By: Noah Ung, Staff Writer
As the entertainment industry evolves, a big question is on everyone’s mind: Sould movies go straight to streaming platforms, or should they premiere in theaters first? The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ has changed the way we watch films, leading to a shift in the traditional moviegoing experience.
One of the biggest reasons people are turning to streaming is its convenience and affordability with a subscription, viewers can access a huge library of content without leaving their homes. Serena Arge, a Media Arts and Video PRoduction teacher here at Mills, explains that money plays a huge role in this shift, “Ultimately, it comes down to costs—money drives what grows and what dies,” she says. “Streaming allows companies to bypass traditional Hollywood production channels, cutting costs and reaching audiences faster.” This trend’s growth was only sped up due to COVID-19 as theaters closed, leaving streaming platformsas the main way to release new films.
Even though streaming is practical, it doesn’t have the same “magix” as watching a movie in a theater. The experience of seeing a film on the big screen with an audience is something that watching at home can’t quite match. Mark Chan, a filmmaker and senior at Mills, sees both sides of the issue. “It’s great for accessibility, especially since theater prices are rising. People are left to wonder whether spending money on one movie is worth it, when you could spend the same amount of money on a streaming service subscription,” he says. Despite the convenience however, Chan believes there’s something special about going to a theater that streaming can’t replace.
For many people, the theater is more than just a place to watch movies– it’s a place where different cultures can come together. Arge stresses the importance of keeping theaters, especially indie ones, alive. Indie theaters provide such an important service for indie filmmakers,” she explains. “They’re places for people to gather, hear diverse voices, and network.” These theaters often showcase independent films that give voice to stories and perspectives that mainstream platforms might overlook.
However, while convenient, streaming services can also come with challenges. One major issue is that creators oftentimes are unfairly compensated for their work. Arge gives an example of Squid Game, who’s creator received fairly little financial reward relative to the shows massive success. “Streaming platforms aren’t the heroes we think they are,” she says.
Makr Chan also sees streaming as a great tool for independent filmmakers to reach audiences they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, “There are filmmakers that we wouldn’t even know existed if YouTube didn’t exist. Funny example, but look at Dhar Mann. His style of short films would never be able to compete with other box office films at the theater, yet they perform fantastically on YouTube, gathering millions of views.” For independent filmmakers and creators like Chan, platforms like YouTube, and sometimes Netflix, give them a direct path to reach an audience, allowing voices outside of the mainstream megalomanic companies.
At the end of the day a balance between streaming and theaters might be the best solution. Major films could debut in theaters, creating those shared cultural moments, then transition later to streaming platforms for a wider range of accessability. This way, we preserve the excitement and culture of a shared theater experience while embracing the convenience that modern technology offers.
