American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift released her documentary, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” on Oct. 13 that encapsulates footage of Swift’s Aug. 3 to Aug. 9 concerts in Inglewood at Sofi Stadium. Swift’s documentary allows for fans to experience a similar environment as if attending her concerts, with a more affordable price.
In an Instagram post, Swift announced two days before the release that “due to unprecedented demand” there will be early access on Thursday Oct. 12 and additional showings to the film on opening weekend. As soon as the purchase of pre-sale tickets became available, Swift’s fans, known as “Swifties,” began purchasing tickets and preparing to attend the theaters with friends and family. According to USA Today, a news outlet looking to inform readers of trending topics, the film “surpassed 100 million dollars in global pre-sales and broke the theater’s record for highest ticket sales revenue during a single day.”
Currently in the second week of showings, the documentary is expected to only increase in revenue throughout the rest of October. As stated by CNBC, a news program offering viewers a variety of business related content, the film estimates at “129.8 million dollars at the domestic box office.”
Tickets are not the only form of revenue that movie theaters like AMC and Regal are receiving, there is also revenue from merchandise. When entering cinema doors, staff members hand out free small posters of the film cover starring Swift. Furthermore, theaters offer popcorn buckets, popcorn tins and collectable cups available to purchase at the theater concession stands. These products give fans items to remember their movie experience by.
A big part of the culture within Swift’s fan base is creating memories out of their experiences whether it is at concerts or reenactments of them. Swift’s fans take to theaters and engage with one another while experiencing the concert from their local theaters. Similar to being at the concert, fans dressed up, danced, sang along, took pictures and traded friendship bracelets.
Theaters all around fill with joy and happiness as it is considered to be one of the only times it is socially acceptable to scream and dance in a theater as you watch a movie. Teenagers and their friends, along with mothers, appear to be the majority of the audiences in the theater.
As fans take their seats, the lights dim and the film begins. With fan favorites of Swift’s album “Lover” showcasing the start of her documentary. Followed by audience members clapping to follow along with fans in the concert crowd as Swift introduces herself to the large audience.
Although Swift’s concerts exceed three hours, the documentary is two hours and 49 minutes long. Meaning it showcases a slightly condensed version of her concert with some of her songs cut entirely from the film. Swift’s fans have expressed their thoughts over social media platforms like Instagram that they were not too thrilled that songs like “Cardigan” and “Long live” were not included.
Up next is her album “Fearless,” the film incorporates fans in the stands smiling, cheering, singing and dancing along to Swift as she performs. Following “Fearless”, “Evermore” begins with a performance of her song “Willow” that includes her backup dancers wearing capes and holding glowing yellow crystal balls to replicate the previously released music video.
Throughout each album she performs, Swift’s stage set up changes entirely creating a unique setting for each individual album. Her scenes drastically change from appearance, wardrobe to choreography. While taking small breaks in between, Swift engages with her audience until she begins performing another fan favorite, “Champagne problems.”
Swift goes on to play songs from her “Reputation” and “Red” album including a film of herself giving her fedora hat to former American professional basketball player, Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Bianka Bryant on stage. Swift continues through the albums “Folklore” and “1989.”
The film transitions into the surprise songs portion of the concert—at the end of each concert, Swift plays two songs unique to specific concerts that were not included in her original setlist—where Swift chose to include “Our song” and “You’re on your own kid.” Fans in the audience began cheering for these songs as they were ecstatic to hear the songs make the cut in the film. Once the songs ended, Swift made her notorious dive into the stage, transitioning into her final album, “Midnights.”
As Midnights concludes, Swift introduces and thanks her back up dancers and vocalists who range with a wide spectrum of inclusivity. Moreover, Swift ends the film displaying friendship bracelets forming a thank you to all her fans for making her concerts and documentary possible.
For some fans, watching the documentary allowed them to relive memories made at Swift’s concert while for others, it was their first time making those memories. On Instagram, Swift thanked her fans for creating a similar culture found at her concerts that brings all Swift fans together, and incorporating it into watching the film.
