Nearing the end of his promotional run for Ready Player One, Steven Spielberg has a few choice words for the recent popularity of streaming service feature-length films. Should streaming service films get Oscar nods? According to Steven Spielberg, not at all, they aren’t even true films.
It is a debate that has come under fire recently. Should feature-length films be considered for Oscars and other feature film accolades? Spielberg doesn’t deny the recent popularity of the streaming medium, but the director is a strong advocate for the theatrical experience. He had a lot to say about the effects of services like Netflix and Hulu on the film industry and awards nods:
“A lot of studios today would rather just make branded, tent pole, guaranteed box office hits from their inventory of branded successful movies than take chances on smaller films. Those smaller films that studios used make routinely are now going to Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix. Television is really thriving with quality and art. But it poses a clear and present danger to filmgoers.”
According to Steven Spielberg, everything made by streaming services should be considered TV content. Even if it is a full-length film. He goes on to say these films are TV films, rather than ‘true’ films, and shouldn’t be allowed to garner awards nods. He even thinks this should be the case for films that get limited theatrical runs. The director says Emmy nods are fine, but the films should never receive Academy Award nominations:
“But in fact, once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie. You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I don’t believe the films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination.”
He goes on to also comment on whether studios should embrace Virtual Reality as a potential filmmaking tool:
“The director can’t get people, who are in the experience to pay enough attention. We’re always roaming and looking around at everything available to be seen. I don’t think VR will be competitive with the motion picture theater experience.”
You can check out the entire interview in the video below:
