Check out this interesting blog post from the ScriptJournal Blog on Hollywood's obsession with pre-sold concepts. Author Ben Magid is best known for thinking outside the box, creating high concept worlds and big ideas. A professional screenwriter, he has worked with Rogue Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Summit Entertainment.
"In today's marketplace, original ideas carry little weight. Studios are risk averse and are only looking for sure things. Sure things equate to pre-awareness. Comic books, novels, video games, remakes, sequels. They are counting on making their money back opening weekend."
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Check out this great blog post from Screenline on 2009 Chinese box office analysis. Author Ellen Pittleman is a veteran studio executive, who most recently served as SVP, International Co-Productions and Worldwide Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures.
"The two major obstacles for industry development had been the shortage of investment and poor distribution channels because many Chinese didn’t fully understand the film market as a concept and didn’t believe it was a viable business to operate. That’s now changing."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on why we must preserve classic films.Author Neely Swanson is the former Senior Vice President of Development for David E. Kelley Productions and presently an adjunct professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in the writing division.
"What are we doing to preserve these films, our cultural heritage? But almost as important, what are we doing to introduce a new generation, the generation that doesn’t like black and white films, to this cultural heritage?"
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Check out this informative blog post from the ScriptJournal Blog on producing a biographical film. Author Greg Carter has produced 13 feature films and documentaries, 8 of which he has also directed and 6 he wrote. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to film and the community, Greg has been inducted into the Texas Filmmakers’ Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards.
"Let’s face it, those five little words, 'Based on a true story,' can snag the attention of the most hardcore Actor’s Studio thespian, or pull the heartstrings of even the most die-hard action junkie bingeing at the local multiplex. The tough call for most bio-pics is condensing a lifetime or a series of events into classic three art structure."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on legal implications when using film investors. Author Jeremy Juuso is the founder of Jeremy Juuso Consulting, a firm specializing in the writing of film business proposals as well as educating investors on the basics of the movie business.
"Unfortunately, there have been so many swindlers out there over the past century that now we have a convoluted mess of federal and state securities laws that basically amount to this: use finder’s fees and you’re opening yourself up to some serious litigation."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on Part 3 of our Australian box office analysis. Author Ellen Pittleman is a veteran studio executive, who most recently served as SVP, International Co-Productions and Worldwide Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures.
"Government support for the industry is a recurring debate in the Australian film industry. One viewpoint maintains that a viable film industry is only possible with government support while the other opinion is that the industry will become stronger if increasingly globalised market forces are allowed to thrive in an unrestricted manner."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on online video and net neutrality. Author Pam Allison is a professional digital media strategist who focuses on helping companies monetize content. Pam has occupied key roles at DtecNet, DIRECTV, Disney, and Movielink. Her diverse experience has been centered on creating strategies and tactics that deliver winning consumer solutions.
"Is net neutrality fair? Well, it depends on which side you are on. Broadband providers feel that since they own the broadband pipe and they invested in the infrastructure, they should be able to control what goes down it. Therefore, any content that they distribute should be given a higher priority."
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Check out this inspiring blog post from the ScriptJournal Blog on the crazy world of pitching. Author Ben Magid is best known for thinking outside the box, creating high concept worlds and big ideas. A professional screenwriter, he has worked with Rogue Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Summit Entertainment.
"At the end of the day, the best story usually wins. Not always, because often politics come into play, but on average, the better story will be the one that comes out victorious. So write your outline, practice it, memorize it, and pitch it. Hopefully you'll get the job."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on whether converting to 3D makes good business sense. Author Louise Levison is an independent film finance consultant. She has written business plans for low-budget films, such as The Blair Witch Project, as well as companies raising as much as $300 million.
"It seems obvious to the most casual observer that 3D best serves animation, science fiction, action and any films for which immersion is far more important than story. Clearly, intimate dramas, romantic comedies and other films heavily dependent on storyline or jokes probably are not candidates for 3D."
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Check out this great blog post from Baseline Research on Australian box office by distributor and genre. Author Ellen Pittleman is a veteran studio executive, who most recently served as SVP, International Co-Productions and Worldwide Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures.
"With “Avatar,” “Harry Potter,” “2012” and “Star Trek” (A$16m) all boasting more than A$16m at the Australian box office, the science fiction fantasy genre was on fire this year with a combined box office take of A$191m over a total of only eleven pictures in the genre."
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