Amazon Will Begin Producing Their Own Feature Films
Amazon Studios, currently producing television series for streaming distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video, is looking to expand its horizons into the world of theatrical feature films. And part of their agenda is to make their films available for streaming far sooner than they would be in the current market.
It normally takes 39 to 52 weeks for theatrically-released films to premiere on subscription services like Amazon Prime and Netflix, but Amazon intends to release their own content online within two months of the films premiering in theaters.
“We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films. Our goal is to create close to twelve movies a year with production starting later this year,” Roy Price, Amazon Studios’ Vice President, said. “Not only will we bring Prime Instant Video customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”
Amazon’s creative content will be overseen by Ted Hope, whose production company, Good Machine, produced notable, Oscar-nominated films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Eat Drink Man Woman. Hope has also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival more often than any other producer, with films including the likes of American Splendor.
So, if Amazon is willing to provide a new outlet for more up-and-coming filmmakers, this could be good news, creatively. Will their business model work, with their films available for streaming so soon after their run in theaters? Time will tell.
via Amazon