Dallas Hyland The Interview

Written by Dallas Hyland

It has been said that the difference between genius and insanity is measured by success. 

Taking that litmus into account when considering this weekends unprecedented online release of the motion picture, The Interview, one would be hard pressed to say it was not a bold and successful move on the part of Sony Pictures.

While it has been quantified that the company was in fact hacked by North Korea, and that a subsequent series of threats gave theaters cold feet thus thwarting the release of the comedy, it is hard not to at least consider the notion that some of this was by design.

Anyone who attends opening releases of movies at a theater surely shares the sentiment of feeling somewhat ripped off these days. An average family of five attending a movie will spend upwards of $80 to $100 after tickets are purchased and overpriced treats are paid for. Add to this the feeling of being a target market for advertisers with the pre-show advertorial clips and the thrill and excitement once associated with a theater venture somewhat wanes does it not?

Contrast this with paying only $5.99 for the entire family to stream the movie at home with as many guests as they like, serving up the same treats purchased at the store for literally a fraction of the cost. 

Viewers have up to 48 hours to watch the film once started or can opt to purchase it for $14.99 and have unlimited use immediately, not having to wait for the theater cycle to finish and release on DVD or online. Do the math on that and it is clear that even this price out does the theater option by a shot.

The film was made available on Youtube as well as Google Play, Microsoft’s Xbox video store and a special Sony (SNE) web site called SeeTheInterview.com.
And according to a statement in money.cnn.com, Sony Pictures distribution president, Rory Bruer said, “The audience was fantastic—the limited release, in under 10% of the amount of theaters originally planned, featured numerous sellouts and a first-day gross over $1 million.”

Based on this statistic alone, and the fact that the final count of online views is still unknown, it is not hard to see that movie theaters are going to be in a tough place as they are cost prohibitive in a somewhat fickle supply and demand market.

While Sony may not have intended this, the byproduct of this landmark release will likely be a competitive market in movies whereby theaters will have to compete for the business they once enjoyed having a corner on.

We have all had to eat the costs theaters doled out if we wanted to see the movie when it was released, or we could wait until its more affordable after-release. Personally, I did the latter unless it was a really good movie in my estimation. I like you, have to admit I would much rather see some films on a big screen with a host of others and all that comes with the experience, but often feel that a monopoly of sorts in theaters and movies leaves me with little choice. It’s simple economics.

People will likely still want to go to theaters for the experience but this historic release will likely give way to more like it and the natural affect will be theaters having to compete for first viewing business. This will surely drive theaters to lower their costs, or simply close their doors.

Welcome to our world movie theaters.

See you out there.Dallas Hyland is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer, and documentary filmmaker with three films currently under his belt. The opinion editor of The Independent, Hyland’s investigative journalism and opinion columns have ranged in topics from local political and environmental issues, to drug trafficking in Utah, as well as the international front, covering issues such as human trafficking in Colombia. On his rare off-days, he can be found with his family and friends exploring the pristine outdoors. Listen to him live as a regular guest co-host on the Perspectives talk show on Fox News 1450 AM 93.1 FM in southern Utah.

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Dallas Hyland
Dallas Hyland is a professional technical writer, freelance writer and journalist, award-winning photographer, and documentary filmmaker. As a senior writer and editor-at-large at The Independent, Hyland’s investigative journalism, opinion columns, and photo essays have ranged in topics from local political and environmental issues to drug trafficking in Utah. He has also worked the international front, covering issues such as human trafficking in Colombia. His photography and film work has received recognition as well as a few modest awards and in 2015, he was a finalist for the Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Based in southern Utah, he works tirelessly at his passion for getting after the truth and occasionally telling a good story. On his rare off-days, he can be found with his family and friends exploring the pristine outdoors of Utah and beyond.

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