Matt Damon and Ben Affleck recently shared their thoughts on Netflix’s evolving filmmaking approach during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience while promoting their new film, The Rip. They discussed how the experience of watching movies in theaters differs from streaming at home and how viewers’ attention is changing the way films are made.
Damon reminisced about watching One Battle After Another in IMAX with his family. He described it as a communal experience akin to going to church, where everyone is present at the same time to enjoy the film together. This feeling, he emphasized, is hard to replicate at home, where distractions abound.
“When you’re at home, you have the lights on, kids running around, and dogs barking,” he explained. “It’s just a different level of attention you can give.”
This shift in viewing habits is starting to shape filmmaking. Traditionally, action movies are designed with three key action sequences, with the big finale packed with explosions. Damon noted that Netflix has changed the game, pushing for a big scene in the first few minutes to grab viewers’ attention. He humorously pointed out that they also suggest repeating key plot points in dialogue for those who might be distracted by their phones.
Damon said, “It’s going to really start to infringe on how we’re telling these stories.”
Affleck pointed out that some films like Adolescence have succeeded without following these trends. “It feels more like the exception,” said Damon, hoping that quality storytelling remains central to filmmaking.
Affleck added that streaming isn’t an existential threat to theaters. “Things shift,” he noted, recalling how TV affected theater attendance. Yet, he believes there’s still a special allure to watching films in theaters, especially big releases like The Odyssey.
For The Rip, Affleck and Damon took steps to ensure their crew benefits from the film’s success. They negotiated a deal with Netflix that includes bonuses based on performance, a departure from the site’s usual upfront payment model.
As the film industry navigates this evolving landscape, the balance between captivating storytelling and viewer engagement continues to be a topic of discussion among industry experts. The rapid rise of streaming services and changing viewing patterns highlight the importance of adapting to keep audiences engaged.
For more on the creative discussions from the podcast, you can view the full episode here.
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Ben Affleck,Matt Damon,Netflix,the rip
