Question about Universal's decision... by everyworldspinnin

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Question about Universal's decision...

POSTED BY: EVERYWORLDSPINNIN
UPDATED: Friday, October 7, 2005 05:05
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Friday, October 7, 2005 3:51 AM

I couldn't find any info about this anywhere, so I thought maybe someone here would know. Why is it that Universal decided to open Serenity in only 2188 theaters? I know 2188 is still quite a bit, but Wallace and Grommit (another fine feature) is opening in a whopping 3645 theaters. I think it's kind of hard for people who may want to see the BDM but can't find it playing in smaller markets. I live in Milwaukee, WI. and Flightplan played darn near everywhere, but Serenity hasn't. There are reports that flans are having to drive 30 or 40 miles to see it. No problem for the diehards, but most others aren't going to do that. Anyway, seems a rather low count for a big movie, and was just wondering if anyone knew the reasoning for it.

Staying Shiny!
EW

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Friday, October 7, 2005 4:07 AM

DUG

'Versal dosn't own the theaters; they have to broker deals with the people that do. In order to get the number of seats they felt necessary for a bigger movie they may have had to go with this seat count on erenity.

Remember, this is a film with no big names attached to it and with a rather modest budget. Not the easiest sell to the theater owners. But with that and with the low theater count we still managed to make it the number 1 new movie for the week. If we keep that up for week 2 the theater owners will notice and 'Versal may be able to get more seats.

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Friday, October 7, 2005 4:54 AM

FIREFLYFAN278

It's not up to Universal. Theaters make the decision about how many screens it will show in.

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Friday, October 7, 2005 5:05 AM

DUG

My best friend used to manage the AMC multiplex here in town while I managed one of the radio stations. I worked with him on some premieres and he filled me in on the deals that were cut to get movies.

There are two big theater setups in Tallahassee, plus one dollar theater and one supposed indy. It is eye opening when you hear how much brokering goes on; giving extra weeks to dogs in order to get the big shows later or vice versa. It doesn't end when they move off the big screens, either. The dollar theater in town is owned by AMC and the "indy" is owned by the other group; that way they can shove smaller shows out the door faster while still having it in their portfolio for the deals that are cut.

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