As subscription streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have started ramping up their efforts in the original movies field, there's been a lot of talk about what makes the streaming services a good fit for certain directors. If you've been hoping for an answer, we can at least tell you what Okja director Bong-Joon Ho said about working with streaming giant Netflix. It all comes down to creative freedom, according to the director:
Netflix guaranteed my complete freedom in terms of putting together my team and the final cut privilege, which only godlike filmmakers such as Spielberg get.
There are a lot of big budget movies that the studios tinker with in order to get the product the studio feels fits its audience best. Even giant movies, such as Suicide Squad for example, have been rumored to go through reshoots at the studio's behest. That's not true of Netflix, however. Per Bong-Joon Ho, Netflix enabled him to create a finished product that he stood behind 100%, and apparently he didn't have to change anything to fit the streaming service's audience. It must be nice to know what Steven Spielberg feels like.
Over the past few months, a pattern has been emerging with the streaming service. Netflix has started taking on movies with bigger budgets, with movies like War Machine and the upcoming Will Smith vehicle Bright costing a pretty penny. Clearly, the subscription streaming service is able to shell out a sizable amount of money to produce originals, too, so there's plenty of freedom in those terms, too. David Michod, who directed the Brad Pitt starrer War Machine also told the Washington Post that Netflix has been a good deal for him because he doesn't have to worry so much about box office, noting that with theatrical releases,
The success of your film is the success of its marketing, not the quality of your film.
That's not true of Netflix, as a lot of the subscription streaming service's originals see people come to them over time, which means movies have the time to make impressions and make their mark on pop culture, theoretically. Netflix may not be the model for everyone. Indie films have had some trouble finding success with the streaming service; big events like Cannes haven't been the friendliest places for Netflix content and awards ceremonies haven't focused much on what Netflix has to offer yet. In addition, the subscription streaming service can't afford the huge blockbusters that are dominating theaters these days. However, for mid-level movies, Netflix may be the place to be. You can check out what Netflix has coming up in terms of original projects with our full premiere schedule.
