{"id":13362,"date":"2013-11-02T13:42:43","date_gmt":"2013-11-02T17:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/?p=13362"},"modified":"2013-11-20T15:09:45","modified_gmt":"2013-11-20T20:09:45","slug":"focus-features-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/2013\/11\/02\/focus-features-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus Features"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Iara Rogers Benchoam<\/pre>\n
 <\/p>\n
\"focus-features-logo\"<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
<\/h5>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 LOS ANGELES OFFICE<\/em> \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
<\/strong>\u00a0100 Universal City Plaza<\/h5>\n
\u00a0Universal City, CA 91608<\/h5>\n
<\/h5>\n
NEW YORK OFFICE<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n
65 Bleecker Street – 3rd Floor<\/h5>\n
New York, NY 10012<\/h5>\n
<\/h5>\n
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n
26 Aybrook Street<\/h5>\n
London W1U 4AN<\/h5>\n
United Kingdom<\/h5>\n
 <\/p>\n
\u00a0HISTORY<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Focus Features is the sister company of NBCUniversal. The art-house unit of Universal Pictures<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span>Focus formed in 2002 with the merge of USA Films, Universal Focus, and Good Machine<\/span>\u00a0In February 2011, Focus Features partnered with Screen Media<\/a>\u00a0and launched Focus World<\/a>, 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<\/a>, C.O.G.<\/a>, and Underground: The Julian Assange Story<\/a>. [1]<\/a> \u00a0Currently, Focus is undergoing changes in key executives and domestic headquarters with the merge of FilmDistrict<\/a>. [2]<\/a><\/p>\n
Focus’ competitors are DreamWorks Studios<\/a>, Lionsgate Entertainment Corp<\/a>, and The Independent Film Channel LLC<\/a>. These companies share values of specialty and high-quality produced films.<\/p>\n
<\/em>Brokeback Mountain<\/a>, The Kids are All Right<\/a>, Anna Karenina<\/a>, Atonement<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Milk<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>are a handful of Focus’ Oscar wins and nominations. [3]<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
KEY EXECUTIVES<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\"james_schamus_peter_schlessel\"<\/a>
James Schamus and Peter Schlessel<\/p><\/div>\n
Among being the co-founder and CEO to Focus,\u00a0James Schamus<\/a><\/em>\u00a0is a screenwriter, producer, and a\u00a0fervid pursuer of the art-house genre. Schamus’ notable filmography includes\u00a0Hulk<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Brokeback Mountain<\/a>.<\/em>\u00a0With the merge of Focus’ and FilmDistrict,\u00a0Peter Schlessel<\/a>,<\/em>\u00a0a professional of the studio and specialty films,\u00a0will take over as\u00a0Focus Features’ CEO starting January 2014.\u00a0[4]\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\"Andrew<\/a>
Andrew Karpen and Adrian Alperovi<\/p><\/div>\n
 <\/p>\n
Adrian Alperovich<\/em> will run as chief operating officer with the changes in January 2014, taking the place of\u00a0Andrew Karpen<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>who declined the offer to move to LA with the new Focus Features headquarters. [5]<\/a>\u00a0As co-chief executive officer, Karpen managed Focus’ international and domestic activities.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
FINANCIALS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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]<\/a><\/p>\n
2013 marks Focus’ first year with 10 releases. \u00a0An 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]<\/a><\/p>\n
FILMDISTRICT MERGE<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\"filmdistrict-focusfeatures-combo-tsr\"<\/a>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\u00a0Adrian Alperovich.\u00a0\u00a0[8]<\/a><\/p>\n
“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]<\/a>\u00a0Under Schessel’s administration starting January 2014, the remaining FilmDictrict productions will be released as a part of Focus Features films.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
THE WORLD’S END<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\"The<\/a><\/p>\n
Released:\u00a0<\/em>August 23, 2013<\/p>\n
Following the success of\u00a0Hot Fuzz\u00a0<\/i><\/a>(2007) and\u00a0Shaun of the Dead\u00a0<\/em><\/a>(2004),\u00a0<\/em>director\u00a0Edgar Wright<\/a>\u00a0takes on a new, explosive production with\u00a0The World’s End.\u00a0<\/em>Director Edgar Wright’s\u00a0The World’s End<\/em>, 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\u00a0The World’s End.\u00a0<\/em>[10]<\/a><\/p>\n
\"The<\/a><\/p>\n
Opening weekend The World’s End\u00a0<\/em>ranked fourth with $8,811,790 in 1,551 theaters. Currently in its 13th week,\u00a0The World’s End<\/em> grossed about two times as much as its budget with $46,074,336 worldwide. [11] <\/a>The third in Wright’s Cornetto trilogy<\/a>, The World’s End<\/em> 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\u00a0<\/em>profitability for Focus Features.<\/p>\n
FUTURE<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\"Dallas<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
Among Focus’ four theatrical releases of 2013,\u00a0Dallas<\/a> Buyers Club<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>holds the most praise and interest. Based on true events, Dallas Buyers Club\u00a0<\/i>tells the story of a life-enthusiast, Ron Woodroof\u00a0(Matthew McConaughey<\/a>),\u00a0diagnosed with H.I.V..\u00a0Woodroof 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<\/a>). 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<\/em> takes on a topic still toxic and hidden in todays world. [12]<\/a><\/p>\n
\"Dallas<\/a>With its initial release, Dallas Buyers Club<\/i> 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<\/a>\u00a0alongside Jason Bateman<\/a>‘s\u00a0Bad Words.\u00a0<\/em>Focus Features bought the rights to distribute the two films at TIFF and expect high successes. [13]<\/a><\/p>\n
Focus Features is currently producing Bad Words<\/em>\u00a0to be released March 2014,\u00a0Boxtrolls<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>to be released September 2014, and\u00a050 Shades of Grey<\/em><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
SOURCES<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
[1] IndieWire- Focus World Launch<\/a><\/p>\n
[2] Google Finance- Focus Features<\/a><\/p>\n
[3] Yahoo- Focus Features Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
[4] Hollywood Reporter- Focus 2014 CEO Changes<\/a><\/p>\n
[5] Variety- Focus 2014 Co-CEO Changes<\/a><\/p>\n
[6] WSJ- Focus Profit Strategy<\/a><\/p>\n
[7] BoxOfficeMojo- Yearly Comparisons<\/a><\/p>\n
[8] Variety- FilmDistrict Team to Focus<\/a><\/p>\n
[9] IndieWire Focus Executives Change<\/a><\/p>\n
[10] The World’s End Official Page<\/a><\/p>\n
[11] BoxOfficeMojo- The World’s End Review<\/a><\/p>\n
[12] Dallas Buyers Club Official Page<\/a><\/p>\n
[13] Deadline- Dallas Buyers Club Oscar Buzz<\/a><\/p>\n
IMAGE SOURCES<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
From top<\/p>\n
1. WordPress- Focus Features Logo<\/a><\/p>\n
2. \u00a0Hollywood Reporter- CEO, Old and New<\/a><\/p>\n
3a. NBCUMV- CoCEO Karpen<\/a><\/p>\n
3b. Homemedia Magazine- FilmDistrict\u00a0Alperovich<\/a><\/p>\n
4. Firstshowing.net- FilmDistrict Merge into Focus Features<\/a><\/p>\n
5. DraftHouse- The World’s End Poster<\/a><\/p>\n
6. BoxOfficeMojo- The World’s End<\/a><\/p>\n
7. BlackSheepReviews- Dallas Buyers Club Poster<\/a><\/p>\n
8. BoxOfficeMojo- Dallas Buyers Club<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Iara Rogers Benchoam   \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 LOS ANGELES OFFICE \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0100 Universal City Plaza \u00a0Universal City, CA 91608 NEW YORK OFFICE 65 Bleecker Street – 3rd Floor New York, NY 10012 INTERNATIONAL OFFICE 26 Aybrook Street London … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":293,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28,1479],"tags":[1910,614,1908,1775,1915,1912,1909,1911,1294,1649,535,1767,122,1480,662,1918,670,1769,1673,1647,1913,90,1916,1774,1526,1917,1914,1648,269],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13362"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/293"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13362"}],"version-history":[{"count":78,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16326,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13362\/revisions\/16326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}