I've safely arrived here in Las Vegas to cover this year's ShoWest convention, and thus far have lost only $1 to the slot machines-- and that was at the airport's baggage claim. But don't worry, I've managed to get to work as well, attending the opening day luncheon, where there were no movie premieres or exclusive footage-- that starts tomorrow-- but a handful of movie industry executives were on hand to describe the business as they see it.
Most notably, Sony Pictures Chairman Michael Lynton gave the keynote address, providing some of the expected jokes-- "Avatar's grosses are almost as big as the national debt!"-- and industry cheerleading, but also some frank talk about issues that have plagued theater exhibitors recently. You may remember a few weeks ago when a handful of theater chains threatened to boycott Alice in Wonderland when Disney wanted to shrink the movie's time in theaters in order to capitalize on DVD sales. Lynton didn't mention the boycott explicitly, but stated over and over that "we are going to have to reevaluate the way in which the current window structure operates."
Of course, he didn't make any specific suggestions-- that's not really the nature of the keynote address. But he stressed that "the most important window for Amy [Pascal, Sony co-chair] and me is the theatrical window. Always has been. Always will be." He referred to new movie-viewing technology as "additive, not subtractive," but also emphasized that new window ideas will need to be experimented with. Is that a veiled way of saying that Disney's gambit of shortening Alice's theatrical run is likely to be copied? Probably. But you won't get anyone to admit that here.
Perhaps the oddest part of the keynote was the final section, in which Lynton-- with the help of a recorded message from none other than TV's Dr. Oz-- asked the exhibitors to consider stocking their concession stands with healthier snacks. "I'm sure you're tired of hearing jokes about Kit-Kats the size of a Buick.Twizzlers that stretch from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.Hershey Bars as big as a surfboard. Adding healthier foods to your menu can help change that stereotype - so long as the apples aren't the size of pumpkins." It's strange to hear at ShoWest any pitch that doesn't involve bringing in more revenue, and the crowd of exhibitors didn't exactly seem wild about the idea of spending money to bring in fresh produce that their customers may or may not buy. But while the 3D cash comes rolling in, the studios are already looking toward the next step-- and green, healthy food just may be the new gimmick to get you in the seats.
We'll have more from ShoWest as the convention moves on, so keep checking back!
