The Lull

I just read a column posted yesterday by Variety head honcho and co-host of AMC TV's Sunday Morning Shootout, Peter Bart, that I think accurately describes the mood of the film studios today.

The editorial states the following:

"The major media companies are significantly reducing their financial commitment to the motion picture sector."

Which in turn means:

"Substantially fewer films will be produced over the next year or two. And a significant portion of the production costs of the reduced slate will be borne by hedge funds and other investment groups."

Like any business, there are always periods of boon, as well as "lulls". I would agree with that assessment--but only in part. The movie industry may be in a "theatrical" slump, but I would like to point out that studios are still making plenty of Cah--Ching, thanks, to a still strong home video market, despite a slight dip last year over 2004's numbers. How the showdown between dueling formats Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will affect all of this "Chatter", it's still too early to say, but I have a feeling the current woes of the studios will be short lived...

Here's something they can do in the meantime--MAKE BETTER MOVIES AND PEOPLE WILL COME BACK .