The Big Picture
Page 31
“I have such admiration for you”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Megan Ellison, Oct. 17, 2014. Subject: Re: Us.
“We left messages for her everywhere”: E-mail from Scott Rudin to Amy Pascal, Nov. 6, 2014. Subject: Re: Megan E.
“We’re in crazy-land here”: E-mail from Scott Rudin to Amy Pascal, Nov. 10, 2014. Subject: Fw: Boyle/Ellison.
“Very interesting discussion”: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, Nov. 11, 2014. Subject: Fwd: Megan.
“Megan ‘sees’ it”: Ibid.
“It would depend on who it was”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 13, 2014. No subject.
“When I say that”: Ibid.
“I simply have to do”: E-mail from Megan Ellison to Amy Pascal, Nov. 13, 2014. No subject.
“Why did she do this???”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 13, 2014. No subject.
“$50 million on a biopic”: Mike Fleming Jr., “Plan B Closes Overall Annapurna Deal,” Deadline, May 4, 2017. http://deadline.com/2017/05/plan-b-annapurna-brad-pitt-adam-mckay-dick-cheney-movie-megan-ellison-christian-bale-1202079165/
“a fucked situation”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 13, 2014. No subject.
“fair and honorable thing”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Scott Rudin, Nov. 16, 2014. No subject.
“ILL DO IT”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Danny Boyle, Nov. 19, 2014. No subject.
“cried and acted like an idiot”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Elizabeth Cantillion, Nov. 20, 2014. No subject.
“I am devastated”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Bryan Lourd, Nov. 19, 2014. No subject.
“without jobs but much wiser”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Tom Rothman, Nov. 20, 2014. Subject: Re: how are you doing??
“Why have the job”: E-mail from Scott Rudin to Amy Pascal, Nov. 15, 2014. No subject.
lost about $50 million: Universal’s estimated loss on Steve Jobs is based on projections from an internal Sony document and a person close to the project.
9. Trading Places: How TV Stole Movies’ Spot atop Hollywood
“There is now a narrative being told”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Steve Mosko, Feb. 26, 2014. No subject.
“Of all the people in the world”: Ibid.
Mosko made little secret of his unhappiness: Details on Steve Mosko’s relationship with Lynton and Pascal are from people who work or have worked at or with Sony Pictures.
total profits of $2 billion and $1 billion: Sony internal documents.
“new black baby”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to Amy Pascal, Steve Mosko, and others, July 9, 2014. Subject: Re: priv and conf—Robinov—work product—for your review.
Netflix paid Lionsgate: Ben Fritz and Joseph Flint, “Netflix Less About Flicks, More About TV,” Los Angeles Times, Feb. 4, 2012.
7 percent drop: Richard Verrier and Ben Fritz, “Movie Industry Hits Ticket Sales Decline on the Note,” Los Angeles Times, Mar. 30, 2011.
“All of us are looking”: Ibid.
a janitor and truck driver: Early background on Steve Mosko from Joe Schlosser, “Mosko on the Coast,” Broadcasting & Cable, Mar. 9, 1998.
“our numbers would double”: Ibid.
“That is the craziest”: From the documentary “No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of ‘Breaking Bad.’”
“Hey, guys, it’s your career”: Ibid.
Sony executives initially projected: Unless otherwise noted, financial details on Breaking Bad are from a person close to the show and Sony internal documents.
Averaging fewer than two million viewers: Breaking Bad ratings from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_Bad
they sold 100,000 copies: E-mail from Steve Mosko to Sheraton Kalouria, Dec. 5, 2013. Subject: Fw: Breaking Bad Week 1 Sales.
Breaking Bad‘s profit from DVD: E-mail from Steve Mosko to Chris Elwell and Drew Shearer, Mar. 17, 2014. Subject: Re: Q4 HE Ultimates—TV Product.
“ML told me tonight”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Stefan Litt, Feb. 3, 2014. No subject.
Sony produced a pilot based on an idea of Pascal’s: Some details on Amy Pascal and Vatican from Tatiana Siegel, “New Life for Amy Pascal.” Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 25, 2013.
“disappointment”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to amya@scottfree.com, Jan. 9, 2014. No subject.
“Wow, is Pascal having an impact” and “Jeez zzz”: E-mail from Steve Mosko to Amy Pascal and others, Feb. 5, 2014. Subject: Fwd: Blacklist L3 record.
“I have never ever gotten in your business”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Steve Mosko, Feb. 26, 2014. No subject.
“With SPE’s leadership standing by”: Nellie Andreeva, “Sony Hack Deepens Rift Between Film and Television Group,” Dec. 17, 2014. http://deadline.com/2014/12/sony-hack-rift-film-television-group-1201325868/
“Steve Mosko is actively campaigning”: E-mail from Nicole Seligman to Michael Lynton, Aug. 19, 2014. Subject: Re: IP Intake—confidential.
In fiscal 2012: Financial details are from Sony internal documents.
“Growth in tv profitability”: E-mail from Michael Lynton to David Goldhill, Nov. 23, 2013. No subject.
10. The Terminator: Disney, the Perfect Studio for the Franchise Age
But the men who ran Disney animation: Unless otherwise noted, details on Disney’s movie business are from current and former employees and people who have worked with the studio.
“There’s a difference”: Iger quotes from author’s interview.
“You can’t eat vanilla”: Jill Goldsmith and Cathy Dunkley, “Disney Looks to Rejig Slate,” Daily Variety, Oct. 10, 2004.
“try very hard to get the PG”: Claudia Eller, “Disney Comes of Age with PG-13 Rating for ‘Pirates,’” Los Angeles Times, June 20, 2003.
“very, very out there”: Ben Fritz, “Pirates’ Treasure,” Daily Variety, July 9, 2006.
Cook ran the studio too much like a silo: Some details on Dick Cook’s firing are from Claudia Eller and Dawn Chmielewski, “Disney’s Clash at the Top,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 21, 2009.
11. The Producers: Creativity Meets Franchise Management
Dan Lin was on a very traditional Hollywood career path: Details on Dan Lin and quotes are from author’s interview.
And he is on set: Details on Simon Kinberg and quotes are from author’s interview.
On a soundstage on the Paramount Pictures lot: Details on the Hasbro writers’ rooms are from author’s interviews with people involved and Ben Fritz, “Film Studios Recast Writers’ Rooms,” Wall Street Journal, Oct. 13, 2016.
“Movies and TV have inverted”: Akiva Goldsman quotes are from author’s interview.
“It allows us to activate our brand”: Author’s interview with Stephen Davis.
“get out of my room”: Author’s interview with Michael Chabon.
12. The Shop Around the Corner: Amazon Saves the Indie Film Business
“TV at this point of my career”: David Ng, “Weinstein Co. Serves Up ‘The Founder’ amid Smaller Film Slate and Shift to TV,” Los Angeles Times, Jan. 16, 2017.
Amazon.com’s offer for Manchester by the Sea: Details on Amazon’s purchase of Manchester by the Sea are from Mike Fleming Jr., “Sundance Sensation ‘Manchester by the Sea’ Nears $10M Amazon Deal,” Jan. 24, 2016. http://deadline.com/2016/01/manchester-by-the-sea-10-million-deal-amazon-casey-affleck-sundance-1201689425/ and Brent Lang “Amazon, Retail Behemoth, Taking Smaller Steps into Hollywood,” Variety, Mar. 8, 2016.
“requires me to deliver”: http://trulyfreefilm.hopeforfilm.com/2013/12/i-am-no-longer-going-to-produce-films-for-my-living.html
“I want to make films”: Ibid.
“wanted to make the equivalent”: Ted Hope, Hope for Film (New York: Soft Skull Press, 2014), 11.
“complete systems reboot”: Ibid.
“Instead of thinking of ourselves”: Ibid.
“We look for something artful”: Author’s interview with Ted Hope.
“Our customers wanted”: Author’s interview with Bob Berney.
“We�
��re trying to deliver”: Author’s interview with Jason Ropell.
“They are often very good”: Ben Fritz and Laura Stevens, “Oscar Nominations Validate Amazon’s Hollywood Ambitions,” Wall Street Journal, Jan. 24, 2017.
“They’re like the kings”: Author’s interview with Nicolas Winding Refn.
13. Apt Pupil: China’s Shifting Relationship with Hollywood
“We focus much more”: E-mail from Andrew Gumpert to Michael Lynton, Amy Pascal, and others, Feb. 3, 2014. Subject: Fw: Shanghai Media Group/PIXELS and spiderman response.
wasn’t even released in China: Patrick Brzeski, “‘Ghostbusters’ Denied Release in China,” Hollywood Reporter, July 13, 2016.
Sony signed a deal: Details on Sony-Wanda deal and Sony’s record in China from Wayne Ma and Erich Schwartzel, “Sony and Wanda Team Up to Market Films in China,” Wall Street Journal, Sept. 23, 2016, and Jonathan Kaiman and Jessica Meyers, “Wanda Group Partners with Sony Pictures,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 23, 2016.
The head of Wanda had so many meetings: Some details on Wang’s dealings in Hollywood come from people in the film industry who have met with him.
eighteen new screens were being built every day: Clifford Coonan, “China’s Box Office Surges 30 Percent in First Quarter,” Hollywood Reporter, May 3, 2014.
grossed $11.7 million: http://www.china.org.cn/english/2006/Jan/155614.htm
“When studios greenlight”: Rich Gelfond quotes and details on IMAX’s experience in China are from author’s interview.
“no ceiling”: Brooks Barnes, “Dalian Wanda of China Offers a Carrot to Hollywood,” New York Times, Oct. 17, 2016.
“China is now the wallet”: Author’s interviews with several people in Hollywood, including Adam Goodman.
“a narcotic which the capitalist class”: Jim Mann, “‘Superman’ Shanghaied in Peking Screen Test,” Los Angeles Times, Jan. 25, 1986.
“the 10 best foreign movies”: Rone Tempest, “How Do You Say ‘Boffo’ in Chinese?” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 29, 1994.
The filmmakers used digital technology: Ben Fritz and John Horn, “Hollywood Tries to Stay on China’s Good Side,” Los Angeles Times, March 16, 2011.
a remake of The Karate Kid: Details on the movie are from John Horn, “‘Karate Kid’ Update Breaks Down Some Chinese Walls,” Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2010.
Sony trimmed several minutes: Steven Zeitchik, “Will Smith’s ‘Men In Black 3’ Censored in China,” Los Angeles Times, May 31, 2012.
Marvel worked with a Chinese production partner: Clarence Tsui, “‘Iron Man 3’ China-Only Scenes Draw Mixed Response,” Hollywood Reporter, May 1, 2013.
Sony cut a glimpse: Erich Schwartzel, “Hollywood’s New Script: You Can’t Make Movies Without China,” Wall Street Journal, Apr. 18, 2017.
“They want to have a Chinese component”: Erich Schwartzel, “Hollywood Under Pressure to Put More Chinese Actors in the Spotlight,” Wall Street Journal, Sept. 19, 2016.
“We hope those protective measures”: Ben Fritz, “‘Dark Knight,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Prometheus” to Open Close in China,” Los Angeles Times, Aug. 13, 2012.
it was critical to the government: Lilian Lin and Laurie Burkitt, “China’s Movie Executives Cry Foul over Propaganda Film’s Box-Office Success,” Wall Street Journal, Sept. 9, 2015.
On a sunny September day: Details and quotes are from author’s interview with Adam Goodman and Zhang Zhou.
“Working with a company like Universal”: Ben Fritz, “Chinese Videogame Maker Investing $250 Million in Universal Movies,” Wall Street Journal, Feb. 17, 2016.
In late 2017, LeEco experienced severe financial problems due to its high debt, stalling Goodman’s plans for Le Vision Entertainment at least temporarily. See Patrick Brezski, “China’s LeEco Collapse Clouds Future for Exec Adam Goodman,” Hollywood Reporter, Aug. 2, 2017.
14. Field of Dreams: Studio Defectors and the Future of Nonfranchise Films
“We’ll make romantic comedies”: Author’s interview with Adam Goodman.
raised more than $800 million: Ben Fritz, “Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks Relaunches as Amblin Partners,” Wall Street Journal, Dec. 16, 2015.
“I think of myself like”: Ben Fritz, “Columbia Pictures President Had a Knack for Numbers,” Los Angeles Times, Jan. 15, 2012.
“I owe my entire career”: E-mail from Doug Belgrad to Amy Pascal, July 16, 2014. Subject: Nice story.
“I know you want to win”: E-mail from Amy Pascal to Doug Belgrad, Nov. 12, 2014. No subject.
“The pressures on executives”: Doug Belgrad quotes and details on his new company are from author’s interview.
Brad Grey, was fired: Several months later, Grey passed away from cancer.
“The only ‘platform’”: Christopher Nolan remarks at Warner Bros.’ Cinema-Con Presentation in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mar. 29, 2017.
The plan for “premium video-on-demand”: Many details about Hollywood’s premium video-on-demand plans are from Ben Fritz, “From Multiplex to Living Room, in 45 Days or Less,” Wall Street Journal, Mar. 26, 2017.
“adult dramas we’re having problems with”: Kevin Tsujihara comments on Time Warner earnings call, Feb. 8, 2017.
Theater attendance: National Assn. of Theater Owners. http://www.natoonline.org/data/admissions/. Accessed June 26, 2017.
Afterword: Edge of Tomorrow
The Justice Department: “North Korean Regime-Backed Programmer Charged with Conspiracy to Conduct Multiple Cyberattacks and Intrusions.” United States Department of Justice, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/north-korean-regime-backed-programmer-charged-conspiracy-conduct-multiple-cyber-attacks-and/. Accessed Oct. 18, 2018.
misconduct by executives at Amazon: Joe Flint, Ben Fritz, and Laura Stevens, “Roy Price’s Alleged Trail of Drinking and Sexual Harassment Challenges Amazon’s Culture,” Wall Street Journal, Nov. 6, 2017.
Disney: Ben Fritz, “At Straitlaced Disney, a Star Producer’s R-Rated Behavior Draws Complaints,” Wall Street Journal, Feb. 21, 2018.
Lionsgate: Ben Fritz and Alexandra Berzon, “At Lions Gate, a Drama in the Legal Department,” Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2018.
Joe Flint and me for articles we published in the Wall Street Journal: Flint, Fritz, and Stevens, “Roy Price’s Alleged Trail . . . ,” Wall Street Journal, Nov. 6, 2018. Hollywood Reporter’s Kim Masters: Kim Masters, “Amazon TV Producer Goes Public with Harassment Claim Against Top Exec Roy Price,” Hollywood Reporter, Oct. 12, 2017.
estimated $300 million: Ben Fritz, “Behind Disney’s Ploy for Fox: Determination to Beat Netflix,” Wall Street Journal, Nov. 8, 2017.
to keep them glued to their mobile devices: Ryan Faughnder and Wendy Lee, “WarnerMedia announces new streaming service to compete with Netflix and Disney,” Los Angeles Times, Oct. 10, 2018.
“If we don’t grow”: Michael O’Connell, “Sony’s Tony Vinciquerra Talks Merger ‘Floodgates,’ Hack Lessons,” Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 17, 2018.
$13 billion of content spending: Matthew Ball, “Netflix’s Content Budget Is Bigger Than It Seems,” Redef, May 12, 2018.
“Our talent is saying”: Evan Real, “Amazon’s Jennifer Salke, Jason Blum on Wooing Talent Differently than Netflix,” Hollywood Reporter, Oct. 23, 2018.
Sales for Hollywood films were down 24 percent: Patrick Brzeski, “Hollywood’s Box-Office Market Share Down Sharply in China,” Hollywood Reporter, Oct. 3, 2018.
Megan’s father, Larry Ellison, the Silicon Valley billionaire, stepped in: Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly, “As Annapurna Stumbles, Billionaire Larry Ellison Exerts Control,” Variety, Oct. 10, 2018.
Between 1983 and 2005: Ben Fritz, “The Oscar for Best Picture Goes to . . . Something You Probably Didn’t See,” Wall Street Journal, March 1, 2018.
Index
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 254–55
>
actors. See talent
After Earth, 26–27, 94–96
Ali, 90
Alice in Wonderland, 143, 160
The Amazing Spider-Man, 26, 38, 75–78, 212
The Amazing Spider-Man 2, 38, 75, 77–78, 79, 113, 201–2
The Amazing Spider-Man 3, 75–76, 81
Amazon Studios
audience, 197
flops and impact, 198–200, 252–53
formation of, 191–92
independent film financing by, xxiii, 187–90, 198–200, 252–53
Netflix versus, 195, 196–97
originality mission of, 190, 191–92, 194–97, 200
Amblin Partners, 216, 223, 235
AMC, 134–35, 203, 216
America Online (AOL), 14
American Hustle, 117, 120
Anderson, Paul Thomas, 119
Angels & Demons, 86–87
animated movies
China’s release of, 213
Disney live-action of, 143–44, 160–62
DreamWorks, 70
Lego, 166, 171–74
Pixar, 152–53, 157
Annapurna Pictures, 116–22, 253
AOL. See America Online
Apollo 13, 208
Apple iPod, 152, 154
Arad, Avi
as Marvel competitor, 73
Marvel film logo by, 53
Marvel resignation by, 65–66
Marvel vision of, 44–45
Marvel World pitch to, 54–55
Marvel’s slate deals and, 62–63
Artisan Entertainment, 54
AT&T, 236
audience
actor loyalty decline, 83–88, 93–99
actor loyalty success, 88–93, 106–7
Amazon Studios, 197