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
Majors Spend $25-30m On Nat’l TV Per Summer Flick
The major movie studios are spending heavily on national network TV and basic cable advertising for their summer movies, per researcher iSpot, with no letup on shoveling money into old-fashioned TV. “On the whole, the average TV spend for a U.S. release (not including network cross-promotion and merchandising tie-ins) falls in a range of $25 million to $30 million” per major … [Read more...] about Majors Spend $25-30m On Nat’l TV Per Summer Flick
‘Avatar’ Ecosystem To Help Drive Sequels
Filmmaker Jim Cameron is laying the groundwork for sequels to 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.” New York City-based SapientNitro will create an Avatar “ecosystem” in pre-release marketing to warm up audiences for theatrical sequels distributed by 20th Century Fox. “Publicis Groupe agency SapientNitro has entered into a multiyear deal with James Cameron’s Lightstorm … [Read more...] about ‘Avatar’ Ecosystem To Help Drive Sequels
‘Keanu’ gets work-in-progress fest screening
One of the techniques to fine-tune a film is to show as a “work in progress” to an audience at a film festival, which is occurring for Warner Bros.’ comedy “Keanu.” Variety’s Alyssa Sage writes that Warner Bros. will gauge audience response to the work-in-progress hard comedy’s screening at the famed SXSW (South By Southwest fest) in Austin TX. Audience reactions are … [Read more...] about ‘Keanu’ gets work-in-progress fest screening
Hollywood Piles Into L.A. Billboards
Outdoor billboards in Los Angeles hold a special place for Hollywood. Such outdoor advertising signage is sometimes almost personal with the industry talking to the broader industry and is supercharged in awards season touting talent, movies and TV shows for kudos. “Many Hollywood advertisers view outdoor as a ‘reminder’ medium, playing a supportive role in campaigns that … [Read more...] about Hollywood Piles Into L.A. Billboards
Bawdy ‘Deadpool’ Breaks From Comic Norm
R-rated comic book adventure-comedy “Deadpool” remains the #1 box office film in its second weekend, raising the question why this 20th Century Fox youth-audience film became a surprise blockbuster. In 12 days of release, “Deadpool” has grossed $234 million domestically, including $55 this weekend. It's all the more surprising that blockbuster performance is for a movie … [Read more...] about Bawdy ‘Deadpool’ Breaks From Comic Norm