स्थानीय Pedappai समाचार, भारत

Caloundra's independent cinema has survived the Great Depression, World War II, the invention of TV and VHS, but owner Nick Struik is not sure it will make it through COVID-19. Key points:

• COVID restrictions mean cinemas are finding it hard to survive
• News that Warner Bros' will release new titles on HBO adds further fear
• Cinema owners believe the change could increase piracy

A combination of last year's lockdowns and studios delaying the release of A-list movies because of the pandemic wiped out cinema audiences in 2020 and left many venues holding on only through a combination of JobKeeper, eviction moratoriums, and other government help. "Our industry is known for smoke and mirrors, and we're only still here because of the smoke and mirrors," Mr Struik, who has owned Caloundra's BigScreen Cinema for 25 years, said. "That's the combination of government support Queensland and Federal JobKeeper, reassessing all of the fat that was still left in the business, trimming trading times, all those things." Already hit by restrictions, the cinema industry is now grappling with news Warner Bros will release new titles to streaming services on the same day as theatres.(ABC Sunshine Coast: Tara Cassidy) Growing dept threatens survival But Mr Struik said while that had got most of the industry through the crisis so far, Australia's cinemas had yet to deal with the "abyss" of debt it had amassed. "At some stage, they will get their money back, and that's the problem. "As a businessman for 40-odd years, I can't borrow a cent, because loaning money today is based on your ability to repay, and you produce your current trading figures to any institution and they say we cannot lend you a cent. "I know our Premier was talking up how well and resilient business was I can assure the Premier that is not the case." Cinema owner Nick Struik says piracy could increase if production companies start releasing titles to streaming services on the same day as cinemas.(ABC Sunshine Coast: Tara Cassidy) Action heroes won't save the day The financial devastation of the past year would make recovery an uphill climb even if things were going back to normal. However, the crowd-pulling blockbuster movies are still largely not back. That's expected to change in April, with release of films like Top Gun, Fast and the Furious, and Black Widow. LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are no guarantees. The next James Bond instalment, No Time to Die, was to be released in April, but MGM announced on Friday it would be pushed back to October, triggering fears that could spark a new round of deferrals. And now a new threat is looming after Warner Bros announced every film it releases in 2021 will start streaming on HBO Max in the United States at the same time it hits cinema screens. To be clear, the films will only be able to be streamed in the United States, meaning Australian cinemas will still get their exclusive period before they can be watched at home. However, University of Southern Queensland film expert Daryl Sparkes warned the distinction might not mean much in the end. Daryl Sparks says the cinema industry has come through dark times before.(ABC Sunshine Coast: Tara Cassidy) New piracy opportunities add fear The release to streaming in the US would likely lead to a surge in film piracy here in Australia and Warner Bros' decision, along with the continued release deferrals, the reluctance of audiences to place themselves in closed rooms with strangers, and advances in home theatre technology could pave the way for other studios to do the same, and not just in the US. "The streamers are offering big money for what should be films released in cinemas to actually just be released on their streaming services," Dr Sparkes said. "What we've seen over the past 12 months is more and more of the blockbusters going onto streamers. "There was even talk of the new James Bond, for example, being offered $400 million by Netflix. "That hasn't been resolved and it still might come to the cinemas, but with studios like Warner Bros putting all of their major films onto a streaming service, it's going to have a really strong effect in cinemas, because cinemas need those big tent-pole films to get massive audiences coming back. Find more local news "In places like Australia and other countries where we can't access some of these streaming services, there'll be a massive spike in piracy, because nowadays people demand to see things instantly, they want them now, and if they don't get from now through legitimate ways they're going to do them through illegitimate ways." Steve Maggs, a manager in Brisbane's Cineplex cinema chain and convenor of the Cinema and Theatre Historical Society, said the impact of the Warner Bros streaming decision would depend on how well it managed the risk of piracy. The bigger risk right now was deferrals of blockbusters like No Time to Die. "If that happens, then there's a good chance that the film companies will then also move a lot of their other big films," Mr Maggs said. "Then obviously, you don't have the big numbers coming in, you dont have the bums on seats, to be on this committee. And therefore, a lot of the independent cinemas may not be able to survive long term." Daryl Sparkes and Steve Maggs say cinema can make a comeback.(ABC News) Hope for the silver screen Provided cinemas could survive the coming months, Mr Maggs said they still offered a compelling experience that would draw people back. "People are social creatures, they do like to go out," he said. "So obviously going cinema and seeing a film on a massive screen compared to even a 75-inch TV screen is completely different. "Also having people with you in the auditorium, particularly things like comedies or horror films, that sort of thing. Having that audience interaction with the film also adds to the effect." How many streaming services is too many? When Disney's new dedicated streaming platform Disney+ launches in Australia, it'll be one more item on a long list. Read more Dr Sparkes said the cinema industry had come through dark times before and would this time too. "All of this reminds me of what happened in the 1970s when VHS came out," he said. "When VHS came out, people started staying home in droves and a lot of cinemas unfortunately, closed down. "Cinemas bounced back then and I think cinemas are going to bounce back now." Nick Struik agrees audiences will keep coming to cinemas for a shared experience they can't get at home. "Everyone has tried for the last 100-odd years to define what it is to go to the movies," he said. "I think it's just that intangible connection with others enjoying the same thing: the smell of the popcorn, the taste of the double dipped, choc-tops, all those things it's just a combination, it's just a feel good thing and that certainly hasn't diminished. "The intention of my family is to still be around when [this cinema] does celebrate its 100 years in 2032. So we've just got over 11 years. "I can't think of a nicer place to go broke in." What you need to know about coronavirus: