You might think that of all places, the big budget studios of Hollywood would have switched over to totally digital workflows by now, but surprisingly, that is not the case. In fact, five of the largest studios in Hollywood recently inked deals with Kodak for more film, ensuring its usage for years to come.
Disney, NBC Universal, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros. all signed new deals with Kodak recently. The terms of the deals were undisclosed, but they nonetheless signify Hollywood’s commitment to the older technology. This is not the first time studios have committed to such contracts in the digital era; a similar deal was reached in 2015, with film being championed by some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams. Those contracts are rumored to have been for two years, while the new versions are believed to be more substantial, indicating Hollywood’s commitment to keeping film alive. While the vast majority of professionals shoot digital nowadays, film maintains a devoted (if small) fandom, but certainly, adding Hollywood’s support should help to keep it going.
How do you feel about Hollywood throwing so much long-term support behind film? Is it unnecessarily dragging its feet in embracing evolution, or is it warranted?