Solutions Talk

The "Commercialization" of the Movies...

Today's Notable Quote: "Somebody hit the fast-forward button!" - A frustrated fellow patron of the local cinema--during the middle of the 4th "pre-preview" commercial.

And so it goes--just when you think you can escape the clutches of the crass and crafty handiwork of ad agencies thanks to TiVo, DVRs and other recording devices...you duck into a movie theatre for the latest release, and--you get more than you bargained for...

Catch A Commercial At The Movies

According to the Cinema Advertising Council's just-released report, cinema advertising industry revenues among CAC members grew 15% to $455.7 million in 2006. CAC members account for more than 81% of US movie screens, according to the organization.

The report includes revenue data for both on-screen cinema advertising, including commercials airing in advance of movie previews and the feature presentation, and off-screen revenues, including those derived from audio programming, sampling, special events, concession-based promotions and lobby-based promotions.

According to the report:

• On-screen advertising revenues increased 15% to $417,401,000 in 2006 from $361,598,000 in 2005
• Off-screen revenues grew to $38,260,000 in 2006, a 15% increase from $33,232,000 in 2005

Sticky floors, stale popcorn, $5.00 soft drinks...and now, the convenience of "un-fast-forwardable" commercial messages--from the friendly movie "sponsor"

"Must See" DVDs: Now Showing at Publix...

Notable Quote:  "Touted as a convenient, cheap, no-hassle alternative, video vending is the latest challenge to the Blockbuster stranglehold over the country's $8.4 billion movie rental business -- which is facing growing competition from online rental firms and video-on-demand technology." - from the Miami Herald article on the subject.

$8.4 Billion...Billion...Billion...maybe it's just me--but, that seems like a lot of money being spent on video rentals. Your thoughts? Read on...Publix adds more $1 movie kiosks

Did you say $8.4...Million???

Lights, camera...Leadship...

Today's Notable Quotes: From a 2003 Fast Company "cheat sheet" segment entitled "Celluloid Leadership":

Celluloid Leadership

Why read a book when you can rent the movie? And why go to B-school when you can, well, watch a B movie? With input from readers on the FC Now Weblog, Fast Company presents the top 10 best performances of all time by leaders on the silver screen.

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Leader Jefferson Smith (James Stewart)
Lesson "There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties."

2. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Leader Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa)
Lesson "Be happy in your work."

3. Office Space (1999)
Leader Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston)
Lesson "Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms, and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements."

4. Patton (1970)
Leader General George Smith Patton Jr. (George C. Scott)
Lesson "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

5. Hoosiers (1986)
Leader Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman)
Lesson "If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. In my book, we're gonna be winners."

6. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Leader Lucas (Luke) Jackson (Paul Newman)
Lesson "I'm just doing my job. You gotta appreciate that." "Nah. Calling it your job don't make it right, boss."

7. The Godfather: Part III (1990)
Leader Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)
Lesson "Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment."

8. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Leader Ricky Roma (Al Pacino)
Lesson "What you're hired for is to help us . . . to help us . . . to help men who are going out there to try to earn a living."

9. Apollo 13 (1995)
Leader Gene Kranz (Ed Harris)
Lesson "Let's work the problem, people. Let's not make things worse by guessing."

10. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Leader Yoda (Frank Oz)
Lesson "Do or do not. There is no try."

To read the rest of this "cheat sheet", click on the following link: Experience This!

Additionally, a great post by John Moore of Brand Autopsy on Management/Leadership.

A Couple of Worthwhile Flicks...

Today's Notable Quote: "How do you document real life, when real life's getting more like fiction each day?" - Mark, the filmmaker narrator of Rent.

Indeed. And yet, despite the ubiquity of movie theatres, video rental stores and other forms of portable stories--it is still surprisingly difficult to find well-written, well-acted entertainment.

Sorting the chaff from the wheat--or the good entertainment options from the mass-produced, pop-culture pap that finds its way into suburban cineplexes takes time, effort and trust-worthy sources upon which one can rely. Today I found a blogpost from Tom Peters (normally a business site) See: dispatches from the new world of work recommending a Frank Oz comedy entitled Death at a Funeral.  My friend Richard had recommended this same film several weeks ago. We saw it at the time and enjoyed the "over-the-top" performances by Alan Tudyk and Peter Dinklage immensely.

Another enjoyable recent watch was Peter Fonda's labor of love remake of  3:10 to Yuma . Beautifully filmed, expertly directed and acted (Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are great together on screen).

"Bean" there...Done That...

Today's Notable Quote: "Mr. Bean, your movies are the best. They cheer me up and make me laugh when I am down. Thanks Mr. Bean." - Anonymous post to the website announcing the arrival of Rowan Atkinson's latest installment in the series of Mr. Bean movies.

Absurd...yes. Silly...yes. But often "laugh-out-loud" hysterical. mr bean you r just so amazin you propr mke me laf

Mr. Bean is back...and "On Holiday".

Seinfeld's "Bee Movie"...not that there's anything wrong with that...

Notable Quote: Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., said that watching Seinfeld's "creative process is amazing, something akin to seeing a world- class athlete up close and personal." - Excerpted from an article by ANGELA DOLAND, Associated Press Writer

The "Bee Movie" feels like "a handmade suit" according to co-star Chris Rock. Read on for more insight into this little film that is taking Cannes by Storm...Cannes Abuzz Over Seinfeld's `Bee Movie'

Seinfeld and Rock are generating "Buzz" at the Cannes Film Festival with the "Bee Movie".

The "Rocky" Franchise

Today's Notable Quote: "I trained you to be a fighter, not a billboard." - Mick (played wonderfully by the late Burgess Meredith) to his protege Rocky Balboa (the inimitable Sylvester Stallone) as they walked into the arena for a title bout versus Apollo Creed (played by former football great Carl Weathers).

Today's quote was spoken by "Mick" as he noticed a stitched on sign which promoted Shamrock Meats on the back of Rocky's robe. The ad was part of a sponsorship deal struck between Rocky and his future brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young), in which Rocky got the robe in return for sponsoring Paulie's employer (Paulie reportedly received $3,000). Mick's follow-up comment to this exchange was "...shrewd..." - a priceless retort delivered by Meredith, one of film's all-time great character actors.

Stallone's script is packed full of subtle humor--easily missed during a first or second viewing. The entire series is worth a re-watch if you are thinking about seeing Rocky Balboa, the sixth and final installment.

Promotional photo from the early years of the franchise.

Movies...Schmoovies!

Today's Notable Quote: "I really don't care for movies. They make everything seem so close up." - William Hurt, from The Accidental Tourist, 1988.

The motion picture industry is struggling. Ticket sales were off significantly in '05--despite a record number of movie releases. The reason? No one in Hollywood seems to know, though theories abound. My take on it follows:

1) Story lines lack originality--often offending the intelligence and sensibilities of the target audience.

2) Movies are becoming a "bully pulpit" for the various  "causes" and political viewpoints of several in the acting community.

3) Movie theatres are dirty, poorly maintained and staffed. Particularly at the prices--$60 to $100 for a family of five to see an evening show in many cities.

4) In-home technology and accessibilityof DVD-video movies and state-of-art projection and sound technology in the comfort of your own home.

The attached article from AdAge prrovides additional perspective on the flagging film industry's future...

Movie Industry Grapples With Box Office Declines and In-Control Consumers

After you've trudged through a showing  in one of these poorly-maintained, understaffed places--you'll be clicking your heels together and repeating, "there's no place like home, there's no place like home--to watch a movie."

83 Minutes of Magic

Today's Notable Quote: "Too many people grow up. That's the trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They don't remember what it's like to be 12 years old. They patronize, they treat children as inferiors. Well I won't do that." - Walter Elias "Walt" Disney (1901 - 1966) US cartoonist, animation pioneer, producer, creator of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

68 years ago on this day there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation, mixed with a hint of skepticism in the Hollywood community. This day marked the debut of the first-ever full length animated motion picture. The film would premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The feature-length cartoon was produced at an extraordinary cost of $1.5 million (more than $17 million in 2005 dollars). Bringing the ensemble of characters to the screen required the work of 750 artists, who created more than 1 million drawings--of which 250,000 were used in the final version.

The movie opened to much fanfare, with naysayers predicting Disney's financial ruin over such extravagant folly. These "nattering nabobs of negativism" were soon silenced, however, as the film's resounding success surprised even the most optimistic observers. Disney recouped his entire investment in less than a year--and was on his way to his first "Oscar", which would be presented to him by Shirley Temple at the next Academy Award Ceremony.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs proved to be a "magical" experience for its maker and viewers alike.

High Adventure

Today's Notable Quote: "It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys."- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944) French writer (The Little Prince) & pilot (died a war hero's death, shot down in battle over France in 1944)

A GREAT QUOTE For an American Film Hero...

Today's post is a salute to the many films and great "adventures" left on film by Steve McQueen. Through these we can live the excitement vicariously without leaving the comfort of our homes.

It was on this day in 1980 that lung cancer conquered the seemingly indomitable spirit of this American Film Icon.