The motion picture business is a story telling business. Anecdotal information is common - and important - in this industry (see any issue of Variety or the Hollywood Reporter). But we also need to look at the business analytically, using data to understand industry trends.

We are the business analysts who work for Kodak's motion picture business unit (Entertainment Imaging). We study the industry broadly. We assess it globally. We have a long historical perspective. We have always been interested in what impacts film - positively or negatively - but we also have digital businesses and interests, and we try to balance the film and digital perspectives in our assessments.

We plan to share one or two perspectives here each month. They will be our takes on the industry trends and news we are most interested in, when we think those perspectives have value people may not get elsewhere.

• Writing the Script for the 2007 WGA Strike  11/07
• What will we be watching?  10/07
• Growth of Internet Advertising  9/07
• The box office: Attend locally, think globally  9/07
• 'Pirates' floats all boats  8/07

Your comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome.

Dave Middleton has been with Kodak for 25 years, and has worked in engineering, quality, and film manufacturing. He has been a motion picture business analyst since 2000, with interests in feature film production, distribution, exhibition, digital cinema, and cinema advertising.

Bill Novik has been with Kodak for 31 years and has provided statistical and business research support to manufacturing, research and development, and marketing for most of Kodak's business units. He has worked in the motion picture business for five years and is intrigued by assessing customer needs, the longevity of film, and patterns in digital adoption.