Comments on: Sony Pictures Classics to Buy/Bury The Wackness?! http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/ Blogging the Reel World Thu, 8 Jan 2009 19:35:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: MiniMogul http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-216683 MiniMogul Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:17:54 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-216683 Grosses aren't everything. Ask just about any filmmaker who's worked with a few of the major-mini's and 99% will all want to work with Sony Classics again. SPC supports artists, they don't exploit them. Sure, GARDEN STATE took in over $26 million, but I'll bet my life that the distributor spent at least $25 million to release it. Where does that leave the filmmakers? And, holy crap! SPC has a stellar Oscar record garnering nominations every year since their inception. Grosses aren’t everything. Ask just about any filmmaker who’s worked with a few of the major-mini’s and 99% will all want to work with Sony Classics again. SPC supports artists, they don’t exploit them. Sure, GARDEN STATE took in over $26 million, but I’ll bet my life that the distributor spent at least $25 million to release it. Where does that leave the filmmakers? And, holy crap! SPC has a stellar Oscar record garnering nominations every year since their inception.

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184412 Peter Sciretta Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:55:32 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184412 McK: you prove my point quite nicely. The Wackness is not an arthouse film, it's a mini-major with breakout appeal, comparable to Garden State, Juno, or Little Miss. It is the apple compared to the oranges that SPC usually distributes. It's the kind of film that needs a good marketing push behind it and not just the "let's let the award buzz sell the film" attitude that SPC usually takes. McK: you prove my point quite nicely. The Wackness is not an arthouse film, it’s a mini-major with breakout appeal, comparable to Garden State, Juno, or Little Miss. It is the apple compared to the oranges that SPC usually distributes. It’s the kind of film that needs a good marketing push behind it and not just the “let’s let the award buzz sell the film” attitude that SPC usually takes.

]]> By: First 10 Minutes of Mandy Lane | Common Review http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184029 First 10 Minutes of Mandy Lane | Common Review Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:23:41 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184029 [...] Jonathan Levine continues to have a good track record with his Sundance hit The Wackness garnering a lot of buzz.  I really hope that his films stop having such huge delays, but, from what I’m reading, that may continue to be a problem. [...] [...] Jonathan Levine continues to have a good track record with his Sundance hit The Wackness garnering a lot of buzz.  I really hope that his films stop having such huge delays, but, from what I’m reading, that may continue to be a problem. [...]

]]> By: McK http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184024 McK Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:18:35 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-184024 i gotta side w/ anthony on this one. JUNEBUG and LAYER CAKE were 2005 releases for crying out loud! YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH wouldn't have even been released if not for SPC since everybody else passed on it. PERSEPOLIS is building nicely. it's still only on 58 screens and is at $1.3M. and besides, comparing Searchlight and SPC is apples and oranges. Searchlight has released exactly zero documentaries and only three foreign language films during the past 3 yrs, WATER and the decidedly unarthouse NIGHTWATCH/DAYWATCH combo. i gotta side w/ anthony on this one. JUNEBUG and LAYER CAKE were 2005 releases for crying out loud! YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH wouldn’t have even been released if not for SPC since everybody else passed on it. PERSEPOLIS is building nicely. it’s still only on 58 screens and is at $1.3M. and besides, comparing Searchlight and SPC is apples and oranges. Searchlight has released exactly zero documentaries and only three foreign language films during the past 3 yrs, WATER and the decidedly unarthouse NIGHTWATCH/DAYWATCH combo.

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183170 Peter Sciretta Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:31:13 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183170 Anthony, the purpose of the box office figure was to use it as a comparison to other minimajors like fox searchlight. If we were to include films released in late 2006 in the figures, the searchlight figure would also be boosted by little miss and notes on a scandal. Both figures used the same calculation parameters. Anthony, the purpose of the box office figure was to use it as a comparison to other minimajors like fox searchlight. If we were to include films released in late 2006 in the figures, the searchlight figure would also be boosted by little miss and notes on a scandal. Both figures used the same calculation parameters.

]]> By: anthony http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183109 anthony Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:29:33 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183109 So you're ignoring films like "Lives of the Others" and "Black Book" simply because they had Oscar-qualifying runs in 2006. That seems unfair, since these are usually distributors' best films and make the most of their box-office the following year. So you’re ignoring films like “Lives of the Others” and “Black Book” simply because they had Oscar-qualifying runs in 2006. That seems unfair, since these are usually distributors’ best films and make the most of their box-office the following year.

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183096 Peter Sciretta Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:14:05 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183096 <p>anthony: the numbers are correct. Maybe I should have been more clear, but the box office total I listed was an account of all films released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2007, not including the films was a release date in 2006. To be fair, my comparison to Fox Searchlight is also on a level playing field as I used the same 2007 release parameters. Note: I have also clarified our calculation in the story above to avoid future confusion. </p> anthony: the numbers are correct. Maybe I should have been more clear, but the box office total I listed was an account of all films released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2007, not including the films was a release date in 2006. To be fair, my comparison to Fox Searchlight is also on a level playing field as I used the same 2007 release parameters. Note: I have also clarified our calculation in the story above to avoid future confusion.

]]> By: anthony http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183070 anthony Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:28:43 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-183070 Peter, your post about Sony Pictures Classics is dreadfully incorrect. If you're going to do some reporting about a company's box office average, you need to take the time to do dilligence and actually look at all their movies released in a year, not be selective. Simply check out http://www.the-numbers.com/market/2007/SonyPicturesClassics.php and you'll see that Sony's "The Lives of Others," alone, grossed $11.3 million last year, while "Black Book, "Volver" and "Curse of the Golden Flower" all made multiple millions in 2007. Peter, your post about Sony Pictures Classics is dreadfully incorrect. If you’re going to do some reporting about a company’s box office average, you need to take the time to do dilligence and actually look at all their movies released in a year, not be selective. Simply check out http://www.the-numbers.com/market/2007/SonyPicturesClassics.php and you’ll see that Sony’s “The Lives of Others,” alone, grossed $11.3 million last year, while “Black Book, “Volver” and “Curse of the Golden Flower” all made multiple millions in 2007.

]]> By: V-D-B: The Wu-Tang Mountain » Blog Archive » Wackness Gets Picked Up By Sony Pictures Classic http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182354 V-D-B: The Wu-Tang Mountain » Blog Archive » Wackness Gets Picked Up By Sony Pictures Classic Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:11:26 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182354 [...] /film Related: The Wackness PosterRelated: Some Wackness ReviewsRelated: Ghostface Part [...] [...] /film Related: The Wackness PosterRelated: Some Wackness ReviewsRelated: Ghostface Part [...]

]]> By: Neil Miller http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182204 Neil Miller Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:03:15 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182204 McK - By your definition -- and considering that I have seen the film -- The Wackness is the sort of "middlebrow bigscreen sitcom" to which you are referring. Therein lies the issue - Wackness does not fit with SPC's catalog at all. I think it is their fault, as they went after a film that was clearly out of their league. realist - Having spoken with director Jonathan Levine directly, I can tell you that they had a bunch of options for the film. Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic that The Wackness got picked up -- we were getting worried toward the end of the week -- but what is so wrong with us bringing up this topic? Our hope is not necessarily that SPC pulls out of the deal but that they wise up and market this film correctly -- that is the reality of the situation. McK - By your definition — and considering that I have seen the film — The Wackness is the sort of “middlebrow bigscreen sitcom” to which you are referring. Therein lies the issue - Wackness does not fit with SPC’s catalog at all. I think it is their fault, as they went after a film that was clearly out of their league.

realist - Having spoken with director Jonathan Levine directly, I can tell you that they had a bunch of options for the film. Don’t get me wrong, I am ecstatic that The Wackness got picked up — we were getting worried toward the end of the week — but what is so wrong with us bringing up this topic? Our hope is not necessarily that SPC pulls out of the deal but that they wise up and market this film correctly — that is the reality of the situation.

]]> By: Hoopla - Entertainment Blog » Blog Archive » Sundance Deal: Sony Classics Takes ‘Wackness,’ Bloggers Upset http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182171 Hoopla - Entertainment Blog » Blog Archive » Sundance Deal: Sony Classics Takes ‘Wackness,’ Bloggers Upset Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:22:15 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182171 [...] three sites that had issues with Sony Classics: Neil Miller (Film School Rejects), Peter Sciretta (Slashfilm) and Alex Billington (First Showing). Other writers have also weighed in: Edward Douglas [...] [...] three sites that had issues with Sony Classics: Neil Miller (Film School Rejects), Peter Sciretta (Slashfilm) and Alex Billington (First Showing). Other writers have also weighed in: Edward Douglas [...]

]]> By: realist http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182075 realist Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:06:09 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182075 Folks, Do you guys have a clue about how the film business works? You can't complain that Searchlight or other companies releasing this movie because THEY OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WANT IT. The guy is lucky to have a distribution deal for his movie. You can't say they should have offered it for a dollar to another company because the marketing costs are way more expensive than the acquisition fees. They won't make any offer at all for a film they don't want. Folks,

Do you guys have a clue about how the film business works? You can’t complain that Searchlight or other companies releasing this movie because THEY OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T WANT IT. The guy is lucky to have a distribution deal for his movie. You can’t say they should have offered it for a dollar to another company because the marketing costs are way more expensive than the acquisition fees. They won’t make any offer at all for a film they don’t want.

]]> By: McK http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182052 McK Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:22:43 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-182052 A) if searchlight or vantage had put in higher bids, i'm sure THE WACKNESS would've gone with them. B) sony pictures classics tends to actually release 'good' films like VOLVER, JUNEBUG or OFFSIDE. if auds want middlebrow bigscreen sitcoms like JUNO, LIL MISS SUNSHINE and GARDEN STATE instead, how is that SPC's fault? A) if searchlight or vantage had put in higher bids, i’m sure THE WACKNESS would’ve gone with them.

B) sony pictures classics tends to actually release ‘good’ films like VOLVER, JUNEBUG or OFFSIDE. if auds want middlebrow bigscreen sitcoms like JUNO, LIL MISS SUNSHINE and GARDEN STATE instead, how is that SPC’s fault?

]]> By: McLovin http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181699 McLovin Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:56:35 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181699 nice.... I want some of that.... the movie I mean.... nice…. I want some of that…. the movie I mean….

]]> By: Sundance: Sony Pictures Classics Wants Some ‘Wackness’; Fans Should Be Scared - Film School Rejects http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181684 Sundance: Sony Pictures Classics Wants Some ‘Wackness’; Fans Should Be Scared - Film School Rejects Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:06:59 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181684 [...] Peter Sciretta at Slashfilm - Alex Billington at FirstShowing.net [...] [...] Peter Sciretta at Slashfilm - Alex Billington at FirstShowing.net [...]

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181680 Peter Sciretta Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:01:41 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181680 Olivia is Leah from Juno Olivia is Leah from Juno

]]> By: McLovin http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181679 McLovin Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:59:59 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181679 wait a tick.... isn't olivia thirlby the very attractive "Leah" from Juno...? wait a tick…. isn’t olivia thirlby the very attractive “Leah” from Juno…?

]]> By: McLovin http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181675 McLovin Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:56:27 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/01/26/sony-pictures-classics-to-buybury-the-wackness/#comment-181675 I hope they do some Juno esque promoting... they really went crazy towards the end before its wide-release I hope they do some Juno esque promoting… they really went crazy towards the end before its wide-release

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