{"id":20663,"date":"2014-12-01T18:41:12","date_gmt":"2014-12-01T23:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/?p=20663"},"modified":"2014-12-01T18:41:12","modified_gmt":"2014-12-01T23:41:12","slug":"universal-pictures-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bejone03.expressions.syr.edu\/trf235\/2014\/12\/01\/universal-pictures-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Universal Pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jamie Savarese<\/p>\n

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Universal Pictures<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"-Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of myfilmviews.com [1]<\/a><\/p><\/div>Contact Information: <\/strong>[2]<\/a>
\n100 Universal City Plaza
\nUniversal City, CA 91608<\/p>\n

Phone: 818-777-1000<\/h4>\n

Fax: 818-777-6431<\/h4>\n

URL:\u00a0<\/strong>http:\/\/www.universalpictures.com\/<\/a>
\nTwitter Handle:\u00a0<\/strong>@UniversalPics<\/span><\/a>
\nFacebook Page:\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/universalstudiosentertainment<\/a><\/p>\n

Key Executives:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Donna_Langley_a_p\"<\/a>

Donna, Langley, Chairman [3]<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\"Peter<\/a>

Peter Levinsohn, President and Chief Distribution [4]<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\"Jeff<\/a>

Jeff Shell, Chairman [5]<\/a><\/p><\/div> <\/p>\n

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Company Overview:<\/b>
\nUniversal Pictures<\/a> is one of Hollywood\u2019s \u201cBig Six\u201d film studios and is owned by Comcast <\/a>through its subordinate company, NBCUniversal<\/a>. The company distributes filmed entertainment for a growing global marketplace. They develop films internally, co-produce and distribute films developed by outside partners. Universal produces and distributes direct-to-DVD titles. The company has partners with a variety of leading international film companies in order to make and distribute films for wide commercial release.\u00a0Their content is available through pay and free television, cinematic exhibition and subscription on-demand services. Universal has a diverse film pool and has showcased numerous classics including Jaws<\/a>, E.T.<\/a>, Back to the Future<\/a><\/em> and the Jurassic Park<\/em><\/a> series. [6]<\/a><\/p>\n

Brief History<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Universal<\/a>

Universal Logos Through the Years, Photos Courtesy of myfilmviews.com [7]<\/a><\/p><\/div>In 1912 Carl Laemmle<\/a>, a film exhibitor turned producer, founded Universal Pictures<\/a>. Universal is the world\u2019s third oldest major film studio, and the second oldest in Hollywood. [8] <\/a>In the early years of the studio it was a top producer of popular low-budget serials. It took the name of Universal-International <\/a>for a while. In the early 1970s the Music Corporation of America <\/a>purchased Universal. In 2004 Universal Pictures (as part of Vivendi Universal Entertainment<\/a>) merged with the National Broadcasting Co., Inc.<\/a>, to form NBC Universal<\/a>. [9]<\/a><\/p>\n

Financials:<\/strong>
\nBox office wise, currently Universal<\/a> is ranked 5th<\/sup> with 11.2% of the market share, grossing $1,023.9 million from its 17 films. This marks a 26% decrease<\/a> from the prior year. In 2013 Universal was ranked 3rd<\/sup> with 13.1% of market share, grossing $1,433.3 million from its 17 films. The gross difference between 2013<\/a> and 2014<\/a> is -$358,971,454. [10]<\/a><\/p>\n

Right Here, Right Now<\/strong>
\nIn 2014, Universal Pictures released thirteen films and two are currently still in theatres:\u00a0Dumb and Dumber To<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Ouija<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>This fall Universal released six of its thirteen 2014 films:\u00a0Get On Up<\/a>, As Above\/So Below<\/a>, A<\/a><\/em> Walk Among the Tombstones<\/a>, Dracula Untold<\/a>, Ouija<\/em> and Dumb and Dumber To<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ouija<\/em>
\nThis year marks the 120th<\/sup> anniversary for the Ouija board<\/a>. Writers Juliet Snowden<\/a> and Stiles White <\/a>devised Ouija<\/em><\/a>, a terrifying horror film based on an unexpected death. A group of friends attempt to uncover the secret behind their best friends hanging, and end up awaking the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. [35]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of imbued.com [36]<\/a><\/p><\/div>Horror films are a great source of revenue for production companies because they are usually low budget projects<\/a>. Ouija cost $5 million to make and left the studio with a worldwide profit of $67,840,000. This is a surprising profit considering sites like Rotten Tomatoes<\/a> said only 29% of audiences liked it.[37]<\/a><\/p>\n

Dracula Untold<\/em>
\nDracula Untold<\/a> is a dark tale set to take place in Romania during the Turkish invasion. The main character Vlad (Luke Evans<\/a>) sells his soul in an attempt to save his homeland. This choice forever dooms him as a creature of the night. Directed by Gary Shore<\/a> and written by Matt Sazama<\/a> and Burk Sharpless<\/a>. [16]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of imbued.com[15]<\/a><\/p><\/div>In its opening week (October 10-12), Dracula Untold<\/em> topped the foreign box office, edging out Gone Girl<\/em> <\/a>and Annabelle <\/em><\/a>overseas with a $33.9 million haul. [12]<\/a> Universal spent $70 million on the movie, and worldwide it accumulated $86.1 million after two weeks of release. As of today, the movie\u2019s worldwide total is $212,691,880 million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the Dracula Untold<\/em> a 61% for audience acceptance, were critics only gave it 23%. [13]<\/a>[14]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Years Success<\/strong>
\nNeighbors<\/a><\/em>, Ride Along<\/em><\/a>, Lucy<\/em><\/a> and Non-Stop<\/em><\/a> are ranked the top four movies of 2014 based on total gross. [11]<\/a><\/p>\n

Lucy<\/em>
\nThis action-thriller Lucy<\/em><\/a> tracks the story of a woman, Lucy (Scarlett Johansson<\/a>), who is accidentally caught in a dark deal. The package that her kidnappers expect her to carry ends up empowering Lucy<\/a>. With this new mental capacity she turns the tables on her captors and turns into an unstoppable warrior evolved beyond the human logic. Luc Besson<\/a> directs the film.[17]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"lucy-poster-\"<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of onlinemoviz.com [18]<\/a><\/p><\/div>In its opening week, Lucy <\/em>accumulated a total gross of 34.7%, making around $43 million. Its widest release was 3,202 theatres. It\u2019s total profit worldwide is $458,863,600 million compared to its $40 million dollar production budget. Luc Besson <\/a>had the best opening of his career with\u00a0Lucy<\/em>\u00a0in Turkey, Hungary, the Philippines, French-Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, where it also became Universal\u2019s third-biggest opening of all time. [19]<\/a>[20]<\/a><\/p>\n

In Other News:<\/em><\/p>\n

\"oculus_film_still_a_l\"<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of www.hollywoodreporter.com [21]<\/a><\/p><\/div>On 15 July 2014, Elevation Pictures<\/a>\u2019, a Canadian indie distributor, co-presidents Laurie May<\/a> and Noah Segal <\/a>announced that Universal will be releasing its home entertainment product locally. The deal permits Elevation Pictures to handle Blu-ray and DVD sales of current and upcoming films into the Canadian market. Mike Flanagan\u2019s <\/a>Oculus <\/em><\/a>was the first film to be handled by Universal\u2019s Canadian home entertainment arm.[22]<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com[34]<\/a><\/p><\/div>On 17 November 2014, Universal Pictures and Comcast brass <\/a>gathered for an opening ceremony in Beijing<\/a>. This signaled Universal\u2019s push into China with their new office. The company stated that this office was a sign of proof to establish the future investment they wish to have within the region. [23]<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com[24]<\/a><\/p><\/div>\u00a0On 24 November 2014, Universal stepped up to adopt the high-profile Steve Jobs<\/a> movie from Sony<\/a>. The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> states that their sources have the deal between the two companies priced more than $30 million. The film is based on Walter Isaacson\u2019s<\/a> biography Steve Jobs<\/a>,<\/em> which hit stores in 2011. The script was written by Aaron Sorkin <\/a>and is set to be directed by Danny Boyle<\/a>. [32]<\/a><\/p>\n

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What’s To Come:\u00a0<\/strong>
\nUniversal will release its popular comedic sequel, Pitch Perfect 2<\/em><\/a>, on 15 May 2015. The film revisits the Barden Bells<\/a> as they progress past domestic competition, and prepare for the international acapella competition that no American team has ever won. The film is directed by Elizabeth Banks<\/a> and written by Kay Cannon<\/a> and based on the book by Mickey Rapkin<\/a>. [25]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo Courtesy of imbd.com[26]<\/a><\/p><\/div>The newest hype in Universal has come from its recent release of the Jurassic World<\/em> <\/a>trailer. The Jurassic Park series<\/a> comes with many fans, and much promise for a good opening week. The movie comes out in 3D on 12 June 2015. Steven Spielberg <\/a>returns to executive produce, and\u00a0Colin Trevorrow<\/a> comes on as director. [27]<\/a>[28]<\/a>[29]<\/a><\/p>\n