Hollywood’s Future Comeback

As in years past, Hollywood has dealt with various types of disruption. Sagging economies, World War II, and now a pandemic. One of our most resilient and determined industries, The Movies, will survive. And once again, find a way to thrive and prosper.

Despite the recent sea changes, the masses will always seek entertainment. Yes, the movie portal has evolved. From Nickelodeons to the movie theater. The drive-ins to the Internet. From single-screen movie theaters to the multiplex. The multiplex morphing into the IMAX with digital projection and stadium seating. All playing into the hands of Hollywood.

As consumers evolve, Hollywood pivots. As tech progresses, Hollywood delivers. Pound for pound, the best counter puncher in business.

As more people skip the theaters and opt to remain home, they still seek and yearn content. To answer this trend, more films have premiered faster or right away. From Pay-Per-View to Video-On-Demand. The industry answers. In our I want it now culture, more and more content is premiering online. Again, as the public demands, Hollywood provides.

Among many things, Hollywood is smart and resilient. It always keeps the pulse of the wider audience. What they want.

Hollywood answers with both devised and revised schedule slots. Days, evenings, and nights. Fall versus mid-season runnings. Renewals, cancellations, and cast changes.

Hollywood listens and responds. It practices the ultimate customer service model with the money, talent, and will to satisfy the public.

Hollywood has always juggled the present with their future productions. Despite the detour created by Covid-19 and the subsequent shutdowns, Hollywood will adapt. That’s what it does. In its Darwinian nature, it will modify and evolve.

At the time of the shutdown, film and TV production was at an all-time high in New York City. As a background actor, I witnessed and enjoyed it.

Multiple productions both on location and studio stages. Split crews and simultaneous scenes on various shows.

With the advent and popularity of streaming and added TV studios, more production was ordered to meet this new trend and demand. The streaming service, CBS Access, already produces episodic shows for online viewing only.

Both Amazon and Netflix have plans on the board to build their own sound stages. Prior to the lockdown, Steiner Studios, currently at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, announced expansion plans.

I’m confident that these projects will resume and be completed. I expect added delays and pushbacks. That’s inevitable. What I can’t envision, is the public’s appetite for entertainment ever receding. It will only expand.

Executives are currently demanding revised scripts with limited cast numbers. Due to the pandemic, most productions will be on studio stages.

For example, the hit CBS show, Evil was scheduled to shoot its Season 2 premiere in a subway terminal. That premise needed to be scrubbed, due to the difficulties of location, cast, and crew numbers.

It shouldn’t imply this particular episode is lost. It could be produced at a later date. After the advent of a vaccine and healing agents, the coronavirus will be over.

The public’s hunger for content will still need to be satisfied. In the short term, a lower scaled model will prevail. I don’t believe the days of blow-out budgets are over. Instead, they’ll be placed on pause. It’s not about the money. It’s about the virus and health protocols limiting production.

Once Hollywood gets the green light to spend, they will. Production value costs money and production value will be in higher demand. The public will grow tired of smaller and intimate plotlines.

Quarantine comedies might be timely, funny, and even popular. The time will arrive when these shows overstay their welcome. As will the smaller sets with their dialogue-heavy scenes. Viewers don’t like talking heads — they prefer visuals and action.

Film and TV audiences yearn to be transported. They will miss and demand a return to the foreign, surreal, and alien landscapes. The period pieces with their lavish sets. Classic cars and retro fashion. The epic scope that Hollywood is all about and born to provide.

One of our greatest industries will find its way back. Our world and society may never return to normal, but I wouldn’t bet against Hollywood. If they can’t find normal, they’ll build it.

The nation’s greatest export will return to prominence. It will regain its footing. It will produce and provide fresh content. Of course, it will. It's in its nature. The essence of the beast.

Hooray for Hollywood!