COMMENTARY - THE MOVIE INDUSTRY'S REAL MONEY MAKER

MOVIE THEATER REVENUE IS NOT THE LONE SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE FILM
INDUSTRY. THE PUBLIC IS IMPRESSED WITH THE HUGE OPENING WEEKENDS OF BLOCKBUSTER FILMS. THEN THEY WATCH THE  GROSS EARNINGS SHRINK  EACH WEEK.
PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE WOULD POINT
OUT THAT A MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME IN THIS MODERN ERA IS TELEVISION
PAYMENTS FOR THE RIGHTS TO BROADCAST THESE TOP FILMS AND THE SALE OF THE D.V.D. VERSION.
MOVIES USE TO STAY IN THEATERS MANY MONTHS, NOW FIVE WEEKS IS A LONG RUN.
TELEVISION WANTS THE FILM WHILE IT IS STILL HOT, THEY WON'T PAY AS MUCH TO
GET A FILM THAT HAS GONE OFF THE PUBLIC INTEREST RADAR SCREEN.
THINK ABOUT THIS - A MOVIE THEATER  HAS TREMENDOUS INHERENT EXPENSES:
LAND, CLEARING THE LAND, ERECTING A MASSIVE BUILDING,FURNISHING THE BUILDING, INSTALLING EXPENSIVE TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, STAFFING THE THEATER WITH TICKET SELLERS, TICKET TAKERS, USHERS, SNACK COUNTER CREWS, MAINTENANCE WORKERS, SECURITY PERSONNEL, ACCOUNTANTS AND GENERAL MANAGERS. THERE MUST BE TAXES PAID, INSURANCE ON THE PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THOSE WHO COME UNTO THE PROPERTY, EVEN BEFORE THEY HAVE PURCHASED A TICKET.
LET'S RETURN TO THE BUILDING, THAT MUST BE HEATED IN WINTER AND COOLED IN SUMMER. WE HAVE NOT MENTIONED PLUMBING CONCERNS AND REPAIRS FOR THE MISDEEDS OF VANDALS.
NOW, LET'S LOOK AT A D.V.D. --- IT COST ABOUT A DOLLAR TO MAKE THE ITEM.
IT CAN SIT ON THE SHELVE OF A GAS STATION IN SIMPSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA OR FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA AND BE PURCHASED FOR $20 AT 4 A.M. ON A TUESDAY NIGHT. NOW THE BUYER HAS OWNERSHIP RIGHTS TO THIS GREAT FILM AND NONE OF  THE CONCERNS THE THEATER FOLKS HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
THE MOVIE THEATER RUN OF THE FILM IS BASICALLY AN ONGOING AD FOR THE MOVIE. THE WORD OF MOUTH OF THE THEATER AUDIENCE IS PROMOTION FOR THE D.V.D. - PROMOTION THAT CAN PAY OFF YEARS DOWN THE ROAD - THE SHELVE  LIFE OF THE D.V.D. IS BEYOND MEASURE.
WHY DO THEATERS STILL EXIST AND OFTEN FLOURISH?
*THE NEED TO GATHER IN A NEUTRAL LOCATION AND SHARE A COMMON EXPERIENCE IS STRONG IN  THE HUMAN D.N.A.
*WE ASSOCIATE ROMANCE WITH THE THEATER - SITTING THERE WITH A LOVED ONE IS
A FOND MEMORY TO ALMOST ALL OF US IN THIS CULTURE.
*A MOVIE IS STILL A "CHEAP DATE" WHEN COMPARED TO  DINNER AND A SHOW OR A NIGHT AT  "THE CLUB."
* GETTING THE KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR A FEW HOURS --"PRICELESS." 
SO, THE THEATER WILL REMAIN WITH US AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A JOB - SOMETIMES LIFE IS FAIR.