www.slashfilm.com: Taylor Swift isn't just shaking it off: she's shaking things up in Hollywood with a bombshell deal that has reportedly left studios seething. The pop icon is bringing her "Eras Tour" concert to theaters on October 13, and has made the radical move of cutting out the middleman — a Hollywood studio distributor like Disney, Paramount, or Universal— and making a deal directly with AMC Theatres to distribute the film on its screens, while also distributing in other theaters via a sub-distribution deal with Variance Films.
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I had no idea that Taylor Swift was planning to make her Eras Tour into a film. I think that is really exciting, and such a great way to allow for the many fans that were unable to get tickets to still see the show. I also didn’t even know that it is possible for someone to just make a deal directly with theaters, instead working with distributors. It is also surprising to learn that now distributors are able to make their own theaters. I’m shocked that they haven’t already capitalized on that, at least not to my knowledge. But more importantly, Taylor Swift made this incredible decision to give the control to AMC Theaters. I wonder if this decision was made just because the studios wanted to control when and where the film was released or if other factors were a part of it. I’m kind of conflicted on how to feel about the fact that Swift did this secretly and in a way that really hurt Universal Studios. I wonder why she could not have just been honest about her plans. However, on the other hand, Universal Studios isn’t really that hurt by this. They are a massive company that does not need more money. Even though this was a massive decision that definitely will have some effects in the industry, I still feel like this won’t really affect the producer-distributor-exhibitor structure that much.
From what I can tell, there are a lot of moving parts to the Taylor Swift and AMC partnership, the biggest of which being the SAG/WGA strike. While studios are upset that the Swift team did not go through them to put out this picture, this was the clear time for Swift/AMC to try out this new distribution method given the complete halt on work in Hollywood. I find the way that the Eras tour has revolutionized ticketing platforms (Ticketmaster failure) and now the movie distribution system. Timing wise, I find this to make sense as not having in person live entertainment due to COVID has given us an opportunity to reinvent how we do things. I am curious about what is next for this film. How does not being attached to a studio affect its ability to be distributed on streaming platforms and physically after its time in theaters is over; especially since theater tickets sold so quickly.
Taylor Swift's success in the entertainment industry is undeniable, and her business acumen in negotiating contracts with producers, distributors, and exhibitors is commendable. However, your point about the need for artists to take a stance in the world's current landscape is a valid one. In an era where societal issues and causes demand attention, many fans and observers look to influential figures like Swift to use their platform for more than just personal gain. While she is undoubtedly skilled in managing her public image and engaging with the media, the absence of a clear stance on important matters can be disappointing. It's natural for fans to want their favorite artists to use their influence to make a positive impact on the world, beyond their music and profits. Swift's ability to connect with her audience is a powerful tool that could be harnessed for social change. As you await her documentary, it's understandable to hope that she might someday choose to take action on a significant issue and use her platform to effect change, as many artists have done before. In a world with pressing challenges, the role of celebrities in advocacy and raising awareness becomes increasingly important.
I very much enjoyed this article! For one because it was about “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and the subsequent movie that is being released, which is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to see it in theatres! But I also heavily enjoyed and loved this article because of the “that’s what you get” mentality directed at the larger movie corporations like Universal and Disney because of their anger over Taylor Swift skipping the middleman. I smile every time I remember that Universal had to move their release date of “The Exorcist: Believer” it makes me laugh. Especially in this time of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and these large corporations not seeming to care or be willing to come to the table on negotiations, this treatment of these Hollywood power houses is completely deserved. It was also fascinating to me to learn what Taylor Swift’s parents did because I never knew that and that actually makes a lot of sense for where some of her skill and marketing probably originated.
I had no idea that Taylor Swift was making a movie about her Eras Tour, but it makes sense considering the global success of the Eras tour. Taylor Swift is also making a radical decision with this announcement, shoving a certain finger in the faces of Hollywood Executives and instead of going to a production company or even a distributor, is producing it herself and making a deal directly with AMC Theaters to distribute the film. Studios are extremely angry at this, as it threatens the glass castle they’ve managed to build over the years. We see more and more independent filmmakers succeeding in recent years, and now that they have this model of “this can be done” they can join Swift’s protest against hollywood. (As well as make more money.) In other news, this is going to be an absolutely crushing blow for my sister, who is the biggest swiftie in the entire world, because there is no AMC in my hometown.
I had no idea an Eras tour movie was being created, and that it was going to be released so soon, but I don’t find it hard to believe. Something that has made as much money as it has, yet is simultaneously known for people who really wanted to go not being able to get in the door? Perfect opportunity for people to live vicariously through the movie screen. Generally, I find this article pretty entertaining. Simply skipping the annoying step of the movie production process is truly something only someone like Taylor Swift can do, and it’s pretty funny the affect it has on the rest of the movie industry. It’s sort of like when you hear people say that the Eras tour has been bringing in so much money it’s changing the economy or something like that. It’s fascinating how something that exists for entertainment purposes can be in that situation. Good for her.
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