While this is all true, I think the current system is facing a challenge from streaming services. Filmmakers no longer need to rely on movie theaters to be seen-- anyone with a computer, cell phone, or tablet and an internet connection can stream movies from a variety of sites (some legal, some… not) and skip the theaters completely. Larger players are commissioning their own work (Netflix, Hulu, Shudder) or picking up festival films to give them a wider audience.
If physical theaters want to remain viable, they may have to start taking more risks with what they show… or they might double-down on playing it safe and focus harder on blockbusters with “guaranteed” audiences. It’s hard to say how it’s going to go yet, but if theaters get desperate enough for butts-in-the-seat, they might choose to diversify their fare, and that could result in older, less-seen genres, like the musical, making a comeback. (This would be easier for independent locations, as lIRC, larger chains have deals with major studios for distribution requiring X number of screens per title.)
I might be premature, but I think the rise of streaming will chip away at the current system’s lock on content creation and distribution, and that could shake things up enough to spark some “interesting times” in the industry. I think that’s enough cause for a little hope, IMHO.
