Eric Tipton
@magnificenthack.bsky.social
He/him. Screenwriter, published author, pilot developer. IAG, Literate. Pen hoarder, office supply fetishist. Single space after a period is settled law.
So as upsetting as this is, the reality is that several agencies already use AI for script coverage. The two companies I’m aware of that provide AI coverage for, let’s just say, “big agencies you’ve heard of”, explicitly state they do not use the screenplays for training purposes.
June 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
So as upsetting as this is, the reality is that several agencies already use AI for script coverage. The two companies I’m aware of that provide AI coverage for, let’s just say, “big agencies you’ve heard of”, explicitly state they do not use the screenplays for training purposes.
I'll talk about what they all do with their streaming services in a future thread. In the meantime, they'll be taking a big step toward saving the entertainment business as we know it (or mostly as we know it). And yeah, this is long enough it could/should be a substack. But it isn't. Sorry. 13/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
I'll talk about what they all do with their streaming services in a future thread. In the meantime, they'll be taking a big step toward saving the entertainment business as we know it (or mostly as we know it). And yeah, this is long enough it could/should be a substack. But it isn't. Sorry. 13/13
The legacy companies need to go back to the old ways. In the process, they will make more money, their stakeholders will make more money, they'll save theaters and lower ticket prices... 12/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
The legacy companies need to go back to the old ways. In the process, they will make more money, their stakeholders will make more money, they'll save theaters and lower ticket prices... 12/13
Again, for Netflix, Apple, and Amazon, they can make all the straight-to-streaming movies they want. For Netflix it is now their business model. For the other two, their spend for production is a rounding error compared to their core businesses. 11/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Again, for Netflix, Apple, and Amazon, they can make all the straight-to-streaming movies they want. For Netflix it is now their business model. For the other two, their spend for production is a rounding error compared to their core businesses. 11/13
The answer is to extend that window again. Studios are starting to do it. They need to make the gap between the theatrical and streaming release just long enough, just uncomfortable enough, that people would rather go to a movie theater. 10/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
The answer is to extend that window again. Studios are starting to do it. They need to make the gap between the theatrical and streaming release just long enough, just uncomfortable enough, that people would rather go to a movie theater. 10/13
Is a tiny fraction of the subscription fees spread across the entire breadth of content on any one service. And I'm JUST talking about revenue for a studio -- not payments to talent or how Wall Street's demand for profit impacts production spending. No wonder we're in a contraction. 9/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Is a tiny fraction of the subscription fees spread across the entire breadth of content on any one service. And I'm JUST talking about revenue for a studio -- not payments to talent or how Wall Street's demand for profit impacts production spending. No wonder we're in a contraction. 9/13
Unless you're Netflix, Apple, or Amazon, streaming means you're leaving money on the table (and they are too, but they can afford it) because instead of every title "earning its keep" at the box office, its only source of revenue... 8/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Unless you're Netflix, Apple, or Amazon, streaming means you're leaving money on the table (and they are too, but they can afford it) because instead of every title "earning its keep" at the box office, its only source of revenue... 8/13
And this is where we are today. We've made it way too convenient for people to just stay home. The knock-on effect of lower attendance is fewer screens and higher ticket prices which encourages people to keep staying home... 7/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
And this is where we are today. We've made it way too convenient for people to just stay home. The knock-on effect of lower attendance is fewer screens and higher ticket prices which encourages people to keep staying home... 7/13
Suddenly everyone had a streaming services and Covid was a built-in opportunity for them to grow. The audience had been reconditioned. Their viewing habits changed, and billions of dollars were left on the table while the exhibitors started closing theaters. 6/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Suddenly everyone had a streaming services and Covid was a built-in opportunity for them to grow. The audience had been reconditioned. Their viewing habits changed, and billions of dollars were left on the table while the exhibitors started closing theaters. 6/13
The theatrical and home video business was booming. Then streaming came, and that window contracted further and further and then the pandemic hit, shuttered movie theaters, and the window closed entirely. At that point, if you wanted an audience to see your movie, you had to stream it. 5/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
The theatrical and home video business was booming. Then streaming came, and that window contracted further and further and then the pandemic hit, shuttered movie theaters, and the window closed entirely. At that point, if you wanted an audience to see your movie, you had to stream it. 5/13
Remember, DVD's-by-mail was Netflix's original business model. Months after that, it would show up on premium pay cable services like HBO, and then, finally, maybe basic cable and/or broadcast television. While I'm sure there were many people who waited for the video release, even back then... 4/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Remember, DVD's-by-mail was Netflix's original business model. Months after that, it would show up on premium pay cable services like HBO, and then, finally, maybe basic cable and/or broadcast television. While I'm sure there were many people who waited for the video release, even back then... 4/13
Once upon a time - back in the Blockbuster Video era - there was a very long window between a movie's theatrical release and its availability for viewing at home. A movie would play in a theater. Months later it would come out on a home video format -- VHS, DVD, pay-per-view VOD... 3/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Once upon a time - back in the Blockbuster Video era - there was a very long window between a movie's theatrical release and its availability for viewing at home. A movie would play in a theater. Months later it would come out on a home video format -- VHS, DVD, pay-per-view VOD... 3/13
There is something alchemical in watching a tear-jerker and realizing everyone in the theater is crying right along with you, or seeing a spectacular action sequence and knowing everyone is riding the same adrenaline high. When a movie is good, the audience experience makes it even better. 2/13
December 8, 2024 at 5:39 AM
There is something alchemical in watching a tear-jerker and realizing everyone in the theater is crying right along with you, or seeing a spectacular action sequence and knowing everyone is riding the same adrenaline high. When a movie is good, the audience experience makes it even better. 2/13
Now, some of these things might already be starting to happen. Others aren't (yet). I may be wrong and my ideas here might be terrible or unworkable or even bad... or maybe not. Either way, I'll break each of them down as time allows and will be curious to hear your thoughts.
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
Now, some of these things might already be starting to happen. Others aren't (yet). I may be wrong and my ideas here might be terrible or unworkable or even bad... or maybe not. Either way, I'll break each of them down as time allows and will be curious to hear your thoughts.
1. Movies are for movie theaters.
2. The streaming war is over.
3. Streaming is the new TV
4. Will - as in the will do what it might take
2. The streaming war is over.
3. Streaming is the new TV
4. Will - as in the will do what it might take
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
1. Movies are for movie theaters.
2. The streaming war is over.
3. Streaming is the new TV
4. Will - as in the will do what it might take
2. The streaming war is over.
3. Streaming is the new TV
4. Will - as in the will do what it might take
But the "thing" it broke was the business itself. So, keeping in mind that some of the current changes can't be undone (and some can), here are the headlines of my "4 Point Plan To Maybe Save Hollywood As We Know It (or mostly as we know it)"
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
But the "thing" it broke was the business itself. So, keeping in mind that some of the current changes can't be undone (and some can), here are the headlines of my "4 Point Plan To Maybe Save Hollywood As We Know It (or mostly as we know it)"
Big Tech's consumption of Hollywood and the upending of its business model did happen fast, it did hasten change -- some of which was necessary and already in process...
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
Big Tech's consumption of Hollywood and the upending of its business model did happen fast, it did hasten change -- some of which was necessary and already in process...
I've made my living in this business for a very very long time and have seen plenty of change, so I don't fault the companies for trying something new. Sometimes those efforts pay off. Sometimes they don't.
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
I've made my living in this business for a very very long time and have seen plenty of change, so I don't fault the companies for trying something new. Sometimes those efforts pay off. Sometimes they don't.
The competition to play this new game gave us Peak TV and a boom in employment for writers and craftspeople. It made a lot of people a lot of money, but it also upended the greatest money printing machine known to man.
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
The competition to play this new game gave us Peak TV and a boom in employment for writers and craftspeople. It made a lot of people a lot of money, but it also upended the greatest money printing machine known to man.
That they weren't entertainment companies, they were "tech companies" and that as such, they didn't make movies and TV shows, they made "content". It convinced the leaders of these companies that they, too, could be tech billionaires if they just got with the program.
December 3, 2024 at 1:58 AM
That they weren't entertainment companies, they were "tech companies" and that as such, they didn't make movies and TV shows, they made "content". It convinced the leaders of these companies that they, too, could be tech billionaires if they just got with the program.