Bway Producer Almost Went Bankrupt

[zainmax]

Saw this article, and YIKES. Do they have some sort of deal with the National Theater or do they just like the West End??? https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2019/09/08/billionaire-saves-broadway-producer-from-the-brink-of-bankruptcy/

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Annapurna is a film studio (Phantom Thread, Booksmart, Sorry to Bother You, Vice, etc) that has dabbled in investing/co-producing stage shows. The company has been floundering for a long time because its founder (Megan Ellison, daughter of multi-billionaire Larry Ellison) decided to become a film distributor, instead of just a production company. The films they've chosen to release have been more esoteric, niche fare that haven't caught on to broad audiences.

I'm not really sure why the article focused on its stage work. They wouldn't even make a list of the 100 most important theatre co-producers working today.

More details: https://deadline.com/2019/08/annapurna-megan-ellison-larry-ellison-last-and-final-offer-bankers-1202668129/

[zainmax]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Annapurna is a film studio (Phantom Thread, Booksmart, Sorry to Bother You, Vice,etc)that has dabbled in investing/co-producing stage shows. The company has been floundering for a long time because its founder (Megan Ellison, daughter of multi-billionaire Larry Ellison) decided to become a film distributor, instead of just a production company. The films they've chosen to release have been more esoteric, niche fare that haven't caught on to broad audiences.

I'm not really sure why the article focused on its stage work. They wouldn't even make a list of the 100 most important theatre co-producers working today.

More details:https://deadline.com/2019/08/annapurna-megan-ellison-larry-ellison-last-and-final-offer-bankers-1202668129/"

Why would being a distributor make a difference? Is it more expensive?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Vastly more expensive, but also a very specific skillset in marketing and promoting films (especially when it's niche-market stuff like The Sisters Brothers, or an overbudget $60 million Dick Cheney biopic). The independent film world is often split into Production Companies vs Distributors; Annapurna has attempted to be both, and she made the move to Distribution after only a few years in the industry. It's not like Geffen, Katzenberg, and Spielberg coming together to create Dreamworks with about 100 years of combined industry experience.

[zainmax]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Vastly more expensive, but also a very specific skillset in marketing and promoting films (especially when it's niche-market stuff likeThe Sisters Brothers, or an overbudget$60 million Dick Cheney biopic). The independent film world is often split into Production Companies vs Distributors; Annapurna has attempted to be both, and she made the move to Distribution after only a few years in the industry. It's not like Geffen, Katzenberg, and Spielberg coming together to createDreamworkswith about 100 years of combined industry experience."

Is there an advantage to be a distributor? Also, are there any good books that you would recommend to read about all of this stuff? Very interesting!

[52889j]

If Beale Street Could Talk is an Academy Award winning film so to call it "Golden Globe" nominated in the company of Vice is quite a dig.

[zainmax]

52889j said: "If Beale Street Could Talkis an Academy Awardwinningfilm so to call it "Golden Globe" nominated in the company ofViceis quite a dig."

King won, not the film? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91st_Academy_Awards

[broadfan327]

In awards talk, if anyone from the property wins, the property won an award.  Tootsie is a Tony award winning musical, even though it did not win Best Musical.

[52889j]

zainmax said: "52889j said: "If Beale Street Could Talkis an Academy Awardwinningfilm so to call it "Golden Globe" nominated in the company ofViceis quite a dig."

King won, not the film?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91st_Academy_Awards"

I mean, a win for the performer is a win for the film as would a win for screenplay, visual effects, costume design, director, etc. You could say Vice was a Best Picture nominee and Beale Street wasn't, but both films were Academy Award nominated nonetheless.

[zainmax]

52889j said: "zainmax said: "52889j said: "If Beale Street Could Talkis an Academy Awardwinningfilm so to call it "Golden Globe" nominated in the company ofViceis quite a dig."

King won, not the film?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91st_Academy_Awards"

I mean, a win for the performer is a win for the film as would a win for screenplay, visual effects, costume design, director, etc. You could say Vice was a Best Picture nominee and Beale Street wasn't, but both films were Academy Award nominated nonetheless."

You've convinced me. Thanks!