Tag Archives: Oscars

Weinstein Company

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By Julia Teti

The Weinstein Company

345 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 [3]

http://weinsteinco.com

Introduction

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The King’s Speech, Best Picture Winner 2011, Source: imdb.com [15]

Known for it’s numerous films; The Weinstein Company is responsible for the distribution of such movies as The Reader, The King’s Speech, and Silver Linings Playbook and within this past year Macbeth, Carol and The Hateful Eight.[1] A winner of multiple prizes when it comes to awards season, The Weinstein Company is a dominant film distributor and, though still relatively new to Hollywood, is distributing films that have received numerous critical accolades and various nominations among other accomplishments.

 

 

                           

 History

In 2005, the founders of Miramax (1979), Robert and Harvey Weinstein, launched the distribution company known as The Weinstein Company. Dimensions Films is also part of The Weinstein Company as a genre label founded in 1993 by Robert Weinstein. The Weinstein Company has received over 300 Oscar nominations and has won 81 Academy Awards in the short time since it’s founding. The Weinstein Company also is very strong in the realm of television; however, the focus here will be placed on its accomplishments and noteworthy happenings in film.[1] Headquarters for the company are located in New York, NY. The Weinstein Company does not disclose for the public it’s financial reports.

Awards and Accolades

TheHatefulEight_Plakatfinal

The Hateful Eight, Source: imdb.com [16]

Known for it’s award winning films, The Weinstein Company saw a year in which none of its films were nominated in the Best Picture category, the first time since 2008.[2] The Weinstein Company has boasted films such as The King’s Speech and The Artist, both of which took home the Oscar for Best Picture. The year 2016 saw The Weinstein Company receiving ten nominations for it’s three films Carol, The Hateful Eight, and The Hunting Ground.[2] For these three films that did receive nominations, The Hateful Eight won the Oscar for Best Original Score, by Ennio Morricone.[6] Harvey Weinstein has been known to be associated with the Oscars and for campaigning heavily for his nominated films, dating back to before the founding of The Weinstein Company through the Weinstein brother’s previous company Miramax. With the issue of this awards season being equal representation of races in film, Weinstein had stated he would cause a stir with the Academy if Ennio Morricone did not win for his category.[6]

Executives [3]

Photo of Mr. Robert Weinstein (right), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal and Mr. Harvey Weinstein (left), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal

Photo of Mr. Robert Weinstein (right), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal and Mr. Harvey Weinstein (left), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal [17]

Corporate Shake Ups

Erik Lomis, former Distribution Chief for The Weinstein Company, left his position as of March 2016 to pursue the role of Lead Distributor at Megan Allison’s Annapurna Pictures.[5] The news came in early March of 2016 as Lomis decided not to renew his contract with The Weinstein Company. Lomis has created positive business relationships with theatre owners and various talents in the film industry. Lomis is credited for taking Quentin Tarantino’s ambition to release The Hateful Eight in 70mm and making the idea come to fruition. Lomis is not the only associate to leave The Weinstein Company as of recently.[5]

RADiUS-TWC heads Tom Quinn and Jason Janego exited in summer of 2015.[5] Meryl Poster, former TV President, and Stephen Bruno, Marketing Chief, also dissolved their relationships with The Weinstein Company. With the loss of Janego and Quinn, The Weinstein Company is reconfiguring its boutique distributor RADiUS, responsible for such films as It Follows and Citizenfour. The Weinstein Company is currently planning to expand RADiUS day-and-date releases into new niche markets. An interviewing process has begun for the role of senior acquisitions executives to manage the VOD division. RADiUS is credited in helping The Weinstein Company with a scaled down, multi-platform release of the film Snowpiercer. The Weinstein brothers are also currently downsizing with a more focused slate of films for the 2016-year.[4]

Current Film: Jane’s Got a Gun

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Jane Got a Gun, Source: imdb.com [19]

The Weinstein Company’s latest film to come to theaters is Jane Got a Gun, starring Natalie Portman and Joel Edgerton. The film had been hit with constant delays. In production, Jane Got a Gun’s original director, Lynne Ramsay, quit, various casting changes were made, and the loss of an original distributor, until The Weinstein Company acquired it in September of 2015.The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on January 27, 2016. With an unknown production budget, Jane Got a Gun’s wide release date was January 29, 2016.[7] The film’s domestic gross is currently $1,513,793 and made $835,572 in its opening weekend with it’s widest release being shown in 1,210 theaters. The close date for the film was February 25, 2016.[8]

 

 

Future Projects

With a shift to television, The Weinstein Company will be releasing fewer films this year. As of now, The Weinstein Company has three films with set release dates; The Founder is being released August 5, 2016, Hands of Stone is set to be released August 26, 2016, and Lion is going to be released November 25, 2016.[10] Originally, The Weinstein Company had the release dates for The Founder and Lion switched. In previous years, The Weinstein company has seen much success when releasing it’s films around the Thanksgiving holiday, which may be the cause for the change in the McDonald’s origin story starring Michael Keaton being released in August rather than November. Lion, a more touching family story, has the advantage a very dominant cast, including Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and Rooney Mara, who recently saw success with her second Oscar nomination for Carol, another Weinstein Company production.[9] With the changed date, this means publicity for The Founder is beginning in full swing.

[20]

The trailer for the film premiered on April 21, 2016 and a poster for the film was previously released.[13] By creating space between the two films, The Weinstein Company is offering opportunity for its films to be considered awards season bait as they are spread further apart. Further in the future, Rooney Mara will be working in another Weinstein production, portraying New Testament figure Mary Magdalene in a biopic.[12] Being eyed to play the role of Jesus Christ is Joaquin Phoenix. A deal is in the works with the actor for the Garth Davis film.[11] In terms of distribution, The Weinstein Company will be working with the production company See-Saw Films, with whom they worked with on the release of The King’s Speech, Macbeth, and this November’s Lion.[12] Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett write the film’s screenplay, and production is scheduled to begin this summer. The Weinstein Company is planning to release the film in 2017.[11]

Sources

[1] The Weinstein Company. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[2] Piccalo, G. (2016, January 14). Oscars 2016: Where was Harvey Weinstein’s nomination? Retrieved April 24, 2016,

[3] The Weinstein Company Inc.: Private Company Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[4] Thompson, A. (2016, March 8). The Weinstein Co. to Reconfigure RADiUS. Retrieved April 24, 2016,

[5] McClintock, P. (2016, March 10). Weinstein Co. Shake-Up: Distribution Chief Erik Lomis Exiting (Exclusive). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[6] Harvey Weinstein Jokes About Academy’s Diversity Problem. (2016, February 26). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[7] Chi, P. (2016, January 28). Natalie Portman on Making ‘Jane Got a Gun’: ‘There Was an Obstacle Every Hour, Every Day’. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[8] Jane Got a Gun (2016) – Box Office Mojo. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[9] D’Alessandro, A. (2016, March 01). Weinstein Co.’s ‘The Founder’ Moves To August; ‘Lion’ To Roar During Thanksgiving Week. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[10] Upcoming Movies by Studio / Distributor. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[11] Jaafar, A. (2016, April 22). Joaquin Phoenix Eyed To Play Jesus Christ In Mary Magdalene Pic. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[12] Siegel, T. (2016, February 9). Weinstein Co. in Talks to Acquire Mary Magdalene Biopic. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[13] Khatchatourian, M. (2016, April 21). Michael Keaton Builds McDonald’s Empire in ‘The Founder’ First Trailer. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[14] Weinstein Company Logo. The Weinstein Company. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[15] The King’s Speech Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[16] The Hateful Eight Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[17] Photo of Robert and Harvey Weinstein. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[18] RADiUS TWC logo. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[19] Jane Got a Gun Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[20] The Founder Trailer. Youtube. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[21] Photo of David Glasser. Retrieved April 25, 2016

 

Focus Features

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Focus Features

[21] Focus Features Logo

Corporate Offices

LOS ANGELES OFFICE
1540 2nd St #200
Santa Monica, CA 90401
NEW YORK CITY OFFICE
c/o NBCUniversal
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Building 5TS – 10th Floor
New York, NY 10112Phone: (818) 777-8738
Fax: (818) 866-4579

http://www.focusfeatures.com

Key Executives 

[19] Peter Kujawski, Chairman

 

[20] Robert Walak, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About

Focus Features is an art film production and distribution subsidiary of Universal Pictures/NBCUniversal under Comcast Corporation. Focus and Universal Pictures together compose the film department of Universal Studios. [1] Merged of Universal Focus, USA Films and Good Machine on 2002, the company is moving forward with diverse ranges of film genres as well as releasing appealing to filmmakers. [2] Some of the most successful films of Focus includes Brokeback Mountain (2005), which earns $83 million domestically and $95 million from foreign markets, Burn After Reading (2008), which earns $163.7 million in worldwide film revenue, and the recent hit London has Fallen (2016) with a worldwide gross $182 million is one of the most selling features of Focus. Focus also participates in other good-reviewing features like The Danish Girl (2015), The Theory of Everything (2014), Pride and Prejudice (2003) and etc. [3] 

Financials

Although Focus Features does not have a separate financial report from its parent company, the first quarter of 2016 is not a bad start for Focus. With four new 2016 releases and two 2015 ones (Suffragette and The Danish Girl still in theaters), Focus earned $120.2 million and bumped up the ranking on the top grossing film studios to the sixth place with a 3.7% market share up dated to April 17. [4] Focus Features and Universal together earned $372.8 million for their parent company with a market shared of 11.4%. Focus has already made up the gap comparing to 2015 with 728.1% more grossing this time. [5]

Leadership Changes

Focus Features has some breaking news in its major management shakeup this year.

Universal Pictures International Production (UPIP) is merging with Focus Features under Focus’ banner. The company’s former CEO Peter Schlessel, who replaced founder James Schamus in 2013, exited his position on April 1 as part of a drastic housecleaning by Universal Pictures. Current Focus COO Adrian Alperovich, Marketing President Christine Birch and President of Acquisitions Lia Buman will also be exiting Focus Features in April.[6] This merging is an attempt to make the unit more global and artistically relevant after a couple of  awards-season pictures such as “The Danish Girl” and “Suffragette” collapsed at the box office. Universal depicted the move as “combining the resources of Universal Pictures International Productions with the highly respected creative legacy of Focus Features,” in order to “grow the specialty film sector both domestically and around the world.” The announcement came from Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley. [7] “Peter Schlemiel of Focus Features to Exit as CEO After Universal Pictures International Merger”

Peter Schlessel oversaw the release of the division’s upcoming releases of Race, London Has Fallen and The Young Messiah before his departure. Peter Kujawski, the formal managing director of Universal Pictures International Productions, became the chairman of of Focus Features that combined UPIP and Focus. Under his leadership, UPIP acquired rights to hugely successful films, including The Wolf of Wall Street, Room, which Universal released in select territories. UPIP Co-Managing Director Robert Walak, who came to Universal after serving as Managing Director Europe/President Production, Acquisitions and Television at The Weinstein Company, Alliance Films, where he led some great acquisitions, including Carol, The King’s Speech, Paddington and The Imitation Game, became Universal Pictures’ Executive Vice President of Film Strategy. Abhijay Prakash, joined Focus as Chief Operating Officer. [6][8]

Last year, only four Focus releases took in more than $10 million at the box office, while other studios began to play in the specialty film space. Focus is losing audience to its competitors like STX Entertainment, armed with financial backing from Chinese private-equity firm Hony Capital, Broad Green, fueled by mutual fund billionaire Gabriel Hammond, Fox Searchlight, intended in making films that can cross over beyond the art and international borders.[6]

“The independent world has been squeezed in the last ten years,” said Jason Squire, a professor at USC. “The question is whether Focus will continue to be an independent-style studio or will it fade?” [6]

Current News & Releases 

Focus has released four new films during this semester time, including the second film of London vs Olympus series London has Fallen, horror movie The Forest, sports drama Race, and a Christian film The Young Messiah. The four new films together earned $113 million domestically. [10]

[9] London Has Fallen’ image courtesy of Focus Features

London Has Fallen, on a $60 budget, opened with just $22 million and bumped to $62m domestically. With the help from strong overseas which has made 66% of its box office, especially from China (where it has earned $45m and is still in theaters), the film’s worldwide total is now $182m. [9]

While London has Fallen brings Focus great possibilities, The Forest (closed with $26.6m) earned $16m more than its budget, The Young Messiah (closed on April 21, $6.4 million), Race (closed on April 21, $19 million) are doing ok under the studio’s expectation. [10]

[11] Alicia Vikander Winning Oscar for Best Supporting Actress

During the Award season, Alicia Vikander wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Focus’s The Danish Girl, a remarkable love story inspired by the real lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne [“The Theory of Everything”] and Alicia Vikander [“Ex Machina”]), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech,” “Les Misérables”). [11]

Focus Future Releases

Following the upcoming release of an animation Ratchet & Clark on April 29, Focus has six new films in 2016. [12]

[17] Kubo and the Two Strings Poster

Laika and Focus Features are teaming again on Kubo And The Two Strings after their Oscar-nominated animation The Boxtrolls. the first film under Laika and the studio’s three-picture deal.[13] Focus Features has also announced a theatrical release for “Loving” on November 4 after paying a $9 million for the film directed by Jeff Nichols, which depicts the real-life story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple living in the state of Virginia in the 1960s, at the time that interracial coupling was illegal. [14]

 

 

 

[14] Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton as Mildred and Richard Loving, on the set of the movie “Loving,” being shot in Richmond, Va.

Following the success of The Forest, the two years direction journey of Juan Antonio Bayona’s A Monster Calls finally will be in theaters on October 14. With Felicity Jones to star and Liam Neeson to voice the Monster. [15]

[18] A Monster Calls Poster

A Monster Calls Official International Teaser Trailer #1 (2016) – Liam Neeson Drama HD

Focus Features also partners with Time Inc. and The Advocate to display the new digital short film documentary series We’ve Been Around. The series tells previously untold histories of transgender pioneers, will premiere exclusively across three Time Inc. websites – People.com, EW.com, Essence.com. [16]

 

 

 

 

[1] Focus Features, About. Retrieved April 23, 2016. focusfeatures.com
[2] Focus Features, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2015. focusfeatures.com
[3]  Focus Features All Time Box Office Results. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com
[4] Studio Market Share January 1-April 17. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com
[5] Yearly Comparison. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com

[6] “Why focus features is again getting a drastic reboot”. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[7] “Peter Schlemiel of Focus Features to Exit as CEO After Universal Pictures International Merger”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Variety.

[8] “Peter Schlemiel Out At Focus Features In Universal Shake-Up”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Deadline.

[9] “Box Office: ‘London Has Fallen’ Tops’ Olympus Has Fallen,’ Triples Its Budget”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Forbes.

[10]  Box Office by Studios January 1-April 17. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com.

[11] “‘Danish Girl’s Alicia Vikander Wins Oscar For Best Supporting Actress”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Deadline.

[12]  Focus Features Future Releases. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com.

[13] “‘Kubo And The Two Strings’ Trailer: Laika Takes On Japanese Folklore”Retrieved March 20, 2016, Deadline.

[14] “Focus Features Picks Up Ruth Negga/Joel Edgerton ‘Loving’ Story”. Retrieved April 16, 2016. Blogs.indiewire.com

[15] “‘A Monster Calls’ Trailer: Felicity Jones & Liam Neeson Branch Out”.Retrieved April 23, 2016. Deadline.
[16] Focus Features Debuts Docuseries “We’ve Been Around”. MovieGeeks. Retrieved April 23, 2016. MovieGeeks.com

[17] Kubo and the Two Strings Movie Poster. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Focus Features.

[18] A Monster Calls Poster. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Focus Features.

[19] Peter Kujawski Profile. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[20] Robert Walak Profile. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[21] Focus Features Logo. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Deadline.

(Sorry, I tried to fix the format of my sources but failed.)

Disney/ABC

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500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4581
(818) 560-1000
www.disneyabcpress.com

History/About the Company

In 1995, Disney/ABC Television Group was born when The Walt Disney Company announced that it would acquire Capital Cities/ABC Inc. for $19 billion [1].

Since then, Disney/ABC Television Group has expanded to provide entertainment, news and kids programming to viewers via more than 200 affiliated stations across the U.S. Disney/ABC Television Group’s properties include ABC Television Network, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, ABC Entertainment Group, Disney Channels Worldwide, Freeform, formerly known as ABC Family, as well as Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Disney Media Distribution. Hyperion publishing and the Company’s equity interests in A+E Networks and Hulu round out the Group’s portfolio of media businesses [2].

 Key Senior Executives

Channing Dungey’s new presidency makes her the first African-American to ever lead a major broadcast network. Formerly the executive vice president of ABC drama development, Dungey helped develop series such as “Scandal,” “Quantico,” “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD,” “How to Get Away With Murder” and “American Crime” [3].

Screen Shot 2016-04-25 at 8.38.57 PM

Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company (Courtesy of Disney) https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/about/

Finances

Screen Shot 2016-04-25 at 11.30.16 AM

(Courtesy of Yahoo! Finance) http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=DIS

The Disney/ABC Television Group is publicly traded under The Walt Disney Company (DIS) on the New York Stock Exchange. On Friday, April 22, DIS closed out at $103.77 per share. In the past three months, Disney’s stock prices have been on a pretty steady incline, with a brief dip in early February. The recent strong numbers are a direct result of the Disney release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Global success of the movie drove record quarterly operating income at both Studio Entertainment and Consumer Products & Interactive Media, which grew at 86% and 23%, respectively [4]. The company reported their quarter one earnings call for 2016 on February 9, 2016. The earnings results webcast can be heard here: https://ditm-twdc-us.storage.googleapis.com/q1-fy16-earnings.mp3.

It was announced on Thursday, April 21, that the Walt Disney Company sold its 50% stake in Fusion, the multi-platform network launched in 2013, making Univision the sole owner. As the majority owner of Fusion, Univision (NYSE: UCI) will create a separate media group that will include recently acquired The Onion and other digital properties. Univision also will take over ABC’s role in handling distribution and ad sales for Fusion’s multi-platform network and will have editorial control [5]. Disney has been changing its own channel line up, rebranding its ABC Family channel as Freeform, targeting millennial women, while investing in Vice Media Inc., which focuses on young men [6]. In recent years, Fusion has been losing money, making the company’s move, most likely, a financially smart one.

2016-2017 Season

Named as the new president of ABC Entertainment, Channing Dungey faces the hard task of mending an ABC schedule with some holes. With five of its nine half-hour comedies already scheduled to return in 2016-17, and another two virtual shoe-ins for renewal, ABC’s sitcom lineup is arguably the strongest on TV. Certainly it is the most stable; “Modern Family” and “The Middle” next fall will embark upon their eighth seasons, while the homegrown “Black-ish” is getting closer to beginning syndication with its season three pick-up [7].

Set to premiere next for ABC is “Uncle Buck,” based on the hit movie of the same name. The series will star Uncle Buck (Mike Epps) as a fun-loving but irresponsible guy who needs a job and a place to stay. His brother and sister-in-law need some help around the house, wondering if they could be the answer to each other’s problems [8]. The show is set to premiere this Summer on June 14, following a preview of the revived game show “To Tell the Truth,” Hosted by “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson.

To get a sneak peek at the new comedy series “Uncle Buck,” starring Mike Epps and Nia Long, click the link to view the official trailer: http://abc.go.com/shows/uncle-buck/video/most-recent/VDKA0_1thuvv8f

Along with “To Tell The Truth,” “100,000 Pyramid,” another game show that is being rebooted from the original, will make its debut on Sunday, June 26 at 9 p.m. following the second season premiere of “Celebrity Family Feud.” Both “Pyramid,” which was originally aired in 1973 and hosted by Dick Clark, and “To Tell the Truth,” which aired in 1956 and was hosted by Budy Collyer [9], will bring a new and older skewing audience to ABC during primetime on Sunday nights.

In The News

On February 28, 2016, ABC aired the 88th Academy Awards hosted by comedian Chris Rock, which brought its lowest ratings in eight years. The network has been airing the Oscars since the emergence of television, outside of the periods in the 1950s and 1970s when the award show was aired on NBC [10]. The low viewership was seen as surprising seeing that this year’s Oscars were one of the most talked about awards in recent years, due to backlash and protests over the Academy’s lack of diverse nominees [11]. Also making news was Leonardio Decaprio’s first Academy Award win. Chris Rock held the controversial hosting gig, addressing #OscarsSoWhite with a mixture of jokes and serious statements [12]. Despite all of the talk around and leading up to the event, viewers decided not to tune in, as the numbers clearly speak for themselves.

On Monday, April 18, Ben Sherwood unveiled a plan for ABC to expand the availability of its programming via authenticated streaming platforms by offering to establish such deals on behalf of its 200-plus affiliate stations around the country. The initiative dubbed “Clearinghouse” is described as a “turnkey” solution for ABC’s affiliate stations. Sherwood said that the 14 ABC affiliates in the Hearst TV station group have agreed to lead the pilot program for a technological and administrative template that ABC has hammered out with DirecTV for its Watch ABC app [13].

The new “Pyramid” game show will be hosted by Michael Strahan, who on Tuesday, April 19, announced that he would be leaving his daytime gig at “Live! With Kelly and Michael” for a full-time role on ABC’s flagship morning show “Good Morning America” [14]. With GMA’s ratings leadership in extreme danger of being overshadowed by NBC’s “Today Show,” executives at ABC have come up with something that looks great on paper – adding more of Michael Strahan, the former football player who has transformed himself into one of the most winning personalities on today’s TV screen [15]. ABC’s Summer Schedule is sure to be a busy one, packed with a new spinoff series and various rebooted game shows featuring various of celebrities.

On Wednesday, April 20, Disney Channel unveiled plans for the 100th DCOM Celebration, a summer programming marathon centered on the airing of the network’s 100th original move since 1997. Things kick off May 27 with a four-day marathon of the 51 most popular original movies followed by encore presentations of these and every other movie in the franchise through June [16]. Releasing 100 movies in 19 years is no small feat, and is surely something to celebrate!

Sources

[1] Fabrikant, Geraldine. “Walt Disney To Acquire ABC In $19 Billion Deal To A Giant For Entertainment.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 July 1995. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/01/business/media-business-merger-walt-disney-acquire-abc-19-billion-deal-build-giant-for.html?pagewanted=all
[2] “Overview.” Our Business Areas. Disney, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://datg.disneycareers.com/en/our-business-areas/overview/
[3] Birnbaum, Debra. “Channing Dungey Named ABC Entertainment President, Replacing Paul Lee.” Variety. Variety Media, LLC., 17 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/channing-dungey-abc-entertainment-president-1201708379/
[4] The Walt Disney Company. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY REPORTS RECORD QUARTERLY EARNINGS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2016. N.p., 9 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. https://ditm-twdc-us.storage.googleapis.com/q1-fy16-earnings.pdf
[5] Jarvey, Natalie. “Disney’s ABC Sells Fusion Stake to Univision.” The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-abc-sells-fusion-stake-886643
[6] Palmeri, Chritopher. “Disney Pulls Out of Fusion Joint Venture With Univision.” Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-21/disney-pulls-out-of-fusion-joint-venture-with-univision?cmpid=yhoo.headline
[7] Crupi, Anthony. “Laugh It Up: Already Flush With Comedies, ABC Looks for More Homegrown Sitcoms for 2016-17.” AdAge. AdvertisingAge, 21 Mar. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://adage.com/article/media/flush-comedies-abc-seeks-homegrown-sitcoms/303203/
[8] “Watch Uncle Buck TV Show – ABC.com.” ABC. Disney, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://abc.go.com/shows/uncle-buck
[9] McLennan, Cindy. “To Tell the Truth, $100,000 Pyramid: ABC Game Show Reboots Coming in June – Canceled TV Shows – TV Series Finale.”Canceled TV Shows TV Series Finale. TV Series Finale, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/tell-truth-100000-pyramid-abc-game-show-reboots-coming-june/
[10] Guerrasio, Jason. “The Oscars Had the Lowest Ratings in Years, and ABC Is Trying to Get Control to Revamp Them.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 01 Mar. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://www.businessinsider.com/oscars-abc-contract-2016-3
[11] The Show Averaged 34.3 Million Viewers on Sunday Night. “Oscars Brings in Third-lowest Viewership in History.” CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 29 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/29/media/oscars-ratings-academy-awards/
[12] Griggs, Brandon. “Chris Rock: ‘You’re Damn Right Hollywood Is Racist'” CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/28/entertainment/chris-rock-oscars-so-white-feat/
[13] Littleton, Cynthia, and David S. Cohen. “ABC Tries to Expand Affiliate Streaming Access with Clearinghouse Initiative.” Variety. Variety Media, LLC., 18 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/abc-affiliate-streaming-clearinghouse-watch-abc-1201755595/
[14] Holloway, Daniel. “‘Uncle Buck,’ ‘To Tell the Truth’ Premiere Dates Set as ABC Unveils Summer Schedule.” Variety. Variety Media, LLC., 19 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/uncle-buck-to-tell-the-truth-premiere-dates-abc-summer-1201757030/
[15] Steinberg, Brian. “ABC’s Morning Madness: Will Michael Strahan Blitz Score Touchdowns for ‘GMA,’ ‘Live’?” Variety. Variety Media, LLC., 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/michael-strahan-good-morning-america-abc-kelly-ripa-1201757700/
[16] Hipes, Patrick. “Disney Channel Original Movie ‘The Swap’ Set As Network Plans 100-Pic Celebration.” Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC., 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. http://deadline.com/2016/04/disney-channel-original-movie-the-swap-dcom-marathon-1201741163/

Warner Bros. Pictures #1

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Mallory Rogers

Warner_Bros._Pictures_logo.svg

[22]

Warner Bros. Pictures

4000 Warner Blvd.,
Burbank, CA 91522

http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/divisions/warner-bros-pictures

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter

Facebook

KEY EXECUTIVES

PhotoSizedDown_Kevin_Tsujihara_2014

Kevin Tsujihara [12]: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros.

Jon_Gilbert_195x230

Jon Gilbert [13]: President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Studio Facilities

Steve Papazian_195x230

Steve Papazian [14]: President, Worldwide Physical Production, Warner Bros. Pictures

Greg_Silverman 195x230

Greg Silverman[15]: President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND

wb-logo-history

[16]

Warner Brothers Pictures produces and distributes a variety of anywhere from 18 to 22 films each year. To date, Warner Bros. has produced 23 films in 2015. These films range in genre from Pan to Vacation to Entourage. Warner Bros. is part of the Big 6, a group of movie studios that produce and distribute the majority of films in Hollywood.static1.squarespace.com

 [17]

The focus of Warner Bros. Pictures is to produce films that are wide ranging to appeal to all audiences. It “produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights.” It has joint ventures with Village Roadshow Pictures and PatPac-Dune Entertainment to finance such films. Warner Brothers Pictures also has a deal with Alcon Entertainment to help finance films. [11]

This company is also under the larger media conglomerate umbrella of TimeWarner. In addition to Warner Bros. Pictures TimeWarner also owns the remaining segments of Warner Bros. such as Warner Bros. Animation as well as HBO and Turner.

HISTORY

Well-respected and one of the most diversified companies in the industry, Warner Bros. Pictures has a storied past. Warner Bros. Studios was founded April 4, 1923 by brothers Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack. [11]

The four Warner brothers (left to right) Sam, Harry, Jack, and Albert, 1926. [18]

One of the moments that sparked its respect was the release of “the world’s first ‘talkie’” in 1927.  This talkie was The Jazz Singer. A “talkie” is a synchronized-sound feature film. This innovative success spurred the success of the brothers’ film company for years to come.

[19]

However, their work in the film industry started much earlier. In 1903 the four brothers traveled though Pennsylvania and Ohio as traveling exhibitors showing films off a portable projector. The Great Train Robbery was one of the first films they displayed to the public. This film was hailed as “the first motion picture to tell a definite story.” From here, the brothers continued and expanded their business in Pennsylvania where they opened the Cascade Theater. Each brother had their own skill/job in the theater. Albert and Harry sold tickets, “Sam ran the hand-crank projector while Jack sang ‘illustrated’ songs during the intermissions to sister Rose’s piano accompaniment.” [11]

New Line Cinema, a unit of Warner Bros. Pictures, was acquired in 2008 by TimeWarner. Their production of highly successful, critically acclaimed films attracted them to TimeWarner. Though their production, marketing, development and distribution are all separate from Warner Bros. the collaboration serves to “maximize film performance and operating efficiencies.” [25]

Warner Bros. Pictures has amassed a large amount of success through the years, including the Harry Potter and Dark Knight franchises. This studio has been producing nearly 6,500 feature films since the late 1920s/early 1930s.

FINANCE

According to the third quarter results for 2015 ending in September 2015 Warner Bros’ parent company, TimeWarner, revenue has increased 5%. This 5% translates to $6.6 billion. However, these results did not include anything past September. This means the release of Pan and the lack of success it had in the box officer were not taken into account. The increase came from Warner Bros. and Home Box Office to offset the decline from Turner. Also from the third quarter Warner Bros. had an adjusted EPS of $1.25 and repurchased 41 million shares that will run through October 30 for $3.3 billion. [8] [24]

The proxy statement TimeWarer released to educate investors for the year 2015 lays out all that TimeWarner has done over the past year. It details what all has happened, operating strategies, expansion programs, etc. As of 2015 Warner Bros. Studios has  production companies in 16 international territories. Warner Bros. Studios is expanding globally to capture a wider reach, becoming bigger. This plays into the financial aspect to see what is working in the company, what films have brought in, monetarily and other important financial details. In fact, “Warner Bros. generated over $4 billion at the global box office for the 6th year in a row; announced expanded slate of movies for 2016-2020.”[24]

FILMS THUS FAR

Producing 23 films this year to date, one of Warner Bros.’ more recent films, Pan, seemed to flop. [9] This flop did not sit well with executives after already having had a less-than- successful summer. None of its films surpassed $500 million worldwide. Settling in at number three among top movie studios when usually number 1 indicated to executives something had to change. Anticipated success from The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was dashed after making only $13.4 million opening weekend. [3] Warner Bros’ looked at Straight Outta Compton, worked with New Line Cinema to produce it but backed out thinking its budget was too high ceding this film to Universal Studios. Hope for the remainder of the year was placed in Black Mass and others. Black Mass might be Warner Bros’ saving grace with rumors of Oscar consideration for main character Johnny Depp.

 

However, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Pan, provided a setback for the studio. Going off the old story of Peter Pan this film aimed to reinvent the classic. With a $129 million dollar budget executives were sure this film would be a success. Originally supposed to be released in July Pan’s release date was later moved to October to avoid summer competition. This was concerning because Warner Bros. did not want to bump up against Pixels opening that same July weekend. Warner Bros. pulled the film to avoid the same weekend release as Pixels. [4] This change had a domino effect. Advertising and targeting tactics changed when the demographic of Pan originally aimed at, children, matured to skew older.

Pan_Still[23]

Its lack of success can also be attributed to the film being “overly formulaic and too wild a deviation from J.M. Barrie’s beloved children’s classic to succeed.” [3] Meant to be an origin story, Pan, didn’t quite make it. One box office analyst, Jeff Bock, remarked that fairy tale adaptations were a difficult feat to accomplish without the backing of Disney. The story strayed too far from the original fairy tale for audiences to be acutely engaged. Other adaptations did a much better job and were used as comparisons to this film; those compared were Spielberg’s Hook and the animated adaptation from Disney.
Warner Bros. is expected to lose anywhere from $130 to $150 million as a result. [4]

 

LOOKING TO CHINA

Hoping to expand to China’s “booming film market” Warner Bros. Pictures was in talks with China Media Capital (CMC) and came to an agreement in September to make more Chinese-language productions. 


[6] This collaborative company is Flagship Entertainment Group Ltd. and it is hoping to combine the skills of Warner Bros. with the financial resources of CMC. In addition, CMC has collaborated with Oriental DreamWorks and IMAX for at least 10 Mandarin films to be produced.

china-media-capital[20]

They aim to “develop, distribute and produce a slate of Chinese-language films, including global tent poles, for distribution in China and around the world” using Warner Bros.’ name and network. [7] The new company they form will be owned primarily by CMC with a 51% share. Warner Bros. owns the remaining 49%. 


[6] Hoping to bring more of Warner Bros’ signature storytelling and experience in the industry to China’s film industry this future of their collaboration is hopeful. This partnership may release a film as soon as 2016.

FUTURE FOR WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Looking to the future Warner Bros. Pictures is looking to produce a new film, King Kong vs. Godzilla. Recently acquiring the rights and hoping to debut the first in the trilogy in 2016 executives are excited about potential success of the highly anticipated film(s). Hoping to collaborate with Japanese studio, Toho, Warner Bros. Pictures was chosen over Universal to produce this remake of the 1962 film due to previous history. Also, Legendary Pictures decided to move this film to make it consistent and join the first Godzilla with the rest of its franchise. Having release Godzilla in May of 2014 with Godzilla 2 being released June of 2018 Warner Bros. wanted to keep it in the family. Hoping to feature more key components of the “Godzilla Universe” Legendary Pictures wanted to acquire rights to additional characters in this world. These characters include Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah.This is what Marvel Studios has done with its superhero films to keep the films together. [1]

This will be one of three in a trilogy to be produced in 2020. The lineup for films is as follows: Kong: Skull Island in 2017, Godzilla 2 in 2018 and then Godzilla vs. Kong in theaters 2020. Production for Kong: Skull Island was slated to begin October 19, 2015. Casting has already started with Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston and Corey Hawkins on board. Main roles are being considered for Samuel L. Jackson and John C. Reilly with Jordan Vogt-Robert signed on to direct. [5]

kingkongvsgodzilla[21]

SLATED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

 

From top:

In The Heart Of The Sea: to be released December 11, 2015 [27]

Creed: In Theaters Now [28]

Point Break: to be released December 25, 2015 [26]

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES

[1] 
Fleming, Mike. “Warner Bros Sets King Kong Vs Godzilla, As Deadline Told You Last 
      Month.” Deadline. 14 Oct. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.                                                          <http://deadline.com/2015/10/king-kong-godzilla-warner-bros-legendary-pictures-            1201582155/>.

[2] Galloway, Stephen. “Warner Bros.’ Chilly Summer Puts Execs in the Hot Seat               (Analysis).” The Hollywood Reporter. 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.                             <http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-chilly-summer-puts-816176>.

[3] Lang, Brent. “Does ‘Pan’s’ Box Office Bomb Spell the End for Origin Stories?” Variety.   12 Oct. 2015. Web. 25 Nov. 2015. <http://variety.com/2015/film/news/pan-box-office-      bomb-death-of-origin-movies-1201615656/>.

[4] McClintock, Pamela. “Warner Bros.”Pan’ Could Lead to $150 Million Loss.”   The   Hollywood Reporter. 12 Oct. 2015. Web.25 Nov. 2015.   <http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-pan-could-lead-831412>.

[5] Owen, Luke. “Warner Bros. Set to Remake King Kong vs. Godzilla.” Flickering Myth. 
     11 Sept. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2015/09/warner-       bros-set-to-remake-king-kong-vs-godzilla.html>.




[6] Spear, Lisa. “Warner Bros.Unveils New Chinese Film Venture.” Time. Time, 21 Sept.       2015. Web. 24 Nov.2015. <http://time.com/4042115/china-warner-brothers-film-movies-hollywood/>.

[7] Tartaglione, Nancy. “Warner Bros, China Media Capital Form Flagship Entertainment     Group; JointVenture To Make Local-Language Films.” Deadline. 20 Sept.                             2015. Web. 25 Nov. 2015. <http://deadline.com/2015/09/warner-bros-china-                     media-capital-flagship-entertainment-group-local-language-films-joint-venture-                   1201537954/>.

[8] “Time Warner Inc.” Time Warner Inc. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.timewarner.com/>.

[9] “Warner Bros. Box Office Receipts by Release Date.”Box Office Mojo.Web.22 Nov.       2015. <http://www.boxofficemojo.com>.

[10] “Warner Bros. Partners With China Media Capital on Major Production, Distribution     Joint Venture.” MSN. 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 25 Nov. 2015. <http://www.msn.com/en-          nz/video/celebs/warner-bros-partners-with-china-media-capital-on-major-                          production-distribution-joint-venture/vi-AAexXnM?refvid=AAd57s2>.

[11] Warner Bros. Web. 22 Nov. 2015. <http://www.warnerbros.com/>.

[12] “Kevin Tsujihara.” WarnerBros.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[13] “Jon Gilbert.” WarnerBros.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[14] “Steve Papazian.” WarnerBros.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[15] “Greg Silverman.” WarnerBros.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[16] Santoso, Alex. “The Stories Behind Hollywood Studio Logos.” Neatorama. 3 Dec. 2008. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.

[17] Robehmed, Natalie. “Hollywood’s Most Profitable Movie Studios.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 15 May 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[18] “What Los Angeles Can Learn From the Warner Bros.” Aarmadillocom. 2 July 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[19] “The Jazz Singer (1927).” The Jazz Singer (1927). Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[20] “Star China Media Announces Appointment of a New Management Team.” China Screen News RSS. 02 Dec. 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[21] Martinez, Phillip. “New ‘King Kong vs Godzilla’ Movie: Remake Needs To Happen In Next 5 Years.” IDigitalTimes.com. 02 Sept. 2014. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[22] “Warner Bros. Pictures.” Logopedia. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[23] “Pan.” Fandango. Fandango.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[24] “IR Relations.” TimeWarner. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[25] “New Line Cinema.” WarnerBros.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[26] “First Poster for the Point Break Remake.” Flickering Myth. 25 May 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[27] “In the Heart of the Sea.” IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

[28] “Rocky Isn’t Doing So Well in New Creed TV Spot.” Film RSS. 24 Sept. 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

MGM Studios

Posted on by 
Created by: Jess Kunkel

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

 

MGM Studios Inc.
245 N Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 [2]

 http://www.mgm.com/# 

 

History

MGM studios, fully known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Productions was formed in 1924 when Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Productions combined to become the company we know so well today [5]. The company began strong and only when multiple changes in power happened in the sixties did things begin to get rocky [5]. Including their file for bankruptcy in the year 2010, the company remained a player in the game, often sharing projects with other large media companies similar to themselves to sustain and finance their more recent work efforts [8]. Nevertheless,  MGM and its never-failing Lion originally named “Slats” have undeniably created some of the greatest and best acclaimed pictures of all time.

The company was always known for the number of huge stars that it had in its early days, often referred to have “More stars than there are in the heavens”. With an astounding 175 Academy Awards the corporation is responsible for masterpieces such as The Wizard Of Oz (1939), West Side Story (1961), Rocky (1976), Annie Hall (1977), Dances with Wolves (1990), and many more. 

MGM Through The Years

[16]. 

The Collection

MGM is known to have one of the most extravagant collections of film to date with more than 4,000 titles in their Library.

Screen Shot 2015-12-01 at 5.39.00 PM

Executives

Gary Barber

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Jonathan Glickman

Motion Picture Group, President

Roma Khanna 

Television Group and Digital , President

Kenneth J. Kay

Chief Financial officer

Financial

Although MGM filed for bankruptcy in the year 2010, the picture company has managed to remain. In 2015, MGM has financially had  a much more active year than in 2014. Compared to Q1-Q3 of last year, MGM has seen a 246% change in the their cash flow [21].  While in 2014 the cash flow was noted to be at 170.1 (millions) by the end of the third quarter, the cash flow for 2015 had increase to more than double what it was at the same time last year, at a whopping 417.9 [21].

Since 2013 MGM has dropped 9% in their third quarter revenue, with it marked at 96% in 2014 with proceeds of 233.5 (in millions), and then down even further to 91% in 2015 with revenue noted at 212.1 (in millions) [21]. However Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s Net income was on the upswing this third quarter. Compared to the increase of 172% from Quarter 3 in 2013-2014 with net income rising from $16.6 million to $28.6 million the third quarter took an even larger leap in 2015 [21]. With their third quarter net income rising from $28.6 million to $124 million MGM saw a 434% change from the previous year, a very positive sign for the business of MGM [21].

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Today

Today MGM focuses most of their work on producing and distributing television and film around the world [3]. Their main focus as of late it to keep creating new content, and to keep  acquiring new scripts to produce, and or often is the case Co-produce, as well as to distribute.[23]. MGM is also making new deals to further distribute their films with businesses such as Tubi TV [51]. 

Recent Releases

Creed

On November 25th, 2015 MGM, partnered with Warner Brothers Studios released the film Creed (2015). The picture is a continuation of the extremely popular Rocky film series. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the sports drama made $29.6 Million in its opening weekend and was able to snag the 10th largest opening of all time [26]. In its first week, the film has already made $42 million, surpassing its budget which is noted to be at around $35 Million [26]. Creed (2015) will continue to be released around the world until early March 2016. 

As the seventh film in the Rocky series (1976), the film endeared many a Rocky fan to watch. Throughout the opening weekend it played for a 66% male crowd, and 62% being over twenty-five, and 26% aging from 35-49 years old [27]. Creed is said to have the potential for an oscar running, delightful news for the young director Coogler, and yet another Academy Award for MGM.

[50].

Spectre

Only slightly earlier in the year on November 6th of 2015 MGM studio’s, partnered with Sony Pictures released the highly anticipated film Spectre (2015) [28]. Categorized as an action – adventure – thriller, the film is a continuation of the James Bond 007 franchise [28]. Spectre was directed by Sam Mendes and starred Daniel Craig as James Bond. The film took in $70.4 million in it’s domestic opening weekend at the box office, putting Spectre in the spot as the second highest debut weekend revenue for a Bond film, falling behind Skyfall (2012) and yet slightly ahead of Quantum of Solace (2008) [30]. Having only been out a few weeks, the domestic revenue is totaled at $176.8 million as of November 30th [30]. With the Bond Franchise acquiring so many fans across the world most of the revenue is expected to come from the foreign releases of the film, from which it has already made 76.4% of it’s total revenue at $575.3 million [30]. With it’s budget at around $245 Million, the total worldwide revenue of $750 million thus  far puts MGM in a very good place moving into the weeks to come [30].

[51].

Things to Come

Being such a company, with a history of so many monumental films Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is hoping to continue the legacy of the company’s name, looking towards the future with many new films to come having 39 titles currently in development [33].

To Name a few

Me Before you : A film based off of an acclaimed novel is expected to debut in March of 2016 [33]. The story entails a small town girl and her unlikely paralyzed friend to whom she tends, with the screenplay also being written by Jojo Moyes,the very author of the novel that originated the story [32]. The film is to be directed by Thea Sharrock, and will star Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Jenna Coleman. 

 

 

 

Ben Hur: Currently in development at MGM is the remake of the original1959 film Ben Hur . Set to debut in August of 2016, the film,  directed by Timur Bekmambetov is currently in post production. Starring Jack Huston, the film tells the tale of “A falsely accused nobleman survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him.” [40]. 

 

Going In Style: Yet another film set to debut in 2016 for MGM studios is Going in Style (2016). The film is a comedy about three retired men who plan to rob a bank, and its cast is loaded with stars including Joey King, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine [42]. The movie is a remake of the 1979 original, and is to be directed by Zach Braff.

 

Other upcoming titles include: The Magnificent Seven (2016), Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016), The Belko Experiment (2016), A Movie Life (2016) just to name a few and many more [33]!

Overview

While the company has not fully recovered from it’s low point in 2010, executives remain confident in the strides that the company is making. While Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is also exploring the realms of new types of media in other ways, the company is continuing it’s legacy of film and attempting to renew MGM back to it’s great esteem starting with more products being created by the company [3].

Sources

[1]. MGM Lion Logo. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Bing Image search. Retrieved: November 29th, 2015

[2]. MGM Studios Contact Us.  MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 20th, 2015.

[3]. MGM Studios Corporate. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 20th, 2015.

[4].MGM Old Logo Still. Youtube Slats the Lion. Retrieved: November 29th, 2015.

[5]. MGM Studios Corporate History. MGM Studios. Retrieved: October 3rd, 2015

[6]. The Life and Times of the MGM Lion. Mental Floss. Retrieved: November 20th, 2015.

[7]. MGM stunning roster. Seeing Stars. Retrieved: November 20th, 2015.

[8]. MGM Files For Bankruptcy. New York Times. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[9]. Academy Awards. Film Site. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[10]. The Wizard of Oz. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[11]. West Side Story. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[12]. Rocky (1976). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[13]. Annie Hall (1977). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[14]. Dances With Wolves (1990). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[15]. MGM 90th Anniversary. Youtube. Retrieved:  November 21st, 2015.

[16]. MGM Film Collection. Park Circus. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[17]. Gary Barber. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[18]. Johnathan Glickman. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[19]. Rhoma Khanna. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[20]. Kenneth J. Kay. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[21]. Investor Relations Financial Reports. MGM Studios. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[22]. Cash Flow. Investopedia. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[23]. Working At MGM Studios. Glass Door. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015

[24]. Creed Official Site. Creedthemovie.Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[25]. Ryan Coogler. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[26]. Creed (2015). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[27]. Creed Box Office. Forbes. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[28]. Spectre (2015). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[29]. The Official James Bond Site. 007. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[30]. Spectre box office numbers. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[31]. Pro Spectre (2015). IMDb Pro. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[32]. Me Bofore You (2016). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[33] MGM Pro Projects in Development. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[34]. Thea Sharrock. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[35]. Emilia Clarke. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[36]. Jenna Coleman. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[37]. Sam Claflin. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[38]. Ben Hur (1959). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[39]. Timur Bekmambetov. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[40]. Ben Hur (2016). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[41]. Jack Huston. IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[42]. Going In Style (2016). IMDb. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015.

[43]. Joey King. IMDb. Retrieved: November 26th, 2015.

[44]. Morgan Freeman.IMDb. Retrieved: November 26th, 2015.

[45]. Michael Caince. IMDb. Retrieved: November 26th, 2015.

[46]. Going in style Original (1979). IMDb.  Retrieved: November 26th, 2015.

[47]. Zach Braff. IMDb. Retrieved: November 26th, 2015.

[48]. Me Before You Official Site. Jojo Moyes. Retrieved: November 27th, 2015.

[49]. Rocky (1976). IMDb.Retrieved: November 27th, 2015.

[50]. Creed Official Trailer. Youtube-Warner Brothers.Retrieved: November 28th, 2015.

[51]. Spectre Official Trailer. Youtube- Zero Media. Retrieved: November 28th, 2015.

[52]. MGM & Lionsgate Tubi tv Deal. Deadline. Lieberman, David. November 19th, 2015. Retrieved: November 21st, 2015..

Focus Features

Posted on by 
by John Pflieger
[21] Focus Features Logo

[21] Focus Features Logo

Focus Features is a film production and distribution company that serves at the art house film department of the NBCUniversal brand.  Started in 2002, Focus Features is currently run by CEO Peter Schlessel, who took the helm in late 2013 after Focus and the FilmDistrict merged in 2013 [1].  Focus Features has had great success over the last 12 years with critically acclaimed releases like Brokeback Mountain, Dallas Buyers Club, and Lost in Translation just to name a few.  The former being the most successful Focus Feature production to date, grossing $83 million and receiving 3 Academy Awards and receive nominations for 5 more along with a slue of other awards [2][3].

Financials

Catering usually to more specific audiences then some of the major production house, Focus Features is currently ranked 12th for top grossing production companies in the 2014 year, with a total gross of $104 million, which puts them in control of 1.1% of the current market share [4].  Though falling short to its 5th ranked older brother Universal Pictures, the smaller production company has managed to sustain an average gross of $8.7 million per release over the course of its 11 releases in 2014 [4][5].  With award season approaching, Focus has the potential to see continued growth in revenue through the beginning of 2015.  With Oscar buzz surrounding actor Eddie Redmayne of Focus Features most recent release The Theory of Everything, a nomination for best actor has the potential to increase revenue by about $600,000, where a win in the category could yield nearly $6 million in increased revenue[6][7].  Though Focus is only responsible for a small portion of NBCUniversal’s $1.4 billion filmed entertainment revenue, the small production house continues to boast impressive figures[8].

Recent Releases 

“The Theory of Everything “

[22] The Theory of Everything Poster

[22] The Theory of Everything Poster

The biographical film chronicles the life of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking as he fell in love with his wife Jane, explored the science of universal time, and struggled with the debilitating neurological disease of ALS[9].  Eddie Redmayne, who plays Steven Hawking, has already been labeled by Variety as one of the main contenders for the Best Actor Academy Award[6].  The film, which opened November 7th in a limited release to 5 theaters grossed $208,763 and continued to succeed as it hit a wide release November 26th in 802 theaters and grossed slightly over $5 million in its wide release opening[10].  As of December 1st the film has grossed $9.6 million and has the potential to see continued success as the holidays and award season approaches[10].

“Kill The Messenger”

[23] Kill The Messenger Poster

[23] Kill The Messenger Poster

A political thriller starring Academy Award nominated actor Jeremy Renner, tells the story of journalist Gary Webb, who stumbles across a dark story that involves drugs and government cover-ups[11].  The film opened October 10th in 374 theaters and grossed $941,809 in its opening weekend.  At its widest relapse the film was only in 427 theaters and to date has only grossed $2.4 million, having been stifled by the Buena Vista release of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” which was release the same day and saw far greater success[12][13].

“The Boxtrolls”

[24] The Boxtrolls Poster

[24] The Boxtrolls Poster

This family film tells the tail of an adventure of a group of unique creatures as they raise an orphan and fight for their lives in an effort to thwart their local town villain[14].  This film has been the most successful release for Focus Features this year having grossed nearly $50 million.  The feature opened September 26th 3,464 theaters and gross $17.2 million, which accounted for 34.9% of the films total gross domestically[15].  The film went on to gross $56.2 million worldwide, making a total of $105.7 million, which is a huge success not only for Focus Films, but also for the small Oregon based stop-motion animation house Laika Studios, which carried out the animation for “The Boxtrolls.”[15][16]  The small animation studio also produced “ParaNorman” and “Coraline” for Focus Features, which are both in Focus Feature’s top 5 for most successful domestic grossing films[5].  Only days after the opening of “The Boxtrolls”, Focus Features signed an agreement with Laika to work with them on 3 more feature length films[17].  This agreement proves to be especially wise when looking at the fact that all three of the films that Laika and Focus have teamed up on have grossed over $100 million world wide, making them highly profitable[17].  There is still room for more success in the coming months, seeing that “The Boxtrolls” received 13 nominations in this years Annie Awards, and is only expected to receive more nods as award season get underway[18].

Upcoming

Focus Features consistently releases 10-12 films a year, making them a highly productive production house for the scale of their operation[5].  As of now, Focus has announced a few new projects that will be coming up in 2015 which will have the potential to make quite a splash in the market place in the upcoming year.

[25] 50 Shades of Grey Poster

[25] 50 Shades of Grey Poster

One of the more anticipated Focus Features releases of 2015 is the adaptation of the novel 50 Shades of Grey.  The popular 3 part book series will be treated as a trilogy by focus and will follow the saga of the novels quite closely.  The film is scheduled to be released on Valentines Day, offering an interesting option for holiday viewing[19].

[26] Black Sea Poster

[26] Black Sea Poster

Another highly anticipated 2015 Focus release is the upcoming release starring Jude Law, “Black Sea”.  The apparent action movie casts Law as a submarine captain who is working with a team of Russian and English crew members to salvage Nazi gold in a sunken U-boat.  The film is scheduled to be released January 23 of 2015[20].

Future of Focus Features

The future for Focus Features appears to be very bright.  With a recent 3 film deal with Laika Studios, this is a air of optimism, because with the success of the studio’s earlier films, we can only assume that with the proper marketing and distribution the next 3 should be just as successful.  Also with the “50 Shades of Grey” series on the horizon, there are multiple prospects for continued growth.  As we see the success of Comcast and NBCUniversal and their continued growth, the potential for the expansion of Focus Features is exponentially increased.

Citations:

1.     Focus Features Announces More Key Senior Hires, hollywoodreporter.com, RT; 12/01/14

2.    Brokeback Mountain, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

3.   Brokeback Mountain Awards, imdb.com, RT: 12/01/14

4.   Studio Market Share, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

5.   Focus Features, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

6.   Contender: Lead Actor Preview, Variety.com, RT: 12/01/14

7.   How Oscar Nominations Affect the Box Office, Businessinsider.com, RT: 12/01/14

8.   Comcast Earnings Release, cmcsk.com, RT: 12/01/14

9.   The Theory of Everything, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

10. The Theory of Everything, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

11. Kill the Messenger, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

12.  Kill the Messenger, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

13.  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

14.  The Boxtrolls, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

15. The Boxtrolls, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

16.  Laika Studios, Laikastudios.com, RT: 12/01/14

17. Focus Features, Laika Ink Three-Film Pact, hollywoodreporter.com, RT; 12/01/14

18.  Boxtrolls leads Annie Award nominations, bbc.com, RT; 12/01/14

19. 50 Shades of Grey, fiftyshadesmovie.com, RT; 12/01/14

20. Black Sea, focusfeatures.com, RT; 12/01/14

21. Focus Features Logo, thewrap.com, RT; 12/01/14

22. The Theory of Everything Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

23. Kill the Messenger Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

24. The Boxtrolls Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

25. 50 Shades of Grey Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

26. Black Sea Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

Columbia Pictures

Posted on by 
by Ian McCourt

Columbia Pictures

sony_columbia_pictures

Image Courtesy Fortune.com [i]

Contact Information: [ii]

10202 West Washington Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90232

310-244-4000

www.sonypictures.com

Key Executives:

Michael Lynton       CEO, Sony Entertainment, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Amy Pascal  Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Belgrad President, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President, Columbia Pictures

David Hendler  Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sony Pictures Entertainment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael De Luca President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Michael De Luca
President, Production, Columbia Pictures

President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Hannah Minghella President, Production, Columbia Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executives Photos and Information Courtesy of: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html [iii]

About Columbia Pictures:

In 1918, Harry and Jack Cohn formed CBC Film Sales with an associate of theirs, Joe Brandt. CBC Film Sales (Cohn-Brandt-Cohn) then produced small-budget short films and featurettes until a few experiments with feature films and an eye for larger profits prompted them to form Columbia Pictures Corporation in 1924. Columbia established itself in the cinema world, however, with the discovery of director Frank Capra in 1927.  He would bring the company many Academy Awards, including the Best Picture films “It Happened One Night” and “You Can’t Take it With You.”  Columbia would continue to grow and prosper as the decades moved past, and it was bought by Coca-Cola in 1982.  However, a mere seven years later, Columbia Pictures and all of its holdings were bought by the Sony Corporation in 1989. [iv] It is now a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment‘s Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group, along with Tristar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics and Screengems. [v]

Financials:

It is to be noted that Sony’s Financial Reports for the Pictures Division encompasses not only Columbia Pictures, but also the Tristar Pictures and Screengems studios, as well as any TV production and distribution financials. Regardless, Sony Pictures Entertainment reported that revenue decreased 3% on a constant currency (U.S. dollar) standard to 1,671 million dollars for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 from 1,815 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013. [vi][vii] This was due to lower theatrical revenues due to fewer theatrical releases in Q2 FY14 as opposed to Q2 FY13. [viii]  Sony predicts that the pictures division will make 8,100 million U.S. dollars for the total Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2015. [ix]

What’s Happening Now?

In 2014, Columbia Pictures has released nine films, three of which are still in theaters as of December 1, 2014. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and 22 Jump Street are leading in gross so far respectively, with 22 Jump Street still in theaters. [x]

22 Jump Street
This sequel to the hit 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and follows the adventures of Officers Schmidt and Jenko as they go undercover as college students. The film is directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xi]

In its opening weekend (June 13-15, 2014), 22 Jump Street opened at number one, making $57,071,445 domestically to its $50 million budget. The film is now in its twenty-third week, having made $331,333,876 worldwide as of December 1, 2014. [xii]

The Equalizer
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington stars as a man who has put his dark past behind him, only to return to his old ways when he meets a girl who is under the control of Russian gangsters. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xiii]

In its opening weekend (Sept. 26-28, 2014) The Equalizer opened number one at the box office, earning $34,137,828 to its $55 million budget. Now in its ninth week, the film has made $190,173,178 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xiv]

Fury
Fury, starring Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, and Shia LaBeouf, tells the tale of an Army Sergeant nicknamed Wardaddy (Pitt) who commands a Sherman tank with a five-man crew against amazing odds in an attempt to cripple Nazi Germany. The film is written and directed by David Ayer.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xv]

Opening number one at the box office, Fury made $23,702,421 to its $68 million budget during its opening weekend (Oct. 17-19, 2014). Going through its seventh week in theaters, Fury has made $171,707,000 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xvi] On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2014, the movie was free at Regal and AMC Theaters for all current personnel or veterans with a valid I.D. [xvii]

Ghostbusters (30th Anniversary Re-Release)
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters was back in theaters beginning August 29, 2014. [xviii] It tells the story of three parapsychology professors struggling for work who decide to open up a ghost removal business. It stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver.  It is directed by Ivan Reitman. [xix]

Image Credit Fandango.com

Image Credit Fandango.com [xx]

The re-release opened at fifteenth its opening weekend (August 29-31, 2014), making $1,756,513. It closed on September 18, 2014, despite being advertised as only being open for one week.  During this time, it made $3,580,343.  This makes the film’s total lifetime gross $242,212,467 as of December 1, 2014. [xxi]

In Other News:

In early November, Columbia Pictures requested to a Florida federal court that its anti-piracy policies be kept secret.  The information on these policies is now in a closed case between Hotfile, a file-sharing site that closed down in 2013, and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). [xxii] Columbia is insisting that if this information were released, it would render the company incapable to protect its copyrighted works. This comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the information is in the public interest and should be released. [xxiii]

 

Image Courtesy Dailytech [xxvi]

On November 24, 2014, hackers took control of Sony’s computer systems.  A group claiming to be the hackers then criticized Sony CEO Michael Lynton in a tweet, calling him “a criminal.” [xxiv] Since then, versions of five films belonging to Sony Pictures have been released online: Annie, Fury, Still Alice, Mr. Turner, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Of those five films, only Fury has been released in theaters, but even that film hasn’t had a DVD release yet.  These films are already reported to have been illegally downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. [xxv] Sony has since hired Mandiant Forensics Unit to clean up the attack, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations has begun looking into the incident. Sony has been looking to see if the attack was perpetrated by North Korea-backed hackers in retaliation to the upcoming release of the movie, The Interview, which is a comedy about an attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. [xxvii]

What’s To Come:

Annie

Image Courtesy IMDB

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxix]

One of the films leaked from the hack, Annie will be released in theaters on December 19, 2014. Starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz, this musical film tells of a young foster kid (Wallis) who toughs out the hard knock life of New York City in 2014.  While it will be competing against Disney‘s Into The Woods, the film is predicted to make about $95 million. [xxviii]

 

 

 

The Interview

Image Courtesy IMDB

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxxi]

To be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014, The Interview is the latest comedy co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Starring Rogen and James Franco, the film is about journalist Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport from the popular TV show Skylark Tonight as they are hired by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong Un. It is predicted to make $90 million. [xxx]

 

 

[i] Columbia Pictures Logo. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[ii] Sony Pictures Contacts. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iii] Sony/Columbia Executives. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iv] History of Columbia Pictures. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[v] Sony Divisions. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[vi] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vii] Sony Financials Q2 FY13. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[viii] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vix] Sony Predictions. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[x] Columbia Films 2014. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xi] 22 Jump Street Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xii] 22 Jump Street Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xiii] The Equalizer Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xiv] The Equalizer Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xv] Fury Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xvi] Fury Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xvii] Fury Free for Veterans 11/11. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xviii] Ghostbusters Re-release Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xix] Ghostbusters Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xx] Ghostbusters Re-release Poster. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xxi] Ghostbusters Re-Release Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxii] Hotfile Shuts Down. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiii] Columbia Anti-Piracy Case. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Hackers take Sony. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxv] Sony Movies Leaked. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvi] Hackers Call Out Lynton on Twitter. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvii] Sony Responds to Hack. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxviii] Annie Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Annie Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxx] The Interview Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxxi] The Interview Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.

Focus Features

Posted on by 
by Punika Limpanudom
Focus Feature Logo

[26] Focus Features Logo

HISTORY

Founded by David Linde and James Schamus in 2002, Focus Features is the art house branch of NBC Universal and a subsidiary company of Universal Pictures. The company is as a product of the divisional merger between USA Films and Good Machine. The company has produced cult classics like Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and Academy Award-winning films like Brokeback Mountain (2005), which grossed $83 million domestically [1].

[24]

[24] “Brokeback Mountain” is one of Focus Features’ most critically acclaimed films, winning Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score at the 2006 Academy Awards.

Focus Features produces independent films with a niche target audience, tackling genres that big-budget blockbusters may not produce, putting emphasis on dramatic cinematography and character insight over a commercially-driven plot lines. Examples of successful movies with niche markets produced by Focus Features are Sophia Coppola‘s Lost in Translation (2003) and Wes Anderson‘s Moonrise Kingdom (2012). The company also handles film production, film financing and worldwide distribution, which means they are vertically integrated to produce a film from start to finish; pre-production all the way through to distribution, domestically and internationally.

On October 2013, James Schamus stepped down from the position of CEO upon the merger between FilmDistrict and placed Peter Schlessel, the founder of FilmDistrict, to be the chief executive of Focus Features in January 2014 [2].

KEY EXECUTIVES

[2] Peter Schlessel, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Features

[3] Peter Schlessel, CEO of Focus Features

Christine Birch, President of Marketing

[4] Christine Birch, President of Marketing

Adrian Alperovich, Chief Operating Officer

[5] Adrian Alperovich, Chief Operating Officer

FINANCIALS

Focus Features ranks 12th in overall film distributor companies, owning 1.1% of the total market share as of November 23, 2014. The company’s total gross is $104.5 million with 11 movies released in 2014 so far [6]. Focus Features had improved in market share from the previous year, ranking 13th with 1.1% market share and grossing $101 million with its 6 films that were released in 2013 [20]. There is a 15% increase in gross revenue, 2014 being comparatively more successful than 2013 [7] despite the critical success that came with Dallas Buyers Club during the 2014 Academy Award.

IN THEATERS

“The Theory of Everything” (2014)

The Theory of Everything Movie Poster

[13] ‘The Theory of Everything” is a biopic based on a biographical book by Jane Hawking called “Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen”

The biographical drama starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones was a limited release in five theaters in North America on November 7, 2014. The biopic “played well across all demographics” and Jim Orr, the head of distribution at Focus Features, said that “the film itself and the director will be getting Academy attention”. The opening weekend grossed $207K, averaging a strong $41,400 per theater. [8] The film expanded to wide release on November 26, 2014 and has grossed approximately $9.6 million in total domestically. [9] Redmayne, who stars the young astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, has already won the Palm Springs International Film Festival‘s Desert Palm Achievement Award and Hollywood Film Awards‘ Hollywood Breakout Performance Actor Award in November 2014. Redmayne has been predicted to receive critical attention for the Best Actor award for the upcoming Academy Awards in 2015 [10][11][12]

FALL 2014 RELEASED MOVIES

“The Boxtrolls” (2014)

[

[15] “The Boxtrolls” is the product of collaboration between Portland-based animation studio, LAIKA, and Focus Features.

The fantasy stop-motion animation was released on September 26, 2014 grossed $49.6 million domestically and $56.2 million internationally. During its opening weekend, The Boxtrolls ranked 3rd, opening in 3,464 theaters and averaging $4,987 per theater, which became 34.9% of the total gross. Looking at the somewhat successful feedback of the partnership between LAIKA and Focus Features in producing and distributing The Boxtrolls, generating $49.6 million dollars domestically, the domestic revenue did not break-even with the high cost of producing animation, which was $60 million budget for production. Fortunately, the animation grossed over $56 million overseas, which in turn becomes over half of the lifetime gross of the film, bringing the total worldwide gross to $107.8 million, holding the film above water and breaking even with the $60 million production budget [14].

Produced by LAIKA, a Portland-based animation studio that has previously produced Oscar-nominated Coraline (2009) and ParaNorman (2012), both of which was distributed by Focus Features, the company signed an extension to their partnership, adding three more films to be made. Once again Focus Features will be distributing domestic releases, while international distribution will be under Universal Pictures International [16].

“Kill the Messenger” (2014)

A thriller directed by Homeland director Michael Cuesta was released on October 10, 2014 and received positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 77% rating from 97 reviews [17]. It grossed $2.4 million domestically [18] and was ranked 15th at the box office during the opening weekend, debuting with Buena Vista‘s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which ranked 2nd. The Boxtrolls, distributed by Focus Features, ranked 9th on the film’s debuting weekend [19]. Though Kill The Messenger wasn’t a total flop for Focus Features but the movie flew under the radar, despite its lukewarm reviews. This might be because it debuted with bigger blockbuster movies on the same weekend as mentioned previously.

UPCOMING

“Black Sea” (2015)

A suspense thriller starring Academy Award nominee, Jude Law, will be released in January 2015. Directed by Kevin MacDonald, Black Sea follows a cryptic submarine captain and his band of misfit crew in search of a hidden treasure. The critically acclaimed director has been known for his award-winning works such as The Last King of Scotland. The film is scheduled to release in Europe and the United Kingdoms in December 2014 [21][22].

[

[25] Focus Feature picked up the development of the adaptation of best-selling young adult novel “The Scorpio Races” after a turnaround with Warner Bros.

“The Scorpio Races”

Focus Features has signed to develop adaptation of the popular young adult series The Scorpio Races written by Maggie Stiefvater. After falling through with Warner Bros., the adaptation was then taken to Focus Features to develop. The screenplay will be adapted by Jack Thorne, produced by KatzSmith Productions and Jay Ireland is placed to be the Executive Producer [23]. This is a promising project for Focus Features, since the company’s adaptation productions has always been a success, such as Brokeback Mountain and Dallas Buyers Club.

PROJECTIONS FOR FOCUS FEATURES

With The Theory of Everything receiving a robust amount of Oscar buzz, Focus Feature is looking at a great Award Season in the upcoming year. The film is one of the frontrunner for Best Picture award and Best Actor by Redmayne‘s stellar performance in portraying the disease-ridden Stephen Hawking. The upcoming year is projected to be another improvement from the last, which peaked with Dallas Buyers Club‘s performance at the 2014 Academy Award. The extended partnership with LAIKA animation for another three movies is promising, judging by their previous successful collaborations with Coraline and ParaNorman. Next year will be another relatively successful year for Focus Features since the highly anticipated adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey” will be released on Valentine’s Day 2015.

SOURCES

[1] Box Office by Studio: Focus Features. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[2] Miller, Daniel (October 2 2013). FlimDistrict’s Schlessel to head Focus Features as Schamus departs. LA Times. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[3] Peter Schlessel. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1 2014

[4] Christine Birch. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1 2014

[5] Adrian Alperovich. NBCUniversal. Retrieved December 1 2014

[6] Studio Market Share 2014. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[7] Studio Market Share: Yearly Comparison. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[8] Brooks, Brian (November 9 2014). ‘The Theory of Everything’ Hawking Relatively Strong Box Office Debut. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[9] The Theory of Everything (2014). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[10] Feinberg, Scott (September 7 2014). Toronto: Eddie Redmayne Leaps to Head of Oscar Pack for ‘Theory of Everything’. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[11] Feinberg, Scott (September 7 2014). Palm Springs Film Fest: Eddie Redmayne Lands top Actor Honor for ‘Theory of Everything’. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[12] Gray, Tim (September 7 2014). Toronto: ‘Theory of Everything’ Has the Right Formula for Oscars. Variety. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[13] The Theory of Everything Movie Poster. teaser-trailer.com. Retrieved December 1 2014

[14] The Boxtrolls (2014). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[15] The Boxtrolls Movie Poster. impawards.com. Retrieved December 1 2014

[16] Yamato, Jen (October 3 2014). Post-‘Boxtrolls’, focus Features & LAIKA Pact On Three More Films. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[17] Kill The Messenger (2014). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[18] Kill the Messenger (2014). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[19] Weekend Box Office: October 10-12, 2014. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[20] Studio Market Share 2013. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[21] Tartaglione, Nancy (November 30 2014). ‘Mockingjay’, ‘Interstellar’, ‘Penguins’ Lead Frame; ‘Paddington’ Charms UK: Int’l B.O.. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[22] D’Alessandro, Anthony (July 2 2014). Focus Features To Bow ‘Black Sea’ In January; ‘Selfless’ & ‘Insidious 3’ Make Sked Changes. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved: november 30 2014

[23] Ford, Rebecca (November 5 2014). Focus to Develop YA Adaptation ‘Scorpio Races’ (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved: November 30 2014

[24] Brokeback Mountain Movie Poster. impawards.com. Retrieved December 1 2014

[25] The Scorpio Races Book Cover. goodreads.com. Retrieved December 1 2014

[26] Focus Features Logo. NBCUniversal. Retrieved December 1 2014

Columbia Pictures

Posted on by 
by Javier Vélez

Columbia Pictures

Columbia Logo

Courtesy of fortune.com (a)

Contact Information: (b)

Address: 10202 W. Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

Phone: 310-244-4000

http://www.sonypictures.com/

 Key Executives: (c)

Doug Belgrad [6]

Doug Belgrad (President)

image retrieved from the Hollywood Reporter

Hannah Minghella (President of Production)

 

 About Columbia Pictures:

Rita Hayworth       Courtesy of: Fanpop.com

The production studio known today as Columbia Pictures was founded in 1918 by Joe Brandt and brothers Jack and Harry Cohn. Originally named Cohn-Brandt-Cohn Film Sales, the company became Columbia Pictures in 1924. During the Hollywood Golden Age, Columbia had many stars of the era under contract, such as Rita Hayworth and William Holden, and became a major player in the movie business thanks to the productions of director Frank Capra.(d) In 1982, the company was bought by Coca-Cola, and in 1989 Sony purchased it for $3.4 billion.(e) Columbia Pictures is currently the film production and distribution division of Sony Picture’s Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a Sony subsidiary.(f) The most recent movement at the executive level occurred on July 16, 2014, when Doug Belgrad was promoted to president of the Sony Motion Picture Group. (g)                    

Financials:

Columbia Pictures, and its parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment, are privately traded.(h) The company has had notable releases in the last few years, including box office successes such as Skyfall and the Spider-Man franchise. From its 853 films produced or distributed for Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures releases have grossed $31,650,056,784, an average of $37 million per film.(i) In 2014, Columbia Pictures has held a 13.0% market share as of November 23.(j)

The Amazing Spider-Man                 Courtesy of Boxofficemojo.com

Columbia Pictures Success:

At the 2014 Oscars, films distributed by Columbia Pictures received 16 nominations. American Hustle received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Director.  It won two Oscars, Jennifer Lawrence for Best Supporting Actress and David O. Russell & Eric Warren Singer for Best Original Screenplay. (k)

American Hustle poster                                                                 Courtesy of: Forbes.com

The other Columbia release that received Oscar Nominations was Captain Phillips. Of the six nominations received, the most noteworthy were for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for first-time actor Barkhad Abdi. The film did not win any Academy Awards.

The stars of Captain Phillips, Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi             Courtesy of aceshowbiz.com

 Columbia Pictures Presents:

Columbia Pictures has produced and/or distributed 17 films in 2014. Between superhero films, action films, and comedies, among others, the studio has released some of the most well-received films of the year by audiences.

During the summer, Columbia Pictures produced the sequel to 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Jamie Foxx. The movie was released on May 2, 2014 in 4,324 theaters, grossing $110,700,722 in its first week. It went on to have a successful run in theaters, grossing over $200 million domestically and over $505 million in foreign markets, for a worldwide gross of $708, 983, 323 against a budget of $200 million. (l) In China, the movie was released in 11,002 theaters, a record amount of screens. (m) The film was not as big a hit with critics, receiving mixed reviews. (n)

Teaser Poster for The Amazing Spider-Man 2                           Courtesy of: Boxofficemojo.com

Another high-profile release in the summer of 2014 was 22 Jump Street, the sequel to 2012’s critical and commercial hit, 21 Jump Street. The movie, which pokes fun at conventional sequels, starred the buddy cop team of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as they move on from high school to college.

It was released on June 13, 2014, and went on to gross $191 million domestically, making up its $50 million budget. Internationally, the film made $131 million, for a total worldwide gross of $331 million. It was also well-received by critics, obtaining a 84% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (o) (p)

Now Playing:

The Equalizer poster                  Courtesy of: IMDB.com

After the summer blockbuster season, Columbia Pictures has released two films that have been well-received by audiences. The first is “The Equalizer”, an action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington as a retired government official who must save an innocent girl from Russian gangsters. The film was released on September 26, 2014. (q) It is adapted from a TV series of the same name that aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. (r) This is Fuqua’s and Denzel’s first film together since Training Day, for which Denzel won an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film opened its box office run with a $45 million gross its first week, opening in first place. It went on to gross $99 million domestically and $90 million in international sales, for a worldwide gross of around $190 million against a budget of $55 million. (s) The film received mixed-to-positive reviews. (t)

The other film Columbia has released in the fall is “Fury”, a World War II tank movie starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman, written and directed by David Ayer. The movie deals with a tank unit behind enemy lines during the latter stages of the war and presents, with unflinching reality, the brutalities of war. (u) The film was released on October 17, 2014 and opened in first place at the box office with a $33 million gross its first week. “Fury” is still in theaters, and as of November 28, 2014 has grossed approximately $81 million domestically and $74 million globally, good for a total gross of $155 million against a budget of $68 million. For the week of November 21-27, the film’s sixth week, “Fury” was still in the top 10 highest grossing films of the week. (v) (w) The film has been well-received by critics, holding a 78% “Certified Fresh” Rotten Tomatoes rating. (x)

Future:

Annie (2014) poster           Courtesy of: IMDB.com

Columbia Pictures plans to take advantage of the holiday season, distributing two films. The first is a modern re-telling of the musical “Annie”,produced by Jay-Z and starring Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis. The movie will be released on December 19, 2014. The comedy-musical will look to appeal to a broad audience. (y)

Another film being distributed in December by Columbia Pictures is the comedy “The Interview”. The controversial film (z) stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as a TV presenter and his producer, respectively, who are sent to North Korea to kill Kim Jong-un. The film will be released on December 25, 2014, and will look to appeal to mature audiences on Christmas Day. (aa)

Movies to be distributed and/or produced by Columbia Pictures in the following years include a Neill Blomkamp film titled Chappie, an Angry Birds movie, and spin-offs of the Amazing Spider-Man franchise. (bb) Also in production is the next installment in the Bond franchise, with the working title of Bond 24. The film will once again be helmed by “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes and will star Daniel Craig as the titular 007 agent and Christoph Waltz as a Bond villain. It is yet to be seen how production of these and other Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures films will be altered by the November 24, 2014  hacks on their worldwide computer networks. Recent releases like “Fury” and soon-to-be-released features like “Annie” were leaked by this attack. (cc) (dd) 

 Sources:

Relativity Media

Posted on by 
by Jason Tuckman
Relativity_Media_-_2013_(Free_Birds)

Photo courtesy of logos.wikia.com. (1)

Relativity Media

Contact Information: (2) 

Address: 9242 Beverly Blvd., Suite 300, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Phone Number: 310-724-7700

URL: http://www.relativitymedia.com

Twitter: @Relativity 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relativity

An Overview of Relativity Media:

Focusing on the content creation and distribution of television, film, sports, music, fashion, and digital, Relativity Media was founded in 2004 by CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. (3) Relativity Media seeks to integrate different aspects of its content throughout all of its mediums, providing the best entertainment for its customers.  Relativity Media Studios, the largest division of the company, has produced over 200 films such as “Don Jon”, “Out of the Furnace“, “Movie 43“, and “The Pursuit of Happyness“.  The company has made more than $17 billion in box office revenue and has earned 60 Oscar nominations. (4)

Key Executives: 

CEO: Ryan Kavanaugh

President: Tucker Tooley

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Co-Chief Operating Officer: Happy Walters

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Co-Chief Operating Officer: Gregory Shamo

Photos and Info. Courtesy of http://www.relativitymedia.com/About.aspx (5)

Financials:

According to Ryan Kavanaugh, this year Relativity Media plans to make $1 billion in box office revenue, although the company is privately held and there is no official public documentation of revenue. (6) Kavanaugh believes in tight budgets that don’t necessarily need to be hits to make a profit. (7)  This strategy is called the “Monte Carlo” approach, which is mainly used on Wall Street.  This approach uses information about a possible movie and analyzes whether or not it will make a profit.  Considering actors, budget, genre, and release time, Relativity Media is able to figure out which possible movies will be hits, and which ones will be flops. (8) Therefore, the company is able to use small budgets to make small profits, which add up over time to make Relativity Media successful.  Currently, Relativity Media is privately held but is planning on going public in the next year once enough equity is raised. (9)

Current Movies:

Relativity Media has released nine films this year, four of which are still in theaters.  The films still in theaters are “The November Man”, “Beyond the Lights”, and “The Best of Me”.  “Hector and the Search for Happiness”, an action comedy staring Simon Pegg, was released in select theaters during the month of September. (10)

“Hector and the Search for Happiness”

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Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (11)

Directed by Peter Chelsom, “Hector and the Search for Happiness” tells the story of a psychiatrist who feels guilty that his patients aren’t getting happier, leading him on a quest to understand the true meaning of happiness. (12)  The movie was only released to 183 theaters and made $938,954 in revenue. (13) It garnered negative reviews, receiving only 31% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The November Man”

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Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (14)

Directed by Roger Donaldson, and staring Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, and Olga Kurylenko, “The November Man” is an action thriller about a retired spy who must come out of retirement for a personal mission.  It is based off the novel “There are No Spies”, by Bill Granger. (15) So far, it has made $32 million dollars globally in box office revenue.  It’s budget is disclosed, and came in sixth for its opening weekend in late August, way behind “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. (16) It received negative reviews, with only 34% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The Best of Me”

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Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (17)

Based off the Nicholas Sparks novel, “The Best of Me” is a drama/romance film that tells the story of two high school sweethearts that, after 20 years, are drawn back to their hometown after the death of a friend.  They rekindle their high school love, but realize that there are problems after being apart for so long.  The movie is directed by Michael Hoffman and stars Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, and Luke Bracey. (18) Ranked fifth in its opening weekend, “The Best of Me” has made just under $33 million in global box office revenue, $25 million domestically. (19) It also received an underwhelming 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.  In late October, B4U, a Bollywood Film and TV company invested $100 million in Relativity Media to make a version of “The Best of Me” for audiences in India. (20)

“Beyond the Lights”

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Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (21)

Watch the trailer here.  Courtesy of youtube.com

Relativity Media’s most recent film, “Beyond the Lights” opened on November 14, 2014.  Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and staring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, and Minnie Driver, “Beyond the Lights” tells the story of a young popstar who falls in love with a cop who is striving to become a prominent politician.  Fame tests their relationship as they struggle to find peace in the madness that surrounds their lives. (22) The film has made $6.2 million in box office revenue during its opening weekend, and currently has $12 million in total domestic revenue, with a reported budget of $7 million, and received 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. (23)

On August 12, 2014, Relativity Media hired Matt Alvarez as EVP of Production and President of Relativity Studio’s newly formed multicultural division. Alvarez produced hits such as “Ride Along”, the “Barbershop” franchise, and Relativity’s recent movie, “Beyond the Lights”. He will focus on growing the studio’s slate with more diverse filmmakers. (24)

Recent News:

On October 2nd, Relativity Media announced that One West Bank Group and Dune Capital Management is set to purchase Elliot Management’s stake in Relativity Media, along with Ryan Kavanaugh himself. The purchase is led by Ryan Kavanaugh, One West Bank Group and Dune Capital Management’s founder, Steven Mnuchin, along with some other unnamed private investors. (25) This investment shift may hint at secret preparations for Relativity’s IPO release in the next year. Kavanaugh will still be the largest individual shareholder of the company and no specific financials were released. (26) Steven Mnucin is no stranger to Hollywood. He is known for helping to finance “Gravity” and “Avatar”.

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Photo courtesy of blumhouse.com (27)

On November 4th, Relativity acquired the rights to distribute “Lazarus”, a horror film, in the U.S. This movie comes from Jason Blum’s production company, Blumhouse, and is set to be released on February 20th, 2015. The movie stars Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Evan Peters, and Donald Glover. Blumhouse is known for box office hits such as the “Paranormal Activity” franchise as well as recent success, “Ouija”. “Lazarus” is about a group of medical students who discover a way to bring dead patients back to life. (28)

In Development:

“Not Without Hope”

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Photo courtesy of www.relativitymedia.com (29)

Based on the best selling memoir by Nick Schuyler, “Not Without Hope” tells the true story of four NFL players who go on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico that turns deadly when the ship capsizes, forcing the friends to cling to the the capsized boat while a storm rages around them. (30) This gruesome tale of friendship will star Dwayne Johnson and has recently begun script adaptation by Nicholas Mariani. (31)

“Demon House”

17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards - Portraits

Lee Daniels, Director.  Photo courtesy of thereelnetwork.net (32)

Directed by Lee Daniels, this movie will tell the story of Latoya Ammons and her family, whom have been possessed by demonic spirits for the past two years.  Turn Left Productions, with owners Jackson Nguyen and Todd Crites will finance, produce, and distribute the film along with Relativity Media and producer Bruce Cohen. (33) This will be an interesting change for Lee Daniels, known for “The Butler”, who is now taking a turn at making a thriller.

Sources:

(1) Relativity Media Logo From 2013.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.

(2) Relativity Media Contact Information From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.

(3) Founded From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.

(4) Relativity Media About From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.

(5) Relativity Media Executives From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(6) Relativity Media Profitability From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(7) Tight Budgets Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(8) Monte Carlo Approach Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(9) IPO Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(10) 2014 Films From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.  
(11) Hector and the Search for Happiness Movie Poster From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.  
(12) Hector and the Search for Happiness Synopsis From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.  
(13) Hector and the Search for Happiness Box Office From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.  
(14) The November Man Movie Poster From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(15) The November Man Synopsis From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(16) The November Man Box Office From 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(17) The Best of Me Movie Poster From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(18) The Best of Me Synopsis From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(19) The Best of Me Box Office From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(20) The Best of Me Bollywood From 30 October 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.   
(21) Beyond the Lights Movie Poster From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(22) Beyond the Lights Synopsis From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(23) Beyond the Lights Box Office From 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(24) Matt Alvarez From 12 August 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(25) Relativity Media Purchase From 2 October 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(26) IPO Holdings From 2 October 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(27) Blumhouse Productions Logo Retrieved 30 November 2014. 
(28) Lazarus From 4 November 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(29) Not Without Hope Book Cover Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(30) Not Without Hope Synopsis Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(31) Not Without Hope Development From 10 October 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.
(32) Lee Daniels Retrieved 30 November 2014.  
(33) Demon House Development From 12 November 2014.  Retrieved 30 November 2014.