http://if.com.au/ Inside Film - Australia en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss info@if.com.au (The Editor) http://if.com.au/2013/05/21/article/Aussie-box-office-gets-the-staggers/FQPERZKHAH.html http://if.com.au/2013/05/21/article/Aussie-box-office-gets-the-staggers/FQPERZKHAH.html Don Groves <p> Ticket sales at Australian cinemas this year are running at about 7 per cent below the same period in 2012 despite strong trading in January and April, weighed down by relatively soft results in February and March.</p> <p> Takings for the May 16-19 frame totalled just under $9.5 million, down 22 per cent on the prior weekend, as Star Trek Into Darkness and Iron Man 3 dominated the business. “The market is rather shallow with no robust depth below the top two titles,” observed one distributor.</p> <p> Of the debutants, The Call, the female-skewed thriller starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin, overshadowed the male-oriented Dwayne Johnson drama Snitch.</p> <p> Outside the top 10, Tabu, the African-set melodrama from Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes, posted a healthy $73,000 on 12 screens, which brings the cumulative total to nearly $160,000.Œ</p> <p> Josh Boone’s US indie romantic drama A Place for Me, which stars Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly as a divorced couple, was misplaced, taking $67,000 on 32 screens.Œ</p> <p> Rave reviews for English director Rufus Norris’ brutally violent drama Broken set in North London and starring Tim Roth failed to spark interest as the film earned $32,000 on 10 screens.</p> <p> Drift, the 1970s-set Aussie surfing drama, continues to swim against the tide despite Sam Worthington’s supporting actor role and some positive reviews. The $11.4 million film co-directed by Morgan O’Neill and Ben Nott has earned $727,000 after its third weekend and won’t reach $1 million. It seems the combination of surfing, drugs and the beach culture of the 70s did not resonate with cinemagoers.Œ</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/image/box-office-graph-web-large.bmp" /></p> Tue, 21 May 2013 12:21:27 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/05/13/article/Gatsby-posts-impressive-US-box-office-opening-weekend-Iron-Man-3-still-ahead/EHCLHZAJGH.html http://if.com.au/2013/05/13/article/Gatsby-posts-impressive-US-box-office-opening-weekend-Iron-Man-3-still-ahead/EHCLHZAJGH.html Emily Blatchford <p> Despite mixed reviews, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby has posted an impressive box office opening weekend in the US, raking in $US51.1 million.</p> <p> However the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel failed to match the success of Iron Man 3, starring Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow, which took US$72.5 million in North American cinemas for its second weekend.Œ</p> <p> This brings the box office total for Iron Man 3 to almost US$950 million internationally after only three weeks, making the third instalment of the popular franchise the number 21 film ever in the global box office.Œ</p> <p> Gatsby still exceeded expectations by distributor Warner Bros, who estimated the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, would only amass $35-40 million in its opening weekend.Œ</p> <p> The Great Gatsby Sydney premiere will be held on May 22, with the film hitting Australian cinema screens on May 30.Œ</p> Mon, 13 May 2013 13:58:06 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/05/01/article/Icon-restructures-theatrical-department-some-roles-made-redundant/HCWRLKAPFT.html http://if.com.au/2013/05/01/article/Icon-restructures-theatrical-department-some-roles-made-redundant/HCWRLKAPFT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> By Emily Blatchford</p> <p> Icon Film Distribution has announced major changes to the structure of its theatrical department, including redundancies.</p> <p> In a statement released to the media, the distribution company confirmed the roles of Publicity/Promotions Manager and Production and Traffic Manager were no longer required.</p> <p> In other changes, Head of Cinemas Nick Hayes has been promoted to Head of Theatrical Operations and will oversee the theatrical department alongside Tracey Whybrew who has been promoted to Head of Theatrical Markets.</p> <p> Two new roles have been created in the theatrical marketing department; Marcoms Manager and Creative Services Manager.</p> <p> Icon plans to fill these roles internally.</p> <p> CEO of Icon and Dendy Greg Hughes said, "Icon has a diverse and dynamic slate in the next 18 months and I am very pleased to announce this innovative new approach to managing our theatrical business. I look forward to seeing Nick and Tracy's team execute our releases and build stronger partnerships with exhibitors."</p> <p> Icon was contacted for further comment regarding the restructure but a representative of the company advised they had nothing to add at this time. Œ</p> Wed, 01 May 2013 14:25:34 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/05/01/article/Cinedigm-and-ICAA-secure-Virtual-Print-Fee-Program/LCELUSWALC.html http://if.com.au/2013/05/01/article/Cinedigm-and-ICAA-secure-Virtual-Print-Fee-Program/LCELUSWALC.html Emily Blatchford <p> The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia and Cinedigm Digital Corp have announced the ICAA-Cinedigm Virtual Print Fee program, which has so far been successful in securing five major studios.Œ</p> <p> The VPF program marks a turning point for Australian and New Zealand independent cinemas and their conversion from 35mm film to digital. </p> <p> ICAA CEO Adrianne Pectotic confirmed the availability of the program during her opening address at the 2013 ICAA Conference held in Melbourne.</p> <p> “At this time last year, we announced that ICAA and Cinedigm had secured commercial terms for a VPF Program for independent cinemas with the US studios. It has taken exhausting and exhaustive efforts to deliver on that program and it is now available. The Independent Cinemas VPF Program will reward all our efforts by enabling studios and independent distributors to help you recoup the significant costs of the conversion to digital technology,” she said. </p> <p> Disney, Fox, Sony, Universal and Paramount have all separately negotiated non-exclusive VPF agreements with the Australian and New Zealand program. </p> <p> Additionally, ICAA and Cinedigm are in final negotiations with Warner Bros, Roadshow and several independent distributors across Australia and New Zealand, including member distributors of the Australian Independent Distributors Association. </p> <p> Pecotic admitted the process had not been easy. </p> <p> “The legal complexities and sheer force of will required to navigate the drafting, and repeated re-drafting, with six separate multinationals, of thousands of pages of complex text, put a whole new definition to the word tenacious,” she said. “And for every independent cinema in Australia and New Zealand waiting for the outcome, – a whole new definition to the word patient.” </p> <p> Pecotic went on to reveal that 75 per cent of cinema screens are now digital and, “cinema owners of the remaining screens are preparing themselves to address this challenge.” '</p> <p> The ICAA Conference, which started on Tuesday, will conclude tomorrow.</p> Wed, 01 May 2013 12:04:02 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/04/30/article/Iron-Man-3-smashes-box-office-over-opening-weekend-breaks-Aus-record/JJCAPNHRRW.html http://if.com.au/2013/04/30/article/Iron-Man-3-smashes-box-office-over-opening-weekend-breaks-Aus-record/JJCAPNHRRW.html Emily Blatchford <p> Iron Man 3 has broken an Australian box office record with an opening weekend box office taking of $14,090,713. </p> <p> This means the third instalment of the popular franchise, starring Robert Downey Junior and Gwyneth Paltrow, is now ranked seventh in the top 10 Australian opening weekends of all time.Œ</p> <p> Distributed by Disney, the action film opened in Australia on April 24 and knocked Paramount’s Transformers: the Revenge of the Fallen from its number seven perch. Transformers hit Australian screens on 24 June 2009 with an opening weekend box office of $13,642,520.Œ</p> <p> Big-budget franchises dominate the top ten list, with Warner Bros’ Harry Potter taking three of the top five spots. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two comes in at number one with an opening weekend of $18,364,584 in 2011, while The Deathly Hallows: Part One sits at number three with a 2010 opening of $15, 291 926 and The Half Blood Prince of 209 at number five with $14,300,931.Œ</p> <p> Also making the cut is The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Hoyts) at number two with an opening of $16,109,479 in 2009, and The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros) which took $15,107,438 over its opening weekend in 2012.Œ</p> Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:39:59 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/04/29/article/Australian-Directors-Guild-reveals-presenters-attendees-of-2013-ADG-Awards/IDPTAQNOOE.html http://if.com.au/2013/04/29/article/Australian-Directors-Guild-reveals-presenters-attendees-of-2013-ADG-Awards/IDPTAQNOOE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> A host of notable industry figures are set to attend the 2013 Australian Directors’ Guild Awards, to be held in Sydney this Friday night. </p> <p> Amongst those attending are Leah Purcell and Catherine Mckenzie, who are both nominated for their work on Redfern Now, as well as feature film director Cate Shortland (Lore) and Tony Kravitz (Dead Europe).Œ</p> <p> Hosted by actor/director/writer/producer Adam Zwar, the Awards will be held at the Hoyts Cinemas at the Entertainment Quarter and will be followed by a dinner at Trackdown Studios.Œ</p> <p> This year, for the first time, the ADG will be acknowledging the work of Assistant Directors, with a special award to be presented to long-serving First A.D. Jamie Leslie.Œ</p> <p> Renowned Australian talent Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Susie Porter and Denise Roberts have also been confirmed as presenters.Œ</p> <p> For more information on the Awards or how to purchase tickets, visitŒ<a href="http://www.adg.org.au/">http://www.adg.org.au/</a></p> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:47:41 +1000 http://if.com.au/2013/04/03/article/Hoyts-Distribution-renamed-STUDIOCANAL-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/MBDQJXMERM.html http://if.com.au/2013/04/03/article/Hoyts-Distribution-renamed-STUDIOCANAL-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/MBDQJXMERM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Hoyts Distribution in Australia and New Zealand has been renamed STUDIOCANAL. The re-branding, effective yesterday, comes after the French production house and distribution company acquired Hoyts Distribution in July last year. The decision was made in order to provide clarity to the international market and strengthen STUDIOCANAL’s positioning worldwide. STUDIOCANAL Chairman and CEO Olivier Courson said, “The company is fully integrated and despite the long distance, our collaboration is doing great. Having a single name is important for us but also for our partners around the world”. Robert Slaviero, CEO Australia/New Zealand says: “We are extremely proud andŒexcited to be part of such a prestigious organization and look forward to deliveringŒgreat films and great results to Australia and New Zealand”.</p> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:25:37 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/25/article/The-Sapphires-posts-solid-limited-US-release/YXHEFYUAIW.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/25/article/The-Sapphires-posts-solid-limited-US-release/YXHEFYUAIW.html Brendan Swift <p> The Sapphires has posted a solid $US40,900 across four screens in its <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sapphires.htm" target="_blank">opening weekend</a> in the US.</p> <p> The musical, about four Aboriginal singers who perform for the troops in Vietnam during the late-60s, was the biggest local hit of 2012, grossing $14.46 million in Australia. It also took just under £700,000 in the UK.</p> <p> The US marketing campaign has been led by The Weinstein Company and has centred on Chris O'Dowd, who plays the singers' manager, and has a high profile in North America after appearing in Bridesmaids, Friends With Kids, and This is 40.</p> <p> The film has attracted largely <a href="http://www.latinospost.com/articles/14657/20130318/sapphires-review-roundup-australian-film-dazzles-critics.htm" target="_blank">positive reviews</a> and a strong publicity campaign by the five lead actors and director Wayne Blair has included spots on <a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/chris-odowd-part-2/n34050/" target="_blank">The Jay Leno Show</a> and the The Ellen Show.</p> <p> Mental will also have a limited US release on March 29.</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> <p> Australian Films at the Box Office 2013 <img alt="" height="158" src="/image/Box office(22).jpg" width="650" /> </p> <p> Œ</p> <p> </p> <p> Œ</p> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:09:59 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/25/article/Madman-posts-4-99-million-first-half-earnings/PNUOMNAWPK.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/25/article/Madman-posts-4-99-million-first-half-earnings/PNUOMNAWPK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Madman Entertainment has posted a 16.7 per cent decline in first-half earnings to $4.99 million as the distributor invested in the digital conversion of its catalogue and its inventory increased.</p> <p> Madman is a division of listed entertainment company Funtastic, which posted an 8.1 per cent lift in underlying earnings to $11.47 million over the same period.</p> <p> “The product line-up for the second half for Madman is strong which indicates that another solid performance should be achieved in the second half,” Funtastic said in its half-year report.</p> <p> In May 2012, Madman was approved as an official iTunes aggregator and it offers management and distribution services to producers and companies wanting to distribute their content on iTunes. The company said it has recently implemented a new digital workflow and media library production technologies which enable rapid and efficient deployment of content across numerous digital platforms.</p> <p> “Madman’s first-half profit performance was better than anticipated, driven by higher than forecast revenues as it continues to buck the broader category trend,” Funtastic said. “Short-term investment in costs, associated with the digital conversion of the catalogue and increased inventory holding costs resulted in constrained profits of $4,998,000, down from $6,003,000 in the prior corresponding period.”</p> <p> Madman began as a specialist distributor of Japanese Anime but has since expanded into all types of film and television content. It holds a 6.1 per cent share of the Australian home entertainment market.</p> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:41:27 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/18/article/Goddess-posts-512445-opening-weekend/UNEMOYEWHM.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/18/article/Goddess-posts-512445-opening-weekend/UNEMOYEWHM.html Brendan Swift <p> Australian musical Goddess has opened to moderate box office business after posting $512,445 in its opening weekend.</p> <p> The film, which stars Laura Michelle Kelly, Ronan Keating and Magda Szubanski, was shown on 207 screens, giving it a screen average of $2476. In total, the Roadshow-distributed film has grossed $514,013.</p> <p> It has been a disappointing start to the year for Australian films after sporting movies Save Your Legs! and Blinder were also distributed widely but failed to find a similarly broad audience.</p> <p> Australian musicals have had something of a revival in recent times. Bran Nue Dae (also distributed by Roadshow) opened with $1.61 million across 231 screens in 2009 while last year's smash hit, The Sapphires, opened with $2.34 million across 279 screens for eOne/Hopscotch. However, the Hoyts-distributed A Heartbeat Away posted just $44,204 across 77 screens when it opened in 2011.</p> <p> Among all films shown last weekend, the highest grossing was Disney's Oz: The Great and Powerful, which took $2.97 million across 558 screens (for a screen average of $5330) in its second weekend. It was followed by The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (which opened with $1.09 million across 208 screens), 21 and Over ($600,231 across 170 screens), Goddess, and The Silver Linings Playbook ($480,965 across 187 screens).</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> <p> Australian Films at the Box Office 2013 <img alt="" height="159" src="/image/Box office(21).jpg" width="650" /></p> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:02:02 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/18/article/Underground-theatrical-screening-sells-out-Melbournes-Cinema-Nova/GQROZNHRZY.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/18/article/Underground-theatrical-screening-sells-out-Melbournes-Cinema-Nova/GQROZNHRZY.html Brendan Swift <p style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" height="488" src="/image/Underground.jpg" width="650" /> (L-to-r): Julian Assange's mother Christine (portrayed in the film by Rachel Griffiths), lead actor Alex Williams, and director Robert Connolly.</p> <p> The theatrical event screening of Underground: The Julian Assange Story, which originally screened on the Ten Network last year, sold out Melbourne's Cinema Nova on Sunday night and grossed approximately $3000.</p> <p> It is a promising start for Robert Connolly's CinemaPlus distribution venture, which plans to broaden traditional theatrical screenings into live events, including director and cast Q&A sessions, live musical performances, and political action forums.</p> <p> Underground, the story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, filled the approximate 250-seat Cinema Nova opening screening, which was followed by a Q&A session with director Robert Connolly, Christine Assange (Julian Assange’s mother), and actor Alex Williams. The audience also received a special CD-ROM which contained the screenplay, soundtrack, and a book, as well as a QR Code which could be scanned, triggering simultaneous playback of the director's commentary for those who had seen the telemovie previously. Connolly said the $3000 box office was profitable after CinemaLive struck a good deal with cinema owners.</p> <p> “It was a fun night – we ended up in the Nova Cinema Bar until they kicked us out... a lot of people from WikiLeaks came down and were selling t-shirts, handing out membership forms for the political party,” Connolly said.</p> <p> Connolly asked the audience how many had seen the TV screening (seen by an estimated 1.7 million viewers including catch-up and repeat screenings) and estimated that only about 10 per cent put up their hands.</p> <p> Connolly also plans to distribute upcoming films such as musical The Boy Castaways and The Turning (co-distributed with Madman Entertainment) through the new event-focused CinemaLive venture.</p> <p> “How do you engage with audiences who can pirate anything? The cinema experience has to be different.”</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> <p> FURTHER <a href="http://www.undergroundthemovie.com.au/" target="_blank">UNDERGROUND</a> SCREENINGS</p> Cinema Nova, Melbourne: 6.45pm Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 March Palace Brighton Bay, Melbourne: 4.00pm Sunday 24 March Palace Chauvel, Sydney: 7.00pm Wednesday 27 March Palace Electric, Canberra: 7.00pm Thursday 4 April Palace Byron Bay: 7.00pm Friday 5 April Palace Brisbane Centro: 4.00pm Sunday 7 April Palace Nova Adelaide: 7.00pm Thursday 11 April Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:06:13 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/11/article/Blinder-posts-dismal-box-office-opening-weekend/BOTZHAEVTM.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/11/article/Blinder-posts-dismal-box-office-opening-weekend/BOTZHAEVTM.html Brendan Swift <p> The $5 million football drama Blinder has posted a dismal box office opening weekend of just $47,394.</p> <p> Like cricket film Save Your Legs!, which last week posted a disappointing box office opening, the film was distributed too widely. The Aussie Rules footy film was shown on 99 screens giving it a screen average of just $478. </p> <p> The film is about an ex-footballer who becomes embroiled in a scandal and returns to his hometown in order to clear his name and reignite an old flame. It was backed by AFL greats Glenn Archer, Adrian Gleeson and Sam Kekovich and distributed by new outfit Backlot Studios under a flat-fee structure where the producers pay for the promotional costs.</p> <p> Cricket film Save Your Legs!, distributed by Madman Entertainment, also continued its underwhelming performance in its second weekend, posting $47,081 across 111 screens (screen average $424). </p> <p> In contrast, only one film in the top 20 widespread releases posted a screen average under $1000 (Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away, in its third weekend, with $877 across 81 screens). At the top of the box office charts is Disney mega-hit Oz: The Great and Powerful, which grossed $4.77 million across 268 screens (screen average $17,812). </p> <p> Later this week, the third Australian film of the year will be released: musical Goddess, starring Ronan Keating, which has the marketing power of Roadshow behind it.</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> <p> Australian Films at the Box Office 2013 <img alt="" height="133" src="/image/Box office(19).jpg" width="600" /></p> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:13:38 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/08/article/Megaupload-shutdown-boosted-paid-digital-downloads-by-6-10-per-cent/AOGZVIXHQU.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/08/article/Megaupload-shutdown-boosted-paid-digital-downloads-by-6-10-per-cent/AOGZVIXHQU.html Brendan Swift <p> The shutdown of file sharing and storage site Megaupload led to a significant increase in paid digital downloads at two major Hollwood studios, according to a new study.</p> <p> The report, by Carnegie Mellon University's Initiative for Digital Entertainment Analytics, looked at 12 countries (including Australia) and found that in the 18 weeks following the shutdown, digital revenues were 6 to 10 per cent higher than they would have otherwise been.</p> <p> "Thus our findings show that the closing of a major online piracy site can increase digital media sales, and by extension we provide evidence that internet movie piracy displaces digital film sales," the <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2229349" target="_blank">study</a> said.</p> <p> Megaupload.com, run by the larger-than-life Kim Dotcom, was shutdown in January 2012 (although the process has not been without controversy and has been challenged in court). The site held an estimated 25 petabytes of content, much of it films, and accounted for approximately 4 per cent of worldwide traffic.</p> <p> The Carnegie study is one of the first to show that cutting off the supply of illegal digital copies leads to an increase in demand for legitimately-produced content.</p> <p> Study co-author Michael D. Smith told <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/megaupload-shutdown-boosted-digital-movie-sales-and-rentals-study-finds-80506?page=0,0" target="_blank">The Wrap</a> that the increase in demand for paid content may not have been solely driven by the Megaupload shutdown but by the knock-on impact, as other cyber-locker companies cleaned up their sites to avoid potential legal problems.</p> <p> The Motion Picture Association of America provided an "<a href="https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2012/october/oct30_digitalentertainment.html" target="_blank">unrestricted gift</a>" that helped launch the Initiative for Digital Entertainment Analytics in 2012 although Smith said there were no restrictions on their ability to publish their findings and they did not use any outside funding from the MPAA or other organisations to conduct the research.</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:06:09 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/03/04/article/Save-Your-Legs-posts-disappointing-opening-weekend-at-box-office/HLUTCOLWFG.html http://if.com.au/2013/03/04/article/Save-Your-Legs-posts-disappointing-opening-weekend-at-box-office/HLUTCOLWFG.html Brendan Swift <p> Save Your Legs! has posted one of the worst box office opening weekend performances among Australian films released in recent times.</p> <p> The comedy, distributed by Madman Entertainment, grossed $164,654 on 176 screens giving it a screen average of just $936 despite attracting generally positive reviews. It is the first major Australian film released in 2013 and stars Brendan Cowell and Stephen Curry as suburban cricketers who travel to India. In total, Save Your Legs! has grossed $188,133.</p> <p> By way of comparison, a similarly wide local release, comedy Housos Vs. Authority, took $526,166 across 151 screens for a screen average of $3485 on its opening weekend last November. Bait 3D, which was lambasted for its tepid local opening (before becoming a surprise hit in China), grossed $365,187 across 283 screens last year for a screen average of $1290.</p> <p> Other Australian films to struggle in recent years include teen drama Wasted on the Young, which opened with $52,907 across 54 screens in March 2011 (screen average $979); drama Matching Jack, which opened with $261,505 across 186 screens in August 2010 (screen averageŒ$1405); and horror film The Loved Ones, which opened with $119,848 across 89 screens in November 2010 (screen average $1346).</p> <p> The poor result may giveŒpause to the producers of rival Aussie sports film Blinder,Œwhich will be released on more than 110 screens this Thursday. TheŒAustralian Rules Football film, which stars Oliver Ackland and Jack Thompson, is being released by new distribution company Backlot Studios.</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:39:30 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/02/28/article/Kapooka-Military-Area-Theatre-calls-tender-for-digital-upgrade/BGSHEBQESQ.html http://if.com.au/2013/02/28/article/Kapooka-Military-Area-Theatre-calls-tender-for-digital-upgrade/BGSHEBQESQ.html Brendan Swift <p> The Department of Defence is running a tender to upgrade Wagga Wagga's Kapooka Military Area Theatre to digital projection.</p> <p> The call for <a href="https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.atm.show&ATMUUID=0FEB3BD7-072B-36DE-E542A9862109B5EA" target="_blank">applications</a> comes as the industry nears the end of an era as the last 35mm film projectors are replaced by digital equipment. The major cinema chains in Australia have largely completed their upgrades over the past year although a number of smaller independent cinemas are still in transition.</p> <p> In its tender document, the Department of Defence noted that a number of films are no longer available in the 35mm format and the Cinema Exhibitors Film Protection Committee will soon close.</p> <p> “This is further evidence of the major and rapid shift to digital technologies,” it said. “With the closure of this committee there will be no insurance coverage for the loss/damage of 35mm film whilst in transit.”</p> <p> The department plans to upgrade the cinema with a Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) compliant digital projector, a digital cinema server, silver screen and accessories. It has also requested separate price options for 2K, 4K and 3D systems.</p> <p> “The continued operation of this facility as a cinema is very important to the resident military personnel as this equipment is an integral part of the recruit training package.”</p> <p> The Department of Defence tender closes on March 25 and installation is due to be completed by May 15. The tender documents can be viewed <a href="https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.atm.show&ATMUUID=0FEB3BD7-072B-36DE-E542A9862109B5EA" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p> Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:bswift@if.com.au" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">bswift@if.com.au</a> or on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/bcswift" style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-indent: 0px; font: 12px/17px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: rgb(232,0,0); word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" target="_blank">@bcswift</a>.</p> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:33:57 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/02/22/article/AHL-half-year-result-underpinned-by-strong-exhibition-performance/ONGFYKNGFO.html http://if.com.au/2013/02/22/article/AHL-half-year-result-underpinned-by-strong-exhibition-performance/ONGFYKNGFO.html Brendan Swift <p> Amalgamated Holdings has posted a marginal lift in underlying first-half profit after strong exhibition results were offset by a weaker performance in its hotels division and Thredbo Alpine resort.</p> <p> The company posted a 4.7 per cent lift in normalised (stripping out significant items) half-year net profit to $49.5 million. Actual net profit fell to $47.3 million from $65.2 million, which included a $2.2 million one-off cost to open the QT Sydney Hotel during the half and a $17.9 million one-off net gain in the previous half related to a VAT refund.</p> <p> AHL managing director David Seargeant said the result was pleasing given the first quarter was 29 per cent down on the prior year.</p> <p> "The recovery was driven in large part by our exhibition business and the standout performance of Skyfall, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” he said in a statement.</p> <p> “Trading conditions in the hotels and resorts segment reflected a slight softening in demand, as both corporate and leisure markets were affected by the continuing economic and political uncertainty. In Thredbo, despite improved skiing conditions, earnings were impacted by the competition in lift ticket pricing and increased costs, particularly energy.”</p> <p> The Australian cinema exhibition arm grew normalised profit (before interest and income tax expense) by 12.2 per cent to $24.02 million, driven by increased merchandising sales and other revenues which offset a relatively flat box office. An 8.5 per cent lift in merchandising revenue per admission was driven by the rollout of a new Gold Class menu and the continued success of the self-serve Scoop Alley candy bar concept. The performance of AHL's 50 per cent stake in the Village-managed circuit in Victoria lifted by 30.1 per cent.</p> <p> Meanwhile, the company's New Zealand exhibition arm posted an 84.4 per cent lift in normalised profit to $2.09 million while its German exhibition arm posted a 2.2 per cent lift in normalised profit to $16.16 million.</p> <p> However, the hotels division, which posted a a 21.8 per cent fall in normalised net profit to $12.3 million, was hit by soft demand, particularly in the government, corporate and leisure segments. The company's Thredbo Alpine Resort posted a 6.9 per cent decline in normalised profit to $13.25 million after heavy discounting, rising energy costs and increased legal and marketing expenses.</p> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:58:48 +1100 http://if.com.au/2013/02/21/article/Village-Roadshow-posts-18-per-cent-profit-rise-key-directors-sell-shares/UMUVNZTZPD.html http://if.com.au/2013/02/21/article/Village-Roadshow-posts-18-per-cent-profit-rise-key-directors-sell-shares/UMUVNZTZPD.html Brendan Swift <p> Village Roadshow Corporation (VRC) and key executive directors Robert Kirby and Graham Burke plan to sell 11 million shares in Village Roadshow (VRL) - the equivalent of 7 per cent of the film and entertainment company - to investors.</p> <p> The share sale comes as the company unveiled an 18 per cent lift in half-year net profit to $33.47 million. Kirby and Graham are directors of both parent company VRC and the publicly-listed VRL and have been central to the growth of the company.</p> <p> However, VRC and its directors confirmed that they have no intention of selling further VRL shares after the current sale (which is intended to increase liquidity in VRL). They will still own a 44 per cent stake.</p> <p> “Following an excellent first half result and with an exciting pipeline of opportunities across all divisions, VRC believes VRL has an outstanding future and will continue to drive VRL’s performance,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p> Village Roadshow’s business includes theme parks, cinema exhibition, film production and distribution. The lift in profit over the December 2012 half was driven by all divisions (particularly exhibition), the sale of its distribution centre to Technicolor, and lower group costs.</p> <p> “The world is in the mood to go out, to indulge themselves in a little pleasure and escape from worries,” VRL chief executive Graham Burke said in a statement.</p> <p> Its distribution division is the largest within the company and accounted for almost half of its earnings. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose marginally by $100,000 to $29.9 million compared to the prior corresponding period. That result was underpinned by films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Argo, and The Hobbit at cinemas while Hunger Games performed well on DVD.</p> <p> VRL’s Australian exhibition division, which includes 514 screens, posted a $1.9 million rise in EBIT to $16.7 million. The result was driven by a slight increase in paid admissions, higher average ticket prices and higher patron spend on food and beverages. Films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Twilight: Breaking Dawn 2, Skyfall and Madagascar 3 underpinned the result.</p> <p> During the half year, VRL’s film and production and music division renewed its co-production deal with Warner Bros through to December 2017 and increased its film finance facility to $US1.1 billion allowing it to produce 6 to 8 Hollywood films a year.</p> Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:57:46 +1100