Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg analyst specializing in media, joins Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt and George Clooney to dissect Apple's puzzling film strategy, particularly regarding their latest project, 'Wolfs.' The trio delves into the company's wavering commitment to theatrical releases versus streaming, the impact of budget cuts, and the challenges of catering to both star-driven content and audience engagement. They also explore how the competition from established platforms like Netflix is reshaping Apple's approach to filmmaking.
Apple's inconsistent film strategy and lack of clear direction are evident, resulting in disappointing box office performances for its high-profile releases.
The company's focus on maintaining a positive brand image may hinder creative collaborations, potentially leading to a cycle of talent attrition in its film division.
Deep dives
Apple's Struggle with Theatrical Releases
Apple has faced difficulties with the theatrical performance of its original films, leading to speculation about its commitment to movie releases. Despite notable titles like 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and the upcoming 'Wolf's,' audience turnout has been disappointing. Films such as 'Fly Me to the Moon' and 'Argyle' performed poorly, causing Apple to reconsider its theatrical distribution strategy. The company's lack of a clear and coherent movie strategy raises questions about its future in theatrical releases, especially given the increasing pressure to cut costs.
Lack of Strategic Direction
A significant issue identified is Apple's unclear strategic direction regarding its film initiative. Unlike established competitors like Netflix, which have refined their approaches, Apple appears to be following a similar unproven strategy of acquiring big-name talent without a thought-out plan. The high budget allocated to films that fail at the box office, along with the emphasis on star power, leads to ineffective long-term planning. Consequently, there is uncertainty surrounding the role of movies in Apple's overall content strategy, as it lacks an audience to justify such expensive productions.
Impact of Public Relations and Industry Perception
Apple's emphasis on maintaining a positive brand image complicates its filmmaking endeavors, given the weight placed on public perception and industry reputation. Negative box office results can lead to unwanted narratives around the failures of their films, which Apple is keen to avoid. This eagerness to maintain face among Hollywood talents and agencies has implications for the types of projects they pursue moving forward. If Apple continues to experience high-budget film failures, it may lose creative talent's willingness to collaborate, resulting in a detrimental cycle for its film division.
Need for Effective Development Processes
There is a consensus that Apple lacks a robust internal development structure for its film projects, unlike other streaming services that have evolved to establish successful film paradigms. The conversation highlights that while Apple secures big-name projects, the execution and development of these films seem rushed and lack depth. Creative executives who understand the nuances of film production and can refine projects are necessary for Apple to achieve success in the movie landscape. Without this development capability, Apple risks being known merely as a company that pays for star power rather than cultivating original and engaging cinematic experiences.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Apple’s puzzling film strategy after the company's latest announcement that ‘Wolfs,' an action comedy starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, will no longer get a wide theatrical release. Matt and Lucas wonder how interested Apple is in putting movies in theaters, how new pressure to cut spending is affecting its film strategy, and how much creators like working with the tech giant (02:57). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Peacock’s subscriber growth after the Olympics (26:15).
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