Archive for February, 2011

Long-Gestating Movies

If you have been reading about movies that were shelved last year, do not worry. Chances are they will be back at some point or the other. Take for example, Edwin A. Salt. In 2008, Sony was in a quandary as they tried hard and did not reach a deal with Tom Cruise. Originally slated as a Cruise/ Jolie headliner, two directors later, they eventually changed the name to Salt and opted to run only with Angelina in the lead; the movie opens this year in July.

However, if you think that it took a long time to materialize, consider some the other more famous delays. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took over two decades to hit the big screen. In that time, the plot was changed many times over, as much as (if not more than) the number of directors who were associated with it. Spike Jonze, Gary Ross, Ron Howard and Phil Alden Robinson were all flirted with until David Fincher was settled on. Even then, the project did not begin as scheduled in 2005.

Memoirs of a Geisha was also a project in the making for a long time as was A.I. Artificial Intelligence, both of which were directed by Steven Spielberg. The director is now associated with another long-awaited movie based on the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Even though all these movies took some time to come out, it just goes to show that some movies need to find just the right people and take all the time they need to come out right.

New Focus for Film Marketing

Promoting movies has taken a new direction over the last few years. While TV still forms the cornerstone with up to 60 % of the marketing budget, the old favorites such as billboards and newspapers are not considered essential anymore.

In just eight years, digital marketing has gone from 1 % of the total marketing budget to 12 %, showing that marketers are targeting specific groups and with the intent of engaging them directly. When you consider that studios spend millions in their advertising campaigns, the amount spent in using new media is extremely significant, but the returns justify it without a doubt.

When Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was due to hit the screen last year, Paramount placed a single full page in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times during the opening week. Compare this to the numerous full-page and double full-page ads that used to be placed in higher frequencies by movies up until then that seems like a folly now. However, the movie grossed over $200 million within five days and Paramount was vindicated. Soon other movies like Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Avatar followed suit.

Studios have also shifted to using traditional media like newspapers and billboards to drive traffic to their websites. These methods enable them to engage with the public thus creating hype. They have also gone back to an old technique used by Hollywood in days gone by, where actors are taken on nationwide and worldwide tours to promote the movie on TV, Radio and public gatherings. While these tours do cost up to about $1 million or more, it is negligible in the face of earnings that regularly exceed $100 million.

So, who’s the latest person to be invited by ABC to join “Dancing with the Stars”?

As unlikely as it seems, the answer to this question lies in the words “Sarah Palin connection”, and the person in question is the Delaware Tea Party politician also known as Christine O’ Donnell.

Blame it on her unsuccessful run for a Senate seat last (while being endorsed by Sarah Palin herself) or having two left feet, the politician isn’t too sure whether or not she should participate in the show or not.

In asking her “friends” on Facebook, she received several comments but did not lead to any concrete decision on her part despite the fact that she was flattered about the invitation made to her. However, what she was sure about was the release of her book while continuing to remain undecided about her participation on “Dancing with the Stars”.

With the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” premiering on March 21, the cast members will be finalized and announced during the broadcast of “The Bachelor” on Monday night.

However, Christine O’ Donnell has been in news for a while now but not necessarily for the most pleasant reasons as she lost to Democrat candidate Chris Coons for one of the U.S Delaware Senate seat as well while also being caught on film, released by Bill Maher, admitting to dabbling in witchcraft while also dating a witch as well.

X Factor US announces $5 Million Award


X Factor US
has announced the largest award ever for a TV show. Simon Cowell the producer of X Factor announced they will be giving the winner of the X Factor a $5 million recording contract. Previously the largest TV awards were for Survivor and America’s Got Talent at $1 million each.  American Idol does not offer a set dollar award, but provide the winner with a recording contract. While a few like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have been very successful and may have made more than $5 million in their careers, most winners in American Idol have made average of $1 million in the year following their wins.

“We want someone that will be a global super star.” Said Simon Cowell. “If you win this competition I am gonna put my money where my mouth is.”

Looking For Free Online Music?

So where does one get to hear the best music and for free as well?

If one has to answer that question, it would be over the internet. Yes, one can listen to free online music at several radio stations that are available to anyone provided they have an adequate broadband connection that are offered these days.

And if you’re not aware of this, the truth is that one can access the most avant-garde genres of music all the way to mainstream music that is played on radio by looking for websites that are providing this service for free.

Of course, the format of radio has always been free, and whether you’ve enjoyed listening to country music or even jazz, one will find that these radio stations are as good as any that you will find in the real world.

For folks who are still in love with music from a particular era, there are a slew of radio stations that cater to these kinds of listeners as well, and when you do tune in you will find that there are a bunch to pick from especially if you’ve always enjoyed 80s music.

One way or another, the evolution of the internet radio station can only mean one thing, and that is the medium of radio will never die as it has always been free, and one where adoring listeners can always enjoy while doing anything else unlike television.

Music biz strikes a chord with TV placement

Television seems to be taking the center spot and is responsible for even driving music sales and exposure for artists. Over the years, labels and publishers avoided TV pacts, but with everyone in the industry looking for new ways of making profits, topped off with radio making its way to a slow death and music videos on MTV and VH1 being more or less rare – TV has now become a fairly important source for labels’ marketing departments.

A good example is when Mamie Coleman, VP of music and production for Fox Broadcasting spread the word to music labels and publishers of the need for a new upbeat tune for its January promotional campaign for American Idol and 24. The overwhelming response is evidence of the big impact of TV on the music production industry.

The profits can be huge. Veterans of American Idol have currently sold close to 40 million records, and have under their belt 60 number one hits and 14 platinum albums – all these are just for one TV show.

However, not all situations are win-win. Music deal-making is extremely complicated, with all parties tussling over the use of music, be it in snippets versus the entire tune, the most crucial of which are those deals that involve the internet and home video rights.

Major labels have so far shunned digital distribution, but now, with the shift in power, some major players have managed to get into the game with very low upfront costs and without the need to make use of manufacturing or distribution infrastructures.

Coleman says, “We have so much direct contact with the labels and publishers now. We are always getting people telling us they have the perfect song for ‘House’ or a great song for ‘Idol’. A lot of labels have performances for us in their offices, and when we like what we hear, we sign a deal right then and there.”