'Meet the Robinsons' Trailer

[EUROPACL]

Thats not true and I'm back

So take a movie like Borat that was made for around 18-20 million before advertsing....that seems pretty dirt cheap as far as budgets go these days. After advertsing, distribution, backend cuts of the profits and the split with Theaters... how much are you saying that it has to make to be a "sucess and make money"?

 

[MJMcBride]

Again, I know a couple people in the movie business and they agree, $100million minimum for any significant release.

Just because you know some people who sell popcorn and tear off ticket stubs does not make you an "insider"

 

[cxcelica]

Again, I know a couple people in the movie business and they agree, $100million minimum for any significant release.

I think its alot more complicated than that.

1. Is that $100 million in the US or Internationally that is very important distinction.

2. What about DVD sales, rentals, possible video games, licensing and broadcasting fees.

A movie does not necessarily have to hit $100 million to be a success. And it is just to general to say that the minimum goal of any major release should be $100 million. I would think that the Santa Clause does not have to come anywhere near $100 million box office to break even.

 

[Another Voice]

First - welcome back.

Second - you're wrong.

The $100 million box office take for "success" is on the low, low, low side of the scale. The average "low budget" studio movie is now between $50-$75 million dollars. Then on top of that you have to add in 50%-100% for marketing costs. And of course you have to remember that the distribution company only gets - on average - 50% of the box office take (and usually a lot less from the international box office). And since a lot of studios "partner up" these days there's a huge chunk that goes off to the production company. And let's not forgot all the back-end participation by the actors and directors and all of that comes from the first dollar of the studio's take (only writers are still dumb enough to take back end points).

The second biggest mistake that people make about Hollywood is assuming that it runs like the rest of Corporate America. The town’s been at this game for a hundred years now; the suits from New York have been here less than two decades. The business model of this town is made to funnel to individuals, not to companies. The real profits of Pirates of the Caribbean is going to Jerry Bruckheimer and Johnny Depp; The Walt Disney Company will be lucky to see pennies on the dollar. Sure, there will be lots that flow through the income statement (because the suits like that sort of thing), but the real cash money is ending up in French Villas and stocking the hot tubs with fresh bimbos.

 

[MJMcBride]

First - welcome back.

Second - you're wrong.

First of all, Thanks, it stinks to be back

Second, I never am.

I concede to your figures although I think they are a little high. A previous poster indicated Borat was made for 18-20. I know that is particularly low but it does still happen when your movie does not have Angelina Jolie/Tom Cruise type stars. But OK lets go with 50-75 mill plus another 50% for ads and the like. But if a movie like that breaks even from the screens it will surely get into the black by DVD time.

I agree that the old standard of $100 million equals blockbuster is no longer true. But its still a profitable venture for anything but the big budget special effects stuff.

 

[YoHo]

First of all, Thanks, it stinks to be back

Second, I never am.

I concede to your figures although I think they are a little high. A previous poster indicated Borat was made for 18-20. I know that is particularly low but it does still happen when your movie does not have Angelina Jolie/Tom Cruise type stars. But OK lets go with 50-75 mill plus another 50% for ads and the like. But if a movie like that breaks even from the screens it will surely get into the black by DVD time.

I agree that the old standard of $100 million equals blockbuster is no longer true. But its still a profitable venture for anything but the big budget special effects stuff.

Except you're still forgetting front loaded points and all the other incidentals. All the people that need to get paid off before dollar one gets back to the studio.