Digital film: Industry answers

Let me first say that the movie industry wants to provide hassle-free easy access ways for consumers to see movies. And new technologies are allowing people to see movies in more ways than ever before and that is good news for our industry. There are already some companies experimenting with simultaneous release and I expect as time goes on, there may be more.

But this is a company-by-company decision - they will have to decide individually what is right for them and consumer demand will certainly play a big part in that.

Yes, it's already arrived! Steven Soderbergh has made a low-budget film in 18 days called Bubble, shot with high definition cameras and starring amateur actors. It was released simultaneously at the end of January on a limited number of cinema screens, on DVD and cable TV.

While film companies in general are attempting to shorten the windows to meet public demand, simultaneous release won't be common until digital technology is more widespread, which will reduce the high costs of distribution.

We do not believe that simultaneous release would actually offer consumers a meaningful choice. Quite the contrary, simultaneous release would cripple the cinema industry, and for many people, their cherished choice to view a new (or old) film away from home, on the big screen, would vanish.

Moreover, an exclusive theatrical window confers panache and a marketing edge on a film that would likewise vanish in a simultaneous release regime. Then you're talking 'television movie of the week' - a sad diminution of cinematic art, and thus, again, a disservice to consumer choice.

Yes, I can imagine such a time. That said, I think it is still several years off and a question of 'when' rather than 'if'.

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