This is topic 2004 Holiday Releases in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 12-04-2004, 08:06 AM:
 
Wow! Looks like we are up against it this year. There are three release dates the week before Christmas (12/22, 12/24. and 12/25).

There are going to be builds and breakdowns all over the place, not to mention print moves on three different nights. I can understand Wednesday and Friday releases, but what were the folks at Disney and Paramount smokin' when they decided to release Life Acquatic and Fat Albert on the 25th?? To what purpose? You could reply that they would not do well on Christmas Eve, but if that were the general thinking, then everyone would release on Wednesday to get a head start on the holiday season.

Once again, too many releases in a short period of time, and, as usual, somebody will get hurt with the grosses.

Just one more example of the fact that the distribs don't understand the logistics of exhibition, nor do they care.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 12-04-2004, 01:28 PM:
 
Just about every year, there are films released on Christmas Day, no matter what day of the week it is.
 

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Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 12-04-2004, 07:45 PM:
 
Regardless, I think we all understand John's point. This year (2004), Christmas falls on a Saturday. There is no excuss whatsoever for films to debut on Saturday - period. Christmas day releases are pathetic as well. When Kate & Leopold opened in 2001, our carrier did not arrive at our theatre until 9:30 PM on Christmas Eve. While I do believe this was, indeed, a Wednesday opener, I still curse Miramax every year at Christmas for their abject hatred for the projectionist on what most consider the most sacred holiday of the year.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 12-04-2004, 08:43 PM:
 
Whatever. If you're looking for time off during weekends and holidays, you're in the wrong business.

But don't fear ... the imminent conversion to digital projection will lighten your workload soon.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-04-2004, 09:45 PM:
 
What is being released on 12/24? Everything I've seen (mainstream, at least) is on either the 22nd or the 25th. Plus, the prints generally arrive on the 23rd anyways. Very rarely do I see a Christmas Eve delivery ...
 

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Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 12-04-2004, 10:52 PM:
 
Nobody said anything about time off on the weekends or holidays. I only suggested that in the future studios should re-examine their Christmas release policy (particularly the Weinstein brothers) as business does not always warrent such actions.

Don't patronize me for shurking my duties or not being available when the rest of America isn't. We've all sacrificed our time and family lives with dignity and silence in order to be productive members of society.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 12-04-2004, 11:41 PM:
 
Christmas day releases would be better if they sent the prints EARLIER than normal... say like three days ahead of time. Studios need to have some common courtesy for the theaters and their staff, but unfortunately they don't.
 

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Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 12-05-2004, 12:29 AM:
 

quote: John T. Hendrickson, Jr

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but what were the folks at Disney and Paramount smokin'

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quote: Adam Martin

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Whatever. If you're looking for time off during weekends and holidays, you're in the wrong business.

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Amen. And just think, many of us aren't even making much more than minimum wage. Of course, some of you will get time and a half, but other's of us will get screwed there too.

If you can't handle working long hours on holidays, and missing all the family events, and getting yelled at by all those morons and their families that come to the movies on Christmas day even though you can't be with your family, then quite your bitching and find a new field of employment. It isn't going to change any time soon. Nobody likes it, but that's just how it is.
 

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Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 12-05-2004, 06:47 PM:
 
Mike: Scheduled for release on 12/24 is Meet the Fockers and An Unfinished Life.

Darryl: I stand corrected. Fox has the Fat Albert release, not Paramount.

Stephanie: No, I don't bitch, because I don't miss family events, but my staff does. I think that all anyone is asking is for a little consideration. If studios weren't so paranoid about the piracy thing, at least they could get the prints out a day early so that it would make it easier on the exhibitors.

Saying "that's just how it is" seems to be a signal that you are resigned to mistreatment. Some of us have a different opinion, and we are most certainly entitled to express it, whether it makes a difference or not.

So, no, I don't intend to " quit my bitching and find a new field of employment". And it will not change anytime soon until the folks at NATO get a little backbone and say "enough."
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-05-2004, 06:53 PM:
 
I have Meet The Fockers dated on 12/22.

An Unfinished Life is dated for TBA 2005 per Miramax.
 

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Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 12-05-2004, 07:41 PM:
 
Mike-

I just reviewed the new release chart and Fockers is now listed for 12/22.

The Darkness is now listed as 12/25 as well, so it looks like everyone has now fallen into the Wednesday-Saturday (Christmas) catagory.

You have to wonder what additional changes we will have to deal with before Christmas.
 

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Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 12-05-2004, 10:53 PM:
 
Looks like THe Aviator is going limited on the 17th and wide on the 25th.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-05-2004, 10:54 PM:
 
The Aviator is opening NY/LA/SF on the 17th, nationwide on the 25th (just changed Thursday)
 

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