We’re going into the 2020-2021 Oscar season, and nominations are set to drop shortly. Yet 2020 will not go down in the books as a bumper movie year. With theaters closed by the health crisis, production schedules in tatters, and very little campaigning underway, this will be a very different Oscar Season- and it may well be Netflix’s best. BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Lawyer Los Angeles takes a closer look.
Netflix and nominations
Securing an Oscar nomination is always something of an odds race. This year, one studio stands like a giant above others- and it’s Netflix. Sure, Amazon Prime Video and Searchlight have produced some gems that will doubtless get their own nod, and Disney has aggressively cultivated Disney Plus, but for the most part, Netflix movies are the heavy favorites for multiple Oscar nominations and wins.
This time last year, could anyone have predicted the complete dearth of blockbusters for the 2020 season? Or the surge to prominence of a streaming service over big-name movie studios? Not at all. The coronavirus pandemic has not only rocked the movie industry, but it’s upset the Oscar apple cart completely- and the invasion of Netflix to mainstream prominence is a key part of that.
After all, original films on the network are not new. They’ve been venturing into original content for almost a decade, and since 2013’s The Square earned a nomination, they’ve had their eyes on conquering the Oscars. Since about 2018, the possibility has become more and more real that prominent wins would go to them.
The stigma of being a ‘streaming service’ was real, however- until 2020, the year in which you streamed or snoozed. The perfect storm was created, leaving the most obvious Oscar contenders (and dozens of epic performances) a product of Netflix’s efforts. We could list endless contenders for nominations from the network alone- and few from elsewhere. There can be no doubt that Netflix’s aggressive pulling of titles from film festivals, alongside smart campaign strategies and the effects of the pandemic, will pay off big-time for the network in the Oscars this year.
What created the perfect storm?
After all, Netflix- unlike almost every other studio- did not suddenly have to focus on it’s streaming services instead of the theatrical exhibition when the first lockdowns ground daily life to a halt. It only ever had filmed for streaming, and budgeting for recoverable money and other aspects was already geared towards streaming models, not the box office. While more traditional studios lost their big-budget bait, pushed back tentpoles, or simply had no idea what to do with existing projects, Netflix just carried on carrying on, aggressive as ever and exactly as planned.
So 2020 will undoubtedly be the year Netflix booms at the Oscars. Perhaps the real question is- what happens next? The exhibition industry is not in a good place and may never recover. Netflix is well set up for direct-to-consumer models and has a commitment to aggressive growth. The key variable will be whether studios (and theaters) will recover and snatch back their share, or if Netflix will be able to leverage this perfect storm for future prominence too.
We can’t say what will happen in the coming Oscar seasons, but 2020 will definitely see Netflix scoop up unprecedented nominations. As always, BLAKE & WANG P.A will keep you in the loop and ahead of your competition, so don’t be afraid to get in touch with us to discuss the best way to position your own projects for future growth.
Perhaps unappreciated by many entertainment-focused businesses, however, we’ve seen a boom in the podcast industry as well.
It’s enough to see upfronts for podcast advertising now becoming a normal practice.
BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Attorney Los Angeles investigate further.The impact of the podcastWhile streaming has been the de facto winner of the entertainment wars over the unprecedented time in human history we have recently lived through, the podcast has, in many significant ways, been the runner-up.
We’ve even seen one true-crime podcast attract significant attention and accolades for helping to reveal new evidence and drive arrests in a 25-year old murder case.As with streaming, the podcast offers a format that can be produced at high quality with smaller production teams, yet offers a versatile and easily adaptable broadcast.
With regards to advertising, we’ve even seen advertisers opt to be less squeamish about advertising alongside hard news podcasts, vs the same genre in other formats.
This growth is typically linked to an ‘audio renaissance’, with innovative ad tech, spikes in listener interest, and the evolution of premium content services all driving it.
Chinese Propaganda To Get Boosted Screen TimeIt will now be mandatory for all Chinese cinemas to not only show, but also actively promote, a minimum of two propaganda films per week until the end of the year.
This is part of an overall propaganda drive designed to celebrate the centenary of the ruling Communist Party.
BLAKE & WANG P.A top entertainment law firms Los Angeles dives deeper into this intriguing new announcement.The first batch of eligible titles now showingThis twice-weekly screening is not even the maximum expected.
Theaters which are part of the “People’s Cinema”, the National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas, a group of over 5,000 venues with halls specifically dedicated to showing propaganda or using subsidies in order to promote such content- must up showings to 5 times a week.
No hero unhailedThese works must be “closely focused on the themes of loving the party, loving the nation and loving socialism,” and “sing the praises of … and eulogize the Party, the motherland, its people, and its heroes.” This must promote Xi Jinping Thought, the president’s eponymous ideology, primarily to promote a suitably celebratory anniversary air throughout the country.
We have been told that all film entities must “attach great importance [to the screenings], execute them in earnestness… painstakingly organize them and ensure tangible results.” It is expected that these films take the best slots, have ticket price incentives, and use other methods to attract audiences.
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Art is something that feels worth watching for the eyes and the human aesthetics.Many times when we cannot say anything with the words we take the help of pictures and signs to make people understand us.
Using different digital tools on a computer designer make the best effort to provide graphic design services.Tools largely operated in this case are Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel draw, retouching photographs, and other multimedia.
We are here to serve the global market with the best solutions for your ideas to your request and pave the way for the success of your online business.Make Your Identity:Being the best Graphics Designing Our services are sure to make exclusive your identity in the marketplace.
This is your identities that makes you unique and stand out among others on the market.It is a trademark that left an impression in the minds of your customers every time they think about you.
You can trust the United States as we say that your business and style we can make achievements in the market.Media Marketing:With cheap Graphics we came with our SEO services in a professional, you will be able to come up with a style all kinds whether or not to print or net use.
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If you are a musician or in a musical group, small entertainment company, entertainer, artist, writer, filmmaker, actor; you might be experiencing certain unique concerns and problems that need specific knowledge of industry terms & practices.
Since creating music, art, literature, film and performing those creations need personal safety, so in order to protect that creativity and market you need to rely on music and entertainment lawyer.
These lawyers can help you sell your work in the most efficient and effect way possible.
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The property lawyer will assist you in due diligence planning, negotiations, contract reviews, contract drafting and can protect your rights.
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