Hollywood Changes in Production: Coronavirus

Hey guys, I wanted to jumpstart our conversations on the future of Hollywood, specifically in production, and even more specifically how it is affected by the coronavirus. We'll be talking about distribution in the coming days too because obviously streaming is emerging as the clear frontrunner now.

We all know that things are changing in Hollywood production and the coronavirus is adding complexity and speeding that up. Technology changes are coming yes, but productions now have to think about crew and talent bubbles, location safety, transportation, etc - it's a lot to consider, let alone implement.

Here are some of the things that need to be considered regarding production in these times:
- Smaller movies. Smaller locations, sets, crews, talent, etc. Think about all the roles that need to be careful - Makeup for example. Very close contact with actors.
- Virtual productions, especially for larger budgets. Think THE MANDALORIAN, AVATAR, TINTIN, THE LION KING, etc. Anything that can be done behind a computer could and should become the gold standard. More on that in upcoming posts.
- Tightly controlled bubbles. Everyone involved in the production needs to be in their own bubble. Just like what the NBA is thinking of doing on July 31.
- Daily testing with swabs and/or non-invasive temperature checks.
- Ensuring locations/sets have exceptional air circulation and filtration.
- Specialized medical teams. Productions are going to need them.
- Specialized cleaning teams. Productions are going to need them.
- Using Zoom for the bulk of required meetings.
- Insurance. The coverage is going to look a lot different. Less extravagant locations and more green screens and perfcap volume sets. More on this in the coming days.

I see some immediate changes. Since theater releases are not going to happen on a large scale anytime soon, productions are going to have to align with digital streaming pipeline workflows and release schedules. That's the new time slots. Anything to ease this transition and integration with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO, Amazon Prime, etc is going to boom.

Other fast changes include production bubbles - studios will need to house, feed, transport, and safely enable sets for all crew members - perhaps even family members for longer productions. This is no small feat. Tight budget controls will need to be in place, especially because distribution is in flux and not as certain as theatrical.

Marketing is going to undergo huge changes. No more festivals or industry events. No more mammoth budgets for red carpets, travel, and awards. Think more about social media, influencers, and short clipped "trailers" on Tiktok for example.

Even as more and more of society opens up, theaters will remain one of the worst places for infection. A second wave is a very real possibility. I shudder to think about it.

Here's the bottom line: Expect many more first-run movies on streaming services. Take the recently released BECKY, starring Kevin James and Lulu Wilson, written by a friend of mine, Nick Morris. It was slated to premiere at Tribeca this spring and be released in theaters, but now it released on several digital platforms like Apple TV+ and Vudu. No theatrical. That will continue to happen in the industry. Hopefully, we can get to a place where there is a simultaneous release on digital and also any theatrical territories that have opened up in the future.

The coronavirus has definitely done one thing: Sped up adoption of streaming services around the world, and the acceptance of that distribution by studios. I don't believe theaters are dead. They're going to change, but they will be back.

Zachary Quinto Starts Channeling Nimoy As STAR TREK 3 Materializes

Zachary Quinto paid respect to Leonard Nimoy with a recent Instagram photo of Quinto starting to prepare for the role of Spock in STAR TREK 3 which has already started shooting.

Quinto said: "in honor of my first day back and the memory of my dear friend leonard go to:
http://bit.ly/LoveOfSpock and support his son adam's documentary: FOR THE LOVE OF SPOCK!!"

The production is up and running in Squamish, BC - a town I dearly love as we often spent family time in the gorgeous park areas while living in Vancouver. Obviously there are stunning views of the Cascade mountains there, but according to a sign posted locally they will be focusing on the Kacodemon and Cave Boulders. Plenty of granite to scale around there!

It looks fairly certain that Paramount will be entitling the movie STAR TREK BEYOND as they have registered the name with the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) and our friend Simon Pegg also mentioned the moniker on his blog.

Zoe Saldana also posted a photo of her getting prepped in her trailer. She plays Uhura in the franchise so one would think that they share some scenes there together as a couple - probably doing some climbing. Nothing too exciting to get amped up about, other than the fact that the production is definitely underway and more is to come soon.

Enjoy the photos! STAR TREK 3 is slated to arrive in theaters July 8, 2016.

 

Sources: Squamish Climbing Magazine | CS.net | Escalade-Alsace

Fox's DEADPOOL Slated To Start Shooting In March

I am a huge Deadpool fan and I've been waiting a long time for this news. Finally we have definitive action on the movie. Hopefully Fox will see the way clear to allow the "merc with a mouth" free reign in doing so - an "R" rating.

They some atonement to make because of how they neutered him in  X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. Reynolds still managed an awesome scene though as he egresses an elevator and proceeds to wipe the floor with everyone. Deadpool CAN bring a blade to a gunfight and win.

Ryan Reynolds will mask up in his hometown of Vancouver (North Shore Studios) for the production. Suitable as even Wade Wilson (Deadpool's real identity) claims he is Canadian (Marvel NOW Deadpool #3). 

DEADPOOL has a planned February 12, 2016 release. More news when we get it! And it goes without saying - This had better be a 3D release!

Source: Global via Collider