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November 21, 2005
George Lucas on theatrical: You could chop that off in a second
The Reporter's Paula Parisi has a Hotel Bel-Air breakfast with George Lucas, whose coffee is definitely strong. "There are definitely some dynamics that are changing the economics of the business. What do you think of Mark Cuban's idea of releasing films simultaneously at home and in theaters?" I think it'll happen— it'll have to happen... because of piracy. It's the only way you can stop piracy; there is no other way. You have to get a very, very aggressive enforcement program so that people do have consequences to stealing, but you also have to be able to offer it to them ... for the same price they can get it on the street. It won't be DVDs—DVDs aren't going to be around too much longer. If you can get it at home for $2, then why would you go on the street and get a bad version? 
Lucas believes PPV will replace DVD. It's the way kids do it today. It's how you do it on your iPod: They just download it. You pay 99 cents for music, and movies will be like two bucks. That will definitely change the economics of the business because (studios) are losing money now... If you look at the (theatrical) divisions, I don't think they make any money. I don't think they've made money for five or six years... For studios, the fact is that the theatrical film market is less than 10% of their business—it's very, very small. I mean, you could chop that off in a second, and it wouldn't even bother them—they're just doing it as a promotional thing.
Posted by pride at November 21, 2005 04:17 PM
Comments
Yeah, I read this. I asked some lucas folks about this, and they said that Lucas was not referring to PPV so much as DRM downloads, like when you get software online instead of getting a disc... Anyway, there is a brand new book that might be interesting to you. DROIDMAKER: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution. www.droidmaker.com It really explores Lucas' organization and formation.
Posted by: droidmakerman ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/mcindie/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 22, 2005 07:17 AM
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