Overall agree. I myself remember when TV serials were rising (Lost, 4400s, Heroes, Prison Break...) and, facing the writer's strike, producers decided to sent writing quality down the toilet and set several measures in the plots (procedurals with easily replaceable characters, for example) to avoid depending on writings or actors too much.
I'd add other two reasons:
1) In the streaming services topic, a matter of people's money: nobody is going to realistically pay for every single streaming service right there and sticks to 1-2, so the shows popularity is already capped by the streaming service popularity. Also it means the chance for two random people to watch the same show and episode to share opinions goes downhill, killing the chance the shows become part of popular culture.
2) The elephant of the room: the ever observing and censoring eye of Big Tech over all media and entertainment. There is a huge space of topics that are relevant and could be best sellers but that companies are going to avoid like the plague of getting shadowbannned or straight deplatformed by the big suits. Serious, realistic takes on relevant topics (tyranical draconian lockdowns from an evil state, biological weapons researched by evil scientists looking to make a billion, a rebel group looking to dismantle an Boston Dymanics esque company looking to perfect the ultimate slaughterbot...) will be dismissed at the mere suggestion by the producers unless the movie is such levels of satire the elites won't feel offended. Instead, we get an abundance of super dumb themes no body asked like Sharknados or Cocaine Bear when it's not the umpteenth reboot.
Paul argues how streaming didn't do Hollywood (both movies and generally used to reference the whole entertainment industry) didn't do the entertainment industry any favors. Streaming is turning into cable TV packages
Most of the stuff Hollywood produces isn't interesting or good. The stuff that is, either not many hear about or just don't care that much to see it in theaters
The strikes last year in 2023 have come back to bite many in the industry in the ass and that will get worse as time passes. Striking when the money isn't flowing like it used to wasn't the best plan.
The people who are great at their craft and have a good track record are still getting work and more money. However, their are fewer jobs
AI came around at the worst time for Hollywood. It isn't so much AI can match the best talent or works, but it can (at the time of this post and comment) mimic the mediocrity well enough. If AI can make shit to mediocre works that matches the slop Hollywood has been trying to sell the public in recent years, then who needs people?
Hollywood has been in a vulnerable state for awhile. This has made it easier for alternative, independent creative types to step in and AI will make it easier for others outside the mainstream to make movies and such
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) limits the scope of what is considered acceptable entertainment. You already touched on the issue of niche entertainment and its limitations
The entertainment industry lost it way a long time ago and forgot why they exist and whom they should serve. It may or may not be too late to course correct, not really sure
Entertainers and that industry as a whole (video game development, movies, music etc) are basically dancing monkeys or the court jester. Maybe it isn't the nicest way to put it, but actors in particular are just adult pretenders. They are playing make-believe, the same game I assume all or most people did as children. Certainly seemed at times a better deal than slaving away at some soul-destroying 9 to 5. Yes I know, not everyone's position in the industry is great or well-paid
Nothing wrong with being good at that job though (being an adult pretender), everyone (the audience, the paying customer) needs a break or escape from stresses and cruelty of this world. The audience isn't asking for lectures or to be shamed, but for laughs and/or distractions from their troubles.
I am sure some good will come from the changes now and on the horizon though.
Overall agree. I myself remember when TV serials were rising (Lost, 4400s, Heroes, Prison Break...) and, facing the writer's strike, producers decided to sent writing quality down the toilet and set several measures in the plots (procedurals with easily replaceable characters, for example) to avoid depending on writings or actors too much.
I'd add other two reasons:
1) In the streaming services topic, a matter of people's money: nobody is going to realistically pay for every single streaming service right there and sticks to 1-2, so the shows popularity is already capped by the streaming service popularity. Also it means the chance for two random people to watch the same show and episode to share opinions goes downhill, killing the chance the shows become part of popular culture.
2) The elephant of the room: the ever observing and censoring eye of Big Tech over all media and entertainment. There is a huge space of topics that are relevant and could be best sellers but that companies are going to avoid like the plague of getting shadowbannned or straight deplatformed by the big suits. Serious, realistic takes on relevant topics (tyranical draconian lockdowns from an evil state, biological weapons researched by evil scientists looking to make a billion, a rebel group looking to dismantle an Boston Dymanics esque company looking to perfect the ultimate slaughterbot...) will be dismissed at the mere suggestion by the producers unless the movie is such levels of satire the elites won't feel offended. Instead, we get an abundance of super dumb themes no body asked like Sharknados or Cocaine Bear when it's not the umpteenth reboot.
I have no issues with your arguments. I figured I would share an additional source as another reason to what you argued.
It is a YouTube video called AI, the END of HOLLYWOOD! by Paul Chato, a former TV/Network executive (YT channel: Call me Chato)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5t4_XELVqM
Paul argues how streaming didn't do Hollywood (both movies and generally used to reference the whole entertainment industry) didn't do the entertainment industry any favors. Streaming is turning into cable TV packages
Most of the stuff Hollywood produces isn't interesting or good. The stuff that is, either not many hear about or just don't care that much to see it in theaters
The strikes last year in 2023 have come back to bite many in the industry in the ass and that will get worse as time passes. Striking when the money isn't flowing like it used to wasn't the best plan.
The people who are great at their craft and have a good track record are still getting work and more money. However, their are fewer jobs
AI came around at the worst time for Hollywood. It isn't so much AI can match the best talent or works, but it can (at the time of this post and comment) mimic the mediocrity well enough. If AI can make shit to mediocre works that matches the slop Hollywood has been trying to sell the public in recent years, then who needs people?
Hollywood has been in a vulnerable state for awhile. This has made it easier for alternative, independent creative types to step in and AI will make it easier for others outside the mainstream to make movies and such
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) limits the scope of what is considered acceptable entertainment. You already touched on the issue of niche entertainment and its limitations
The entertainment industry lost it way a long time ago and forgot why they exist and whom they should serve. It may or may not be too late to course correct, not really sure
Entertainers and that industry as a whole (video game development, movies, music etc) are basically dancing monkeys or the court jester. Maybe it isn't the nicest way to put it, but actors in particular are just adult pretenders. They are playing make-believe, the same game I assume all or most people did as children. Certainly seemed at times a better deal than slaving away at some soul-destroying 9 to 5. Yes I know, not everyone's position in the industry is great or well-paid
Nothing wrong with being good at that job though (being an adult pretender), everyone (the audience, the paying customer) needs a break or escape from stresses and cruelty of this world. The audience isn't asking for lectures or to be shamed, but for laughs and/or distractions from their troubles.
I am sure some good will come from the changes now and on the horizon though.