Of all the video streamers, Amazon MGM Studios seems to be emerging in the form of a traditional major studio, particularly evidenced by a robust slate of original films. Pictured are stars taking a group selfie photo at an Amazon presentation (Ben Affleck at center, Vivica A. Fox holding selfie pole at center, and Ryan Gosling at upper right). Amazon MGM made a statement … [Read more...] about Amazon Emerging as Major Movie Studio
major studios
Film Campaigns Pivot on Datapoints
Hollywood marketers are awash in consumer activity data in real time from cyberspace that sometimes point to a need to pivot, according to last week’s Variety Marketing Visionary Awards Presented by Spotify. Hollywood movie marketers have a full plan at the get-go, but the mindset is to be alert to implementing mid-course corrections as well as planned late-stage new … [Read more...] about Film Campaigns Pivot on Datapoints
Studios Squeeze Cinemas on Blockbusters
A little-understood aspect of cinema booking contracts is that a larger percentage of boxoffice revenue is allocated to the Hollywood major studios as a blockbuster film climbs into the stratosphere. The result is that the financial benefits of outsized hits disproportionately go into the pockets of major-studio distributors, and less so to theaters. Hey all you “meme” small … [Read more...] about Studios Squeeze Cinemas on Blockbusters
Digital Disciple Endorses Cinema
The digital native atop Hollywood’s largest major studio gave a full endorsement to cinema release, as the broader rebound of the theatrical film business takes shape post-pandemic. Jason Kilar, head of mammoth Hollywood enterprise WarnerMedia, told a recent MoffettNathanson investors' conference: “You should expect us to lean into theatrical distribution for decades and … [Read more...] about Digital Disciple Endorses Cinema
Majors Retool Execs for Streaming Age
Hollywood’s major movie studios are remaking their executive structures to adapt to the steaming age, which means reducing theatrical marketing infrastructure. This week, Sony Pictures combined theatrical, home video (includes DVD) and TV executive structures, and reduced headcount. “Moving forward, we will be combining our theatrical, home entertainment and television … [Read more...] about Majors Retool Execs for Streaming Age
Fox Marketing Disbanded Following Disney Buy
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
Disney Retaliates Against Newspaper By Blocking Reviewers
Walt Disney Studios won’t give customary access to film critics from the “Los Angeles Times” for advance screenings because of displeasure for the newspaper questioning in questioning if an area Disney theme park pays its fair share of local taxes. The “Los Angeles Times” published a note to readers that accompanies its holiday movie section: “This year, Walt Disney Co. … [Read more...] about Disney Retaliates Against Newspaper By Blocking Reviewers
Warner Corals its TV Shows for ‘Batman Lego’ Flick
Hollywood's biggest movie studio, Warner Bros. marshaled various non-theatrical assets to support theatrical premiere of “The Lego Batman Movie,” flexing corporate synergy with media siblings. “The toy brick DC superhero got a shout-out during hit series ‘The Big Bang Theory’ with a special ‘Lego Batman’ opening, and two ‘Big Bang/LEGO Batman’ promo … [Read more...] about Warner Corals its TV Shows for ‘Batman Lego’ Flick
Four Studios Sue Broker Over Film Premiere Tix
Demand for tickets to movie premieres spawns black market sales, and four film distributors are cracking down. A New York Post newspaper article says that Disney, NBC/Universal, Sony and Warner Bros. filed a lawsuit against a broker that sells to the general public what are labeled as premiere and Hollywood awards show tickets in VIP packages. The lawsuit by the major … [Read more...] about Four Studios Sue Broker Over Film Premiere Tix
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