Indeed? What *is* the function of a production company? It *produces* the film, does it not? What *is* the function of a distribution company? To distribute the film, no? Without these, the spoiled brat "stars", and the equally spoiled brat "directors" would have no reason to exist, period. That *does* make them inseparable, your snide condescension aside.
That foreign distribution companies are trying to edge into the US market is irrelevant, almost as irrelevant as your elitist attitude. Grow up, pal...
the infowarrior
I think what Haemo was trying to say is that the "management structure" in Hollywood is changing again. The first time it changed, it went from the "Studio System" in which everyone from the actors to the guy who brought coffee in the morning was an employee of the studio to a system in which everyone is "freelance." Now it is changing again to a system that is more competitive, global and fragmented.
All that aside, Hollywood is not going to "fail." There is a huge worldwide infrastructure out there of theaters, video rental stores, television cable companies etc. etc. etc. Feeding that pipeline with "product" will remain highly profitable far into the future.