Meaning: Mark Rydell, a prominent director, expresses his concern about the intense and immediate judgment that modern movies face in the quote, "Now a movie goes out to two, three thousand theaters and by Friday night at 10 o'clock they know if you are in or out. That desperate competition is, I think, horrendous. It's awful." This statement sheds light on the high-pressure environment of the film industry, where a movie's success or failure is often determined within a matter of days. Rydell's words capture the rapid and ruthless nature of the contemporary movie business, where box office numbers can make or break a film's fate.

In today's film industry, the release of a movie is a high-stakes event. With the proliferation of multiplex cinemas and widespread distribution, a film's performance is gauged by its box office earnings within the first weekend of release. This immediate feedback loop creates a sense of urgency and pressure for filmmakers, as the fate of their work is decided in a remarkably short timeframe. Rydell's reference to "two, three thousand theaters" underscores the widespread reach of modern movie releases, amplifying the impact of the opening weekend on a film's overall success.

The phrase "by Friday night at 10 o'clock they know if you are in or out" reflects the speed at which a movie's commercial viability is determined. This rapid assessment, often based on opening weekend box office numbers, has significant implications for the film industry. A movie's financial performance in its initial days of release can shape its distribution, marketing, and even influence the prospects of its creators for future projects. The binary nature of this judgment – being "in or out" – highlights the stark division between commercial success and failure in the film industry, adding to the pressure faced by filmmakers and studios.

Rydell's use of the word "desperate" to characterize the competition in the industry reflects the intense and cutthroat nature of the battle for audience attention and box office revenue. The high level of competition among movies released simultaneously, coupled with the finite number of theater screens available, creates a sense of urgency and desperation for filmmakers and studios to attract audiences. This fierce competition can lead to aggressive marketing tactics, large-scale promotional efforts, and an emphasis on spectacle, all aimed at maximizing a film's opening weekend performance.

The director's choice of the words "horrendous" and "awful" further emphasizes the negative impact of this high-pressure environment on the filmmaking process. The relentless focus on immediate commercial success can overshadow the artistic merit and long-term potential of a movie. Filmmakers may feel compelled to prioritize marketability over creativity, leading to a potential homogenization of content and a focus on formulaic, crowd-pleasing elements. This emphasis on short-term financial gains may come at the expense of innovation and risk-taking in storytelling and filmmaking.

Rydell's quote serves as a poignant commentary on the challenges and drawbacks of the contemporary film industry, where the pressure to deliver immediate commercial results can overshadow the artistic vision and creative potential of filmmakers. It underscores the need for a balance between commercial viability and artistic integrity, as well as a reevaluation of the industry's emphasis on rapid and ruthless judgment of movies based on their opening weekend performance. By provoking reflection on these issues, the quote encourages a deeper consideration of the impact of commercial pressures on the art of filmmaking.