Sunday, August 15, 2010

Box Office Insight

Since I’ve taken you along from the beginning on this book-to-movie process, let me share what I’ve pieced together this week about “box office.” Flipped opened in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Austin last weekend and did “moderately well” at the box office. It averaged around $5,000 at each theater where it was shown, and, to put that in a little perspective, that was slightly better than Angelina Jolie’s Salt did per theater in its opening weekend. Of course, Salt played in a lot more theaters so had a much bigger overall box office, but still. Statistics are for the skewing. Now, if Flipped had had a huge box office, the next phase of this adventure might have been different, but, based on the box office in those three cities, Warner Brothers has decided to release the movie in the following “markets” on August 27th : New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Indianapolis. And then, once they see how it performs in those markets, “a decision will be made about further expansion.” The reasoning here seems at odds with the “product” to me. Flipped in not a flashy “big city” film. It’s a heartfelt film, one that I see playing much better in smaller communities than in metropolitan areas. I have to trust that WB knows what it’s doing, but I admit this strategy has me worried. If the film doesn’t connect with city-dwellers, will the rest of the country even get the chance to vote at the box office? There’s not much I can do about it except urge those of you who live in one of those six cities listed above to go see the movie opening weekend (and take all your friends!). Being new to all this, I had no idea how it worked, but now I do…and now you do, too. Meanwhile, I’m focusing on the positive: We’ve got our special Red Carpet Event screening(s) in six days, and I’m really looking forward to doing this for my community and my friends. I have a different long list of things I have to do for each day between now and then. It’s definitely a divide-and-conquer-(or-be-conquered) situation. In addition to hosting both screenings, we have house guests coming Friday, and Sunday we’re having breakfast here for people who have traveled long distances to attend. Which means I have to clean the house! And figure out seating! And get lots of food! And figure out where people are going to sleep! None of which has anything to do with what needs to get done before the Event (which is considerable, given that I never seem to do things the simple way). I am, in short, panicking. So why am spending time writing this blog entry? Because I promised. And because I really appreciate that you check in. I wish all of you could come to our RC Event. Wish me big reserves of energy—I’m gonna need it! It'll all be behind me next Sunday. I’ll let you know how it goes!

17 comments:

Eleanor said...

It's to bad that it isn't coming out in lots of cities, but at least I have the chance to go to your red carpet premier if me or my friend win the raffle @ our local library!

N3WYORKD3VIL said...

FLIIIIIPPPPEDD! I'm yelling that outside my window everyday, along with Weddinngg Crasherrr!!! The same person usually yells, "ITS 5:00 IN THE MORNING! GO BACK TO SLEEP!" But I cannot and I blame school. I got up at 5:00 every day and I still can't sleep in. I must see Flipped...but without my family...they talk too much. Its saddening. By the time the movie is over, I wished that a bomb would've blown up.

So, my mom said that if Christopher was "willing to go", she'll let him take me there. He is very "willing to go". I made him read the book =]

So he really is willing to go. I think that the way I put it, it sounds like I'm forcing him...

Optimistic4ever said...

I dont have that many friends. I'll make them come, though. I know one will come cuz she loved the book, a few will come cuz they care about me, and a few will come cuz I will scream at them endlessly if they dont. And one might not come. Well too bad, cuz they are getting dragged along if they dont want to come! My mom thinks FLIPPED is about a chicken that can walk on ceilings cuz of the cover. Im gonna let her think that. If I tell her the truth, it will ruin my chances of getting to go. FFFFFFFFLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD!

N3WYORKD3VIL said...

A chicken that can walk on the top of ceilings...That sounds like...SPIDERMAN! No, I'm kidding. Spiderman is a spiderr...I used to love that movie. Now, all those feelings have turned to, "EDDIE! I don't wanna watch Spiderman AGAIN!"

My brother now likes Spiderman...

Anonymous said...

Ahhh there's so many movies I want to see right now! Like Flipped. And then Suck, that movie about the band that gets stalked, and then Salt. And then Vampires Suck, that Twilight parody movie lol. And then Ramona and Beezus because those were my favorite childhood books (Beverly Cleary is a genius I tell you). And then Scott Pilgrin Vs The World, because I love Michael Cera. And then that movie, It's Kind of a Funny Story because I read the book. And then Buried, about the man who's buried alive. And then Easy A lol. And Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio! :D but now he's annoying so maybe not. Wow I have problems.
Oh and I can't believe they're making new Spiderman movies although I do agree that the current ones weren't that good, like, okay Peter Parker STOP LOSING THE DAMN RING. Now, the Batman movie are another story I have The Dark Knight on my iPhone heh. The Dark Knight ride at Six Flags was a huge disappointment, though.
Oh and I'm gonna be in Transformers 3 lol as an extra hahha, because they're filming in Chicago and my frIend's dad works on the set. If you drive to Chicago at the right time and creep along Michigan Avenue for long enough, you'll be able to see where they're filming but it's all like tape off. :D
I'm really curious about the COASK movie... :P AND the supposed SK tv show. How come Flipped and COASK can be movies but SK isn't!? I would definetly prefer a tv show, though. Anyway me and my sister are talking about denim and jeans so I gotta go. :D

Elizabeth said...

I hope that Flipped does wonderful on the 27th, and wish I lived near enough one of those cities to see it! Hosting the red carpet event(s) is such a wonderful thing for you to do (though a huge undertaking)! If only I didn't live on the other side of the country :-P. Good luck with the release and your screenings, I hope that you find the energy you need to push through this :). And thanks so much for taking the time to keep your promise, we all appreciate it :).

Pooja Dimba said...

Wait by San Francisco do you mean San Francisco bay area? Like Sunnyvale, San Jose area?
I am definitely gonna go.
I am so excited for watching it and reading Wedding Crasher!
Anyway I hope Flipped does super well in the box office!

Pooja Dimba said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stuckinmexicogirl said...

Ahhhhh! It isn't coming out everywhere!!!!! :( That stinks! Well if worst comes to worst I will have to see it in Chicago or California. I really think they should play it in Michigan because it was filmed there! It's really funny because one of my brothers' friends was an extra in the movie! ( I was so jealous) You can see him in the preview. He's sitting behind the two girls in the theater/auditorium. Anyway thanks for posting! :D

Jinnyd said...

Like everyone else who doesn't live in those cities, I wish it was coming to my city! I'd love to see the movie (and those baby chicks!). Is the DVD going to be released everywhere?

Eleanor said...

Me & my friend are SO excited we just found out that we get to go to your Red Carpet premier!!! I'm SOOO happy!!!

sammy4ever said...

lol, i saw salt and i loved it. BUT I WILL LOVE FLIPPED MORE ONCE I SEE IT!!!
i just need time! ugh, i can't wait to see Flipped, i wanna see it soooo badly!
AW thank you for writing this blog post! i'm so sorry that you're stressed.

Gary said...

I have always wondered at the reasoning behind such decisions. Recently read theater showings are becoming more like ads for the DVD release.
Any way you look at it, congratulations on the film and continued success with your work. Been a fan since the introduction of Sammy Keyes. Now there is a character it would be fun to see come alive on the screen.

Rose Sellman said...

When i watched flipped there was only two other people there. I was surprised about that, but maybe it was because they didn't say it was going to be in that theater until the 27th, however the movie was very good! Loved it!

Eleanor said...

I just got back from the Flipped premier! It was awesome! The actors & actresses who play Bryce, Juli, Garret, & Dana came & you could get your pictures taken with them it was AWESOME!!!

Bonnie J. Doerr said...

I have to see Flipped, somehow, some way, somewhere! We need more movies like it. Loved reading about your red carpet adventures. What an amazing lady you are. YAY for Ron Reiner's wisdom.

janna said...

dose sammy and casey kiss in sammeykeyes wedding casher the first time i read it i love them i read them like a thousand times i wear hightops all the time and one year when it was holween i dressed as sammy keyes and my boyfriend dessed as casey