Movie Master

Establishing a distribution channel is a very difficult thing. Diorama Films brought European films to the United States and established distribution channels step by step. Because they have no background, no connections, and no background, almost every work has Need to start from scratch. It was not until the introduction of Two Smoking Barrels and Central Station in 1998 that it really made a big deal and successfully made a name for itself. It was able to sign two contracts with top theaters including Royal Entertainment and AMC. The one-year short-term contract has really put the distribution department on the right track.

However, the diorama film industry started from scratch, and it was not easy to get in touch with these large theaters; however, the current chaotic film industry is not the same. It started as a production company. It has achieved good results, and the development and distribution department is more of an icing on the cake.

The cooperation negotiation process between Chaos Films and AMC was somewhat stumbling, but overall it went very smoothly, and the cooperation agreement was finalized in less than forty-eight hours. And, this is just the beginning.

After being deprived of some benefits, it means that Chaos Films has established contact with major theaters. If Sin City is successful, then Chaos Films will sign a short-term cooperation agreement with major theaters in the future. It's just a matter of time, and by then, the benefits lost by a movie can only be regarded as a drop in the bucket.

Ian and Theo clearly understood this, so they chose to back down, giving up a small part of their interests in exchange for greater benefits. In terms of the overall situation, both of them saw very clearly and accurately, so naturally they couldn't suffer easily.

What's more, Sin City has not yet been released, and the box office results are still unknown. Maybe Chaos Pictures won't have to bear the loss at all, and while winning the benefits, it will complete the establishment of the distribution department strongly.

Of course, the distribution department is far from that simple. Diorama Films has spent six years building a network. Of course, Chaos Films cannot be completed overnight—even if Chaos Films’ previous three works have been successful. It is also impossible.

If it was so easy to set up a distribution department, why was DreamWorks reluctant to set up a distribution department? Could it be that they can't? of course not. They chose to give up the distribution department for many reasons. On the one hand, they wanted to focus on the production of movies, whether it was Steven Spielberg or Jeffrey Katzenberg, including David-Geffen (David-Geffen). Geffen), they are all very pure filmmakers, and their connection with the commercial link is relatively weak.

On the one hand, it is to maintain the independence of DreamWorks. If the distribution department is established, it also means that the company must hire a CEO to take charge. This will inevitably break the balance between the Iron Triangle, and the three giants like to make decisions on their own. type, they don't like someone coming to interfere with the production of their works.

On the other hand, distribution also means the establishment of a department, which is like a small company, and output must be produced after input. If it can't make ends meet, the distribution department can quickly become a liability, creating a chain reaction that can cause the entire company to fail.

Another point, which is also the most important aspect, is that the cooperation with theater chains is only the first step in the distribution channel. It is a very long process from North American theater chains to world theater chains, let alone home video tapes. Marketing, screenings by non-cinema institutions, contact and development of surrounding markets, etc., are all very time-consuming and energy-consuming.

On the contrary, if you cooperate with a large film company, such as Disney or Universal Pictures, their screening scale will inevitably be larger, and the adjustment flexibility will be easier; there will be more choices in schedule arrangements, and supporting promotional measures will be able to keep up immediately; follow-up Business expansion is a one-stop service.

In other words, splitting 15% to 20% of the box office profits to the distribution company, in exchange for a clean and simple place, why not do it? Not only DreamWorks, but also New Line Pictures, Legendary Pictures and so on.

That's true if you just want to be a film studio. But if you want to go further, things are completely different. Just look at the ending of DreamWorks and New Line Films. It is the same after Legendary Films and Warner Bros. ended their cooperation agreement. They have been looking for partners and must be attached to a large film company in order to continue to survive. .

Therefore, choosing to set up a distribution department is a big gamble for Chaos Films, and negotiating with AMC on the distribution of Sin City seems simple and easy, but in fact it is just the entire distribution process The most trivial first step.

Theo is talking with them about future cooperation, and they have been going around in circles without any substantive content. Ian simply explained that the subtext is actually saying that Theo is still further digging for possible potential value, and they lost With a 10% profit, it is impossible for AMC to escape so easily. Even if they are crying and pretending to be pitiful, they still have to dig out something from AMC.

Lance nodded understandingly, with a look of understanding.

From the bathroom to the meeting room, the distance is less than 15 steps, and time is limited. Ian just summed up all the situation in a few sentences at the beginning and the end, which means that Ian and Lance have such a tacit understanding, and within a short time Only then can all the communication be completed. If it is replaced by other people, it is estimated that they will be at a loss at this time.

Pushing open the door of the conference room, Lance saw only four people. Besides Theo, Austin Hogan was on the list, and there were two other strange faces. Lance was momentarily confused—why are there so few people? But Austin quickly answered, The main business talks are over, and they all went back to the screening hall. 'Sin City' is really a very good movie, and they hope to finish watching it today.

I see. Regardless of whether Austin's excuses are true or not, it is certain that there were more than these people in the conference room just now.

You are invited here because we need to have an in-depth discussion on the movie schedule, and Ian insists that you need to come forward in person. Austin still behaved in the same manner, without too much politeness and flattery in his conversation, simply neat Straight to the point, but two sentences directly entered the serious stage, Lance didn't even sit still,

Then Austin looked to the side, and one of the men in his thirties raised his right hand, Good afternoon, Mr. Strelo, I'm Roy-Cutler. After a brief self-introduction , he looked down at a report in front of him, That's it, I would like to ask first, when is the work 'Sin City' going to be released? If you want to enter the summer file, now we have The schedule is almost exhausted, it depends on who you plan to collide with.

This is a situation that Lance has long expected. Even if Chaos Films has a distribution department, they don't have the ability to challenge those big companies now. If they want to enter the summer file, they have to go head-to-head with those commercial blockbusters. Unless Lance's title of director already has the ability to call the wind and rain, and can make those big companies avoid the limelight, there is no other way.

No, I don't have any ideas about summer vacation. Lance shook his head with a smile. Sin City is not a work suitable for summer vacation.

Roy nodded with a smile, Understood! He looked down at the report in his hand again, Now there are only two options left, before the summer vacation, there are still schedules in the first and third weeks of April; otherwise It must be postponed until September. At present, our schedule for September and October has been released, but it has not been fully determined. Roy paused, and found that Lance did not intend to speak immediately, so he continued to explain, I My personal suggestion is to release it in September, October, or even the Halloween schedule, so that there will be enough time for promotion and to ensure that the film has enough accumulation.”

Roy's words are very cryptic. In fact, he is saying that Chaos Pictures doesn't even have a distribution department, and the promotion is a blank sheet of paper. If it is released in April, the schedule will be too tight, which may eventually lead to a disastrous failure. It is better to release Go to the second half.

Lance understands these reasons, but he has other ideas. The autumn file is always a leisure time, and the competition is not fierce. On the surface, this is a good thing for Sin City, but on the contrary, because they lack enough It will be more difficult to promote resources and attract audiences in the autumn file to enter the cinema. As for the Halloween schedule, you can try it, but you have to wait until November...

After thinking about it, Are there only two schedules left in April? Lance did not respond directly, but asked curiously.

If you choose the April schedule, it also means that Chaos Films only has one month to promote. Such a thing is naturally no problem for a big company, but for Chaos Films...

Roy was a little hesitant, but seeing Lance's determined eyes, he suppressed his doubts and said, Yes. The 'Sahara Cavalry' has been confirmed as the leader in the second week of April, and the fourth week of April Zhou is a 'translation storm', these two schedules are too hard, not suitable for you.

Needless to say, the Sahara Cavalry has been overwhelming in recent times, from an investment of 160 million yuan, to the relationship between Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey, to the announcement of the Super Bowl It can be said that this work is the most watched blockbuster work in this spring file.

Translation Disturbance also has a lot of background. This work is led by two Oscar winners, Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, and the director is the successful Sydney-Pollack (Sydney-Pollack). 80 million to build, menacing. During the publicity period, it was titled another 'borrowing knife'-style psychological thriller, which attracted a lot of attention.

These two works can be called the giants in the spring file from the strength of the paper to the publicity. The distribution company of Sahara Cavalry is weaker. The cost scale is smaller, but Universal Pictures is responsible for distribution.

Therefore, it is more difficult for Chaos Shadow Industry to go head-to-head.

What about the first week of May? Lance thought for a moment before asking the next question.