Article - Love Movies - Hate Piracy
Love movies hate piracy is the new slogan trying to convince us not to buy pirate films, this caption could not be more right. Most people think that there is no harm in buying a pirate movie, they think it's harmless. They could not be more wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand their train of thought and I understand the temptation; get the same film for a lot less money. People who buy pirate movies always find a reason to 'justify' their purchase, convincing themselves in the process that it';s ok. It's easy to find a reason to buy the copy and not the original, so let's look at some of the common reasons people give and see if it makes sense.
"The studios make enough money as it is, they can afford it."
Not true. The cost of producing a film nowadays can be quite astronomical. Granted a film can be produced relatively cheaply but there is a thirst for big blockbusters, laden with special effects and they don't come cheap. Where do you think the money comes from to make a film? It largely comes from the profit of previous films. If we don't pay to see it at the cinema or pay for the latest DVD, profit is lost, and down the line production of the latest film suffers. The budgets for up and coming films lessen.
The most surprising thing that most people don’t know is that the studios don’t make enough money. The profit margin in films is far less than it used to be. In fact most films make a loss, not a profit. The fact is that only 1 in 10 films make money. Go into your local video store and see how many films there are that were not in your local multiplex or even how many of the films you haven't even heard of. These are the films that can cost studios money.
As for profit margins, here is an example: Dr.No (1962) cost $0.95 million to produce and generated $22 million, more than 20 times the initial cost - License to Kill (1989) cost $42 million to produce and generated, wait for it $42 million - it broke even, which may also give a hint as to why it took a further 6 years to make a new Bond movie.
The proof the studios don’t make the kind of money you might think, is that the old studios are ALL gone, only the name exists. The old studio system had the likes of MGM and Universal (see Inside the Studio) who had contracted actors, the money to produce the film and owned the cinema where it was shown. Everything is independent now. The studios don't exist because the money to sustain them wasn't there and this all happened before VHS and piracy. The studios can't afford it.
"I can buy the film for the same price as a cinema ticket and watch in the comfort of my own home."
Not only are cinemas far more comfortable than they used to be, but watching a film at home is never as good as the big screen - pure and simple. The big screen, big sound and the atmosphere are what the film experience is all about. These films are shot in a way that suits the big screen. The ticket price is well worth it.
"The cost of DVDs are ridiculous, they are too dear."
In real terms, films have never been cheaper. Ten years ago, new release videos were about 10 - 12. Newly released DVDs are generally between £12 and £17 and that is on release, then the price quickly drops. You can buy a DVD for as little as 5 that is about the same as a pirate. Yes it may be for slightly older films but it does show that prices do get cheaper. There are some excellent websites that even have new releases, as much as 5 cheaper than the shops - order it Monday, chances are you'll have it for Thursday. Not long to wait and you save 5 in the process. These websites also offer Region 1 DVDs from the States and Canada, which are often available before the film hits the cinema in the UK.
Most people who buy pirates will tell you that he quality is excellent and sometimes they are, but people who buy pirates usually buy the films that are currently in the cinema. These films are usually poorer quality at best. Sit at home and watch a poor quality film or go to the cinema and get the big screen experience, for me an easy choice. Other pirates are copies of actual latest DVDs, bonus features and all. This is where people say that they can get great quality for less money – you can get the same film as an ex-rental for more or less the same money as the pirate copy. Why give the money to organized crime (because mostly that is what it is) when you can get it legit and put the money back to the people who will make you your next big blockbuster?
You may be fooled into thinking that it is not organized crime. It is. You may buy the copy from someone in the office. They are not the ones’ making the films, they are just selling them for someone. That is where it is 'organised' crime.
Pirate films do not make sense. For the sake of a couple of extra quid you get perfect quality, bonus features and in the process, you help future film production and cut organized crime. PIRACY IS NOT HARMLESS.
LOVE FILM - HATE PIRACY
