Emerging independent film company Legion M will test its crowd-funding capability to support the cinema release of a theatrical documentary on “Star Trek” icon William Shatner. The Shatner biography, “You Can Call Me Bill,” is a PG-13 rated documentary set for March 22 theatrical release. It’s Legion M’s first time going in-house for a cinema release. The documentary … [Read more...] about Film Marketer Banks on Crowd Funding
independents
Young Adults Boost Specialty, Art House
The hardscrabble independent and art house segments of cinema are getting a lift from the young adult demographic, which is augmenting the traditional mainstay of older adults, according to a Hollywood Reporter story. Upmarket indie and art house have relied on middle-aged and older adults, or in industry slang the “elderverse,” so the recent influx of ages 18-49 young … [Read more...] about Young Adults Boost Specialty, Art House
Turmoil Opens Cinema to Gatecrashers
With the flow of mainstream Hollywood films interrupted by now-settled labor strikes and the pandemic, expect occasional unusual successes to surprise in domestic theatrical boxoffice. In an unusual occurrence, the Japanese animation import “The Boy and the Heron” was the No. 1 grossing movie at cinemas in the U.S./Canada for the Dec. 8-10 weekend with $13 million. This … [Read more...] about Turmoil Opens Cinema to Gatecrashers
Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’
Child trafficking drama “Sound of Freedom” emerged as a surprise independent-caliber blockbuster, and is unwittingly a lightning rod for culture wars/political buzz. The $15 million production has grossed $66 In domestic boxoffice as of July 14 (10 days in release) and is rated PG-13. Most indie films would be happy with half that for final U.S./Canada boxoffice, and “Sound … [Read more...] about Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’
Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
The homegrown indie-film sector characterized by prestige movies is suffering, but moviegoers are getting relief. Similarly-crafted, high-minded movies are playing in the U.S. that streamers commissioned from overseas producers. A case in point is German-made World War I drama “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which Netflix gave a truncated U.S. cinema run. All the U.S. … [Read more...] about Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
Independent horror film “Terrifier 2” is feasting on boxoffice as a moderate hit, benefiting because of pandemic disruptions of film supply. “Terrifier 2” has grossed a respectable $5.3 million in 17 days of domestic theatrical release, and that’s boffo for a horror/slasher film with a bare minimum national release. “While these grosses may seem low, don’t forget that … [Read more...] about ‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
Indies Battle Cinema Marketing Costs
There’s an unfolding tug-of-war over independent films, defined as titles not distributed by Hollywood’s five major studios. Cinemas want to keep them on their silver screens while video streamers, which enjoy more-favorable economics, are siphoning them away. Distributors of indie movies generally want theatrical release, but cinema marketing costs are a perennial obstacle. … [Read more...] about Indies Battle Cinema Marketing Costs
Indie ‘True’ Shines Amid Pandemic
An independent film, “True to the Game 2,” made an impact in national box office laid low by Corona-19 pandemic. Over the Nov 6-8 boxoffice weekend, the urban action film took in $290,000 from 247 locations with a per screen average of $1,174—a good showing in the virus social-distancing era. That per-screen average appears to rank #2 nationally among all films in … [Read more...] about Indie ‘True’ Shines Amid Pandemic
Theater Giant AMC Mounts Indie Effort
Indie films aimed at audiences with sophisticated tastes get a hand from the second largest U.S. theater circuit with AMC Artisan Films. Movie theater chain AMC Entertainment promises to “program specialized movies consistently in select locations throughout the United States, providing what the company terms ‘consistent and convenient showtimes’ for the works,” writes … [Read more...] about Theater Giant AMC Mounts Indie Effort
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