From The Produce Dept. To The Red Carpet?

[ABM]

This British food retailer is getting into the movies business.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/07/tesco-movie-trolleywood

The UK's biggest food retailer is about to take on Hollywood in the movie-making business. Patrick Barkham goes on the Paris set of Tesco's first film, with Charles Dance and Trudie Styler.

A glittering adaptation of a Jackie Collins novel. An award-winning cast. Thirteen gazelle-like models in a top Paris hotel. Viewed from one angle, Paris Connections could be the big-budget production to put the glamour back into British film-making. In a less flattering light – say, the strip lights of a supermarket – the end result could look very different.

Because this is not just any movie. This is a Tesco movie. The supermarket giant that inhabits virtually every corner of our existence has this year moved into film-making with a straight-to-DVD movie or, as its makers prefer, a "DVD Premiere". This autumn, Paris Connections will go on sale exclusively in Tesco stores.

That said, I wonder how compelling their marketing plan might become?

If successful, it could revolutionise the movie business, removing distributors and agents in one swipe and transforming how many films are made and funded.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Is there a point to this?

 

[ABM]

Is there a point to this?

To what?

Hey, anytime the middle-man can be successfully eliminated, I'm all for it.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

To what?

'nuff said

Hey, anytime the middle-man can be successfully eliminated, I'm all for it.

Uh, sir, you're a middle man at work.

 

[ABM]

'nuff said



Uh, sir, you're a middle man at work.

So, I see you're being your usually schmucky self this morning.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

So, I see you're being your usually schmucky self this morning.

That's uncalled for, middle man.

 

[ABM]

That's uncalled for, middle man.

Back on topic, I see this whole direct-to-the-consumer approach that Tesco is attempting to be, at least, curious. To me, movies are way too expensive to go to these days. Blockbuster is on its way to bancruptcy. NetFlix is doing all it can to be viable (IMO, direct-to-home is the next mainstream wave). RedBox is a decent option for me. To be honest, McDonald's is to be commended for placing a RedBox in virtually every one of their outlets.