I’m always on the look-out for movie marketing firsts, and here Sony Pictures claims one. Sony Pictures rolled out what it asserts is the “world's first-ever vertical movie trailer designed especially for mobile users” for animated “The Emoji Movie.” The not-yet-rated “Emoji Movie” is scheduled for domestic theatrical premiere Aug. 4, 2017, so this is a long-lead marketing … [Read more...] about ‘Emoji’ Movie Claims First Cell-phone Trailer
Studios Push Shorter Window to VOD
While it’s cheery that domestic box office revenue is up 3.7% year-to-date, movie theaters are under threat of further encroachment of the video-on-demand window. In presentation to stock-market investors, the parent companies of Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures revealed they are in negotiations with theaters to shrink the customary 90-day exclusive window for … [Read more...] about Studios Push Shorter Window to VOD
Product-Placement Guru Recounts Evolution
Product placement veteran Brad Brown recalls the obstacles and patchy nature of product placements in movies and TV shows from past decades in a BrandChannel.com profile. Brown, who is quoted in all three “Marketing to Moviegoer” books, placed Pepsi soda in movies ranging from early Tom Hanks hit “Big” (a Pepsi vending machine is prominent in the lead character’s memorable … [Read more...] about Product-Placement Guru Recounts Evolution
Filmmaker Controversy Sinks ‘Birth’
Fox Searchlight period slave drama “The Birth of a Nation” premiered to weak box office this weekend amid acclaim, high hopes and scandal. The drama, acquired for a sizeable $17.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival, generated just $7 million in domestic box office its premiere weekend Oct 7-9 with a lackluster $2,105 per screen average. “Birth of a Nation” -- about a … [Read more...] about Filmmaker Controversy Sinks ‘Birth’
The Fall of ‘Saint Angelina’ (Jolie)
With the Brangelina "brand" in tatters, the New York Post published an informative dissection of how actress Angelina Jolie constantly reinvents herself and her divorce from Brad Pitt blows up one of her incarnations. “Jolie carved her own niche, controlled her own narrative, and it was impossible to look away,” notes New York Post journalist Maureen Callahan. But with her … [Read more...] about The Fall of ‘Saint Angelina’ (Jolie)
Worries about Second-weekend Fadeout
Glossy big-budget movies fade amazingly fast at the box office, notes a New York Post article. Two decades ago, a decline of 40% in box office revenue for the second was considered severe. Now 60% occurs frequently, though that’s somewhat explainable by bigger opening weekends (which skew the comparisons). That's for so-called "tentpole" films that are big-budget, … [Read more...] about Worries about Second-weekend Fadeout
ABC TV Extends Oscar Telecasts to 2028
ABC Television expanded its contract to broadcast the Oscars to the year 2028 and that telecast is a money machine grossing an estimated $70 million-plus. From that, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences pockets tens of millions of dollars in rights fees from ABC Television. ABC’s contract was scheduled to expire in 2020; the TV broadcaster that is owned by Walt … [Read more...] about ABC TV Extends Oscar Telecasts to 2028
AFI Controversy Exposes Divide About Cinema Studies
A debate about leadership at the famed AFI Conservatory cinema and TV school brings out student comments complaining bitterly about the worth of degrees in film schools and what students should expect -- and not expect. In this post, I’m looking at those tangential issues in the controversy surrounding AFI Film school dean Jan Schuette, who some faculty want fired (AFI is the … [Read more...] about AFI Controversy Exposes Divide About Cinema Studies
‘Suicide Squad’ Soundtrack Makes Beautiful Music
The fanboy-oriented movie “Suicide Squad” spawns a soundtrack music album with edgy music that is emerging as a hit. Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records reports its movie soundtrack is the top-ranked album seller in its first week with 167,000 album units sold in the U.S. and is number one in 63 iTunes countries. “It has already set the record for the most streams ever … [Read more...] about ‘Suicide Squad’ Soundtrack Makes Beautiful Music
Regal Installs Multi-Sensory Cinema Seats
Multi-sensory experiences are coming to movie theaters. Giant circuit Regal Cinemas inked a deal with 4DX cinema for its wind-fog-rain-and-scents atmospherics for audiences. South Korea-based 4DX installs stationary motion sensation seats bundled with sensory experiences. Regal expects 4DX installations at 17 U.S. screens by the end of 2018. 4DX cinema systems currently … [Read more...] about Regal Installs Multi-Sensory Cinema Seats