Weinstein Company

by Phoebe Steinfeld
The Weinstein Company

[1] The Weinstein Company logo

About TWC

Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein, the original creators of MIRIMAX Films, which was sold to Disney in 1993, founded the Weinstein Company in 2005. TWC is an independent production and distribution known for its knack for taking home Oscars and ability to captivate audiences with offbeat, dramatic films. TWC also encompasses Dimensions Films, originally under MIRAMAX, and has recently stepped into the world of television production. [2]

Who’s Who: Key Executives

Bob Weinstein: Co-Chairman [3]

[4] Bob Weinstein

[4] Bob Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein: Co-Chairman [5]

[Harvey Weinstein]

[6] Harvey Weinstein

Dylan Sellers: President of Production

Dylan Sellers

[7] Dylan Sellers

In September it was announced that Dylan Sellers is stepping down as President of Production after three years at TWC to pursue his producing career. Sellers is responsible for such titles as award winning August: Osage County and the recent release, St. Vincent.[8]

 Stephen Bruno: President of Marketing

Stephen Bruno

[9] Stephen Bruno

Stephen Bruno has served as President of Marketing for TWC for the past three years. He has recently been offered a position by Netflix to head their marketing department. After 7 years with TWC, his contract is up at the end of the year.[10]

New Releases [11]/ Box Office Results

The Weinstein Company released 14 films to date in 2014. In the US market these films have brought in $132,955,985 so far[12], making TWC the 8th highest grossing studio with 2% market share.  TWC was ranked eighth in 2013, but they are down 2.5% market share from 2013[13]. Though the summer was a flop for films such as Begin Again[14] with Adam Levine, The Giver[15], and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For[16], TWC has five promising new titles in theaters this fall that could raise revenues and bring in awards for the studio. These titles include, The Disapearance of Eleanor Rigby, St. Vincent, Tracks, The Imitation Game and One Chance.

St. Vincent [17] 

St. Vincent Movie Poster

[18] Staring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, and Chris O’Dowd, St. Vincent is the story of an unlikely friendship between two neighbors as they both struggle to find their way in the world.

The quirky comedy has already received Oscar buzz and high praise upon its debut at the Toronto Film Festival. It was released limitedly on October 10th in 4 theaters and saw $109, 878 in box office sales.Upon it’s wide release on October 24th, St. Vincent saw $7,746,596 in revenue in 2,282 theaters, ranking #6 in the box office overall that weekend. In its 9th week, St. Vincent has made $40,749,905 domestically, and $41,346,602 worldwide. Just 1.4% of revenue was seen internationally.[19] This may have to do with Netflix’s deal with TWC to release the feature film for streaming on Netflix in France the same day as the US wide release.[20] The week leading into its wide release, Variety reported that St. Vincent lead the week in TV ad sales, spending $5.1 million [21].

[22]

 

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby [23]

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her is the classic tail of two people falling out of love.

[24]The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her shows both sides of the story in this classic tale of two people falling out of love.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them stands completely alone from Him and Her with a fresh perspective on Conor and Eleanor's relationship

[25]The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them stands completely alone from Him and Her with a fresh perspective on Conor and Eleanor’s relationship.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is The Weinstein Company’s attempt to break the traditional templates of production. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby follows the relationship of Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy and consists of three feature length films from three different perspectives; his, her’s, theirs. Each film was created explicitly through editing, yet each film tells a completely different story and can stand on its own as a feature film. Him and Her were released on September 12th as a two part, 200 minute film, and Them was released on September 4th as a 123 minute film[26]. Though Eleanor Rigby has created quite a bit of buzz in the industry, the box office results have been anything but stellar. To date, the total revenue has been $985,007 worldwide. 59.7% of that revenue was seen domestically. Originally only in four theaters, by its 3rd week Eleanor Rigby was in 139 theaters, but is now only available in two.[27]

[28]

 

Tracks [29]

Directed by John Curran, Tracks tells the true story of Robyn Davidson, the woman who journeyed across the Australian Outback.

[30]Tracks tells the true story of Robyn Davidson, the woman who journeyed across the Australian Outback.

The Weinstein Company acquired the rights to Tracks, directed by John Curran after its premier in the Venice Film Festival. It premiered in the United States during the Telluride Film Festival and also made a favorable impression at the Toronto Film Festival[31]Tracks was released in seven theaters on September 19th and grossed $21,544 opening weekend. After ten weeks in theaters, the film has grossed $4,878,242. Notably, only 10.5% of that revenue is from the domestic box office[32].

[33]

 

One Chance[34]

Screen Shot 2014-12-09 at 9.58.21 PM

[35]One Chance is an original biopic about singer Paul Potts

One Chance tells the story of Britain’s Got Talent’s first winner, Paul Potts. It was originally released to stream on Yahoo before debuting in theaters.[36] This was an attempt by TWC to capture more audiences as the landscape of movie viewing is vastly changing. The financials of the TWC/Yahoo deal were not released, but ads were shown throughout the online screening.Theater chains were reportedly unhappy with this deal[37]. When One Chance hit the box office on October 10th, it saw $33,405 in 43 theaters. To date, it has grossed $10,889,830 worldwide, with only 0.8% domestic sales.[38]

[39]

The Imitation Game[40]

 Benedict Cumberbach stars in the biopic of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician condemned for his homosexuality.

[41] Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the biopic of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician condemned for his homosexuality.

The Imitation Game is yet another British biopic about Alan Turing, a mathematician responsible for breaking Nazi codes during WWII. The film was produced by two first timers, Nora Grossman and Ido Ostrowsky.[42] There is already much Oscar buzz surrounding this film, and it was listed as one of AFI’s top films of 2014.[43] It was released on November 18th, and has already grossed $18,676,784. However, again only a small portion of those sales were domestic (5.5%).[44]

 

[45]

Shaking Up Distribution Models/ Future of TWC

 “In today’s digital era, technology has developed and changed the landscape of how many people watch movies and TV,” -David Glasser, COO [46]

The Weinstein Company has always been known to push boundaries and play by their own rules. Due to the rapidly changing landscape of the media, TWC has  attempted to capture audiences using unique distribution models. This fall, TWC announced they would be partnering with Netflix to release Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend. The second installment of the Crouching Tiger franchise will simultaneously be released in IMAX theaters and become available to screen at home on Netflix.[47]The industry saw similar shake ups with TWC’s Yahoo release of One Chance and the Netflix release of St. Vincent in France. As platforms continue to develop and media viewing continues to change, we should expect similar distribution disturbances and innovations from The Weinstein Company.

Sources: 

1. The Weinstein Company Logo, Google Image. 12/1/14

2. About TWCweinsteinco.com. 12/3/14

3. Bob Weinstein IMDBIMDB. 12/3/14

4.  Bob Weinstein Photo, Google Image. 12/3/14

5. Harvey Weinstein IMDB, IMDB. 12/3/14

6. Harvey Weinstein PhotoGoogle Image. 12/3/14

7.“Dylan Sellers Exits”Deadline. 10/12/14

8.“Dylan Sellers Out”, Variety. 10/12/14

9. “Next Gen: 2012”, Hollywood Reporter. 12/4/14

10. “Netflix Courts Weinstein Marketing Head”Deadline. 12/4/14

11. Now Playing, weinsteinco.com. 12/8/14

12. Weinstein Box Office Receipts, boxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

13. Studio Market Share, boxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

14. Begin Again Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

15. The Giver Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

16. Sin City Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

17. St. Vincent Movie Sitestvincentfilm.com. 12/5/14

18. St. Vincent Movie Poster, weinsteinco.com. 12/5/14

19. St. Vincent Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

20. “Netflix Frane to Debut St. Vincent”Variety.11/15/14

21.“St. Vincent Tops the Week”Variety.10/30/14

22. St. Vincent TrailerYoutube. 12/4/14

23. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Siteeleanorrigby-movie.com.12/4/14

24. Him/Her Movie PosterGoogle. 12/4/14

25. Them Movie PosterGoogle. 12/5/14

26. “Review: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy Shine”Forbes. 11/20/14

27. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

28. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby TrailerYoutube. 12/4/14

29. Tracks Movie Sitetracks-movie.com. 12/4/14

30. Tracks Movie Poster, Google.12/4/14

31. “The Weinstein Co Acquiring Tracks”Deadline.11/15/14

32. Tracks Box Office Receipts, boxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

33. Tracks TrailerYoutube. 12/4/14

34. One Chance Siteonechancemovie.net. 12/3/14

35.One Chance Movie Posteronechancemovie.net. 12/3/14

36. “One Chance Free Streaming to Hit Yahoo,” Variety. 11/15/14

37. “Weinstein Co. Extends Free Yahoo Streaming,” Variety.11/15/14

38. One Chance Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

39. One Chance TrailerYoutube. 12/6/14

40. The Imitation Game Site, theimitationgamemovie.com. 12/6/14

41. The Imitation Game PosterGoogle. 12/6/14

42. “First Time Producers”, hereandnow.wbur.org. 12/8/14

43. “AFI List of 2014’s Best”Huffington Post. 12/9/14

44. The Imitation Game Box Office Receiptsboxofficemojo.com. 12/8/14

45. The Imitation Game TrailerYoutube.12/9/14

46.“One Chance Free Steaming”Variety. 12/1/14

47. “The Weinstein Company Annoys”Indie Wire. 11/15/14

AMC Networks

by Meg Zukin

AMC Networks

amc_network_logo_render

photo courtesy of under consideration.com [i]

Contact Information[ii]

11 Penn Plaza

New York, NY 10001

Main phone: 212-324-8500

http://www.amcnetworks.com

About—

AMC Networks is an American entertainment company which owns and operates AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, WE, IFC Films, and AMC Networks International. Initially, AMC was known as Rainbow Media Holdings and until 2011, was a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems. In 2011, Cablevision made Rainbow Media Holdings a publicly traded company and changed its name to AMC Networks [iii].

AMC has recently gained momentum through television shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad, on its cable channel, AMC [iv]. IFC Films and its affiliate channel, IFC, are responsible for indie films like Boyhood [v] and quirky television comedies like Portlandia [vi]. Recently, the company acquired a 49.9% stake in BBC through a joint venture that cost $200 million [vii].

Key Executives—

Charles Dolan, Executive Chairman AMC Networks

Charles Dolan, Executive Chairman AMC Networks

leader_sapan

Josh Sapan, President and CEO of AMC Networks

Charlie Collier, President and General Manager of amc

Charlie Collier, President and General Manager of amc

Jennifer Caserta, President and General Manager of IFC

Jennifer Caserta, President and General Manager of IFC

Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager of SundanceTV

Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager of BBC America and SundanceTV

Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects and IFC Films

Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects and IFC Films

Marc Juris, President and General Manager of WE tv

Marc Juris, President and General Manager of WE tv

Pictures and titles courtesy of http://www.amcnetworks.com/about-us/leadership [viii]

Financials—

AMC Networks just reported its third quarter earnings. Net revenues increased a whopping 31.4% to $520 million [ix]. International revenue reached $122.7 million, up 765% from last year. This could be attributed to acquisitions of both BBC and Chellomedia, a deal AMC made in February which gave them a stack of networks in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia [x]. The company also reported earnings of $53.2 million, or 74 cents a share. Analysts estimated that AMC Networks would come in at 73 cents a share and thus, they surpassed projections [xi].

According to the third quarter report, AMC Networks is currently working with a $110 million operating income [xii].

When the market closed on December 1, 2014, AMCX was down 1.34% at $63.99 per share. The company hit a low-point in mid-October at $52.75 per share and was at its highest in March at $77.40 per share. Looking at the past 3 years (when AMCX became a publicly traded company), we see exponential growth overall.

Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 12.44.19 PM

photo courtesy of Google Finance [xxx]

What’s Happening Now?—

Sarah Barnett Named President and General Manager, BBC America

AMC Networks announced last week (November 21, 2014) that current SundanceTV chief, Sarah Barnett, would be moving up to President and General Manager of BBC America [xiii]. Barnett began her career at BBC in production before she spent a decade at SundanceTV. She will start her new position in January, surveying over both SundanceTV and BBC America until AMC taps someone else to oversee SundanceTV. The current General Manager at BBC, Perry Simon, who was on the team behind Orphan Black, is moving to production with BBC Worldwide North America [xv].

Barnett certainly has the chops for an upgrade in position. Under her reign, she established Sundance as an original programming network with shows like Rectify, Top of the Lakeand The Honourable Woman [xvi] With this new position she will continue to report to Ed Carroll, Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks.

AMC Announces Two-Night Premiere for Spin-Off Series “Better Call Saul”

AMC’s next new drama series, Better Call Saul, will debut on Sunday, February 8 with its second episode debuting the next night, Monday, February 9 [xvii]. The series follows Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman, prior to him becoming Walter White’s lawyer lawyer.

video courtesy of AMC Networks on Youtube [xviii]

The back-to-back premiere is “AMC’s first ever two-night series premiere event” according to Charlie Collier [xix]. Season one is slated for 10 episodes and Talking Dead will air before it, a solid segue for high-ratings for both shows. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan co-created the spin-off with writer-director Peter Gould [xx].

AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide Enter Partnership 

In October, AMC Networks bought a 49.9% stake in the BBC America cable channel. They paid $200 million to BBC Worldwide and the marriage between the two companies leaves BBC with a 50.1% stake in BBC America [xxi]. BBC America is available in almost 80 million homes domestically and was the most critically acclaimed channel on ad-supported television in 2013 [xxii].

BBC America will be managed as a standalone channel within AMC, much like how AMC, WE tv, and SundanceTV are operated. Even though BBC still has a grander stake in its American counterpart, AMC Networks will maintain operational control over the company, as well as affiliate and advertising sales [xxiii].

This agreement occurred almost exactly on the one-year anniversary of AMC’s $1 billion acquisition of Liberty Global’s international network, Chellomedia. That acquisition led to AMC Networks International which is available in 140 countries [xxiv].

AMC Networks/IFC Films Acquires Rights to “October Gale”

IFC Films bought the American rights to writer-director Ruba Nadda‘s thriller, October Gale, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. IFC Films also released another film by Nadda, Cairo Time. The film stars Patricia Clarkson, Tim Roth, and Scott Speedman. Clarkson plays a doctor who takes in a skeptical man when he floats ashore at her secluded cabin with a gunshot wound [xxv]. Myriad Pictures is handling worldwide sales.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Return to Portlandia

Portlandia will return to IFC for its ten-episode fifth season in January. This season will showcase a laundry list of cameos including Vanessa Bayer, Steve Buscemi, Peter Giles, Justin Long, Shepard Fairey, Jane Lynch, and Olivia Wilde, amongst others [xxvi].

video courtesy of IFC Youtube

Viewers will be able to recap previous seasons on New Year’s Day when IFC will air a marathon but seasons 1 through 4 are also available on Netflix and iTunes [xxvii].

IFC Orders New Comedy Series: “Gigi’s Bucket List”

IFC has ordered a series starring David Krumholtz as “Gigi,” a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother from Boca Raton, Florida. Krumholtz is also an executive producer along with Grandma’s House Entertainment.

It will shoot this year and is slated to air in 2015. Gigi indulges herself after she discovers that she has access to her dead husband’s bank account [xxviii]. This series fits in with IFC’s quirky personality and will air in 73 million U.S. homes [xix].

David Dobkin to Direct “Badlands” for AMC

In July, AMC ordered Badlands, a martial arts drama that is loosely based on the Chinese Journey to the West. It is the third AMC series that was picked up straight to series at the network [xxxi].

However, it was announced on November 24, 2014 that director David Dobkin has signed onto the project as series director and executive producer. Dobkin has worked on Wedding Crashers and Shanghai Knights previously. AMC bought six, one-hour, episodes with an expected premiere either in late 2015 or early 2016 [xxxii].

Works Cited—

[i] AMC Logo accessed 11/20/2014

[ii] AMC Contact accessed 11/20/2014

[iii] Hoovers AMC profile accessed 11/20/2014

[iv] AMC Shows accessed 11/20/2014

[v] Boyhood, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vi] Portlandia, IFC accessed 11/22/2014

[vii] AMC Networks/BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[viii] AMC Leadership accessed 11/22/2014

[ix] Quarter Earnings accessed 11/30/2014

[x] Chellomedia deal accessed 12/1/2014

[xi] Quarter projections accessed 11/30/2014

[xii] Operating income accessed 11/30/2014

[xiii] Sarah Barnett, BBC accessed 11/22/2014

[xiv] Perry Simon future plans accessed 12/1/2014

[xv] BBC Worldwide North America accessed 12/1/2014

[xvi] Sarah Barnett at Sundance accessed 11/22/2014

[xvii] Better Call Saul premiere accessed 10/28/2014

[xviii] Better Call Saul video accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] AMC double night debut accessed 12/1/2014

[xx] Co-creators Better Call Saul accessed 12/1/2014

[xxi] BBC deal accessed 11/24/2014

[xxii] Metacritic BBC critically-acclaimed accessed 11/29/2014

[xxiii] BBC America management accessed 12/1/2014

[xxiv] Chellomedia acquisition accessed 12/1/2014

[xxv] October Gale acquisition accessed 10/28/2014

[xxvi] Portlandia fifth season accessed 12/1/2014

[xxvii] Recap New Year’s Day accessed 12/1/2014

[xxviii] IFC orders comedy series accessed 12/1/2014

[xix] IFC series accessed 12/1/2014

[xxx] Current state of stock market accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxi] Badlands accessed 12/1/2014

[xxxii] David Dobkin signs on accessed 12/1/2014

Weinstein Company

By Matt Sarshik
The Weinstein Company Logo

The Weinstein Company Logo [1]

History 

Created in 2005, The Weinstein Company is a multimedia production and distribution company founded by brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein.  The brothers created the company following their departure from Miramax Films, a company they founded in 1979. The Weinstein Company encompasses genre-film studio Dimension Films.  The Weinstein Company left the 2012 Academy Awards with 8 awards, the most in the studio’s history, including Best Picture for The Artist. [1]

  Key Executives

Harvey Weinstein Courtesy of Biography.com

Harvey Weinstein
Courtesy of Biography.com [2]

Harvey Weinstein is co-chairman of The Weinstein Company and founded Miramax Films in 1979 with his brother, Bob, where they released many critically acclaimed films, receiving 16 Best Picture nominations over 16 years. [3]

Bob Weinstein Courtesy of the NY Daily News

Bob Weinstein
Courtesy of the NY Daily News [4]

Bob Weinstein is co-chairman of the The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films, a company he established in 1993, which primarily produces science fiction, family, and horror films including the Scream and Scary Movie franchises. [5]

Financials 

Through November of 2013, The Weinstein Company ranks eighth among studios with a 5.1% market share.  The studio has released 13 films in 2013 and brought in a total gross of approximate $468 million.  In 2012, The Weinstein company also placed eighth among the studios, however they only held a 2.4% market share. [6]

Recent News  

At the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, The Weinstein Company picked up several features.  The list was highlighted by “Can A Song Save Your Life?” starring Keira Knightley for $7 million and they secured the U.S. rights to “The Railway Man” for a reported $2 million starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.  The studio also used the festival to carry seven of their upcoming releases including “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “August: Osage County”.  [7] [8] [9]

In August, The Weinstein Company agreed to an exclusive streaming deal with Netflix.  The deal, set to begin in 2016, will make Netflix the sole U.S. home for all films from The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films during the premium pay-TV window.  This deal builds on the already existing deal between the companies that allowed Netflix to stream select films, mostly including foreign films and documentaries.  This new deal will end The Weinstein Company’s 2008 seven-year pay TV deal with Showtime. [10]

Recent Film Releases

Courtesy of The Weinstein Company

Courtesy of Indiewire [11]

Lee Daniels’ The Butler“, released on August 16, is an independent historical drama staring Forest Whitaker as a White House butler who serves over eight presidencies.  The film also features Oprah Winfrey as the butler’s wife. [12]

On its opening weekend, the film topped the box office with a weekend gross of over $24 million.  It remained atop the weekend box office results for the next two weekends.  Through 14 weeks, the film has a domestic gross of over $115 million on just a $30 million budget.  The film is currently the studio’s top grossing film of 2013 and fifth all-time. [13]

Originally titled The Butler, the film included director, Lee Daniels‘ name in the title after a failed legal battle with Warner Bros, which claimed the title had been used for a 1916 short.  While many thought the name battle may damage the film’s prospects, Harvey Weinstein claims, “We asked people opening weekend what made them see the movie, 40 percent of the audience said the controversy”. [14] [9]

The film is already considered an awards contender, specifically for the performances from Whitaker and Winfrey.

Courtesy of IMP Awards

Courtesy of IMP Awards [15]

“Fruitvale Station”, released on July 12, is the believed true story of the moments leading up to and following the tragic death Oscar Grant III at a subway stop on New Year’s Day.  The film stars best actor contender Michael B. Jordan.  The film was a 2013 Sundance Film Festival winner. [16]

The film was released in seven theaters, the same weekend the Trayvon Martin verdict was read, grossing a $53,898 average per theater.  The film was only placed in over 1,000 theaters during its third and fourth weeks.  As of October 31st, the film has a domestic total of just over $16 million. [17]

The Weinstein Company combined marketing for this film with a message to end social injustice in the name of Oscar Grant III.  On film advertisements on both the studio’s website and actual business cards, audiences were encouraged to use social media to tell their stories of social injustice. [18]

Courtesy of IMP Awards

Courtesy of IMP Awards [19] 

On September 6, The Weinstein Company released “Salinger”, the story of reclusive author J.D. Salinger, staring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Edward Norton[20]

The film played in four theaters over its first two weeks, then reached its high of 138 theaters in its third week.  The film was not highly received at the Telluride Film Festival, resulting in Harvey Weinstein’s decision to recut the film.  As a result, 13 minutes of footage was removed, with eight new minutes added.  Weinstein’s updated version was used in the film’s wide release.  The film has a worldwide gross of over $650,675.  [21] [22]

Upcoming Releases

Courtesy of Filmfixx.com

Courtesy of Dipson Theaters [23]

On November 22, The Weinstein Company is slated to release “Philomena” a film based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, stars Judi Dench as a mother in search of her son.  The Motion Picture Association of America originally gave the film an R rating, however they changed their ruling to a PG-13 rating after resistance from the studio. [24]  

Courtesy of IMP Awards

Courtesy of IMP Awards [25]

On November 29, the studio is set to release “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”, starring Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela in his story from childhood to his inauguration as president of South Africa. [26]  

The Weinstein Company announced that a special screening of the film will take place at The Kennedy Center on November 20 with former secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and Colin Powell in attendance.  This screening is part of an eight-city tour presented by The Weinstein Company and Coca-Cola.  [27]

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter [28]

On Christmas Day, The Weinstein Company is scheduled to release the highly anticipated “August: Osage County”.  The John Wells’ film surrounds a family of women who return to their Oklahoma home following a family crisis.  The film has generated a lot of buzz due to its star studded cast, highlighted by Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep[28] 

The film received a variety of reviews when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.  The film’s movie poster has received a lot of attention for being strategic as it shows many of the film’s stars.   With so many stars, the studio aims to attract the fan bases of these high profile actors.  The film expects to compete in the musical or comedy categories at the Golden Globes. [28] 

Sources

Sources Accessed November 20, 2013

[1] About The Weinstein Company 

[2] Biography.com – Harvey Weinstein

[3] About Harvey Weinstein 

[4] NY Daily News – Bob Weinstein Photo 

[5] About Bob Weinstein 

[6] Box Office Mojo – Studio Market Share 

[7] Weinstein Co Acquires Rights at TIFF

[8] Weinstein Co Deal for “The Railway Man”

[9] The Daily Beast – Harvey Weinstein Interview 

[10] The Hollywood Reporter – Weinstein Co. Deal with Netflix

[11] Indiewire – Lee Daniels’ The Butler Movie Poster 

[12] Hollywood Reporter – Box Office Milestone

[13] Box Office Mojo Lee Daniels’ The Butler 

[14] USA Today – The Butler Box Office Appeal 

[15] Fruitvale Station Movie Poster 

[16] Box Office Mojo Fruitvale Station

[17] Deadline – Fruitvale Station Box Office 

[18] The Mother Jones – Marketing for Fruitvale Station [

[19] Salinger Movie Poster 

[20] IMDb – Salinger 

[21] Box Office Mojo Salinger 

[22] The Atlantic Wire – Salinger Recut

[23] Philomena Movie Poster 

[24] Entertainment Weekly – Philomena Rating Appeal 

[25] Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Movie Poster 

[26] IMDb – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 

[27] Deadline – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Special Screening.  

[28] The Hollywood Reporter – August: Osage County