What strategy did studios adopt to delay the transition to sound movies?

The strategy studios adopted to delay the transition to sound movies primarily involved a collective agreement among studio heads not to produce sound films for a specified period. This decision was influenced by concerns over the costs associated with the technological changes needed for sound production, as well as the uncertainty regarding audience acceptance of "talkies." By postponing the transition, studios hoped to better understand the implications of sound technology on storytelling, performance, and the overall film experience.

This strategic delay allowed studios to maintain their existing production styles, capitalize on established silent film successes, and observe how emerging sound films were received by audiences before committing to a transition that could potentially disrupt their business model. Eventually, as audience preferences shifted and sound technology became more widely adopted, studios adjusted their practices to incorporate sound into their films, but the initial period of hesitation was characterized by this collective agreement among industry leaders.