This Is It is an excellent example. Originally, This Is It was only supposed to have a 2 week limited release, starting Oct 28, 2009. Then because of response Sony changed their mind and decided that they wanted to make it a wide release for multiple weeks. DVD's were then going to be released (as originally scheduled for early December), though that was now going to interfere with the end of the Theatrical release. The Thanksgiving through New Years cycle is usually booked long in advance and theare owners had to do a lot of "dancing" to reconfigure their exhibition plans once Sony realized their was more Box Office potential than they had originally planed.
Finding (or keeping) additional screens for AVATAR in January, February and March is much easier. Once Sony wanted to extend the theatrical release and was pressuring theatre owners to find screens, they then complained plenty to Sony Pictures about plans to releases This is It on DVD in time for Christmas sales. So, in response to complaints, Sony did a special Christmas theatrical re-release instead. The DVD release was then held back until Jan 26, 2010. That decision was announced on Nov 30. In this way, the film had a release; a Christmas Holiday re-release and then the DVD release.That is the actual timeline. Studios are trying to find the perfect mix between mining all the Box Office gold possible while reducing a need to build a separate "buzz" for the DVD release, because it is occurring too late after the theatrical release. Since the latter is where the Studios make most of their money, that is what they care about. In some ways Studios see the theatrical release as just a giant commercial for the DVD or online download sale of a film Under current plans, Alice in Wonderland (if it is successful) would still normally be in some theatres when the DVD is first available. Theatre Owners who have a variety of screens (including 3-D) don't want to promise those screens to films where they feel that the DVD will come out so soon that it will cannibalize Box Office. Since theatre owners and Studios all agree that pirated DVD's threaten Box Office, it seems reasonable that some theatre owners believe that "official" DVD's available during the theatrical window could do the same. Avatar is doing extremely well and even with James Cameron's track record you can be sure that everyone at FOX was chewing their fingernails until the first week's grosses came in. These deals for theatres chains and DVD release windows are often put together for both way in advance of the theatrical release. Had FOX put together a shorter DVD window than normal for AVATAR they would be in the middle of a mess right now. FOX kept their options open; theatre owners are extending the run of the film and no DVD release date is even being discussed. This is further complicated by the fact that more big films are doing "Day and Date" releases and many Studios will bundle their films when they feel they have a potential hit on their hands. For example in order to get Pirates of the Caribbean a theatre chain may have to agree to give G-Force two weeks in their largest theatre, no matter how it does. I don't think that we have heard the last of this issue and Disney's behaviour can't be making Tim Burton real happy. ----- Original Message ----- From: MotionPictureArt.com To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 6:15 AM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Disney blunder I already read this news a few weeks ago. This boycott is going on around the world. In the Netherlands all Pathe cinemas are banning the movie. Apparently there's a deal that there's supposed to be a minimum period of 4 months between theater release and DVD release. Theaters are now complaining, but I did not hear them complain when This is It! played until December and it's also now being released on DVD within 3 months. I don't understand all the fuzz. Disney + Tim Burton + Johnny Depp + 3D Movie + Alice in Wonderland = guaranteed success! Last year theaters in the Netherlands made more money than they did in the past 15 years. Boohoo, damn that recession. Boohoo, damn Piracy. Avatar alone is already proofing cinema is not dead although there's piracy and a recession. Produce great movies and you will get excellent box-office numbers. Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy Neal To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 1:54 PM Subject: [MOPO] Disney blunder Just wondering if this is going on in the USA also... Odean cinemas are banning Alice in Wonderland a few others are now following their footsteps. Disney are basically only giving them a few weeks to show the movie before it's being released on DVD. They claim it it will reduce piracy but all this is doing is spoiling the cinema experience. Seems odd that Disney are doing this. I know that DVD's make more money than movie theatres but this is ridiculous. Andy Kind Regards Andy www.movieposterforum.com www.themovieforum.org Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
