Let’s look at emerging trends for movies and film-making in the post-COVID world.
#1 Occupancy will steadily pick up in cinema halls after a slow start. As much as we find it cool to post about the latest OTT binge on social media, Indians favour communal experiences over private ones. Movies are exactly that. Besides, the masks can come off once the lights go off.
#2 For the reason mentioned in #1, cinema content will be biased towards simpler, happy family/romcom themes and action blockbusters that can be enjoyed by groups — who prefer to leave their brains at home, where they consume more cerebral OTT content in private.
#3 We are likely to see an even greater deluge of rapidly-rolled out sequels and franchisable content to ensure audience stickiness.
#4 To ensure steady revenue streams amid the 50 percent cap on occupancy, multiplexes will put out group viewing offers/private screenings with food options bundled in. Fancy restaurants have anyway been hosting unglamorous but lucrative kitty parties between lunch and dinner demand peaks. But how to price the popcorn will still be a touchy topic for the multiplexes.
#5 Tier II/III towns will bring in better revenues for movie theatres. Agriculture is doing better than the industry, especially after a good monsoon. So expect more desi content with a possible return to lip-synched songs and choreographed dances within movies. Therefore we are likely to see the return of big stars rather than quality independent talent.
#6 Regional cinema will get a lot of traction. It can be quickly mounted and scaled up well for a predictable audience.
#7 English language content (unless of the superhero variety) will take a backseat, since it has far too many variables.
#8 Factoring points #2-7, the average age of the cinema watching audience will rise — despite children watching films with their parents. Millennials may stick to OTT.
#9 Product placements and cross-promotions will grow as a way to diversify revenues. So don’t be surprised to find actors endorsing multiple brands and scripts themselves being woven around branding.
#10 The overseas market will prove to be tricky if the second wave of COVID-19 shuts down movie screens in Europe and the US. The release of the latest James Bond film has been deferred to 2021. So, bottom line, even more reliance for our producers on the desi movies market.
In a nutshell, cinema content of the near future is going to be back-to-basics, albeit with new customer-friendly packaging.
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