Box office doesn't matter by FlyingTams

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Box office doesn't matter

POSTED BY: FLYINGTAMS
UPDATED: Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:57
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Tuesday, October 4, 2005 3:48 PM

This is an interesting article - it isn't about Serenity but about how Hollywood does business.

In 2003 only 20%! of their revnue came from the box office - the rest? Why Home Entertainment of course:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2118819

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Tuesday, October 4, 2005 8:00 PM

JASONZZZ

parts of the article rings some truth ala DVD sales being a big cut of it *overall*. But the different divisions within the big media conglomerates are operating like little feifdoms. What's good for the home entertainment side of the house might be good for the overall numbers, but if business is crappy over in the big screen side of the house time after time, guess who's going to be wearing concrete shoes? Box office numbers might not matter when it comes to the overall stockholder scheme, at least in the US, it still matters a great deal...

Now, this other business with the theatre taking 50% of the receipts?! WRONG! Friend of mine runs several theatres and each film is negotiated down to how long it is going to be ran, how many theatres, what kind of screens, how time slots can be shown, and the split... Usually, for big name movies, the first couple of weeks take goes almost 80-90% to the studio. The theatre is depending on the draw for you to walk in and buy their $5 box of M&M's and $7.50 tub of popcorn... Usually after the first few weeks, the theatre gets a better cut... I don't know where this guy is getting his info...

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Tuesday, October 4, 2005 10:23 PM

RAKARR

Larg popcorn cost only $5 here and theres free refills for the larg. Although usually it is a little hard to finish the first bag... Lard soda here cost $3.75 here now (were $3.25 them bastards!). Candy is no more than 2.75 depending on what ya get. Most people just sneak candy and somtimes cans of soda in. Hell there is a store where every thing is only $1 by one of the theatres here...

"I am a leaf in the wind."

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Tuesday, October 4, 2005 11:30 PM

REGINAROADIE

It's good to know that even if SERENITY doesn't make that MATRIX or STAR WARS kind of cash, it will still be considered a hit once the whole run of the movie has taken course.

But the thing that makes me sad is just the idea that movie houses will one day become obsolete. That everything will be direct to video or DVD and that spectatorship will become a thing of the past.

I am still an avid theatregoer. Part of the thrill of watching SERENITY 5 times in two days was seeing the ship 50 feet high on a screen. Of seeing actors that normally grace tv screens or the movie screens in bit parts in starring roles. Of hearing an audience laugh and gasp in the span of ten seconds. Of being a part of a community of people looking to see their dreams unfold on screen and maybe to discover some magic. Now I am also a huge DVD junkie. My idea of a vacation is a week or two with nothing to do but go through a whole stack of DVD's I havn't gotten around to watching. And while I enjoy the dark, quiet womb of my living room, the thrill I get from watching a movie with an audience is ten times better. I don't get where this whole "going to the movies is a hassle" shit. I can get a good parking spot at the theatres I go to. Some people might talk during the commercials and the trailers, but after that they quiet down once the studio logos appear. And any irritance that might happen is usually dealt with quickly and quietly.

Canadians are politer movie-goers I feel.

I realize that the film industry is changing rapidly. I hope that I can keep up with those changes when I begin to make movies of my own. But I will always shed a tear whenever I see a movie theatre being torn down or closed. It's just who I am.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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C'mon, who's a lit-tle fear demon?
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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:38 AM

CANTTAKESKY

For Serenity, box office does matter. According to a article in Entertainment Weekly, Uni wants to see $80 million in worldwide *box office* for Serenity to make a sequel. They'll get their money back, but how much money they get back at the box office determines whether they want to take this risk again. At least that is what they are telling us.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:53 AM

FLYINGTAMS

Quote:
Originally posted by Jasonzzz:

Box office numbers might not matter when it comes to the overall stockholder scheme, at least in the US, it still matters a great deal...

This was an article about the us.

Quote:

I don't know where this guy is getting his info...

He's an author and journalist who has researched how it works.

Also, he didn't say they get 50% all the time - I've heard from many sides they get less in the first 2 weeks, which is why all the excitement is always after two weeks; do they replace the movie or not.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:54 AM

FLYINGTAMS

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
For Serenity, box office does matter.

Naa. If it makes 200 mill in DVD sales, they want more. You can be sure of that.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:53 AM

FLYINGTAMS

I see the British Newspaper the Guardian believes it as well:

"At a time when studios make five times more on home entertainment than on cinema tickets, and theatrical releases increasingly act as tasters for release on DVD for smaller budget films, films such as Serenity are simply a better bet than something involving Michael Bay. "

And Joss adds "DVD is changing everything, It's scaring a lot of people. I think it's nifty. "

http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1585184,00.htm
l

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 4:31 AM

DONCOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by Rakarr:
Lard soda here cost $3.75 here now...

Ewww... lard soda!

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 5:38 AM

SAMWIBATT

Quoting reginaroadie:

Quote:
But the thing that makes me sad is just the idea that movie houses will one day become obsolete. That everything will be direct to video or DVD and that spectatorship will become a thing of the past.

This is a sad idea, but I don't think the theaters are in too much danger. As long as people - like you and me - have fun with the big screen venues and are willing to pay to see movies there, the theaters will stick around. Possibly in a reduced form. But remember, for instance, that there are still live plays produced, when movies could well have killed them.

There's a lot more to the movie experience than just the show; I know I'll never have a house big enough to put a theater-size screen in, and for many people the crowd chemistry is important to the experience and you can't get that at home.

That said, I prefer home vid overall because I'm not usually in the mood for crowd chemistry, crackling wrappers, crying babies, and all. But opening nights for the movies I look forward to will keep me going to the theater all my life.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 6:31 AM

JASONZZZ

Quote:
Originally posted by FlyingTams:
Quote:
Originally posted by Jasonzzz:

Box office numbers might not matter when it comes to the overall stockholder scheme, at least in the US, it still matters a great deal...

This was an article about the us.
Quote:

I don't know where this guy is getting his info...

He's an author and journalist who has researched how it works.

Also, he didn't say they get 50% all the time - I've heard from many sides they get less in the first 2 weeks, which is why all the excitement is always after two weeks; do they replace the movie or not.

Well... have to disagree and mince words, but he is a writer in print - that's self evident. An author, he *did* publish one book (at least), but a journalist who does research? I didn't see any statement in his article to the effect of "Gone in 60 seconds, the theatres took 50%, but for many ohers, the take is much less, usually 5 - 10%..."... I think that's a gross misrepresentation on how the movie theatres make their money. There guys get the end of the ugly stick in the marketing distribution chain and they end up getting it from the theatre goers as well. It's just not right...

And yes, that part alone made me question the rest of his "research" and "article"..

Do I disagree that business is going to the DVD sales more? No, it's been the trend and reality in a lot of other countries way way way more than the US (and yet, we think it's an original idea happening to US, hehe). But don't forget that corporate infighting is a big part of the equation. The studio execs who has to deal with the part of the bottom line aren't going to keep greenlighting stuff that *in their eyes* are big money losers for their own division - even if it ends up making money for another division in their company... Are there rare instances where each division/department in the same company work in concert for the "greater good" - yeah. But that's more of an exception than the norm.

So, while the reality is that more audience are pushing for DVD releases and more money is being made than way. We won't see hardly any behavior changes in what gets greenlit until the movie studio portions/divisions are actually placed under the DVD/home entertainment division to realign their mission. That's just how it works.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 7:06 AM

JASONZZZ

Quote:
Originally posted by Rakarr:
Larg popcorn cost only $5 here and theres free refills for the larg. Although usually it is a little hard to finish the first bag... Lard soda here cost $3.75 here now (were $3.25 them bastards!). Candy is no more than 2.75 depending on what ya get. Most people just sneak candy and somtimes cans of soda in. Hell there is a store where every thing is only $1 by one of the theatres here...

"I am a leaf in the wind."
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Yeah, we all know that the big theatre owners don't exactly rake in the big dough from the film sales/box office take. The reality, as we all know well, is they really are beholden to Hollywood and really mostly make their money from concession sales. Many many theatre owners are really small business owners struggling to not go into bankruptcy... Those big huge screens, stadium seatings, and plush comfort comes with a price tag. Many business owners are forced to upgrade to these pricey arrangements simply b/c the movie itself isn't the sole attraction in going to the theatre anymore... Some theatres even charge for special guaranteed VIP seatings, with special meals brought in and service - I think tickets are upwards of $55 - $100 dollars. But you get the works, no waiting in line, no dudes with big baseball caps (in front of you), special plush seats, prime viewing, and the sweet spot for the audio, oh! and snuggle seating for you and your honey...

Theatre going is becoming a special cinematic/entertainment experience again and not just movie watching.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:23 AM

FLYINGTAMS

English isn't my first langauge, so its possible I choose the wrong words sometimes.

Do I understand it correctly, that in most US cinemas you can't book seats in advance? It always seems as if you guys have to fight for a seat?

Here, we can book a week, sometimes two in advance - and usually via the web where you can see the actual seating arrangement in the cinema (and what is booked or not)

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:38 AM

LADYSHELLEY

Quote:
I don't get where this whole "going to the movies is a hassle" shit. I can get a good parking spot at the theatres I go to. Some people might talk during the commercials and the trailers, but after that they quiet down once the studio logos appear. And any irritance that might happen is usually dealt with quickly and quietly.

Well since you asked.

It is very rare that I will go to a theater to watch a film any more, Serenity was the first since Batman Begins, and Batman was probably the first since Star Wars III.

Reasons:

1. I pay $9.50 to see a movie, not 20 minutes of advertising before the previews. This is really getting out of hand. While I understand the point of the theater owners needing to make money, this ain't the way to do it, you're making your audience mad.

2. More people need to know about the special hell. You're right in that most people will quiet down once the film starts; it's the kids being brought to wildly inappropiate films for their age and rightly so getting bored half-way through. I've been to films where the kids get bored and start running up and down the aisles, not only is that irritating to me, it's dangerous for the kid.

3. I married an audiophile so I'm luckier than most, but my sytem at home sounds a lot better than most theaters these days. (Though a theater will still beat me out on picture ... for now)

4. The product is no longer worth the cost. Serenity and Batman not withstanding, there are really only two other movies I'm even vaguely interested in seeing this year in a theater: Harry Potter and Wallace and Grommitt (and that last may end up being a NetFlix pick) Most of the time if a film looks passibly interesting, it will get thrown in NetFlix and I'll just watch it when it comes to DVD.

You're right the crowd experience is special, and seeing Serenity opening night with a crowd full of Jayne hats was special, but the film that will inspire that eagerness is rare.

Lady Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redhawke.org

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:39 AM

LADYSHELLEY

Quote:
Originally posted by FlyingTams:
English isn't my first langauge, so its possible I choose the wrong words sometimes.

Do I understand it correctly, that in most US cinemas you can't book seats in advance? It always seems as if you guys have to fight for a seat?

Here, we can book a week, sometimes two in advance - and usually via the web where you can see the actual seating arrangement in the cinema (and what is booked or not)

You are correct. Here in the States, you can buy the tickets a few days ahead, but seating is first come first serve. So there's a long line queued for popular movies, though fightig over seats is rare.

Lady Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redhawke.org

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 9:01 AM

FLYINGTAMS

Curious - wonder why it ended up that way.

Because, of course, here the prices are different - the good seats are more expensive than the not so good (wouldn't want to say bad, now would I ;)

Oh, and that was metaphorical fighting.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 9:04 AM

JASONZZZ

It's not only first come first served, but first come first saved... some people come early and save rows and rows of seats for their party who comes in 5 minutes into the movie... Rude - yes! But it has happened... Who wants to sit all the way up in the front 5 rows? No one! I've gotten horrible headaches from watching the huge heads and action from 3 feet away and nasty neck pain from cranking my neck at an unnatural angle...

Most times, I wait until the movie has gone down to about 3rd or 4th week and go catch the afternoon matinee.

I no longer like to unruly crowd at premieres...

And some people are still rude with their coughing, wheezing, conversations, and cell phones ringing and people shushing them.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 9:28 AM

THELURKER

Quote:
Originally posted by Jasonzzz:

Who wants to sit all the way up in the front 5 rows? No one! I've gotten horrible headaches from watching the huge heads and action from 3 feet away and nasty neck pain from cranking my neck at an unnatural angle...

I grew up in a small town with one of those old-time theaters with the balconies. The screen was pretty far from the front row for just that purpose. The old theaters were designed for special nights out with the family. Going to the cinema was a social occasion. That's why those old theaters have so many seats. Just think if they'd had the plush seats with the high backs, the rocking chair comfort, the drink holders in the movable armrests, etc., back then.

I love the theater experience, but only when people leave their small children at home, turn off their cell phones, etc. That's still the best way to see a feature film, IMO. Now theaters are starting to figure out that to drive business they need to offer special perks. I know of one theater where you can get into a special section for a few extra dollars and they don't allow anyone under 21 into the section. Also, you can have all the free popcorn you want (still have to buy drinks) and there is a full-service bar there as well, in case you want a nice cold beer or something. That's the wave of the future for theaters - special services for those willing to pay for a great night out.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:57 AM

AURAPTOR

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