February 14th, morning.
The long-publicized movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" officially premiered in 2,150 cinemas across North America, accounting for 18.9% of the North American film market's daily screening rate, ranking second.
It was only surpassed by Warner Group's film "Message in a Bottle," which had a 19.3% screening rate.
Such a screening rate naturally raised many questions from outsiders.
"That's not right."
Jordan, head of distribution at Paramount Pictures, exclaimed in surprise, "Warner Group has made a direct move this time, and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' is currently plagued by negative news. Logically, why would the cinemas still give Page Pictures such a high screening rate?"
Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films was also very puzzled.
"Something's not right!"
"This is too wrong!"
"Page Pictures has indeed developed well in recent years, showing a strong rise, but for the cinemas, how can Page Pictures' weight compare to Warner Group's?"
"So, the question is?"
"With negative news swirling and widespread defamation, and Warner Group eyeing it covetously, how could the cinemas, for profit considerations, possibly give Page Pictures the second-highest screening volume of the day?"
While puzzled, Harvey Weinstein also felt a bit of resentment!
Because his film company, Miramax, also had a movie released during Valentine's Day.
Their film "She's All That," although produced with a budget of less than 10 million US dollars, had a good reputation and sparked a "teen movie" craze, and its box office is not low now.
But!
Now that Page Pictures' new film has a higher screening volume, it will inevitably reduce the screening volume of other films.
For example: Miramax's "She's All That."
"She's All That" yesterday,
still had 900 cinemas, more than 1,400 screens, accounting for 9% of the total screenings;
However, today, it has been reduced to 720 cinemas and 930 screens, accounting for only 6% of the total North American screenings that day.
Lower screening volume naturally means lower revenue!
Do you think Harvey Weinstein could not be angry?
"Damn Kyle Page, damn Warner Group!" Harvey cursed incessantly.
Due to the release of Page Pictures' new film, the screening rates of new films from many film companies were all lowered by the cinemas today.
Which of those film companies didn't have grievances?
But they were helpless!
Even Time Warner Group couldn't suppress Page Pictures' screening volume, so what could they do?!
At the same time.
An executive from Warner Group's distribution department proactively called a senior executive at Regal Entertainment, one of North America's three major cinema chains.
"Schmidt, why did Regal Entertainment increase Page Pictures' screening volume?"
Robyn, a Warner Group executive, sounded a bit resentful.
"I don't know."
Schmidt from the cinema chain said over the phone.
"You don't know?"
Warner executive Robyn frowned and said, "Schmidt, this is not what we agreed on before. You promised me that Regal Entertainment would not give Page Pictures more than 300 cinemas, but now it's over 500. And AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, it's the same. We clearly agreed, but now everyone's going back on their word."
Hearing this, Schmidt from the cinema chain couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Who was he?
Schmidt was the Vice President of Regal Entertainment, the person in charge of Regal Entertainment in the Washington D.C. area of the United States, responsible for coordinating many cinema chains. He could cooperate with Warner and make appropriate adjustments to the screenings of certain films, but he was not an employee of Warner!
"Robyn, what kind of tone is that?"
"Are you questioning me?!"
"Remember, I am not your subordinate!"
"Finally, for the sake of our many years of friendship, I'll tell you that the reason Regal Entertainment increased Page Pictures' screening rate was a decision from the company's board of directors."
A decision from Regal Entertainment's board of directors?
"..."
For a moment, Warner executive Robyn was speechless.
Warner is indeed powerful, and it can certainly be called the head of Hollywood's Big Six, but they can only exert influence on the cinema chains, not make decisions. Now that Regal Entertainment's board of directors has stepped in, Warner has no choice.
Could they really fall out with Regal Entertainment, one of North America's three major cinema chains, just for Page Pictures?
Moreover, it's not just Regal Entertainment now, but also Cinemark and AMC, who are also among the three major cinema chains. Are they all going to fall out?
Such a loss would be unbearable for anyone!
"Damn it~!"
Suddenly, Robyn was furious...
Page Pictures.
"Whew~~"
Kevin Feige, Vice President of Page Pictures, looked at the report in his hand and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fortunately, the cinema side has stabilized, otherwise our box office performance would be unimaginable," Kevin Feige said with lingering fear.
After all, their opponent now is the behemoth Warner Group!
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Bill, do you know how the boss managed to get the cinema chains on board?" Kevin Feige asked.
In terms of influence on the cinema side, Page Pictures' power is far inferior to Warner Group's.
"I actually do know that."
President Mr. Bill laughed and said, "Just two days ago, the boss met with the chairmen of Regal Entertainment, AMC, and Cinemark, the three major cinema chains, and proposed a betting agreement. If the total North American box office of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' is less than 150 million US dollars, then the boss will completely give up the profits from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and also make up for the losses of the three major cinema chains if the box office is less than 150 million."
A betting agreement?
A North American box office of 150 million US dollars?
At this moment, even Kevin Feige couldn't help but be surprised!
Box office betting agreements were once popular in the American film market.
Especially in the mid-1980s.
However, with the passage of time, the pattern of hundreds of cinema chains competing fiercely has changed to a film market dominated by the three major cinema chains, with many smaller cinema chains under them. The pattern was broken, and the box office betting model also ceased to be popular, even becoming a rare sight.
However... the 150 million US dollar box office betting proposed by Kyle still attracted the interest of the three major cinema chains.
Why not make money if you can?
As for Warner's influence, haha, as long as Warner doesn't want to fall out with the three major cinema chains, no one can stop them from making more money.
Profit is the fundamental principle!
Others lacked confidence in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," but Kyle was a transmigrator, how could he not know the potential of this film?
If Warner wants to confront them, just go for it!
"So, now only the media aspect remains to be considered," Kevin Feige murmured.
In terms of media power, looking at the whole world, who can compare to Time Warner, Warner Group's parent company?
Being plagued by numerous negative news will undoubtedly greatly harm the box office of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." This is a problem that everyone at Page Pictures has to consider.
It is an undeniable fact that the media power of Gold Dawn Entertainment Group, Page Pictures' parent company, is far inferior to that of Time Warner!
"Haha!"
Mr. Bill laughed again, "Kevin, when it comes to verbal sparring, our boss has amazing potential, don't you know that yet? Just watch, there's a good show coming up."
"Huh?"
Kevin Feige was instantly stunned.