Chapter 1206： crash

Entering a new year, chaotic Hollywood has finally regained its calm.

New Universal has been interacting and doing business with several other major media giants like friends, as if the events of the Big Five alliance in previous months had never happened.

The difference is that Hollywood has really changed from the era of the Big Six to the era of the Big Seven!

Following Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Disney, and Paramount, Legendary Pictures has successfully entered the MPAA and has become a giant with the power to make Hollywood rules and decisions!

Of course, industry insiders with a little more information understand that the big backer of Legendary Pictures is New Universal.

Many times, New Universal can represent the will of Legendary Pictures!

For example, the first MPAA meeting of the new year.

The theme of the meeting was the adjustment of the share ratio of film companies and movie theaters.

Before the 1990s, film companies had an absolute dominant advantage, very strong! The box office revenue in the first week can often exceed 90%!

90% of the box office is given to film companies, how can movie theaters make money?

The consequences can be imagined. In that era, a large number of movie theaters went bankrupt and went bankrupt.

Later, it got bigger and bigger, and MPAA and Hollywood filmmakers also realized the necessity of the existence of movie theaters. If they squeezed too hard, the movie theaters would be closed, which would be a disaster for Hollywood.

Under these circumstances, the MPAA conducted multiple rounds of internal discussions, as well as investigation adjustments by various parties, and in the ensuing decades, the division was adjusted several times.

By the 21st century, the division model has basically been fixed.

Take a descending split.

In the first week of release, the film company can get 55% of the box office share.

Then, it gradually decreases, 54% in the next week, 53% in the third week, 52% in the fourth week... all the way to the lowest 40%.

Because movies tend to have the highest box office in the first few weeks of release, on average, the film company gets an average share of 53%.

This figure is not high in the world.

Countries and regions such as Japan, the United Kingdom, France, the Hong Kong government, and Switzerland attach great importance to intellectual property rights, and film companies can get a higher share.

Like Japan, movies can even get 60%, and cinemas only get 40%. Movie theaters rely more on popcorn and peripheral services to make money.

Moreover, these countries must strictly abide by the film trade agreement in the WTO, and there should be no rigid slaughter of Hollywood movies in terms of box office accounting, and there is no difference between domestic movies and foreign movies. This has also led to the fact that the share of some overseas accounts of Hollywood movies is even higher than that of North America.

Therefore, the Hollywood giants can not sit still.

On the one hand, they have continuously put pressure on the federal government to ask the state to come forward and increase the proportion of films in China, Russia and other countries. On the one hand, it is to put pressure on the local academy forces to increase the share!

In the past 20 years, it was difficult to reduce the share ratio, and now you want to increase it?

Isn't this going back to the old ways!

Now the movie theater is like an entertainment center, which has become an important entertainment consumption point in the United States, creating a large number of employment opportunities and GDP output value.

According to the current policy and general environment, the interests of movie theaters must be protected.

Communication is fruitless and deadlocked.

Finally, Universal Pictures came up with a constructive proposal!

The share ratio does not need to be changed!

However, cinemas must cooperate with Hollywood's industrial development and conceptual transformation to maintain the vitality of the film industry and provide audiences with a better viewing experience.

To put it bluntly, it is to upgrade the supporting facilities of the cinema, such as promoting the construction of the imax giant screen, such as using the newly developed Dolby visual effect system, such as... update more 3D screens!

During the meeting, Tang En even sent a fax in person, with a clear position: "3D movies will be the general trend of the future, and within 5 years, after all, it will become the mainstream release method of commercial blockbusters! Only by keeping pace with the times can we lead the reform of the film industry around the world. This is an economic account as well as a political account! Please seriously consider the cinema alliance and parliamentarians to launch more 3D screens in the next three years. !"

Why within three years?

Because "Avatar" is scheduled for release in 2009!

Legendary Pictures immediately expressed its support.

This was followed by Disney and Columbia Pictures, followed by Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount.

The minority obeys the majority, and Warner Bros. has a black face and can only accept it through gritted teeth.

Barry Mayer was really **** when he heard the news.

Well, this kid Dunn really did it!

It's ridiculous to use the MPAA's authority for his own personal gain, and to be selfless and caring about the country and the people!

Paying back the economic and political accounts, just say that you have conspired with the Cinema Alliance and have reached a cooperation and cooperation!

The renovation of the imax theater, and the next new concept of Dolby Theater, these are the real benefits of the new Universal!

...

This year's awards season, New Universal's films are relatively calm.

Mainly because the past few years have been too hot.

This year, there's a chance to represent some of the films that hit the new Universal Impact Awards season, "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote," "Pride and Prejudice," "The Immortal Gardener," "Match Point" and "King Kong."

Of course, the main impact of "King Kong" is the technical award.

Although the box office of the film is not satisfactory, it is very competitive in professional items such as visual effects, art direction, sound effects, and sound editing.

At least it's much more powerful than this year's most popular movie "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith".

Even the two big-selling Marvel superhero blockbusters "Iron Man" and "Ant-Man 2" will not work.

Obviously, though, the focus of this year is Brokeback Mountain!

The film was already finished, but because there were too many high-quality literary and artistic films in last year's awards season, Focus Films retreated and chose to impact this year's awards season.

But the new year has just started, and the awards season has just kicked off, so the atmosphere is not very friendly.

There have been a lot of comments slandering the film in the media and on the Internet, mainly because the film's values ​​are "radical", and it actually talks about love between men and men.

Isn't this against the essence of the Bible?

Even in some southern states, there have been many banners asking the federal government to order the film to be banned!

This smell is all too familiar.

Kind of like Harvey Weinstein.

At that time, in order to push "Shakespeare in Love" to the top, Harvey recruited a large number of World War II veterans to criticize "Saving Private Ryan", and "Shakespeare in Love" really won the championship. .

In order to push "Chocolate" to the top, Harvey recruited a group of pens, criticized "A Beautiful Mind", and promoted the disregard of John Nash's homosexual orientation in the movie, in order to raise the voice of opposition. It's a pity that the gap between the two films is too big, and "A Beautiful Mind" won the best film.

Such means abound.

For example, during the awards season, "The Social Network" received a flood of negative reviews, and even Mark Zuckerberg was involved, directly pushing "The King's Speech" as the best picture.

Another example is slandering "Avatar" for "The Hurt Locker", such as concocting the negative news of "Birdman" for "The Imitation Game".

"How do I feel like Weinstein's handwriting?"

Dunn used a very surprised tone to communicate with James Shamos.

He is the head of Focus Pictures, the producer of "Brokeback Mountain" and a close partner of Ann Lee.

"It would be great if so." James Shamos gave a wry smile, "This time there is a lot of movement, there are even cowboys marching in Texas, and even many Republican congressmen have publicly criticized it, which has risen to a value discussion. height."

Tang En said: "Don't care about them, just be yourself. The word of mouth of "Brokeback Mountain" is the biggest motivation."

Immediately he sighed.

In this environment, it is really too difficult for "Brokeback Mountain" to hit the best picture.

James Summers whispered again: "I heard that Lionsgate is working hard."

"Oh?"

"It's only been a few days. They have given away at least 100,000 DVDs! It is said that they are still being distributed, and Lionsgate has prepared a full 200,000 DVDs!"

There are fewer than 6,000 Oscar judges in total.

200,000 sets of DVDs have been prepared, what is this for?

This is a typical loophole in the system, to pay bribes!

The Oscars have strict rules prohibiting judges from accepting gifts from studios. However, because of work requirements, the judges need to watch every film in the competition, and they can receive DVDs from the film company for free.

There is room for this.

A set of regular DVDs for at least $20!

The Oscar judges are not all big stars like Tom Hanks, but there are also many old guys who have no financial benefits, and their annual income may not be as good as that of an ordinary Los Angeles citizen.

If you can collect a few extra sets of DVDs and give them as gifts to friends and family...it's also a good choice.

Although Oscar has introduced various policies to limit this kind of behavior, the effect has not been very good. The filmmakers always have a reason.

What if you give away a DVD, and the DVD happens to be broken?

Send more copies, more insurance!

In the past few years, Hollywood studios have given away 30,000 to 50,000 DVD sets to Oscar judges every year, which is quite normal.

But this year is different, Lionsgate is going to do something big!

We have prepared a full 200,000 DVDs!

Are you trying to beat the judges to death with DVDs?

Typically, PR costs for each award-winning film are around $2 million.

This year, Lionsgate has prepared $4 million for DVDs alone!

Tang En's expression was not very good, "Is it "Crash"?"

"Indeed." James Shamos nodded, "The reputation of this film... is not worse than that of "Brokeback Mountain", the key is that it is more in line with conservative values."

"I see." Dunn nodded, "I'll think about it, go back first."

After sending away James Shamos, Dunn meditated to himself.

Lionsgate is now the leader among independent Hollywood studios. And the company is very ambitious, actively planning bigger plans.

Now that even Legendary Pictures has entered the MPAA, does Lionsgate have no chance?

Lionsgate will spare no effort to push "Crash" to the Oscar throne this time, and I am afraid that such factors are indispensable.

Dunn knew that "Crash" in his previous life had indeed defeated "Brokeback Mountain" and won the best picture.

However, the two films are not at the same level.

In another five, ten, twenty years, "Brokeback Mountain" will still be a classic masterpiece that will be often mentioned, and it has even appeared in the official promotion of the Oscars many times, which is a representative of an era.

What about "Crash"?

long forgotten.

Time speaks for itself best.

Just like Shakespeare in Love and Saving Private Ryan.

Another example is this year's Golden Globes!

The nominations for the 63rd Golden Globe Awards have been announced.

The nominations for best picture in a drama category include "The Immortal Gardener," "Brokeback Mountain," "Good Night and Good Luck," "Match Point" and "A History of Violence."

"Crash" didn't even get a nomination!

The director of "Crash" is Paul Haggis, a well-known screenwriter in the industry, and the script for "Million Dollar Baby" came from his handwriting.

Including the "007" series that Dunn Pictures intends to restart next, and also intends to find him as a screenwriter.

However, the trivial matter of one or two movies, Dunn doesn't take it to heart.

Even if it is a blockbuster with an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, it does not matter.

What he cares about is the big environment and big pattern of Hollywood!

The success of Legendary Pictures has made many medium-sized film companies want to go wild.

One of the most typical is Lionsgate!

Although Lionsgate's performance in the past year is not as good as that of Legendary Pictures, it is already on par with Paramount.

More importantly, Lionsgate is backed by big chaebols, and its upward momentum is very strong.

Inside the MPAA, because of the existence of the **** alliance of New Universal and Legendary Pictures, Dunn's right to speak in the industry has soared.

He is the perfect choice for the most powerful man in Hollywood!

In this case, it is inevitable that people will be moved.

Disney, 20th Century Fox, and Columbia Pictures are okay, after all, they are working on the Hulu project with New Universal. If they have short hands, they are not easy to attack.

But not Warner.

An industry leader ten years ago who was played by a rising star ten years later Can Warner's psychology be balanced?

At this time, they must not be given a chance!

Lionsgate films...can't win an Oscar!

To kill fantasy in the cradle.

Maybe Dunn is overthinking.

But it's always good to be cautious.

Besides, if you really won "Crash", wouldn't it be "Brokeback Mountain" that would benefit the most?

Dunn thought at this point, he immediately picked up the phone and called Tom Rothman of Twentieth Century Fox.

This awards season, New Universal and Twentieth Century Fox have collaborated.

The musical "Along with the Song," co-produced by 20th Century Fox and Rose Pictures, is a big hit during the awards season.

Actress Reese Witherspoon may even win an Oscar!

This film, 20th Century Fox is dominant, occupies 80% of the copyright share. In terms of Rose Pictures, just because the producer and heroine is Reese Witherspoon, they got 20% of the copyright.

According to the tradition of the past few years, Dunn is in the Oscar heroine... almost every shot!

There are four hot candidates for this year's actress.

Judi Dench in "Mrs. Henderson's Dedication" is an old lady who has nothing to do with Dunn, so I ruled it out first.

Charlize Theron of "Northern Wind and Cloud" won last year's award and has little chance of being re-elected.

"Pride and Prejudice" Keira Knightley has a close relationship with Dunn, but is too young.

In contrast, only Reese Witherspoon has the qualifications and connections!

Twentieth Century Fox has not won an important Oscar for many years. This time, through the relationship of Dunn, it is very likely to complete a breakthrough.