Some Optimism–Maybe?
This year has been especially tough for emerging as well as established screenwriters. TV in particular has taken a massive hit as the bottom has finally fallen out of streaming, with 40% fewer writers working in TV than at this time last year. Yikes.
Theatrical features have suffered as well, with many “sure thing” movies underperforming (Marvel, hello); the industry overall has still not recovered from the strike. As well, indie filmmaking is also being squeezed hard by the loss of DVD/BluRay revenue streams and ever-shrinking foreign sales. No one makes their money back at 4 cents a click on Amazon. Worse, ever-escalating union fees and cross-union agreements have made it increasingly difficult to shoot a $3-5M movie with names in the US.
Yet despite all this doom and gloom, something very interesting is occurring – optimism for original content, such that we haven’t seen in years. Apparently it took everything cratering for the industry to realize they can’t be riding the coattails of sequels and remakes forever. For the first time in a long time, there is demand for great, original feature stories, well-told. The excitement from our reps is palpable. When the mandate from the industry is: find us some killer original stories, well, that’s music to an agent or manager’s ears.
From the ashes rises the phoenix, and it’s wonderful to see a bit of spring in the town’s step once again. So let’s all knuckle down, create something great, and make sure we get ours.
Faqs:
- What challenges are screenwriters facing this year?
Screenwriters are finding fewer opportunities to work and are earning less money than they used to. Many projects are failing to get the funding they need to move forward. It has become much harder to sell a script in the current market. This creates a lot of uncertainty for writers who are trying to find steady jobs.
- How has the streaming industry affected TV writers?
Streaming has completely changed the way TV writers receive their paychecks. There is more content being made now, but writers often earn lower wages for their work. Shows do not stay on the air as long as they did in the past. These shorter runs mean that residual payments are smaller and provide less financial security over time.
- What is happening to theatrical features in the film industry?
Theatrical features are struggling to succeed at the box office right now. This is especially true for movies that belong to large franchises. Many of these films are not making enough money to cover their costs. Because of these losses, studios have become very cautious about which projects they choose to produce.
- How has indie filmmaking been impacted by the loss of DVD/Blu-Ray and shrinking foreign sales?
Indie filmmaking used to rely on DVD and Blu-Ray sales to make a profit. International sales were also a major source of income for independent creators. Both of these revenue streams have dropped significantly in recent years. This shift makes it very difficult for filmmakers to recover the money they spend on their movies.
- Why is there optimism for original content now?
There is a new sense of hope because the industry is searching for fresh ideas again. Audiences are starting to grow tired of seeing the same sequels and remakes. Producers and studios are now more open to exploring original content and unique stories. This change gives creative writers a much better chance to stand out and find success.