With Netflix closing out their theatrical side it makes me wonder as to why they never considered a straight to DVD distribution channel which many filmmakers would find appealing knowing that the highly respected rental franchise would be capable of bringing an audience to many unknown but talented directors. Now with Red Envelope Entertainment shut down this basically leaves filmmakers still looking for other distributors that have the ability to get that film linked to Netflix . It really does smell like there is a power struggle going on with the bigger studios pulling the strings...
... Paramount Vantage...
downsizes and one can only wonder if they will shut down that division completely. But with that said, I tend to look at the bright side which is now maybe those former employees will start smaller production companies which will solely focus on the smaller films that are tossed aside...
Netflix Folds Red Envelope; Exits Theatrical Acquisition and Production Biz
by Anthony Kaufman (July 23, 2008)
Netflix, the online film rental juggernaut, is adhering to its name: Getting out of the theatrical business altogether, abandoning film production, and focusing solely on Internet and new media distribution platforms. With the move, the company has folded its nearly 3-year-old division Red Envelope Entertainment (REE), which purchased all-rights to indie films, and will be letting go its 5-person staff, which includes veteran exec, Liesl Copland, head of Red Envelope Entertainment...
Due to changing marketplace conditions and the natural evolution of Netflix, according to Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, the company decided it was time to move on. "The one thing we learned this year is that there's no shortage of produced movies and there's no shortage of money for viable projects," Sarandos told indieWIRE yesterday. "The best role we play is connecting the film to the audience, not as a financier, not as a producer, not as an outside distributor or marketer."
http://www.indiewire.com/biz/2008/07/netflix_exits_a.html
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Paramount Vantage lowers ax
Paramount Pictures and Paramount Vantage handed out pinkslips to 60 employees Thursday. Layoffs, which had been expected, come on the heels of last month's decision to fold Vantage's marketing, distribution and physical production departments into the parent studio. All of Thursday's casualties were VP level or below. Cuts mean that Vantage will operate with a staff of 40, down from 100. Not all of the 60 axed employees came from Vantage, however, as some Vantage staffers were absorbed by the parent studio...
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989424.html
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