This fascinating debate hinges on what distributors and studios regard as "as changing marketplace". For exhibitors (cinema chains) who are independent from major film distributors and studios the argument is to retain a six month release pattern for films in their cinemas. The distributors and studios are agitating for quicker release dates for DVDs. (shorter windows). Of course, there's money at stake and the publicity that sold the films could be used to help sell the DVDs. What's interesting is that distributors and studios are citing video piracy as the cause for wanting to shorten the theatrical release "window". While film piracy is an issue for each institution the cinema chains increasingly think that distributors and studios are using this issue to bounce them into shorter release patterns.
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/03/12/the-theater-dvd-release-window-debate-heats-up/
and,
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/02/01/fox-continues-battling-europe-on-release-window-issue/
German exhibitors won out over the release date issue with FOX. The writer suggests that US theaters could learn a lesson from German defiance; however the writer also argues that US exhibitors are more at the mercy of giant Hollywood distributors and studios because of the importance of home produced content.
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/30/germany-wins-in-release-window-battle/
Sunday, 2 November 2008
An example of a cinema release pattern for Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
The site has an up-coming release pattern for "The Road", based on Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same title. It is a good example of how distributors release current films. The author's novel, "No Country For Old Men" won the Oscar for best film for 2008.
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/13/weinsteins-set-a-release-pattern-for-the-road/
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/13/weinsteins-set-a-release-pattern-for-the-road/
Here's some information on release patterns for other new films
http://www.cinematical.com/search/?q=release+patterns&searchsubmit=%3CIMG+alt%3DSearch+src%3D%22www.blogsmithmedia.com%2Fframework.weblogsinc.com%2Fmedia%2Fbtn-search.gif%22+minmax_bound%3D%22true%22%3E
Several types of film release patterns
Again, this article is old and it does not take account of new release patterns such as the one devised by Warner Bros for "Jesse James". Yet it is helpful for definitions, etc.
Types of Release Patterns
Industry Analysis by Anthony Leong, Lara Kalins, Oren Levy, Marion De Marcillac, and Annekatrin Scholze
© Copyright 1996
Wide Release
The most common release pattern, in which the film is released nationally in all markets. This is the pattern used by the majors, since this type of release pattern requires a heavy investment in prints and national advertising, which while having reach into all markets, is expensive. With a wide release, the producers and distributors can realize revenues to recoup their investment in a shorter time period (provided that the film is successful). Finally, revenues from videocassette sales can also be realized faster from a quickly-executed theatrical release (the shorter the time period between the theatrical release and the videocassette release, the greater the potential for videocassette income).
The Modified Wide Release
The film will open in a few major markets and expand week by week to build awareness and allow positive word-of-mouth reputation to develop. This type of release would initially be supported spot advertising (advertising in a specific geographical area, such as a city) and may move to national advertising once it expands to other markets.
Exclusive and Limited Runs
Exclusive and limited runs begin with engagements at a limited number of screens, traditionally in large urban areas, such as Toronto. Based on favourable reviews and positive word-of-mouth, the film may move slowly to additional theatres. This release pattern is almost always used for upscale 'arthouse' or foreign films and may be part of a platforming strategy, where critical acclaim in an important market will assist in providing momentum for a wide release.
Territorial Saturation
Territorial saturation involves saturating a territory with bookings, heavy advertising and promotion, before moving on to another territory. This method would be used for films tailored to specific markets. In Canada, this would be seen with French-language films, which primarily would be well-received only in Quebec. It is also used by independent distributors for exploitation or family movies.
Types of Release Patterns
Industry Analysis by Anthony Leong, Lara Kalins, Oren Levy, Marion De Marcillac, and Annekatrin Scholze
© Copyright 1996
Wide Release
The most common release pattern, in which the film is released nationally in all markets. This is the pattern used by the majors, since this type of release pattern requires a heavy investment in prints and national advertising, which while having reach into all markets, is expensive. With a wide release, the producers and distributors can realize revenues to recoup their investment in a shorter time period (provided that the film is successful). Finally, revenues from videocassette sales can also be realized faster from a quickly-executed theatrical release (the shorter the time period between the theatrical release and the videocassette release, the greater the potential for videocassette income).
The Modified Wide Release
The film will open in a few major markets and expand week by week to build awareness and allow positive word-of-mouth reputation to develop. This type of release would initially be supported spot advertising (advertising in a specific geographical area, such as a city) and may move to national advertising once it expands to other markets.
Exclusive and Limited Runs
Exclusive and limited runs begin with engagements at a limited number of screens, traditionally in large urban areas, such as Toronto. Based on favourable reviews and positive word-of-mouth, the film may move slowly to additional theatres. This release pattern is almost always used for upscale 'arthouse' or foreign films and may be part of a platforming strategy, where critical acclaim in an important market will assist in providing momentum for a wide release.
Territorial Saturation
Territorial saturation involves saturating a territory with bookings, heavy advertising and promotion, before moving on to another territory. This method would be used for films tailored to specific markets. In Canada, this would be seen with French-language films, which primarily would be well-received only in Quebec. It is also used by independent distributors for exploitation or family movies.
Film release patterns from theatrical release to free to air TV
This report is quite old but much of its information still holds. Its useful for understanding the release patterns for films and how they work their way towards free to air tv.
http://www.bsac.uk.com/reports/briefingnoteforwindows.pdf
http://www.bsac.uk.com/reports/briefingnoteforwindows.pdf
Movie release patterns and the "select" release of "Jesse James"
This is an interesting article which examines "the select" movie release of "Jesse James". The distributors wanted a rolling release to build "the accolades" and the film's audience for a "wider release". In the event this led to frustation among prospective audiences.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2007/09/movie-release-p.html
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2007/09/movie-release-p.html
The Distribution and Marketing of Films
This article and the related articles on the right of this link's page are crucial for understanding how distribution and marketing is carried out in UK cinema. For those of you studying independent films this and the related articles offer valuable insight into how independent films are released and marketed as opposed to Hollywood films that have the advantage of film companies that are 'vertically integrated' as they have control over every aspect of a film's production, distribution, marketing and exhibition. Read the related articles in order as the case study article on "Bullet Boy" refers back to points made in the previous articles.
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/distribution/distribution1.html
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/distribution/distribution1.html
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Hollywood Stars Payback (the returns for every $ they earn)
This is a useful link for fairly recent figures on Hollywood stars and how much their films earn for every dollar spent on them. This could be helpful for star case studies, etc.
http://www.forbes.com/media/2008/07/22/star-salary-roi-biz-media-cz_dp_ph_0722payback.html
Hollywood's most expensive stars- they returned poor box office per dollar earned by them.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/business/12Forbes-actors.php
In pictures, with relevant information
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/business/12Forbes-actors.php
http://www.forbes.com/media/2008/07/22/star-salary-roi-biz-media-cz_dp_ph_0722payback.html
Hollywood's most expensive stars- they returned poor box office per dollar earned by them.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/business/12Forbes-actors.php
In pictures, with relevant information
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/business/12Forbes-actors.php
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