Consumers have a number of options when it comes to viewing movies at home. Two of the most popular are renting movies at the local video store and renting movies via an online service. An informal survey was recently conducted on a home electronics/entertainment site regarding the movie viewing habits of website visitors. The results pointed to some of the misconceptions that still exist about online rental of DVDs by consumers that have not yet tried the service.
Participants in the survey were asked a number of questions, including how often they watch movies at home, whether or not they rent movies online, and if not, why. Nearly 28% of those responding indicated that they rent movies online. Of the remainder, the most frequently cited reason for not using an online movie rental service was concern which centered around the perception that online movie rental would be more expensive than the local video store. When looking at a couple of scenarios it becomes evident which method tends to be more affordable.
For individuals who indicated that they watch only 1 to 3 movies per month the savings from renting online are small. Renting 2 movies per month at the local video store would average around $7.40 whereas renting from Netflix for example, if they chose the plan that has a limit of 2 movies per month, would run $5.99. After getting a video at the local store the user would have overnight or perhaps one week to return the movie but an online rental would allow them to keep the movie for an unlimited period of time.
For those individuals who responded that they view 1-3 movies per week, the savings would be more significant. For instance, renting 8 movies per month would run around $29.55 at the local store and as low as $14.99 online if they chose the “2 out at a time” plan or $17.99 for the “3 out at a time” plan. As viewing increases so does the likelihood of experiencing greater savings.
For those who responded that they view 4 movies per week (averaged out to 16 per month) the average cost at the local store would be $59.04 while online rental would be $23.99 allowing the user “4 out at a time”. Renting through a service like Netflix generally does not limit how many movies a person views but rather, how many movies they can have out at any given time. Therefore rentals are more or less unlimited with many of the plans.
The second most frequently cited reason for not utilizing online movie rental services was that the individual rented movies on the spur of the moment and did not plan ahead. Certainly renting movies online and receiving them through the mail would not allow someone to decide at 6:00 p.m. that they want to see The Queen and receive it so that they can be viewing the movie by 8:00 p.m. However, the delay for receiving movies selected through the mail is only 1 business day which would seem sufficient in most instances.
The future of DVD rental may be changing however as Netflix announced in early 2007 that customers would now have the option of watching movies instantly via a streaming service that is now available for some movies. The service should be quicker than most download services as streaming allows viewing of the movie as it is streamed rather than waiting until download is complete. Although a full transition from the current mail delivery system to a download type of service will take time, it is clear that immediacy will only continue to improve. It would seem that other online movie rental services would follow suit in coming years in order to compete.
Consumers who have not been initiated into the online movie rental world also may be unaware of other benefits/features of such services.
Misconceptions about online movie rental services appear to limit the participation of a significant number of consumers. Online movie rental probably offers the services that most consumers want, even if they don’t know it yet.
Online movie forums are where people post what they liked about a movie, hated about a movie, or what they want to see. A filmmaker can only benefit by being part of these communities. Be prepared for members of forums to post negative comments, but there are also members that post positive comments or offer helpful constructive criticism that can make your next movie better. All you can do as a filmmaker or movie producer is put your work out there and see what type of responses come from viewers.
Online movie forums thrive because it’s a cool way for viewers to become a movie critic from their computer and express their uncensored audience opinion. That is one of things I love about the social medium. The Internet allows people to enjoy freedom of speech, even when it’s just about posting about a movie. I trust the opinions of people that post in forums more than paid movie critics. Most paid movie critics focus on reviewing studio films, art house fare, or offbeat films with known Hollywood stars in them.
The open diversity of movies discussed in forums is amazing to me as a writer, producer, and director. Members that like direct to video urban gangster movies have a place to post their comments. Fans of low budget horror movies have a home on the Internet to be heard. Online movie forums are an entertainment democracy for viewers and producers.
The majority of smaller budget indie movies will never be reviewed by paid movie critics or get a first look from mainstream media outlets. The online movie forum community gives indie movies made on small budgets a shot to be seen, to loved, and hated. Every movie gets a fair shake to be reviewed. Film democracy lives!
In a film democracy no filmmaker is safe from movie viewer salvos or roses being virtually thrown. I’ve read posts that start by tearing apart a movie until there is nothing left to attack. When not satisfied enough with bashing the movie a forum member sometimes turns their wrath on the filmmaker by personally shredding them to pieces.
I had one online reviewer go way beyond not liking one of my movies. They personally attacked me over my face. No way I could change that part of making a movie. I think the line was, “Your face makes me sick.” Not only did the viewer hate one of my movies, they hated my face. Hell, I have not ever appeared in a movie I’ve done in a cameo or acting role. That was funny to me. It reminds of the story about the cowboy that catches a terrible beating from another cowboy. The winning cowboy looks down at the losing cowboy asking if he still wants more. The losing cowboy fires back, “Are you crazy?
The only place you haven’t hit me yet is on the bottom of my feet.” I’ve been that losing cowboy on more than a few posts and reviews. Forums can be like a rowdy old west saloon. That’s what makes them fun.
Members of forums post sharp and witty comments I enjoy reading, even if it happens one of my movies is getting flamed. A filmmaker that has thin skin should stay out of forums. It’s like when professional athletes are heckled and cursed at by fans. The difference is that during making a movie there will be no heckling or cursing directed at you while you’re working on set. That’s unless you invite a Guy Terrifico personality friend to the set to watch.
To join an online movie forum you need to submit a valid email before being able to post comments. Once that step is done take a straightforward approach to marketing and promoting your film on forums. Movie buffs can see through over the top hype and BS.