• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    edit-2
    4 months ago

    I’m not sure why you think that means the market for realistic prop guns is worth the cost of redesign and recalibration and possibly the purchase of new equipment.

    Only a few companies make those movies, so they only need a limited stock of those weapons, especially since they can be reused. Most movies don’t require them.

    Also, I can find absolutely nothing to corroborate your claim that movies were America’s biggest export in the 1980s. They aren’t even in the top 10 now, so I doubt it.

    https://www.evansdist.com/americas-top-10-exports/

    • Buffalox@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      4 months ago

      Maybe it wasn’t movies by itself, but also other entertainment? But for sure neither oil gas or Automobile were very significant exports back then. Also your list look to be goods only and contain zero services. Entertainment is a service, and will NEVER make that list.

      From your link:

      The trade deficit continues to grow in the U.S. due to the heavy reliance on foreign manufacturing.

      But it would also be usable for theater, and TV shows.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        4 months ago

        TV shows are, again, made by those companies which already have a stock of prop guns.

        Theaters generally don’t need realistic prop guns because they aren’t seen in close-up.