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Netflix Makes Statement In Wake Of Steven Spielberg's Attempt To Block Streaming Giant From Oscars (deadline.com)

Posted by msmash on from the tussle-continues dept.

Netflix has addressed Steven Spielberg's concerns, after the legendary director indicated he'd throw his weight behind making Oscars harder to reach for Netflix films like "Roma". From a report: The streaming giant didn't name Spielberg directly in its tweet, but considering his views on Netflix films and the Academy Awards, it seems like the statement is associated with the director's thoughts about their participation as contenders in award season. "We love cinema," the official Netflix Twitter account wrote. They continue with a list of things they loved including: Access for people who can't always afford, or live in towns without, theaters; letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time; and giving filmmakers more ways to share art. "These things are not mutually exclusive," they concluded in a tweet that could be considered a clap back at the filmmaker. IndieWire reported last week that Spielberg, who serves as the current governor of the Academy's directors branch, intends to argue in favor of changing the Oscars' rules to prevent streaming services from entering the campaign field at the Academy Board of Governors' next meeting. Because Netflix is a home-viewing platform, critics like Spielberg say that it's better-suited for the Emmys, which celebrate TV, a medium inherent to home-viewing.

11 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Gen X vs Millennials again by DarkRookie2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Old man yells at cloud.

    --
    http://progressquest.com/spoltog.php?name=Son+Of+Son+Of+DarkRookie
    1. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      More like, "Old man succeeds and becomes wealthy, pulls ladder up behind him so nobody else can follow."

      Fuck Spielberg. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

    2. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by Darinbob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It is unfair though that the same movie can be up for an Oscar and an Emmy. If Netflix wants an Oscar then they need to show the film in a cinema.

    3. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by hispeedzintarwebz · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why is it not as simple as feature length films being eligible for Oscars and serialized, 30-90 minute multiple-episode series being eligible for Emmys? Seems the differentiation should be focused on content type rather than method of delivery.

    4. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by Darinbob · · Score: 4, Insightful

      But why the "Oscars"? We already have the Emmy awards for television. If people stop going to the cinema then the Oscars should just decline in interest rather than trying to morph into something else. Or maybe the Golden Globes gets more status over time than the Oscars. But just because home television is popular is not a reason by itself that home television movies should be considered for a cinematic award, a better reason is needed than popularity.

      The dividing line between television and cinema is pretty easy to see, and so the divide between Emmys and Oscars should be too. The problem only comes with an existing grey area: the movie is shown in a cinema but can also show up television (later on video as with many indie films, or concurrently in the case of streaming). Roma was only up for consideration because it was indeed shown exclusively in the theaters (for three weeks). Where this is annoying Spielberg and maybe others, is that this was primarily a streaming movie and the cinema portion was just a tiny blip done as a technicality to get an Oscar consideration.

      Spielberg just gave his opinion, others in the academy will disagree. But the rules belong to the academy and it's up to them. But Netflix did seem to be playing very close to the edge of the rules here.

    5. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by msauve · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Ah, you you and Spielberg agree - the Oscars have nothing to do with honoring art, it's just about marketing and sales.

      --
      "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    6. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by es330td · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I'm all for keeping walled gardens out of the Oscars.

      If the Oscars are supposed to be about recognizing the best work in a field, why should it matter where it is shown? Is a work of art any less valid because it is performed for a select audience?

    7. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by tsqr · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Because made-for-TV movies have been around for a long time and had been mostly crap for a long time.

      If they're crap, no one would be worried about them "unfairly" winning Oscars. What am I missing here?

    8. Re:Gen X vs Millennials again by sexconker · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm not sure what the solution is

      The solution is simple. Stop watching shitty awards shows. Thankfully, the masses are starting to take my advice.

  2. Sore Loser by Virtucon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sorry, this whole thing is about protecting territory. With falling ticket revenues these big producers need to think about story quality rather than raping Indiana Jones.

    --
    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  3. TV & Cinema Distinction Becoming Irrelevant by divide+overflow · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Given the convergence of video and film production and the ubiquity of digital distribution the distinction between "Television" and "Cinema" is becoming harder to define. This inevitably leads to arguments over the boundaries between the two and turf wars between those with a stake in one camp versus the other. They will battle it out to protect their "hereditary fiefdoms," even as their defining characteristics merge and the distinctions become ever more intangible.

    The plebeians won't care, having little investment in the outcome as their hardware capabilities provide them more and better options for data consumption and the media giants become more brazen in their attempts to capture consumers and lock out competition.