The more I read about Steve Jobs, the more I respect him as a businessman and entrepreneur... Jobs, the head of Pixar and Apple computer corporation, the founder of NeXT computer company, is a harbinger and the ring master of the digital revolution. People say that he "has vision", but I think that it is more than that, and yet subtler than simply being more. Example, Pixar. He bought Pixar from Lucas, which had created Pixar as a special effects studio for the Star Wars movies, at a discounted rate due to Lucas's ongoing divorce. A fairly subtle move. He then turned it in to an animation studio working with Disney to take movies to the market. Today, Pixar is the most recognized name in animation... so much so that they don't need Disney anymore. Seems crazy, no? Disney has
bullied Pixar around a bit in their contract, so when it expired Jobs was trying to get more money out of the rickety deal... and finally just pulled the plug for a lack of consideration from Eisner. Poising Pixar to become a dominant force of its own - without Disney.
I for one believe that Jobs will only have a positive affect on the movie industry... as it begins to move into the digital era, I sit here holding my breath hoping that they won't go down the same round as the RIAA... but then I remember the preemptive "don't steal movies" trailers they are already running. I and say to myself "why are they worried??" Going to the movies is an experience that can't easily be recreated at home. Of course, there are people that enjoy renting movies more than going to them... this is the group that will benefit from downloadable movies, not the rest of us. I love going to the theatre, smelling the popcorn, and the bouquet that only the airs of the theatre can create. Sitting in the plush seats, starring up at the large silvery screen, enjoying the surround sound. I love the experience. I love sharing the experience anonymously with the others in the theatre. Movie industry magnates, you have nothing to fear.
Steve, if you're out there... you are the movie industries last best hope for salvation in the digital era.
