Walt Disney Co. dismantled the 20th Century Fox theatrical marketing arm in terms of executives, as part of a large staff cut following its recent $71 billion acquisition of the Fox Studio. That big shakeup ended a period of relative calm in the executive suites of Hollywood’s theatrical movie marketing. Another development is MGM, which is building a theatrical … [Read more...] about Fox Marketing Disbanded Following Disney Buy
cinema distribution
Films Sold at Fests Often Disappoint Later
Acquiring finished movies at film festivals is a celebrated activity generating breathless news reports and industry buzz. Chosen films are bought after informal industry auctions to later be put in general theatrical release -- which is a marketing function. A "Hollywood Reporter" article by Tatiana Siegel recounts that festival deals -- while often result of frenzied … [Read more...] about Films Sold at Fests Often Disappoint Later
Netflix, Other Streamers Walk Tightrope on Theatrical Runs
The great unresolved issue of this era of cinema is how video streamers like Netflix will alter theatrical release. The answer unfolds slowly with Netflix, which is the streamer least committed to theatrical -- inching back to cinema. Streamers originating and acquiring theatrical films for their online services pursue different strategies for the cinema window. Amazon … [Read more...] about Netflix, Other Streamers Walk Tightrope on Theatrical Runs
Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
Netflix is unconcerned with maintaining a theatrical window for its in-house-produced movies, presenting a contrast to Amazon that supports theatricals for its films. "Most major theater chains refuse to show the releases because Netflix posts them online right away, without giving exhibition an exclusive window," writes journalist David Lieberman on Hollywood news website … [Read more...] about Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
Overseas BO Props Up Domestic Flops
Three recent big-budget Hollywood movie stumbles are getting bailed out by booming overseas box office -- “The Mummy,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and “Transformers: The Dark Knight.” The don’t-worry-foreign-will-save-us syndrome is much discussed, but usually not true. A bomb domestically is typically a dud overseas too. But the recent trio are … [Read more...] about Overseas BO Props Up Domestic Flops
Late-stage ‘Kong’ Surge Salvages BO Premiere
"Kong: Skull Island” opened to a so-so $61 million in domestic box office for its premiere three-day weekend, which trade publication Deadline says is a triumph. The $185 million-budget yarn was trending as a flop just a few weeks earlier. The Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures film was headed a mid-40s million dollars opening when it first landed in pre-release … [Read more...] about Late-stage ‘Kong’ Surge Salvages BO Premiere
Pitt-produced ‘Lost City’ Loses R-rating Appeal
Brad Pitt-produced "Lost City of Z" was rejected in its appeal of a R-rating for "brief violence" in the period drama that is scheduled to premiere in theaters April 21. The movie comes from Amazon Studios and its distributor is Bleecker Street. With the Restricted rating, persons under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian. Presumably, the movie was … [Read more...] about Pitt-produced ‘Lost City’ Loses R-rating Appeal
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
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
Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window
Paramount Pictures agreed to let two theater chains share in video revenue for two second-tier theatrical films, in exchange for allowing quick video play after theatrical run finishes. Video run will start 17 days after the screen count for each falls under 300 screens. Typically, the theater-to-video window is a minimum of 12 weeks, and this new arrangement looks to be … [Read more...] about Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window