Paramount Pictures

Link

By Rachel Heffler

 

Paramount Pictures logo

Paramount Pictures logo [1]

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

www.paramount.com

KEY EXECUTIVES

Brad Grey

Brad Grey, CEO

Brad Grey, CEO [2]

Since 2005, Brad Grey has held the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Paramount Pictures. Grey is responsible for all development and production for the Paramount Motion Picture Group. Under Grey’s leadership, Paramount has seen the successes of hits including “Transformers Dark of the Moon“, “Mission Impossible“, “Star Trek“, “Paranormal Activity“, as well as many other top grossing films. [2]

Rob Moore

Rob Moore

Rob Moore, Vice Chairman [3]

Rob Moore was named the Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures in 2008, making him responsible for overseeing several divisions of the studio. He has been involved with Paramount since 2005. [3]

Frederick Huntsberry

Frederick Huntsberry, Chief Operating Officer

Frederick Huntsberry, Chief Operating Officer [4]

In 2006, Huntsberry took on the position of Chief Operating Officer for Paramount Pictures. With this title, he manages the worldwide strategic planning and operations for the studio, with a focus on IT, human resources, and studio operations. [4]

Adam Goodman

Adam Goodman, President of Paramount Film Group

Adam Goodman, President of Paramount Film Group [5]

Adam Goodman has held the position of the President of Paramount Film Group since 2009, after serving as the President of Production for a year. Before joining Paramount, Goodman was the President of Production at DreamWorks Studios. [5]

Paramount - 100 years

Paramount – 100 years [6]

 BRIEF OVERVIEW

Paramount Pictures Corporation is the longest operating major studio in Hollywood, having just celebrated its 100th year in show business in 2012. This corporation is a subsidiary of Viacom, a global mass media firm. Adolph Zukor founded Paramount Pictures in 1912 under the name Famous Players Film Company. Paramount took home its first Academy Award for Best Picture in 1927 and has only grown from there, evident in its success of the highest grossing blockbuster of all time, “Titanic“. In the past 100 years, this company has emerged as an international leader and a front-runner of film and television entertainment production. [7] [8]

RECENT RELEASES

In the past four months, Paramount has released five films, including Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues; The Wolf of Wall Street; Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones; Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit; and Noah. [9]

http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=anchorman2.htm

– box office mojo [10]

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues was released on December 18, 2013 and is a comedy film. It had a production budget of $50 million and a total lifetime gross of $172,952,707 worldwide, sitting at the number 2 rank on its opening weekend behind The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. This film almost doubled its total gross from the release of the first Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, which was distributed by DreamWorks. Anchorman 2 thrived on a domestic audience, accounting for 73.6% of its viewers. This film was the last one that Paramount distributed to theaters traditionally, using a 35 mm film. [10] [11] [12]

- box office mojo

– box office mojo [13]

The Wolf of Wall Street was released on December 25, 2013, and this black comedy saw huge successes for Paramount, as seen by its nomination for five Academy Awards. This film features big name actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey. It had a production budget of $100 million and a worldwide lifetime gross of 389,600,694, being the number 5 rank in theaters on its opening weekend, behind The Hobbit, Frozen, Anchorman 2, and American Hustle. This film had a much higher foreign audience than it did domestic, with international revenues accounting for 70% of its total gross. Independent of its acclaim, this film is also monumental as it is the first major film to ever have been released to theaters through digital distribution, a major accomplishment for Paramount. [13] [14]

- box office mojo

– box office mojo [15]

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones was released on January 3, 2014 and brought in a worldwide total gross of $86,362,372. The production budget for this horror film was $5 million. This film obtained the number 2 rank on its opening weekend, behind Frozen, and appealed primarily to international audiences, who make up 62.4% of the lifetime gross of the movie. In comparison to the other Paranormal Activity films, the newest release had the lowest box office sales. This may be attributed to the fact that this was the first one in the series to offer a completely new cast and functions as more of a spinoff than a sequel, or the Paranormal series is becoming less of a commodity than it had been in the past. [15] [16]

- box office mojo

– box office mojo [17]

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an action thriller starring Chris Pine, and was released on January 17, 2014. After spending $60 million in production, this film brought in $134,277,412 worldwide. It ranked number 4 in theaters on its opening weekend. The release date of this film was planned in order to correspond with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. According to CinemaScore, more than 1/3 of the film’s opening weekend audience consisted of individuals over the age of 50 despite the casting of a young attractive male lead. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit was the first film of 2014 to reach over $100 million worldwide. International audiences account for 62.3% of this film’s total lifetime gross. [17] [18] [19]

- box office mojo

– box office mojo [20]

Noah was released on March 28, 2014 and is a biblically-inspired film based on the story of Noah’s Ark. It grossed $290,674,000 worldwide and held the number 1 rank in theaters in its opening weekend. The production budget of this film was $125 million. Noah had an extremely large international audience, contributing to 67.9% of its total lifetime gross. As it takes on a biblical perspective, this film has faced some controversy. Prior to its release, Noah was banned in Pakistan, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Middle Eastern and North African countries as the film is thought to be contradicting to Islamic teachings. [20] [21]

WHAT’S NEXT?

Paramount is set to release multiple films in the next year, including Transformers: Age of Extinction; Hercules (2014); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014); Paranormal Activity 5; Interstellar; Hot Tub Time Machine 2; Project Almanac; Spongebob Squarepants 2; and Friday the 13th (2015). [22]

Of the nine films listed above, it is noteworthy that only two of these films are neither sequels nor remakes. This is telling of today’s film industry and the newest trends that are developing. In recent years, the number of sequels and remakes that have been made has skyrocketed.

An explanation for Paramount’s numerous sequels and remakes can be explained by this company’s strategy when it comes to choosing films to release. Paramount takes on films that portray a mix of primary branded and franchise films and smaller productions, purchased films and distribution arrangements. In order to appeal to both worldwide and smaller audiences, Paramount is interested in a variety of genres and levels of investment. [23]

Spongebob Squarepants 2 [25]

Until their contract ended in 2012, Paramount Pictures had relied on DreamWorks Animation to head any animated films they released. DreamWork Animation’s Rango, which was released in 2011, came with huge successes and inspired Paramount to generate its own animation film division. Spongebob Squarepants 2, scheduled to be released on February 13, 2015, will be this new division of Paramount’s first animated film. The budget for the animated films will be around $100 million per picture and the studio has high hopes for this new division. [24]

Another thing that Paramount is working on is coming up with innovative promotion and marketing techniques for its films. Paramount has been a front-running film company since the beginning, and it does not seem like its accomplishments will be slowing down any time soon. [23]

Works Cited

[1] Paramount Pictures logo Retrieved 4/16

[2] Key Executive Brad Grey Retrieved 4/16

[3] Key Executive Rob Moore Retrieved 4/16

[4] Key Executive Frederick Huntsberry Retrieved 4/16

[5] Key Executive Adam Goodman Retrieved 4/16

[6] New Paramount logo Retrieved 4/16

[7] 100 Years of Paramount Retrieved 4/16

[8] History of Paramount Retrieved 4/16

[9] Paramount past projects Retrieved 4/16

[10] Anchorman 2 Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[11] Anchorman Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[12] New form of distribution Retrieved 4/18

[13] Wolf of Wall Street Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[14] December 26 Box Office Details Retrieved 4/18

[15] Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[16] Paranormal Activity Series Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[17] Jack Ryan Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[18] CinemaScore Retrieved 4/18

[19] Jack Ryan demographics Retrieved 4/18

[20] Noah Box Office Retrieved 4/18

[21] Noah faces ban in Arab world Retrieved 4/18

[22] Paramount upcoming releases Retrieved 4/19

[23] Paramount’s strategies Retrieved 4/19

[24] Paramount launching in-house animation division Retrieved 4/19

[25] Spongebob Squarepants 2 picture Retrieved 4/19

Paramount Pictures

By Shaugnessy Elsroth

Paramount Pictures Logo [19]

Paramount Pictures Corporation

5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
323.956.5000
www.paramount.com

A Brief Overview

Adolph Zukor – Founder [20]

Paramount Pictures Corporation is a subsidiary of the top ranked media firm Viacom. It globally produces and distributes filmed entertainment. The corporation was founded in 1912 by Adolph Zukor and was originally known as the Famous Players Film Company. In 1994, Viacom acquired Famous Players and renamed it to Paramount Pictures. The company annually releases twelve different movies and distributes them through its Paramount Home Entertainment.  2012 marked Paramount’s 100th year anniversary and despite being one of the oldest motion picture companies in America, they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. [1] [2]

Key Executives

Brad Grey – CEO [21]

                                                                                                                                                                                          Brad Grey

Grey is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Paramount Pictures Corporation and has held the position since 2005. He is in charge of all development and production generated by Paramount Motion Picture Group. Aside from Paramount Pictures, the Group includes Paramount Vantage and Insurge Pictures.  [3]

 

 

Mark Badagliacca – CFO [22]

                                                                                         Mark Badagliacca

Since 2000, Badagliacca has served as Paramount Pictures Corporation‘s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is in control of the finances, treasury, accounting and financial planning for the corporate company. [4]

 

Fredrick Huntsberry – COO [23]

  Fredrick Huntsberry

Huntsberry started his position as the Chief Operating Officer for Paramount Pictures Corporation in 2006. As the C.O.O, he manages the planning and operations for the studio, including their financial department, IT department, and human resources. [5]

 

 

In Memory Of

A. C. Lyles

A. C. Lyles [24]

On September 27, 2013, Paramount‘s well-known producer and employee of over eighty-five years, Andrew Craddock Lyles, passed away at the age of 95. Lyles’ affiliation with the company began when he was only 10 years old, as he handed out fliers for a local theatre owned by Paramount in his hometown in Florida. His career in Hollywood began when he started working in the mail room at Paramount. He later moved up to become a studio publicist and further onto a producer. His wife, Martha Vickers, survives him and has asked for donations in honor of her husband to be sent to the Motion Picture Fund. [6]

In the News

End of Summer Double Feature Special

Double Feature Special Promo [25]

From August 30th to September 5thParamount Pictures Corporation offered moviegoers a special double feature experience to see two of its big summer blockbuster hits, Star Trek Into Darkness and World War Z for the price of one ticket. Select theaters offered this limited opportunity in both 2D and RealD 3D; AMC Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, and Regal Cinemas. [7] [8] [9]

 

 

For an external link to view this trailer, click here. [26]

Star Trek Into Darkness originally came out May 16 and during its opening weekend it generated $70,165,559 in the domestic box office. From opening weekend to August 25 it brought in $227,377,844. The weekend before this special double feature only added $106,356 to the total revenue, but with the introduction of the two for one deal, the weekend from August 30 to September 2 added $1,056,014 to their overall gross, increasing the total profits to reach $228,756,232. [10]

For an external link to view this trailer, click here. [27]

World War Z was released on June 21 and brought $66,411,834 in sales during its first weekend at the domestic box office. Up until August 30, $198,854,941 was generated for its revenue. The weekend before the special feature produced a small profit of only $314,920. With the introduction of the two for one deal however, the weekend of September 3 increased the gross income with an additional $1,650,374. Ultimately, after October 6, World War Z’s overall revenue totaled to $202, 349,504. [11]

Bad Grandpa

Bad Grandpa Advertisement [28]

Paramount Pictures Corporation‘s most recent comedy, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa was released on October 25. The movie is the fourth installment in the Jackass movie series, which is based off of the hit MTV reality series produced by DickhouseTV, where the cast is known for their self-injuring stunts and pranks. Johnny Knoxville stars as the lead character, Irving Zisman, who takes a road trip with his grandson and ridiculousness ensues.

 

For an external link to view this trailer, click here. [29]

The film collected $32,055,177 in its opening weekend, toppling Warner Bros.‘s drama Gravity, which only raked in $20,135,387 that weekend.  [12] [13] Analysts were waiting for something to take out Gravity, since it had stayed at the top of the movie charts for its first three weeks, and Bad Grandpa did the job. After four weeks in theaters, Bad Grandpa has thus far accumulated $90,202,000, which is just shy of its $100 million goal. [12] [14]

Trimming Positions

Paramount Pictures California Headquarters [30]

In the beginning of October, Paramount Pictures stated that 110 job cuts will be made spanning its worldwide offices. In a recent statement, Chief Operating Officer Fredrick Hunstberry announced that reductions are being made to five percent of the company’s 2,200-person workforce. [15] The departments impacted are finance, human resources, and information technology, international home-media distribution, legal and marketing. [16] The company’s intent is to reorganize the corporation in order to better adapt themselves to the film industry’s increasing competition. [15]

What’s Coming Up?

Release Date Change

The Wolf of Wall Street Promo [31]


The Wolf of Wall Street is Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest movie where he plays the wealthy stockbroker, Jordan Belfort. Over Belfort’s years as a swindler, he developed a serious drug addiction, getting wrapped up in the rich party lifestyle and refused to cooperate in a large fraud case pertaining to corruption on Wall Street. Martin Scorsese is the director of this black comedy, which is based on Belfort’s self-titled memoir. Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey are among other cast members.  [17]

 

For an external link to view this trailer, click here. [32]

The film was originally set to be released November 15, and has since been changed to come out in theaters on Christmas day, December 25. [18] The purpose of the set back is due to issues surrounding the movies long length of three hours, as well as a debate pertaining to its potential NC-17 rating. As a result of the setback, other studios are left scrambling to refigure their movie schedules. Sony has pushed back its release date for The Monuments Men from December 18 to February 7th of next year. The RoboCop remake has thus been postponed and will now be coming out in theaters on February 12th. For Paramount, their initial holiday movie Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,  is now set to come out January 7, 2014.  Ultimately, the process of changing one release date shows how problematic and chaotic the procedure for movie scheduling is during “Oscar season”. [18]

 Sources

1) http://www.paramount.com/100-years-paramount/paramount-story
    Retrieved September 8, 2013

2) http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Paramount_Pictures_Corporation.454f21dcb6c08c2b.html
    Retrieved September 8, 2013

3) http://www.paramount.com/inside-studio/studio/executives/meet-executives/brad-grey
    Retrieved September 8, 2013

4) http://www.paramount.com/inside-studio/studio/executives/division-executives/mark-badagilacca
    Retrieved September 8, 2013

5) http://www.paramount.com/inside-studio/studio/executives/meet-executives/fedrick-huntsberry
   Retrieved September 8, 2013

6) http://variety.com/2013/film/news/paramounts-longest-employee-a-c-lyles-dies-at-95-1200682146/
    Retrieved October 10, 2013

7) http://www.marketwatch.com/story/paramount-pictures-and-leading-exhibitors-announce-star-trek-into-darkness-and-world-war-z-double-feature-2013-08-27
   Retrieved September 8, 2013

8) http://www.paramount.com/news-and-social-media/news-and-press-releases/paramount-pictures-and-leading-exhibitors-announce
   Retrieved September 8, 2013

9) http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/08/27/star-trek-world-war-z-bring-back-double-feature/
   Retrieved September 8, 2013

10) http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=startrek12.htm
   Retrieved November 15, 2013

11) http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=worldwarz.htm
   Retrieved November 15, 2013

12) http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=badgrandpa.htm
   Retrieved November 18, 2013

13) http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=gravity.htm
   Retrieved November 15, 2013

14) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-27/-jackass-presents-bad-grandpa-unseats-gravity-at-box-office.html
     Retrieved November 9, 2013

15) http://ca.news.yahoo.com/viacoms-paramount-pictures-trim-110-positions-5-per-231256454–finance.html
     Retrieved October 10, 2013

16) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-01/viacom-s-paramount-film-unit-cites-competition-for-110-job-cuts.html
     Retrieved October 10, 2013

17) http://www.thewolfofwallstreet.com
   Retrieved November 15, 2013

18) http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/10/28/leonardo-dicaprios-the-wolf-of-wall-street-causes-release-date-musical-chairs/
    Retrieved November 9, 2013

19) http://www.jennielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Paramount-Pictures-Logo.jpg
   Retrieved November 17, 2013

20) http://paramount.com-beta.com/admin/uploads/General_Info/Adolph_Zukor_2.jpg
  Retrieved November 17, 2013

21) http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Brad+Grey+Paramount+Vantage+Premiere+Mighty+jJ5m5KVsU9xl.jpg
  Retrieved November 17, 2013

22) http://www.paramount.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mark-badagliacca.jpg?itok=jWtDpIeh
   Retrieved November 17, 2013

23) http://www.planningreport.com/files/styles/article_thumbnail/public/field/image/Huntsberry,%20Frederick.jpg?itok=tnyFF0Or
   Retrieved November 17, 2013

24) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_post_349_width/2012/04/lyles_a.jpg
  Retrieved November 17, 2013

25) http://wpc.556e.edgecastcdn.net/80556E/img.news/NEhkyiViSKxhlh_1_3.jpg
   Retrieved November 17, 2013

26) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5gdbUC9mWU
   Retrieved November 17, 2013

27) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6Dvxdr0AQ
  Retrieved November 17, 2013

28) http://static.squarespace.com/static/51b3dc8ee4b051b96ceb10de/t/52376e8de4b072186ca877ea/1379364496981/hr_Jackass_Presents-_Bad_Grandpa_6.jpg
 Retrieved November 17, 2013

29) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tctgUr147zA
 Retrieved November 17, 2013

30) http://cdn.videogum.com/files/2011/09/paramount_pictures.jpg
 Retrieved November 17, 2013

31) http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news/38097/_1371450399.jpg
 Retrieved November 17, 2013

32) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iszwuX1AK6A
 Retrieved November 17, 2013