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"It's really not our business. It's the producer's business. But... David said it. He knows this movie is important to you and Richard. So he doesn't put commercial interests first. .I hope you can be satisfied with the publisher. In other words, the publisher’s future release strategy and positioning. You need to nod your heads. We are only willing to cooperate with them. So..." Rick briefly explained the situation. Let Hugo It suddenly dawned on me.

I have to say that David Finn is a cunning old fox. The film "Before Sunrise" only invested 2.5 million yuan. Even if he lost his money, he would not lose much. So he did not invest in the idea of ​​making money in the movie. More is the trust in Hugo. There is also hope to have a good relationship with Hugo. It is a long-term investment.

The style of "before sunrise" is too artistic and unique. It is quite experimental. So it is almost impossible to get a sturdy result at the box office. It is a sensible idea to hope that the video tape market will recover the cost. In this way, in fact, who the publisher is, has little effect. Because the transaction amount of the distribution copyright is not much higher than that.

Therefore, David emphasized the "distribution strategy and positioning". On the surface, it seems that he sacrificed his own interests. He sought the independence of Hugo and Richard. It was completely for the film consideration; but in fact, David did not. Sacrificing any benefits. That is, just using your lips. Hugo and Richard are more satisfied.

The most important thing is that now even if David wants to publish himself, there is no way. Because DreamWorks does not have a publishing department. So David simply did a favor.

Hugo's knowledge of distribution is very limited. But he knows deeply. Distribution is of vital importance to a company. Because DreamWorks, an independent studio that has been in Hollywood for ten years, will eventually be forced to sell. It is because of this. There is no support from the issuing department.

The so-called issuing department is a very special department. Distribution. It is a bridge between the production company and the theater. The main responsibilities of the distribution department include: copying, non-cinema, legal affairs, finance, financial management and operation, systems and sales operations, projection services, etc. Generally speaking, it is responsible for dealing with theaters. Responsible for the screening business with non-theatre institutions such as flights, ships, military, schools, etc. Responsible for the sales and leasing business after the release of video tapes, etc. In a word, the distribution department is responsible for promoting the works shot by the production company.

In large film companies. When a film project is approved and production begins, the work of the distribution department begins. The preliminary marketing plan must be coordinated with the publicity department. It will be carried out one after another. And when the copy of the work is ready, the trial screening is divided into the distribution department. Generally speaking, there are two types of test screenings. One is for internal personnel. Including company managers, directors, etc. will participate; the other is to selectively find general audiences. Based on audience feedback. Modify the work

Similarly, the screening schedule is also the job of the publishing department. Last summer, the "life and death speed" competition in the screening schedule. It was the intrigue from the distribution departments of the major film companies. Generally speaking, head-to-head. Or avoid the schedule. The distribution departments must test each other and develop strategies. This requires experience. And a work of intellect.

Of course, for the distribution department, a very important job is to deal with theater chains. They are responsible for negotiating cooperation with major theater chains in the United States. Make an agreement on the box office dividends of the movie. The ratio of benefit distribution. This core issue is one of the most important tasks of the issuing department.

All in all. The issuance department is not a simple job. The work involved is very cumbersome. In the film industry, everyone knows who controls the distribution channels. Who is the real king. The eight major Hollywood studios. Compared with the strength and excellence of their production department, the distribution department is their biggest trump card.

Generally speaking, the film industry can be simply and roughly divided into four parts: production, distribution, screening, and follow-up peripherals. These four links are also the core links that generate benefits. Distribution is the core that connects all these links. This also directly gave birth to companies corresponding to all aspects of the film industry.

At the very beginning of the birth of the film, the film company was basically one-handed. But after the anti-monopoly bill was announced, the screening stage was first divided out. So the major theater groups were born. They specialize in film screening. Later, with the maturity of the film industry, professional distribution companies also appeared. Or companies that started out as distributors and later joined the ranks of production.

In Hollywood. Because the work involved in the distribution process is very complicated and cumbersome. Therefore, a small number of film production companies do not have their own distribution departments. The most famous ones are Pixar and DreamWorks. The two companies are dedicated to film production. The distribution link is in cooperation with large film companies. This is not a problem for the early development. But when the company develops to a certain stage, the distribution department will It will become a shackle to contain their further development.

Because the issuing department is the core organization that holds the initiative of its own interests.

Pixar has cooperated with Disney for many years. But after 15 years of cooperation, Disney tried to continue to limit Pixar’s box office dividends. Bullying Pixar’s inability to establish its own distribution network. insisted on only willing to give Pixar a 7% box office dividend It is far below the 15% to 25% level given to production companies by the industry. As a result, it angered Steve Jobs, the CEO of Pixar. ). He refused to continue to sign a cooperation agreement with Disney. This move indirectly led to the resignation of the "tyrant" Michael Eisner, who has controlled Disney for more than two decades. Then the Disney board of directors made up their minds to directly acquire Pixar. This ended the farce.

The same is true of DreamWorks. From its establishment in 1994 to 2005, it was forced to sell due to financial problems. In the past 11 years, it has created countless brilliance. It has become a myth of American independent film companies. But after entering 2005, DreamWorks has become a mess.

Because they don’t have their own distribution department, the blockbuster movies produced by DreamWorks cannot be shared with the big heads. Because they also have to divide their cakes to the distribution company. This is worth the difficulty of the funds that DreamWorks can use. This has led to a few consecutive times. After a fiasco at the box office, the work fell into a financial quagmire. Finally, it was forced to sell.

Since then, DreamWorks was forced to split into the film department, the music department and the animation department. It was acquired by different companies. But this is not the end. The DreamWorks film department is still under the leadership of Steven Pielberg. Although the best works continue. But in just three years, it has replaced three partner companies. From Paramount to Universal Pictures Then to Disney. And the latest news before Hugo crosses. DreamWorks will next and 20th Century Fox. It is like a hot potato.

In fact, it is not because the movies produced by DreamWorks are not selling out, but because Steven is competing with the distribution company for a 1% profit. Only one percent of the benefits made Steven, the most powerful tycoon in Hollywood, had to run around. This is the status quo of DreamWorks. To be more precise, it is the status quo of DreamWorks without a distribution department.

Although this is the iron law of competition in shopping malls, it is still embarrassing.

At the beginning of its establishment, DreamWorks was born with a strong momentum. They aspire to become the first truly independent film studio in Hollywood-without the intervention of large consortia. Guarantee self-independence. Dedicated to the film. , Animation and music services. So they used words like "DreamWorks" to entrust their dreams.

In fact, DreamWorks did this too. During the ten years from 1994 to 2005, they were the most powerful new players in Hollywood. They were among the "Hollywood New Eight Companies". But how was DreamWorks silent in the end? There are many reasons. After all, the weakness of any company is not so simple. But one of the most important reasons is that there is no issuing department.

Since there is no distribution department, DreamWorks must seek the cooperation of major film companies every time it produces a work. Relying on the distribution channels of large film companies to make the work come out. In this process of cooperation, the profit-oriented vampires will naturally not let the little lamb of DreamWorks go. Therefore, every work of DreamWorks will lose a lot of profits. There is no publishing department. There is no theater chain. There is no follow-up surrounding. Development. Especially DreamWorks has the most profitable animation department in the United States. DreamWorks Animation can compete with Pixar. However, there is no corresponding follow-up peripheral system to create more value. It can only be divided up with others.

DreamWorks is just a production company. The benefits they can get are only 15% to 25% that belongs to the production company. In other words, a movie creates a value of 100 million US dollars. . And DreamWorks can only get 15 million to 25 million of it. Most of it is in the issuing company, subsequent peripheral companies and theaters.

Therefore. When DreamWorks failed to produce several large-scale productions in a row, it was difficult for them to have cash for turnover-they did not have the support of the consortium behind them~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Finally, it led to the momentary DreamWorks falling into The bitter situation of being split up for auction. After 2005. Although DreamWorks still has excellent works, they are no longer the top players in Hollywood. They are just affiliates of large film companies. It was not until the strong rise of Lionsgate. The Hollywood pattern changed again.

Lions Gate Pictures started out as a publishing company.

Although Hugo doesn’t know much about the details of the distribution department, he knows the importance of the distribution department to a film company. So. Hearing Rick’s explanation, Hugo shrugged. “I think it’s unnecessary. . If David’s company has its own distribution department, then why should we seek cooperation? Our distribution department knows itself best, right?"

Rick was taken aback by Hugo's "outside man" words. He could only explain with a smile. "Publication is not that simple..."

"I know. Of course I know." Hugo nodded. "I'm just saying. If DreamWorks had its own distribution department, things would be much simpler, wouldn't it?" If DreamWorks really built its own Distribution channels. So will history change? Hugo was suddenly very curious. Why didn't Steven, David and Jeffrey Katzenberg consider setting up a publishing department? .