THE MARKET
Billions are being spent throughout the globe for movie tickets, DVDs, CDs, Streaming and all other entertainment products. Not only can independently financed films now take every advantage of this cash pool, but they can be most effective in their rate of return on investment. "Pulp Fiction" was created for $8 million, and worldwide grosses to date exceed $410 million. "The Piano" was produced for $7 million and earned $65 million and several Academy Awards. One of the most notable examples of this profitable filmmaking was "The Blair Witch Project" which earned about $240 million at the box office on an original investment of $100,000.
Independents financed from $2 to $40 million have a good potential to earn their costs back many times over. Some examples of modestly budgeted motion pictures reaping tens of millions in return on investment and a multitude of awards are:
Life is Beautiful...... American Graffiti
Easy Rider...... Boys Don't Cry
Platoon...... Rocky
Leaving Las Vegas...... Shine
The English Patient...... Rain
Reservoir Dogs...... The Usual Suspects
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss...... Killing Zoe
Sex, Lies and Videotape...... Slingblade
Dances With Wolves...... Howard's End
I Know What You Did Last Summer...... Scream
Like Water for Chocolate...... Gods and Monsters
Drugstore Cowboy...... Bad Lieutenant
The Brothers McMullen...... The Virgin Suicides
Midnight Cowboy...... American Pie
The independently produced and distributed "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" surpassed all expectations by earning over $240 million in the U.S. theatrical box office alone! The film maintained itself in the top ten at the U.S. box office for more weeks than any film in history except Titanic, and would have surpassed Titanic had it not been for TV commitments that were made in order to finance the $5 million film. "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" was turned down by all of the "smart" distributors. The film proves that non-corporate and independent theatrical distribution can have a distinct advantage in the theatrical marketplace and can reach audiences left behind by the conglomerate distributors.
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