflix film gets an Oscar or an Emmy?

He sure isn't willing to make those kinds of films.

For the record, Steven Spielberg has directed five OSCAR Best Picture nominees in the past twelve years. You're a poster I always enjoy reading, but you're way off base here.

[UltraMario9]

Beasts of No Nation has been the only Netflix film worth any Oscar consideration, and that was completely ignored.

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by Poya

Scorsese fully understood what he was doing when he let Netflix distribute it. All he asks for is creative control no other studio is willing to give him.

That, and an insane budget. Even adjusted for inflation, none of his movies has ever gotten to $200 million at the box office, and his average gross is far lower. I love his movies, but they ain't blockbusters. Released theatrically, The Irishman would need to be a five hundred million dollar mega-hit just to turn a profit, and based on his four decade track record, there is zero percent chance of that happening.

[Britbuffguy]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

The irony of this is so thick and putrid I feel like I need to take a shower.

Who is Steven "Captain Blockbuster" Spielberg to talk about what we need to do to bring back the days when studios were willing to finance smaller, indie films? Spielberg, more than any living director, is responsible for shifting the Hollywood paradigm toward extravaganza-style, big-budget popcorn movies.

I'm not even sure I understand exactly what his argument is?

The fact that Netflix might be willing to produce the kind of low-budget, arthouse content that studios are rarely willing to touch is a bad thing?

What exactly is he doing as a director to bring audiences that kind of filmmaking?

...making movies like Ready Player One?

Hey Steve, why don't you tell your partners at DreamWorks that your next picture is going to be a small art film about childhood poverty in Florida?

No...you'd rather make Indiana Jones 5 and a pointless remake of Westside Story?

Then shut the hell up you geriatric hypocrite.

THE POST was entertaining and timely, considering what is going on in Washington these days.

THE FLORIDA PROJECT was about as fun to look at as the turd I just dropped in the toilet.

[Blu Warrior]

Well Steven, you're my favorite director but guess what? You get to watch your movies in a controlled environment and not with teens kicking the back of your chair and talking above the movie. You don't have to contend with dozens of idiots who check text messages with their bright cell phones or people who need to check the time because they can't relax and simply enjoy two hours out of the day without outside stimuli. When you screen a movie Steven, are there braindead mothers who bring in infants to a loud action sci-fi blockbuster?
The point is people are fed up with the movie theater going experience and would rather enjoy a movie at home, whether that's a Hollywood made movie or a Netflix original.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by AmrlKJaneway

Yes he is. He admits that it's harder for smaller films to make it to cinemas these days. Hence, more and more will wind up DTV, and should start qualifying for Oscars, otherwise there'd be nothing but Star Wars and superheroes at the awards, which would just lead to further whining from film fans and makers alike.

It's the dawn of a new day. He's from a generation passed. He needs to accept the change.

And you need to learn how to read. Because Steven also clearly acknowledges that the content that Netflix produces are high quality art. The fact that he says that Netflix is a threat to movie theaters is actually a compliment, if anything. But no, you guys just want to find something to cry about. What he says about Netflix films being TV movies is factual. Whether you like it or not. I find it very hypocritical of you guys that you only make this exception towards Netflix. But when other TV channels create their own movies, I'm pretty damn sure you guys would think they don't qualify for an Oscar either. So lets just cut the crap. Yes, things are changing and Steven knows that. Just because Netflix put out some of the best stuff, doesn't change the fact that they are a TV service. Hell, their shows is what makes Netflix, not the movies. So I don't why you guys are getting this triggered when Netflix are not there yet when it comes to films.