Heads Up Hollywood

Joe Ruth's pressure was like a mountain, pressing on his shoulders.

In the past, he was obviously too optimistic.

He originally thought that since he was the confidant of Michael Eisner, the big butler of Disney, he could do whatever he wanted by relying on his achievements in live-action movies over the past few years.

But after the release of "Sixty Seconds", the situation changed drastically.

Disney's internal disputes continue to question his major decision-making mistakes in the marketing and distribution of "Sixty Seconds".

Even his biggest backer, Michael Eisner, also sternly stated that if "Sixty Seconds" loses more than 20 million US dollars, he, the chairman of the production department, will have to step down!

Disney's production department is not just his chairman. Michael Eisner's favorite is two or three people in charge of a department, blurring power and encouraging internal competition.

Joe Ruth shuddered and calmed down, only then did he recall what kind of person Michael Eisner was.

Iron-fisted, ruthless, cruel, self-willed, turning his face and denying others!

Back then, Michael Eisner was hospitalized with a serious illness and underwent 4 consecutive surgeries. What would Disney do? He arranged Disney's future in the way of a Chinese feudal monarch: sealed the heir's name in an envelope, and declared that it could only be opened if the operation was unsuccessful.

Back then, he had a conflict with Jeffrey Katzenberg and directly fired the hero who brought the second spring to Disney animation. Not only that, Katzenberg was also removed from all the cartoons he participated in, and the bonuses were no longer honored.

At that time, Disney paid a lot of money to poach Michael Ovitz, who was Megatron Hollywood at the time, from CAA. It was also because he did not agree with Michael Eisner's ideas, so he did not hesitate to pay a termination fee of 120 million US dollars and directly fired him.

Regardless of Michael Ovitz's contribution to Disney's acquisition of ABC Group when he was in office.

Joe Ruth has already seen the situation clearly. If "Sixty Seconds" suffers too badly, even if he has brought excellent films such as "Heroes" and "Sixty Seconds" to Disney in the past few years, he will still be in danger. Will definitely be kicked out.

Michael Eisner never speaks of affection!

"Penn, it's me, Joe."

Joe Ruth was very reluctant to make this call, because he knew that face was nothing compared to benefits. He took a deep breath, "Today's film schedule and release scale, isn't it right?"

Payne is the president of Carmike Cinemas, and when he heard Joe Ruth's voice, he quickly apologized, "Old man, I almost forgot to tell you, ha ha. You know, there is a new movie released today, "Little Boy" Chicken Run, it's an animated show starring Mel Gibson and Phil Daniels, and the kids love it."

Joe Ruth said very displeased: "Even so, you can't squeeze the film schedule of "Sixty Seconds" like this? This is a new film, a wonderful action blockbuster!"

Payne secretly disdains.

If you don't squeeze the filming schedule of "Sixty Seconds", is it possible to reduce the filming schedule of "Spider-Man"? He is not stupid!

At this time, it is the time when audiences across the United States are frantically snapping up "Spider-Man" movie tickets. The higher the screening rate of "Spider-Man", the more theaters will earn!

As for "Sixty Seconds"...what the hell?

"Hehe, there's no way around it. It's normal to compare. Paramount's action movie "Hardcore Detective" has a screening rate of only 4.5%, and "Mission: Impossible 2" is as low as 0.92%. "Ten Seconds" has a 10.5% screening rate, which is pretty good." Payne said with a half-smile.

Joe Ruth nearly exploded!

Can this be the same?

"Hardcore Detective" has been released for a week, and its peak period has long passed, and "Mission: Impossible 2" has been released for more than a month.

"Sixty Seconds to Speed" is a new film, it has just been released for two days!

"Penn, don't you think that the current film schedule in theaters is abnormal? On average, the film schedule of "Spider-Man" exceeds 72%. With so many other blockbuster films, less than 30% of the market is equally divided, which is abnormal. !" Joe Ruth held back his anger, his voice stiffened.

Payne rolled his eyes, "Joe, I'm sorry, this is the general market trend, not my personal decision. Did you know that "Spiderman" accounted for 82% of Carmike's total revenue today! And "Speed" "Sixty Seconds" only had 8.7%! Theaters have their own rules, and I can't do anything about it."

Joe Ruth gasped. He knew that "Spider-Man" was very popular, but he didn't expect that 82% of the theater's total revenue came from this movie.

This is almost comparable to last year's "Star Wars Episode 1".

Joe Ruth is now resentful and self-blaming.

Back then, why did he lose his mind and adjust the schedule with Tom Rothman to suppress "Spider-Man"?

If "Spider-Man" is an aircraft carrier on the sea, then "Sixty Seconds" and "Titan A.E." are just a shaky boat, and there is no comparison at all.

Titan A.E.?

By the way, tomorrow, Fox's movie will be released.

Tomorrow is Saturday, just in time for the box office weekend. If you can't take advantage of the current stage to make more money at the box office, then "Sixty Seconds" is really hopeless.

Action movies, there is no possibility of long-term screenings!

"Payne, tell me the truth, "Titan A.E." will be released tomorrow, so you must adjust the film schedule again?" Joe Ruth was a little nervous.

Payne said frankly: "Of course, this is also a blockbuster movie. The film schedule...should be around 15%."

Joe Ruth quickly asked: "Then our movie..."

Payne said lightly: "Joe, I understand what you mean, but theaters have their own rules, and we must act according to the contract. It is impossible to make an exception for you because of our friendship, right? "Spider-Man" With the current momentum, no one can move or dare to move! Then the filming of "Titan A.E." can only be squeezed from other movies."

The distribution party and the theater chain signed a floating contract. If the market response to a movie is too bad, the theater chain can unilaterally adjust the film schedule, reduce the scale of screenings, or even...force downshifting.

Joe Ruth then communicated with the managers of Emperor Cinemas, AMC Cinemas, and Cinemark Cinemas, and the replies he got were similar.

Everything depends on market feedback.

Movies like "Spider-Man", which hit the box office, don't show up once or twice a year. Now is the time when the theaters are making a lot of money. How could they just watch the green money slip away just for a little favor? ?

As for "Sixty Seconds"...

I'm sorry, since it's a flat boat in the sea, let's drift slowly.

Maybe a miracle can really happen, under the waves set off by the aircraft carrier "Spider-Man", can he return to Hong Kong smoothly?

...

With the release of "Spider-Man", Twain wandered between Universal Pictures and Twain Pictures, and the good news came uninterrupted, let alone how happy he was.

Word of mouth exploded! Box office hit!

This is not the point, the "Spider-Man" comics are sold out in the market, Marvel Entertainment is rushing to print, and various peripheral cooperation applications are coming in one after another.

Prior to this, due to publicity needs, Universal Pictures has reached cooperation with many large companies, such as Coca-Cola's "Spider-Man" special edition.

Now, it is more about Marvel Entertainment's copyright authorization of the "Spider-Man" image, which has nothing to do with Universal Pictures, it is its own profit.

It is conservatively estimated that within a week, Marvel Entertainment can earn at least US$30 million through image licensing.

It does not include the profit share of sales of Spider-Man dolls, battle suits, etc.

At this moment, Ron Meyer, the chief steward of Universal Pictures, came to Tang En's office to discuss a business.

Universal Pictures is interested in introducing Marvel superheroes to Universal Studios. The first stage is Universal Studios in Orlando.

At this stage, Tang En is not interested in more cooperation, so he cut to the chase, "Mr. Meyer, Universal Pictures has just changed to a new owner. I don't think this is the best time to cooperate."

Just last week, the French Vivendi Group announced the completion of the acquisition of the Canadian Seagram Group.

Universal Pictures has officially become a subsidiary company of this emerging French media giant.

It is said that Vivendi Group will vigorously develop in the entertainment industry, borrowing the "Universal" brand to form Universal Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Music, Universal Games, Universal Movies, Universal Publishing and many other departments.

And every major department is reorganized.

Universal Games alone has several well-known game companies such as Blizzard and Xueleshan.

Universal Films... In addition to Universal Pictures in the United States, there is also Gaumont Films, the largest film company in France, and Polygram Cinemas, the second largest in Europe, and will continue to expand its acquisition business. The posture of the continent.

Lon Meyer heard the teasing in Tang En's tone, and sighed, "No matter what, Universal Pictures has a history of nearly a hundred years and is one of the eight traditional studios in Hollywood. No one can change this! "

Tang En shook his head, "That's not necessarily true, Columbia Pictures changed their surname."

Lon Meyer frowned, "Universal Pictures...the current development is pretty good, and it won't follow the old path of Columbia."

Tang En curled his lips with disdain on his face, "After being acquired by Sony, Columbia Pictures has been losing money year after year and its performance has declined. If it weren't for the continuous injection of funds from Sony, it might not be as good as DreamWorks. Asians are not capable of entering Hollywood, and Europeans are not able to enter Hollywood." Neither!"

Lon Mayer smiled, "Twain, you are too pessimistic..."

"No!" Tang En interrupted him with a stern look on his face, "Back then, Chaplin would rather face bankruptcy than absorb foreign funds and maintain Hollywood's independence. But times have changed. The MGM tragedy , is the best proof. As the president of Universal Pictures, you must be prepared."

"It's not that exaggerated, is it?"

"What if?"

Tang En stared at him blankly, "You should know the reputation of the Vivendi Group. Its favorites are acquisitions, reorganizations, splits, and sales. Blizzard has been tossed by them and only half of the property is left. Universal Pictures is so confident ? Don’t forget, the current MGM has lost the film copyrights of its glory days, all because it was split and transferred to Warner in the past, and that’s more than 2,000 film copyrights!”