And of course a retort!

Only two cents? It read like two dollars worth!

The article I referred to was about the BRAD PITTS of the industry. "A-List" actors are actors that are supposed to drive the film to success. It was in the papers and on CNN again yesterday. They had a dollar for salary compared to dollar for box office return. Not good for many major stars (or as the industry calls it "A-List").

I would like to find out which studios you are quoting when you say "on average studios make money?" We've got quite a few film makers out there that follow my blog. Anyone have a success story? Something to share? I believe, there isn't a studio head in his right mind that will say you're film is in profit (unless of course it's a lightening strike). Creative accounting is something every "major" studio has and even a few 2nd Tier Distributors. Every studio banks on a lightening strike. TITANIC (the first $200 million dollar film) in it's own way was a lightening strike. No film had ever grossed over a billion dollars and no man in his right mind would put that in a business plan or corporate projection. HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS was a studio film made for about the studio minimum that translated into "a lightening strike." The return on the film was way over expectations. You're right when you say there's no
"Magic Formula." but there is an industry formula and most films attempt to follow that path or they are scooted out the door (lightening strikes excepted).

I agree with most of your statement. However, lightening strikes and the search there of are part of our industry as well. Show me a major studio and I can tell you his most recent buyer or take-over. The films you quote (I guess your favorites, as I quoted mine) were nothing more than lightening strikes too. Kevin Smith's CLERKS was his lightening strike. Funny to you and high grossing to the studio but an Independent film maker just the same. Billy Bob was nothing but a two bit actor before SLING BLADE and like ROCKY for Stallone (one of his lightening strikes) wrote a script to showcase a character they were passionate about.

A good business savvy producer definitely helps but luck and passion should be included in the formula because without a chance of lightening you're just another film! And to think I'm based in Florida, the lightening capital of the world! If there are any other responses or comments, please feel free.

......And Cut!!