Friday, March 20, 2009

Selling

One thing about Jeffrey Katzenberg. He gets out there and sells the product.

"There were two major developments in cinema during the 20th century. The first came in the Twenties when silent movies became talkies. The second came in the following decade, when we went from black-and-white to colour. Now, 70 years on, we're in the third great revolution: the new generation of 3D ..."

"Sure, it's even more expensive, but I think everybody will go this way eventually. People will demand this kind of experience. It's an experience you simply can't have at home on DVD."

As we've noted here previously, Jeffrey is a showman. P.T. Barnum, Darryl Zanuck, and David O. Selznick are his (figurative) ancestors.

He supervises the making of the movie, he pushes the selling of the movie, he gives copious interviews for the movie. The last two things are sprinkled with flavorful bits of hyperbole.

Which makes sense. If you don't wax enthusiastic over your children, how are you going to engender enthusiasm in the people you want to rush out and buy tickets to view your children?

More power to him.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

One thing about Jeffrey Katzenberg. He gets out there and sells the product.

Apparently with tax dollars?

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/whaaat-bailed-out-bank-of-america-paying-for-consumers-to-see-hollywood-toon/

Anonymous said...

He also lost a bunch of bucks to Madoff, along with Spielberg. So he has to make that money back somehow....

rufus.

Anonymous said...

To: g said...

http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2009/03/why_another_att.html

Anonymous said...

Also to g:

I'm sure if you were some poor kid who will get to see MvA in 3-D instead of 2-D, you wouldn't be splitting hairs about the source of the chits. Besides, ther is no misuse of government money here: More profits for Dreamworks ultimately means more projects, bigger budgets, more employment and fewer lay-offs, which happens to be a particularly appropriate use of stimulus money, albeit indirect. If you are looking for a scandal, look elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

For years, Hollywood film and TV people have been bitching and moaning that we don't get state or Federal government subsidies, while other states give tax breaks to steal away live-action production, and Pacific Rim countries subsidize animation subcontractors that steal U.S. jobs.

So hear we have it, Federal bailout bucks going to help market a U.S.-produced 'toon. And Nikki Finke is shocked, SHOCKED!

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous and Anonymous

I didnt write the article. Just thought I'd link it since it seemed somewhat relevant

Anonymous said...

go Dreamworks! Hoping its as big as Panda!

Steve Hulett said...

Apparently with tax dollars?


We linked to the Nikksters breathless tale down in Links of March.

Anonymous said...

To Anon Fri 1:50,

[Pacific Rim countries subsidize animation subcontractors that steal U.S. jobs.]

Can this be proven or documented? So much for "free" enterprise and market "forces."

It's time to finally level the playing field. How about an AIG bonus style tax on the companies that are profiting from this hanky-panky to neutralize the effects of these subsidies. That will solve the employment problem instantly.

Anonymous said...

Actually you will be able to see 3D on TVs very soon... some manufacturers are already to release the tech. But does anybody really want to wear glasses all the time to watch 3D?

Anonymous said...

Is anyone going to be smart enough to invent prescription 3-D glasses? That's what's really needed.

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