Ed Zwick recounts his ‘Glory Days’; Disney dishes Q1 surprises
Feb 9, 2024
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Writer-director Ed Zwick shares lessons from his decades in Hollywood, including stories from the making of 'Glory' and his near direction of 'Shakespeare in Love'. The podcast also discusses surprises from Disney's Q1 earnings call and the potential impact of a new sports streaming app. They explore challenges faced in Hollywood, lack of originality, and means of production and storytelling in filmmaking.
Disney made strategic moves to expand content offerings and capture young audiences through a surprise Moana sequel, exclusive Taylor Swift concert movie, and gaming industry investment.
Disney's partnership with Warner Brothers Discovery and Fox for a new sports streaming app aims to target cord-cutters but may further decline the struggling cable bundle.
Deep dives
Disney's Latest Announcements and Ventures
Disney made several big announcements in their latest earnings call, including a surprise Moana sequel, an exclusive Taylor Swift concert movie on Disney Plus, and a plunge into the gaming industry with a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. These moves are seen as strategic ways for Disney to expand their content offerings and capture the attention of young audiences who spend a significant amount of time playing video games and streaming content. While Disney's overall financial results were positive, these ventures are also seen as a response to dissenting shareholders and potential competition from other big tech companies like Warner Brothers Discovery and Fox.
Disney's Partnership in a Year-round Sports Streaming App
Disney has teamed up with Warner Brothers Discovery and Fox to create a new streaming app focusing on year-round sports coverage. The app will include 50% of available sports content in the country, featuring popular leagues like the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL. The partnership aims to target cord-cutters who are looking for a convenient way to access their favorite sports without a cable subscription. However, there are concerns about the potential impact on the already struggling cable bundle, as the app may further accelerate the decline in cable subscribers. The success of this venture will depend on the pricing strategy and the ability to navigate the complexities of regional sports networks and local sports blackouts.
Ed Zwick's Memoir Reflects on Filmmaking and Hollywood Challenges
Filmmaker Ed Zwick recounts his experiences in the film industry in his memoir, 'Hits, Flops and Other Elusions.' Zwick offers personal stories, practical career advice, and insights into working with big stars and their egos. One notable story involves the difficult collaboration with Matthew Broderick during the making of the Civil War film, 'Glory.' Zwick delves into the challenges of managing powerful personalities and the risks involved in navigating the unpredictable nature of the business. Reflecting on his career, Zwick discusses the changes in the industry, the lack of originality, and the impact of streaming platforms on storytelling and distribution.
The Uncertain Future of the Film Industry
Zwick reflects on the current state of the film industry, suggesting that it may be due for a disruptive change. While technology has made filmmaking more affordable and accessible, the distribution and streaming landscape has become increasingly dominated by a few major players. This consolidation has led to a lack of originality and limited opportunities for emerging filmmakers. Zwick notes that storytelling fundamentally relies on passive engagement and imagination, which may be at odds with the interactive and immersive nature of emerging technologies like virtual reality. Despite the challenges, Zwick remains hopeful that a new generation of filmmakers will emerge to push boundaries and disrupt the industry once again.
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the big surprises revealed during Disney’s Q1 earnings call. They also dive into the announcement of ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox’s joint sports streaming service set to debut this year.
Plus, Masters speaks to writer-director Ed Zwick about his new memoir, Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood. The filmmaker shares lessons learned from his decades-spanning career in the industry, and he reads excerpts from the book, including stories from the making of the 1989 film Glory and how he nearly directed an early iteration of Shakespeare in Love, which he would later end up producing and winning an Oscar for Best Picture.
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