Reversing a longstanding practice, the Motion Picture Association of America won't disclose the average amount of money that studios spent on making and marketing movies last year.
For years, the MPAA has included detailed statistics and analysis showing average theatrical costs for its members and affiliates, as well as how much money the studios annually spent advertising their movies.Â
But the data, which was closely watched in Hollywood and in the media, was conspicuously absent from the group's Theatrical Market Statistics report for 2008, which was released today.
Grilled about the matter during a press conference at the annual ShoWest trade show in Las Vegas, MPAA Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman said the increasingly complex nature of film financing and distribution made it difficult to obtain reliable data.
"Year-to-year average costs comparisons are really useless and misleading,'' he said. "I'm not sure what these numbers mean anymore."
Nonetheless, Glickman's comments fueled speculation that the reversal came about as a result of pressure from his studio bosses, who are never eager to cast a spotlight on how much they spend, particularly during a time of recession and layoffs.
The unusual decision comes at a time when Glickman's performance has come under greater scrutiny. His contract was recently extended only for one year. Some observers said the studios do not think the MPAA has been effective, especially by being unable to lobby successfully for tax breaks for Hollywood in the recent federal stimulus package.
The tax provisionwhich would have provided the same tax benefits to Hollywood that accrue to other US industries that keep jobs in America -Â Â faced opposition from some in Congress who portrayed it as a bailout to Hollywood.
Glickman said the speculation was wrong. "This is not about us trying to protect ourselves on the lobbying side,'' he said. "There's nothing conspiratorial about this."Â
The MPAA did not attempt to compile the data this year but may do so in subsequent years if it comes up with a better way of tabulating average film costs, Glickman said.
He and other film industry officials touted how well the industry has held up in the face of an historic recession. Global box office revenue reached an all-time high of $28.1 billion in 2008, up 7% from 2007, led by such hit as "Dark Knight" "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." International markets continued to drive growth, accounting for 65% of box office receipts.
"All in all the cinema industry is doing remarkably well during very difficult times,'' said John Fithian, president and ceo of the National Association of Theater Owners during speech at ShoWest.
Still, the industry experienced a slight decline in admissions last year, with attendance at North American Theaters falling 2.6% to 1.4 billion in 2008, according to the MPAA report. Higher box office revenues was due to higher ticket prices.
In other 2008 statistics: the average national ticket price rose to $7.18, up from $6.88. The overall number of films released in the U.S. rose to 606, up from 584 in 2007.
--Richard Verrier
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'Angel' fans mourn the passing of Andy Hallett
How sad to read of the death of Andy Hallett.
Hallett, who livened up the cult drama "Angel" for four seasons as a demon named Lorne, died of heart failure March 29, his agent told EOnline.com.
Hallett was 33 and had struggled with heart disease for five years, according to the site.
"Angel" was a show that had trouble finding its way during its first couple of seasons. But the WB drama, which was created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt, hit pay dirt when the brooding vampire Angel (Dvaid Boreanaz) and his friends found their way to Caritas, the karaoke bar run by Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan.
Lorne, for short. (He also went by "The Host," a reference to his emcee duties at Caritas).
Other actors might have been hampered by having to work under a thick layer of green makeup, but not Hallett, whose vivacity and wit shone through no matter what sort of apocalyptic crisis the "Angel" crew was facing.
Sure, "Angel" was a cult drama (and ultimately a very complex and compelling one) about a vampire who was constantly battling bad guys, but the comedic episodes set in Lorne's home dimension of Pylea were among the show's high points. But those broadly comedic shows were the exception, not the rule. "Angel" could be a dark show -- even Lorne had his dark moments -- but the presence of the tart-tongued demon ensured that it wasn't a total gloom-fest. It was often a quite witty gloom-fest, thank you.
It's very hard to believe that Hallett was so young; Lorne was such an ageless character. Lorne was comic relief, to be sure, but he was also an old soul, one who'd seen it all and found endless ways to quip about it. Thanks to Hallett's presence, energy and deft timing, he made Lorne one of the best things about "Angel."
Fans have been sharing their thoughts about the actor, who focused on his music career after "Angel" ended its run five years ago, on various online forums.
"Andy was a beautiful, sweet man and had so much talent. The world is a duller place without him," a fan named Helygen said on Whedonesque.com, a leading Whedon fan site. "I had the pleasure of meeting him many times, and he was always so warm and friendly, even when he was clearly unwell. My thoughts are with his family and friends, as they try to come to terms with the huge hole in their world."
Some links (share more in the comment area if you know of any other Hallett stories):
Arlo J. Wiley notes that Lorne was Hallett's first TV role, yet he made it look easy. Thanks to Wiley for providing the link to the clip of Lorne performing "Lady Marmalade." Wikipedia entries on Lorne and on Hallett.An L.A. Times story on Hallett's death. Many fans weighed in with thoughts and remembrances in the comment area of E!Online's Watch With Kristin piece. English broadcaster Keith Topping posted a remembrance of Hallett.Coppola, Redford, Evan Rachel Wood highlight 52nd S.F. Film Festival
Honorees, opening- and closing-night screenings, celeb appearances and other info were announced at the San Francisco International Film Festival news conference Tuesday in S.F.
MUSIC-ITALY: Nurturing Opera
AMEGLIO, Italy, Mar 31 (IPS)Fabrizio tells a young woman, Eriko, that it is very cold outside, while logs crackle in the fireplace and the sun sets behind the mountains, adorned with last night’s snowfall. It is all true, but they are acting, rehearsing a famous scene from the opera La Bohème, by Giacomo Puccini.
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