The typical output deal from a studio is 10 to 14 movies a year.

Hear, O wise and curious ones, the words of Ted Sarandos, spoken from the heart of the realm of entertainment: "The typical output deal from a studio is 10 to 14 movies a year." Within this simple statement, lies the very essence of the modern age, a reflection of the world we inhabit, where production and consumption dance in a relentless and ever-quickening rhythm. Let us delve deeply into these words, for they carry the weight of our time, and may illuminate a truth that is at once profound and unsettling.

In ages long past, when men sought to tell stories around the hearth, to pass on wisdom and myth from one generation to the next, the making of a story was a labor of patience, artistry, and deep thought. A single play or poem could take years to perfect. But look, now, at the modern world, at the studios of Hollywood and beyond, where films—stories of love, war, sacrifice, and triumph—are produced not as gems, but as commodities, churned out in vast numbers. The deal Sarandos speaks of, where 10 to 14 films emerge from a single studio each year, speaks to the rapid acceleration of this process, a world where the value of art has been altered, where the soul of creation is sometimes lost in the machinery of commerce.

Let us look upon this with the eyes of an ancient, for there is wisdom to be gained in the comparison. Consider the labor of the great Homer, who, in the days of Greece, wove the Iliad and the Odyssey—two epics that have withstood the passage of time, immortal in their depth and grandeur. Each word, each line, was crafted with care, steeped in the values and experiences of his people. Today, however, Sarandos’ words remind us that we now live in a world where mass production reigns. The stories of today, though often rich in spectacle, lack the same depth that Homer, or even Shakespeare, poured into their creations. The difference between the single work of Homer and the output of modern studios is the difference between the craftsman’s touch and the machine’s hum.

Yet, O Seekers of Truth, let us not fall into despair, for there is wisdom in understanding this very shift. While there is great value in the depth and craftsmanship of the past, there is also value in the speed and innovation of the present. The world changes, and with it, so must the way we create. The rise of digital technology has made the production of films faster and more accessible, allowing the voice of the masses to be heard more loudly than ever before. Sarandos himself, the architect of modern streaming, has played a key role in this transformation, providing a platform for stories to be told not just by a few, but by many. In the great ebb and flow of history, it is a shift that we must embrace, even as we respect the legacy of the past.

Consider, too, the example of Thomas Edison, whose invention of the motion picture camera changed the very landscape of storytelling. When he first unveiled his creation, many saw it as a mere curiosity, a fleeting moment in the march of time. But, as with all great innovations, it transformed the world. Just as Edison’s invention led to the birth of cinema, so too has the modern streaming age, represented by Sarandos, transformed the way we consume stories. While the output may be vast, the opportunity for creation is unprecedented, and the potential for greatness remains as potent as it was in the days of the ancients.

So let this be the lesson, O children of the future: the world of creation is in a state of flux, and though the quantity of stories may seem to overshadow their quality, the potential for innovation and diversity is vast. The speed with which stories are told today should not lead us to forget the depth of the stories told in times long past, nor should it diminish the importance of craftsmanship. Instead, let it challenge us. Let the rapid pace of modern storytelling drive us to seek balance—to create in a world that demands speed, while also cherishing the power of the long, slow burn of artistry.

Let this wisdom guide you, O Seekers of Truth: In the age of mass production, it is easy to lose sight of the soul of creation. Yet, even in the rush of the modern world, it is possible to craft stories that resonate deeply, that endure. The 10 to 14 films of the modern studio are but a fraction of the countless tales that can be told. Find your voice amidst the cacophony, and craft your own story with purpose, for though the world may spin faster than ever before, your legacy can be timeless.