Focus Features

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Tianjia Zhang

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.)

Focus Features

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Jacob Greenfeld

Jacob Greenfeld

[1] Focus Features Logo

Focus Features, LLC
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Phone: (818) 777-8738
Fax: (818) 866-4579
http://www.focusfeatures.com

About

Founded in 2002, the film production and distribution company known as Focus Features serves under the NBCUniversal brand in its art house film department. Some of Focus Features’ blockbuster titles include Brokeback Mountain (2005), Coraline (2009), and Burn After Reading (2008) as well as a recent hit with Insidious Chapter 3 (2015) [2][3]. As a subsidiary of NBCUniversal’s larger and more dominant film studio, Universal Pictures, Focus Features tends to be utilized more for speciality films, and after signing Laika Studios (a small stop-motion animation studio based out of Oregon) to a three film deal in October of last year as well as reviving Gramercy Pictures on May 20 of this year, it is likely that the trend of horror and animation will continue [23][28].

Executives

[4] Peter Schlessel, Chief Executive Officer

[5] Jim Burke, President of Production

[6] Josh McLaughlin, Executive VP

Financials

Focus Features is a privately traded company and its financials are not public. 2015 has been a mildly successful year for Focus Features. It increased its total box office gross to $112.7 million (as of December 2, 2015, with Suffragette and The Danish Girl still in theaters), up 2% from last year’s $110.5 million. This increase bumped up its ranking on the top grossing film studios list to ninth place with 1.1% of the market share (ranked twelfth in 2014), however it is still eclipsed by its big brother Universal Pictures which holds the number one rank with $2.35 billion along with 23.9% of the market share [7][8].
Focus Features broke its record for the number of movies produced in one year at twelve in 2014, and this year the film studio was able to match it [7]. It also generated some revenue from DVD sales, with a little over $3 million coming in from Insidious Chapter 3, $1.1 million from Black Sea, and $400,00 from 5 Flights Up along with others whose revenues have not yet been listed [25][26][27].

Recent Releases

Insidious Chapter 3

[9] Insidious Chapter 3 Poster

Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, Insidious Chapter 3 is the prequel and third installment in the supernatural horror film series. Set prior to the eerie events that surrounded the Lambert family, Insidious Chapter 3 chronicles Elise Rainier’s struggle to help a young girl who is in grave danger by using her psychic abilities to talk to the dead [15]. Released in theaters on June 5, 2015, Whannell’s horror film was an instant hit, generating a $10.5 million box office gross on its premiere alone. By the time it was taken out of theaters in August 13, 2015, Insidious Chapter 3 had made over $52 million, cementing itself as the fifth highest grossing film produced by Focus Features of all time [3][14]. Leigh Whannell was nominated for a “Directors to Watch” award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for this film, which he won [16].

Sinister 2

MV5BMjQ2NTM5NzU3MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDAwMTQyNTE@._V1_SX640_SY720_

[10] Sinister 2 Poster

Sinister 2, another addition to a supernatural horror film series, was directed by Ciaran Foy and premiered in theaters on August 21, 2015. The film follows the story of a young mother whose twin boys are haunted by ghosts [17]. While it didn’t quite match the success of Insidious Chapter 3, Sinister 2 did pretty well for itself, grossing $4.67 million in the box office on opening night, almost $28 million in total, and generating the second highest Focus Features box office gross of 2015 (behind Insidious Chapter 3) and twentieth of all time [3][17].

Suffragette

[11] Suffragette Poster

Suffragette, which stars big names such as Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep is a historical drama set in Britain that tells the story of the early feminist movement and their fight against their barbaric State [19]. Directed by Sarah Gavron, Suffragette was released on October 23, 2015 and grossed $22,618 despite premiering in only four theaters. It is now in its sixth week and has made over $4 million at the box office [20]. It has won multiple awards, including “Mind the Gap” at the Mill Valley Film Festival (Sarah Gavron), “Actress of the Year” at the Hollywood Film Awards (Carey Mulligan), and the “Tangerine Entertainment Juice Award” at the Hamptons International Film Festival (Sarah Gavron), along with nominations for “Best Actress” (Carey Mulligan), “Best Supporting Actor” (Brendan Gleeson), “Best Supporting Actress” (Anne-Marie Duff), and “Best Supporting Actress” (Helena Bonham Carter) at the British Independent Film Awards [21].

Upcoming Releases

The Forest

[12] The Forest Poster

The Forest, which is yet another supernatural horror film, is set to be released in early January of 2016. It is directed by Jason Zada and stars Natalie Dormer. The Forest is based on the Aokigahara Forest, which is an actual Japanese forest where people go to commit harakiri. Focus Features purchased the rights to distribute the film domestically in May of 2014 [22]. When the film studio revived Gramercy Pictures last May, The Forest was one of the films listed on their slate [23].

Ratchet & Clank

[13] Ratchet and Clank Poster

Co-directed by Jericca Cleland and Kevin Munroe, Ratchet & Clank is a comedy/action/ sci-fi film that is based on the Ratchet & Clank video game series and is computer animated. Sticking to its roots, Insomniac Games, the creators of the series, have had a major influence over the film from the story and character development to the animation and film production. Some of the voice-over artists from the original game series have returned to give their characters life once again. Also adding to the nostalgia is the utilization of elements specific to the video games in the film. Ratchet & Clank is set to be released in the US on April 29, 2016.

Future

With the recent revival of Gramercy Pictures, the three film deal Focus Features signed Laika Studios to last year following the success of The Boxtrolls, and this new partnership with Insomniac Games, expect to see a slew of horror (i.e. The Forest, A Monster Calls) and animated films (i.e. Ratchet & Clank, Kubo and the Two Strings) in the not-so-distant future [28]. While it may seem like Focus Features is pigeon-holing itself, that may not be the worst thing. Because Focus Features is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, and they are both subsidiaries of NBCUniversal, there is not too much pressure on Focus Features to consistently have blockbusters. Not to say that there would not be any repercussions if Focus Features didn’t have a big box office draw ever again, just as long as they have one or two films each year that keeps the competition on its toes (i.e. The Boxtrolls in 2014 and Insidious Chapter 3 in 2015) they will continue to thrive and produce the specialty films that they are known for.

[1] Focus Features Logo. Retrieved December 2, 2015. cdn.collider.com
[2] Focus Features, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2015. focusfeatures.com
[3] All-Time Box Office by Studio: Focus Features. Retrieved December 2, 2015. boxofficemojo.com
[4] SHOCKER! Peter Schlessel Takes Over Focus Features. Retrieved December 2, 2015. deadline.com
[5] Quotes by Jim Burke. Retrieved December 2, 2015. likesuccess.com
[6] LAFF Opening Night Screening of Focus Features’ “Talk to Me” – Arrivals (Josh McLaughlin). Retrieved December 2, 2015. zimbio.com
[7] Yearly Comparisons of Total Box Office Gross: Focus Features. Retrieved December 2, 2015. boxofficemojo.com
[8] 2015 Box Office Gross and Studio Market Share. Retrieved December 2, 2015. boxofficemojo.com
[9] Insidious Chapter 3 Poster. Retrieved December 2, 2015. upload.wikimedia.org
[10] Sinister 2 Poster. Retrieved December 2, 2015. ia.media-imdb.com
[11] Suffragette Poster. Retrieved December 2, 2015. img2.timeinc.net
[12] The Forest Poster. Retrieved December 2, 2015. s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
[13] Ratchet and Clank Poster. Retrieved December 2, 2015. c2.staticflickr.com
[14] Daily Domestic Gross: Insidious Chapter 3. Retrieved December 2, 2015. boxofficemojo.com
[15] Insidious Chapter 3. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[16] Palm Springs International Film Festival. Retrieved December 2, 2015. psfilmfest.org
[17] Sinister 2. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[18] Daily Domestic Gross: Sinister 2. Retrieved December 2, 2015. boxofficemojo.com
[19] Suffragette. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[20] Daily Domestic Gross: Suffragette. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[21] Suffragette Awards. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[22] The Forest. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[23] Focus Revives Gramercy Pictures Label for Genre Films. Retrieved December 2, 2015. deadline.com
[24] Ratchet & Clank. Retrieved December 2, 2015. imdb.com
[25] Insidious Chapter 3 Home Market Performance. Retrieved December 2, 2015. the-numbers.com
[26] Black Sea Home Market Performance. Retrieved December 2, 2015. the-numbers.com
[27] 5 Flights Up Home Market Performance. Retrieved December 2, 2015. the-numbers.com
[28] Focus Features, Laika Ink Three-Film Pact. Retrieved December 2, 2015. hollywoodreporter.com

Focus Features

Posted on December 1, 2014 by jepflieg

by John Pflieger

[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 12^th 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 5^th 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

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 7^th in a limited release to 5 theaters grossed $208,763 and continued to succeed as it hit a wide release November 26^th in 802 theaters and grossed slightly over $5 million in its wide release opening[10]. As of December 1^st 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

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 10^th 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

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 26^th 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

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

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

Focus Features

Posted on October 5, 2014 by plimpanu

by Punika Limpanudom

[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] “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

[4] Christine Birch, President of Marketing

[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)

[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

Focus Features

Link

by Lizzie Kelleher

History

David Linde and James Schamus formed Focus Features in 2002, after the divisional merger of USA Films and Good Machine. Focus Features was created as the art cinema division of NBC Universal, typically producing, and distributing, their own independent films. With cult classics like Wet Hot American Summer and other successful films such as Brokeback Mountain, Focus Features gains a steady profit from it’s US and international branches. [1]

In 2013, Focus Features went through a merger with FilmDistrcit, and the company’s executive team was completely changed. Peter Schlessel replaced James Schamus as CEO, and Andrew Karpen, former co-CEO, decided not to return to the company.

Key Executives

Peter Schlessel- Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Peter Schlessel started at Sony, then became president of Columbia Pictures in 2000. He then moved on to run the independent film distribution company FilmDistrict. Schlessel joined from FilmDistrict, which was absorbed by Focus Features in 2013. He now acts as CEO, and has created a new management team. [2]

Adrian Aplerovich- Photo courtesy of Home Media Magazine

Adrian Alperovich was named Focus Features’ new Chief Operating Officer in 2013, also joining from FilmDistrict. [3]

Financials

As of Apirl 2014, Focus Features has a total gross of $44.9 million with only four movies. Acting as a private company, in 2013 Focus Features finished with annual gross of $37.3 million, up from $21.8 million is 2012. Two of Focus Features’ films did appear on the top 100 List for all movie grosses in 2013, with Dallas Buyers Club and The World’s End. Dallas Buyers Club’s critical acclaim helped the studio climb the list thanks to its high gross. However, there is speculation that Focus failed to turn an overall profit last year, which possibly led to the remolding of the company. Top competitors include DreamWorks, Lions Gate, and IFC Films. [4] [5] [6]

Recent Film Releases

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Jean-Marc Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club, is the story inspired by true events of Ron Woodroof’s refusal to accept his death. After being diagnosed as H.I.V positive, Ron is given 30 days to live. In search of better medication than the U.S can offer, Ron goes to Mexico and begins smuggling in different treatments. After befriending Rayon, who also is suffering from AIDS, the two form an underground “buyers club” to defy the scientific community, by providing H.I.V –positive people with non-approved medicine, and most importantly, hope. [7]

Dallas Buyers Club began its theatrical run in a limited release in only 9 theaters, but would eventually spread across the country to play in more than 1,100 theaters in its thirteenth week. The film has made a total domestic gross of more than $27 million, on a production budget of only $5 million. [8]

After its premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival, Dallas Buyers Club received high critical acclaim, and the film went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won lead actor Matthew McConaughey Best Actor. [7] [8] [9]

Current Film Releases

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Bad Words is a dark comedy staring, and directed by, Jason Bateman. Guy Trilby is a 40-year old spelling bee loser, who fights his way back into the National Quill Spelling Bee to win as an adult. Outraging parents and their 8^th grade children alike, Guy befriends a 10-year old named Chaitanya, whom he shows the crazier side of living, while also changing his own life. [10]

Bad Words opened with limited release on March 14^th, than expanded wide on March 28^th, eventually to 1,074 theaters. On the weekend domestic chart for April 4^th, Bad Words ranked overall 11^th, with a weekend gross of almost $2 million. The comedy now has a cumulative box office of over $7 million (as of April 21, 2014). [11]

The R-rated comedy received a 7 out of 10 on IMDb, but a weaker 56% positive review on Metacritic. However, overall reviews for the film are positive, Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly praised Bad Words as “Grade A-Hilarious.” [12] [13] [10] [11]

Upcoming Projects

In the process of production-

Courtesy of Indiewire

Focus Features is looking to take the place of The Weinstein Company to handle the domestic distribution of Passengers, a 2007 Black-List approved project staring Keanu Reeves. On his way to a distant planet, Reeves is a passenger, who wakes up from his sleep chamber years before anyone else. He decides to wake up a fellow female traveler for company, and the two fall in love, making Passengers a sci-fi romance. Game of Thrones director Brian Kirk is set to direct the film.

Reeves hired Jon Spaihts to write Passengers, and afterwards Reeves agreed to produce and star in the film. Spaihts is best known for co-writing Prometheus, another futuristic thriller that jump-started his career. While The Weinstein Company withdrew from the project after female lead Rachel McAdams left, Focus Features must see commercial potential in this high-value screenplay. [14] [15]

Courtesy of Focus Features

Focus Features has acquired rights to the 2014 Sundance Film Festival premiere Under the Electric Sky. The 3D film follows the Electric Daisy Carnival, and explores the phenomenon of electronic and dance music today.

The movie is interactive, with Focus Features encouraging audiences to use social media to spread word about the movie. Fans will also be able to create their own movie screening events. Under the Electric Sky is directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. [16]

Coming Soon

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

The Signal, set to release this June, is a sci-fi thriller directed by up-and-comer William Eubank. The film premiered at the Sun-Dance Film Festival. [17]

Courtesy of IMDb

The Boxtrolls is a 3D animated adventure coming alive next October. Based on the children’s novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow, is the story of a orphan boy, Eggs, who is raised underground by a group of ‘boxtrolls.’ The family film is created along with animation studio Laika.

Laika is known for their successful films like Coraline and ParaNorman, leaving The Boxtrolls set to have high expectations. [18]

Sources

[1] About Focus Features

[2] About Peter Schlessel

[3] About Adrian Alperovich

[4] Focus Features Yearly Comparisons- Box Office Mojo

[5] Focus Features “Failed Profit”- The Wrap

[6] Focus Features Competition- Hoovers

[7] About Dallas Buyers Club- Focus Features

[8] Dallas Buyers Club- Box Office Mojo

[9] Oscar Winners and Nominees

[10] About Bad Words- Focus Features

[11] Bad Words Box Office- The Numbers

[12] Bad Words Rating- IMDb

[13] Bad Words Rating- Metacritic

[14] Passengers heads to Focus Features- The Wrap

[15] Jon Spaihts Passengers on The Black List- The New York Times

[16] Under The Electric Sky– Focus Features

[17] The Signal- The Hollywood Reporter

[18] The Boxtrolls- Deadline

Focus Features

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Daniel Fabi

By Dan Fabi

Focus Features Logo courtesy of FocusFeatures.com

Locations

LOS ANGELES OFFICE

100 Universal City Plaza

Universal City, CA 91608

NEW YORK OFFICE

65 Bleecker Street – 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

26 Aybrook Street

London W1U 4AN

United Kingdom

History

Focus Features is a subdivision of NBCUniversal, which primarily specializes in art films aimed at niche markets rather than mass market audiences [1]. Focus Features allows the directors of the films they produce to have a final say in the editing room to produce the film that they had initially envisioned, creating a successful brand of art house films [2]. Last year, the company celebrated its ten-year anniversary after being established in May 2002 through the merger of USA Films and Good Machine. Focus’s first widely released film was The Pianist, which received three Academy Awards for best actor, best director, and best adapted screenplay [3].

Adrien Brody wins the Oscar for best Actor in "The Pianist" (2002)

Photo Courtesy of the Associatedv Press

Key Executives

James Schamus
Photo Courtesy of news.uchicago.edu

James Schamus, Founder and Outgoing CEO

Prior to forming Focus Features, James Schamus was the co-president of production company Good Machine, which he founded in 1991. Eleven years later, Schamus merged with USA Films to create Focus Features. Schamus is also an Academy Award nominee, receiving screenwriting and original score nominations for his work on Good Machine’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [4].

Peter Schlessel
Photo Courtesy of Deadline.com

Peter Schlessel, Incoming CEO

Formerly, Schlessel had founded FilmDistrict and was President for GK Films. GK has produced films such as Argo, Hugo, and World War Z. In January 2014, Schlessel’s term as Focus Features’ CEO will commence [5].

Andrew Karpen
Photo Courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com

Andrew Karpen, Outgoing Co-CEO

Karpen joined the Focus Features executive team over a year after it formed as the company’s COO. In May 2013, he was promoted to co-CEO. As Co-CEO, Karpen controlled Focus’s domestic and international activities. Before joining Focus Features, Karpen was Senior Vice President, finance of Oxygen Media, another subsidiary of NBCUniversal [6].

Adrian Alperovich
Photo Courtesy of homemediamagazine.com

Adrian Alperovich, Incoming COO

In May 2012, Alperovich was appointed Chief Operating Officer of FilmDistrict. Alperovich has been appointed to retain the title as his production company is absorbed by Focus. In January 2014, Alperovich’s term as Focus Features’ COO will commence [7].

Robert T. Gibson
Photo Courtesy of stage.nbcuni.com

Robert T. Gibson, CFO and Senior VP, Finance

In Mid-2004, Gibson joined Focus Features as Director, Finance and Strategic Planning. In 2009, he was appointed the company’s CFO. Gibson will follow the relocating of Focus Features headquarters to Los Angeles after previously being based in the company’s east coast offices [8].

Financials

In 2005, Focus Features released its highest grossing film, Brokeback Mountain. The film grossed over $83 million and received Oscars for best director, best adapted screenplay, and best original score [9]. In 2013 thus far, Focus has released six films, gaining a gross profit of $86.4 million. In 2012, the company received a gross profit of $131.2 million from eight films. By November of 2012, the company’s total gross from the six films they released was $109.1 million, most of which came from animated blockbuster film, Paranorman, with a total gross of over $56 million. From November 2012 to November 2013, Focus Features has seen a 21% drop in total gross [10].

Restructure

On October 1^st, 2013, Universal Pictures announced a restructuring of Focus Features caused by the production company’s owner, Comcast. Focus absorbed FilmDistrict and appointed many of the members of FilmDistrict’s production team. Peter Schlessel will replace James Schamus as the new CEO. Other transferring executives include Adrian Alperovich, former COO of FilmDistrict and incoming COO for Focus. After given the opportunity to relocate to Focus Features’ new headquarters in Los Angeles, former co-CEO of Focus, Andrew Karpen, chose to remain in New York City with his family [11].

Photo Courtesy of FilmDistrict

The reconstruction of Focus Features was meant to strengthen the company’s commercial competition with their rivals, some of which include DreamWorks Studios, Lions Gate Entertainment, and The Independent Film Channel LLC. By restructuring the company, Focus Features will begin producing films with more commercial potential [12].

Alison Thompson, head of Focus Features International

Alison Thompson
Photo Courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com

Along with the reconstruction of the executive team, the New York offices of Focus Features will be closed at an unspecified date and business will continue on the west coast [13]. On December 31^st, 2013, Focus Features International is set to close its headquarters. Alison Thompson, co-president of Focus International, will continue to run the department of Focus Features from outside of its London headquarters. The announcement has jolted the American Film Market, a major buyer of Focus International [14] [15].

Recent Film Releases

Dallas Buyers Club

Photo courtesy of critic.de

On November 1^st, Focus Features released the film Dallas Buyers Club to several select cities. The film tells the true story of a severely homophobic man, Ron Woodroof whom in 1985 is diagnosed with HIV, a disease he believed only homosexuals could catch. He then teams up with a group to form a “buyers club;” a group dedicated to purchasing medicines that they could not obtain in the United States. The film is rated R for profanity, violence, and nudity [17].

Photo Courtesy of UPI/Christine Chew

Due to it’s limited release, the film opened in nine theaters and gained $350,000 in its first week. As of November 17^th, the film has made about $3 million domestically. The film is directed by Jean-Marc Vallee and is starring Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner [18]. The film has gained much attention for its informational portrayal of the HIV virus as well as its groundbreaking performances by the lead actors. Lead actors McConaughey and Leto have been predicted for Oscar nominations by some of the industry’s top critics.[19].

The World’s End

Photo Courtesy of reggiestake.com

On August 23^rd, 2013, Focus released one of its highest grossing films of the 2013 fiscal year thus far called The World’s End. In it, a team of friends retries their “pub crawl” attempt, which they had failed 20 years earlier. The crawl involves twelve pubs in which each member must complete a pint of beer before they can move onto the next. The final pub, “The World’s End,” is the ultimate destination and one that the group failed to reach 20 years ago. Gary King, played by Simon Pegg, leads his team to the ultimate goal until they find that humankind is at stake [20].

Blu-Ray package Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy box set

Photo Courtesy of edgarwrighthere.com

The film was largely anticipated largely due to the reunion of the famed team of Director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The three have worked together on two previous films, Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007) [21]. The World’s End is the final installment of what’s known as the “Cornetto trilogy” due to the films’ ever-present color schemes that relate to some of the company’s ice cream flavors.

Upcoming Film Releases

Fifty Shades of Grey

Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com

In May 2011, the novel Fifty Shades of Grey was released and immediately became a widespread smash. Focus Features subsequently picked up the movie rights to the series for $5 million. The film has an estimated budget of around $40 million [22].

The film (and book) is about literature student Anastasia Steele who through a business interview meets billionaire entrepreneur Christian Grey. The man, who is tormented by his inner demons, explores an intimate relationship with Steele. The two launch into graphic and descriptive bouts of sexual fantasy [23].

Entertainment Weekly cover for the stars of "Fifty Shades of Grey," Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

Fifty Shades of Grey has been a large topic of conversation in the media and one whose details have been kept hidden. There have been numerous rumors of casting and some announcements of cast dropouts. Pacific Rim actor Charlie Hunnam announced that he was dropping out from being the title character, Christian Grey. Since then, Jamie Dornan has been hired, an actor who has appeared in Marie Antoinette and the ABC show Once Upon a Time [24].

Sources

[1] Focus Features Description

[2] Ten Years of Focus Features Anniversary Video

[3] The Pianist Film Awards

[4] James Schamus Bio

[5] Focus Features to Absorb FilmDistrict

[6] Andrew Karpen Bio

[7] FilmDistrict Names Three New Marketing Executives

[8] Robert T. Gibson Bio

[9] Brokeback Mountain Film Awards

[10] Box Office Mojo – Focus Features All Time

[11] Focus Features Brings in Majority of FilmDistrict Team Post Shake-Up

[12] Focus Features Hoovers Profile

[13] Focus Features New York Office to Close

[14] Focus Features International Will Close Doors Dec. 31

[15] AFM Adjusts to Life After Focus Features Int’l

[16] Box Office Mojo – Focus Features Future Releases

[17] IMDb – Dallas Buyers Club

[18] Box Office Mojo – Dallas Buyers Club

[19] Rotten Tomatoes – Dallas Buyers Club

[20] IMDb – The World’s End Plot Summary

[21] IMDb – Edgar Wright

[22] Fifty Shades of Grey Film Facts

[23] Fifty Shades of Grey Plot Summary

[24] Fifty Shades of Grey Casting

FilmDistrict

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Asher Lethbridge-Simon

By Asher Lethbridge-Simon

[1]

Company Information [2]

1540 2nd Street, Suite 200,

Santa Monica, CA 90401 United States

Phone Number – 310-315-1722

Website – http://www.filmdistrict.com/

Email – Contact@filmdistrict.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/FilmDistrict/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/FDFilms

Overview [3]

FilmDistrict is an independent private media company that focuses in film production, distribution, and acquisition. Originally founded by current CEO Peter Schlessel in September of 2010, FilmDistrict has released 16 films since its inception. The company releases an average of 6-8 films per year across a wide breadth of genres. Although they cover a variety of genres, all of FilmDistrict’s films feature well-known filmmakers with a renowned cast.

Company Executives [4]

CEO – Peter Schlessel [26]

COO – Adrian Alperovich [27]

President of Marketing – Christine Birch [28]

History

[25]

After being founded in 2010, FilmDistrict quickly struck a deal with Netflix to host their films on the streaming service. [5] Under this arrangement films released by FilmDistrict would be available to stream on Netflix just a few months after DVD release. This deal was followed by the release of FilmDistrict’s first film, Insidious in April of 2011. Insidious was hailed as a truly scary movie with warnings from The Wall Street Journal, “Just don’t go in alone.”[6] In addition to critical success, Insidious was the most profitable film of 2011, raking in over $100 million worldwide on a budget of just over $1 million. [7]

FilmDistrict found success again with Drive, the modern crime drama starring Ryan Gosling. Adding to incredible critical success, Drive was ranked in the top 10 movies of 2011 by Roger Ebert [8], Drive grossed $77,560,689 worldwide on a budget of $13 million. [9] Other notable films released by FilmDistrict have been indie comedy Safety Not Guaranteed, sci-fi thriller Looper, and the remake of horror classic Evil Dead.

In April of 2013, FilmDistrict launched subsidiary company High Top Releasing. High Top Releasing provides distribution assistance for indie producers. Through High Top Releasing producers can access help with “sales, in-theater marketing and print-control support, film-rental negotiation and collection capabilities.” [10] Currently two films have been released through High Top Releasing, I’m in Love with a Church Girl and The Ultimate Life.

Financials

FilmDistrict is not a publicly traded company nor does it release financial information on their website, but below are the film budgets compared to worldwide gross of all of FilmDistrict’s 2012 and 2013 releases. [11] Films marked with an asterisk (*) did not receive a worldwide release.

2012 Films

Lockout – $20 Million Budget / $32,204,030 Worldwide Gross / +$12,204,030

Safety Not Guaranteed* – Budget Unavailable / $4,010,957 Domestic Gross / N/A

Looper – $30 Million Budget / $176,506,819 Worldwide Gross / +$146,504,819

Red Dawn* – $65 Million Budget / $44,806,783 Domestic Gross / -$20,193,217

Playing for Keeps* – Budget Unavailable / $13,102,272 Domestic Gross / N/A

2013 Films

Parker* – $35 Million Budget / $17,616,641 Domestic Gross / -$17,383,359

Dead Man Down – Budget Unavailable / $18,074,539 Worldwide Gross / N/A

Olympus Has Fallen – $70 Million Budget / $161,025,640 Worldwide Gross / +$91,025,640

Evil Dead – $17 Million Budget / $97,542,952 Worldwide Gross / +$80,542,952

Insidious: Chapter 2 – $5 Million Budget /$148,869,949 Worldwide Gross / +$143,869,949

Right Here, Right Now

Corporate Restructuring

While FilmDistrict still has one more film slated for 2013 release, there has been some corporate restructuring taking place. Recent layoffs at Focus Features and the removal of CEO James Schamus has sparked an absorption of FilmDistrict. [12] Current CEO of FilmDistrict Peter Schlessel will be succeeding Schamus as the new CEO of Focus Features. Joining Schlessel in moving to Focus Features are his fellow executives, Adrian Alperovich as COO, Christine Birch as Marketing Prexy, Jim Orr as Head of Distribution, and Lia Buman as Head of Acquisitions. [13]

FilmDistrict will continue to release upcoming films Oldboy and That Awkward Moment under the FilmDistrict name, but films slated for release after January of 2014 (Pompeii and Walk of Shame) are expected to be released by the newly structured Focus Features as FilmDistrict will be shutting down. [14]

FilmDistrict Coming Attractions

Oldboy [15]

[16]

The Spike Lee remake of the classic Korean cult film is scheduled to be released on November 27th of 2013. Oldboy is an action thriller with a darker tone than most. The film stars Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Samuel L. Jackson. Joe Ducett (Brolin) is held captive for 20 years in a hotel room and then mysteriously released. After his release he goes on a hunt to discover why he was imprisoned and by whom.

While some fans worry about their favorite movie being altered, Samuel L. Jackson assured fans that while it is a remake, it is not the same film as its predecessor, “There are so many things that are different and so many things that are similar, in theme, yes, in execution, not so much.” [17] See Oldboy in theaters November 17th, 2013.

View the trailer here

That Awkward Moment [18]

[19]

That Awkward Moment is a romantic comedy starring Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan. Directed by Tom Gormican, the film revolves around three single guys who pledge to remain out of relationships in an act of solitude for their recently broken up friend. As they each each find girlfriends they struggle to keep their relationships a secret from one another to avoid breaking their vow.

While superstar Zac Efron is no stranger to the big screen (High School Musical 3: Senior Year, 17 Again) this is director Tom Gormican’s first feature film. He co-produced the raunchy hit Movie 43 and will be bringing some of that originality to his first feature. See That Awkward Moment in theaters January 31st, 2014 .

View the trailer here

FilmDistrict News

After record breaking openings, the Insidious series has established itself as a franchise and now the third chapter has a confirmed release date. [20] Insidious: Chapter 3 is scheduled to be released on April 3rd of 2015. Insidious was the most profitable film of 2011 [21] and Insidious: Chapter 2 had the second biggest September debut of all time in 2013. [22] Expect big things from the third film in this trilogy.

[23]

While fans still have to wait until November 17th to see Oldboy, FilmDistrict has published part 1 of a graphic novel called The Devil’s Eyes that functions as a prequel to Oldboy. [24] The graphic novel will come in 3 parts that detail the backstory to Samuel L. Jackson’s character in the film. The Devil’s Eyes part 1 is currently available for free on Oldboy’s Tumblr site with the next two installments coming soon. This is fitting as the original Korean Oldboy was based on a 1996 Japanese manga.

Bibliography

[1] http://www.filmdistrict.com/

[2] ibid

[3] ibid

[4] http://variety.com/2013/film/news/focus-features-brings-in-majority-of-filmdistrict-team-1200728289/

[5] http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/netflix-adds-filmdistrict-its-streaming-service-22925

[6] http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703806304576234622228157638

[7] http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=23974

[8] http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/the-best-films-of-2011

[9] http://www.boxoffice.com/statistics/movies/drive-2011-2011

[10] http://variety.com/2013/film/news/filmdistrict-launching-high-top-releasing-for-indies-1200370144/

[11] http://www.boxofficemojo.com/

[12] http://variety.com/2013/film/news/breaking-focus-features-ceo-james-schamus-out-peter-schlessel-to-take-over-1200688551/

[13] http://variety.com/2013/film/news/focus-features-brings-in-majority-of-filmdistrict-team-1200728289/

[14] http://www.thewrap.com/focus-features-will-expand-under-new-ceo-peter-schlessel/

[15] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1321511/?ref_=nv_sr_1

[16] http://www.everymancinema.com/images/content/films/5740k95m7kfc35d878rf53p2o7_2.jpg

[17] http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oldboy-stars-talk-differences-between-655529

[18] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800246/

[19] http://cdn03.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2013/10/zac-efron-that-awkward-moment-poster-premiere-exclusive-1.jpg

[20] http://www.deadline.com/2013/11/insidious-chapter-3-gets-spring-2015-release-from-focus-features

[21] http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=23974

[22] http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/insidious-2-scares-up-solid-1-5m-late-shows-years-top-horror-pre-seller/

[23] http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2013/11/12/oldboywebseriescovertc006jpg-e96546_960w.jpg

[24] http://www.indiewire.com/article/oldboy-inspired-graphic-novel-the-devils-eyes-provides-origins-story

[25] http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LportKVkUrQ/TcWRUFD5oeI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ksGmiMP_CVk/s1600/insidious-movie-poster.jpg

[26] http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Peter_Schlessel__131002221207.jpg

[27] http://www.homemediamagazine.com/files/homemediamagazine/nodes/2010/21023/adrianWEB.jpg

[28] http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/schless__120323234743-200×300.jpg

Focus Features

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Iara Rogers Benchoam

By Iara Rogers Benchoam

LOS ANGELES OFFICE

100 Universal City Plaza

Universal City, CA 91608

NEW YORK OFFICE

65 Bleecker Street – 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10012

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

26 Aybrook Street

London W1U 4AN

United Kingdom

HISTORY

Focus Features is the sister company of NBCUniversal. The art-house unit of Universal Pictures, Focus produces and distributes specialty films in the U.S. and distributes films globally through Focus Features International. Focus aspires to challenge its viewers with controversial issues and deep concepts. Focus formed in 2002 with the merge of USA Films, Universal Focus, and Good Machine In February 2011, Focus Features partnered with Screen Media and launched Focus World, a VOD (video on demand) label aimed to bringing global and indie films to audiences across multiple platforms. Focus World films released to date include Resurrect Dead, C.O.G., and Underground: The Julian Assange Story. [1] Currently, Focus is undergoing changes in key executives and domestic headquarters with the merge of FilmDistrict. [2]

Focus’ competitors are DreamWorks Studios, Lionsgate Entertainment Corp, and The Independent Film Channel LLC. These companies share values of specialty and high-quality produced films.

Brokeback Mountain, The Kids are All Right, Anna Karenina, Atonement, and Milk, are a handful of Focus’ Oscar wins and nominations. [3] Focus Features releases approximately 5 feature films annually. There is an expected bump up in yearly releases with the evaporation of FilmDistrict into Focus Features.

KEY EXECUTIVES

James Schamus and Peter Schlessel

Among being the co-founder and CEO to Focus, James Schamus is a screenwriter, producer, and a fervid pursuer of the art-house genre. Schamus’ notable filmography includes Hulk and Brokeback Mountain. With the merge of Focus’ and FilmDistrict, Peter Schlessel, a professional of the studio and specialty films, will take over as Focus Features’ CEO starting January 2014. [4]

Andrew Karpen and Adrian Alperovi

Adrian Alperovich will run as chief operating officer with the changes in January 2014, taking the place of Andrew Karpen who declined the offer to move to LA with the new Focus Features headquarters. [5] As co-chief executive officer, Karpen managed Focus’ international and domestic activities.

FINANCIALS

Focus Features’ annual and quarter financials are private. Since its launch in 2002, Focus Features has undergone a plummet in the box offices. In an effort to change the company’s unprofitability, Universal Pictures pushed for the merge between Focus and FilmDistrict, a change in headquarters and executives, more commercialized productions, and an increase of 10 films produced and distributed annually by the improved Focus Features. [6]

2013 marks Focus’ first year with 10 releases. An overall gross profit of $86.4 million is perceived as low in comparison to the $131.2 million in 2012 with only 7 releases. There was a -34.1% decrease in annual gross between 2012 and 2013 and a -29.9% decrease when comparing 2011 and 2013 box offices. [7]

FILMDISTRICT MERGE

October 2013, Universal Pictures, the parent company to Focus Features, announced the absorption of FilmDistrict into Focus Features with new CEO, Peter Schessel. Schessel officially begins as head of Focus Features January 2014 in the new Los Angeles headquarters. The revamped Focus Features company plans to bring in most of the FilmDistrict team alongside Peter Schessel and Adrian Alperovich. [8]

“The breadth and depth of Peter’s experience in the film business including production, acquisitions, distribution and most recently running FilmDistrict, will be a tremendous asset to Focus Features as the company broadens its portfolio beyond the production and distribution of specialty product,” said Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley. “Peter is one of the most talented executives in the industry and I’m confident that under his leadership, Focus will become even more of a force as the specialty film business continues to evolve.” [9] Under Schessel’s administration starting January 2014, the remaining FilmDictrict productions will be released as a part of Focus Features films.

The merge serves to build Focus’ global footprint by increasing commercial films, broadening film styles, and raising annually released films to 10. These goals will further structure and change the art-house film unit and expand the company’s range of audiences. The absorption of FilmDistrict and part of its professional team will escalate Focus Features to a status above its specialty competitors.

THE WORLD’S END

Released: August 23, 2013

Following the success of Hot Fuzz (2007) and Shaun of the Dead (2004), director Edgar Wright takes on a new, explosive production with The World’s End. Director Edgar Wright’s The World’s End, tells a story about the reunion of five lifelong friends who rekindle over a drinking game but face obstacles of the apocalyptic degree. The reunited team, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, fight for the future humankind in The World’s End. [10]

Opening weekend The World’s End ranked fourth with $8,811,790 in 1,551 theaters. Currently in its 13th week, The World’s End grossed about two times as much as its budget with $46,074,336 worldwide. [11] The third in Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End expected to soar inside and outside target audiences. With continual decrease in weekend gross, the theater count dropped dramatically every weekend, adding to the overall decrease in The World’s End profitability for Focus Features.

FUTURE

The future for Focus Features revolves around the changes in the company, innovation in a multi-platform world, oscar buzz, and additional films set for release from both FilmDistrict and Focus’ slate.

Among Focus’ four theatrical releases of 2013, Dallas Buyers Club holds the most praise and interest. Based on true events, Dallas Buyers Club tells the story of a life-enthusiast, Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), diagnosed with H.I.V.. Woodroof refuses to believe his scheduled demise in 30 days and challenges the scientific and medical community by smuggling unapproved treatments and medicines to the U.S. from Mexico. On his journey, he befriends a fellow AIDS struggler and transsexual, Rayon (Jared Leto). Together they form a buyers club to sell and distribute new HIV medicines. A story on the education, acceptance, and struggle of the AIDS epidemic, Dallas Buyers Club takes on a topic still toxic and hidden in todays world. [12]

With its initial release, Dallas Buyers Club is receiving Oscar buzz for Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto’s work. The film gained initial recognition and buzz in the Toronto International Film Festival alongside Jason Bateman‘s Bad Words. Focus Features bought the rights to distribute the two films at TIFF and expect high successes. [13]

Focus Features is currently producing Bad Words to be released March 2014, Boxtrolls to be released September 2014, and 50 Shades of Grey to be released February 2015. With the new merge, the company plans on releasing the slate that FilmDistrict carries, alongside their own slate. Universal Pictures took an educated leap with this merge; only the future will tell if Focus will prosper as a production company or flop as an amateur partnership.

SOURCES

[1] IndieWire- Focus World Launch

[2] Google Finance- Focus Features

[3] Yahoo- Focus Features Summary

[4] Hollywood Reporter- Focus 2014 CEO Changes

[5] Variety- Focus 2014 Co-CEO Changes

[6] WSJ- Focus Profit Strategy

[7] BoxOfficeMojo- Yearly Comparisons

[8] Variety- FilmDistrict Team to Focus

[9] IndieWire Focus Executives Change

[10] The World’s End Official Page

[11] BoxOfficeMojo- The World’s End Review