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How Movie Stars Get Paid
New York, 6:22 PM
Wed Dec 9
61 posts in the last 24 hours
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How Movie Stars Get Paid |
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04/03/09
Where did Gawker get this guy? Gabriel, if you've ever been inside a movie theater you would know that there is no evidence whatsoever that HALF of Batman or Ironman's opening day gross went to that shabby place. Theaters are lucky to cover their "nut" during the first week of release (in the standard distribution agreement). Then their take slowly grows each week of release, where it crawls out of the 10/90 split, passes the 50/50 split you seem to think is standard, and ends with a split more favorable to the theater at the end of the run (a point at which almost no revenue is generated whatsoever, so the studios are happy to give up the split for the free public exposure).
The majority of revenue occurs during the first week of release, so the majority of ticket revenue goes to the studio. How could you not know that? Jesus!
The real story, which I wish you would cover, is the burden of 3D gear that the studios have foisted on the theaters. For the 3D glasses upcharge there is something closer to a 50/50 split, but only because the theaters had to drop a chunk of change to install the projectors. These charges are actually ripping the Viacom empire apart. Read my coverage at:
[greenscreencinema.com]
04/03/09
04/03/09
But again, I beg to differ. Sumner Redstone would not be selling his movie theaters and keeping Paramount if the revenue was evenly split between the two. Especially since the theaters have almost no costs associated with them (apart from the 3D projection gear).
Why would a studio fork over half its revenue? Your assertion does not event stand the test of logic, regardless of the time you spent at Variety. An actor gets a couple cents from a DVD sale yet some crappy mall in Minnesota gets half of the Batman revenue? I just don't know how you are passing that off as insider knowledge.
So WSJ was a little fast and loose with their math. I think yours is kinda off the charts too. What happened to that Owen Thomas guy. He was pretty good. Bring him back.
04/03/09
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04/04/09
Incidentally, Joan Didion is inside the bidness so maybe isn't acquainted with the frenzy at the gates. Murder was definitely committed on the mere possibility of making it in the movies, even if that movie was Cotton Club, according to one who seems to know about barbarians outside the gates, James Ellroy.
04/03/09
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04/03/09
BTW, does the Alamo have a basement?
04/03/09
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04/03/09
I've often wondered how that works.. and how much people really make years later for some dumb cameo..
(Any insight, Gabriel? )
04/02/09
we have located patient zero of the recession.
04/03/09
I'm intentionally avoiding finding out how much Mike Meyers got for "Love Guru," because I would likely riot if I found out.