By Netflix’s reputation when it comes to original movies has been one of quantity over quality – the streamer posting films up left and right on its service with very little oversight or fanfare.
For some filmmakers, this is a blessing as they have been able to make the projects they want for considerable budgets without interference from studio executives.
On the other hand, it also aptly demonstrates the problems with this hands off approach with a series of polished yet decidedly mediocre movies from forgettable action movies like “Lift,” “Heart of Stone” and “Red Notice,” to some auteur driven fare that doesn’t click.
On occasion the approach works with success stories like “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “The Irishman,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Roma,” “Mudbound,” “Marriage Story,” “Dolemite is My Name,” “Glass Onion,” “The Two Popes,” “Da 5 Bloods” and “Don’t Look Up”.
Even so, it’s not enough to offset the perception of questionable quality control at the streamer. The hiring of Dan Lin to run Netflix’s original film division, replacing Scott Stuber, has led many to wonder what impact he will have.
A recent New York Times piece about Lin’s hiring claimed his changes would include pulling back on huge upfront deals, more oversight of the streamer over filmmakers, and a mandate to “make Netflix’s movies better, cheaper, and less frequent[ly]”.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has subsequently taken issue with the article as part of the company’s recent earnings call. According to Indiewire, Sarandos refuted at least the report’s indication they intend to make fewer movies:
“That was not a quote from Dan, and I would say that – nor did we participate in that article – there is no appetite to make fewer films. But there is an unlimited appetite to make better films always; even though we have made and are making great films, we want to make them better, of course.”
Sarandos did not comment on other claims in the article which included improving the quality of the movies produced and the creation of a broader spectrum of films to appeal to a more varied subscriber base. He does say they are putting the audience first though:
“We want to have a lot of movies; we want them to thrill our audiences. They all have different tastes, and we want them to be great. So we take a very audience-centric view of what quality is, and Dan knows that from having produced for us.”
Netflix just premiered the second of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” films in the past 24 hours to scathing reviews.
The post Netflix Chief: We’re Not Making Fewer Films appeared first on Dark Horizons.
