This question keeps popping up, especially after another round of box-office numbers showing franchises and sequels dominating once again. Many moviegoers express frustration, stating they crave originality, yet ticket sales tell a different story. Why does this happen? Economic Factors and Risk Aversion: Studios inherently avoid risk. When faced with a decision between a completely original idea and a well-known property, they're inclined toward the safer financial bet. Franchises, sequels, remakes, and adaptations already have built-in fan bases, making them less risky investments. This tendency isn't necessarily about creativity; it is about business sustainability. Consumer Psychology and Familiarity: While audiences might voice a desire for original stories, their actual behavior often suggests they prefer familiarity. Familiar characters, storylines, or universes feel safer and more predictable, ensuring the audience feels confident their time and money won't be wasted. Nostalgia and brand recognition play huge roles here, influencing ticket-buying decisions significantly. Marketing and Visibility: Original movies often struggle with visibility. Studios allocate massive budgets to franchise films, leaving original stories with comparatively limited promotional resources. Even fantastic original movies can fail at the box office if potential viewers simply don’t know they exist. Streaming and Changing Viewing Habits: Another significant factor is the rise of streaming platforms. Viewers are increasingly comfortable waiting to watch original films at home, where the stakes are lower; no expensive tickets, no costly concessions, and the convenience of pausing or stopping at will. This shift further discourages studios from investing heavily in theatrical releases for original stories. But is any story truly original? Since the time of William Shakespeare—and well before—most stories have revolved around universal human themes: love, betrayal, power, redemption, and transformation. Shakespeare himself often adapted existing stories, breathing new life into them through creative dialogue, compelling characters, and innovative stagecraft.

My name is Jeremy. I’m a filmmaker and marketer based in Colorado Springs, specializing in post‑production, digital color grading, and AI driven automation workflows. Over the past decade, I’ve worked on indie short films, commercial spots, and educational content. I now volunteer with local film clubs, mentoring aspiring filmmakers, and I run a growing freelance post‑production business. I joined Ask Hollywood to connect with top pros, particularly cinematographers and editors, for real‑world insights on crafting unforgettable visuals and streamlining post‑production. I’m also happy to share my experience with color grading and automation tools. I can’t wait to learn from you all and collaborate on bringing great stories to life!

Hey everyone, I’m thrilled to be part of this community. I’ve been working on sharpening my storytelling and visual language, and it means a lot to have access to people who are actually doing the work at a high level. Looking forward to learning from your experiences, soaking up every Q&A, and eventually contributing however I can. If anyone here works in short films, indie directing, or production design, I’d love to connect and hear what you're working on. Thanks again for this space. It’s rare and really valuable.

I’ve been on a journey lately to sharpen my storytelling and visual compositionBut one thing I keep coming back to is this:The technical part gets easierBut trusting your eye, your gut, your voice — that’s the hard part I know I’m not alone in thatJust wondering how others here handle those days when your creative confidence feels a little... off Is it experienceIs it practiceOr something deeper?

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