Harvey Weinstein on VOD, Industry and Filmmaking

Harvey Weinstein and Quentin Tarantino

In an interview Saturday, Harvey Weinstein discussed the film industry on Produced By Conference. 

New media seems to be affecting revenue for the movie industry has become ever more prominent, but new media hasn’t been able to "make up the difference, which has increased the importance of the initial release of a film, producer and executive Harvey Weinstein said Saturday at the Produced By Conference."

Harvey Weinstein goes on to say that the current business is done in theaters and made that resounding point by his wanting to develop a sequel to Rounders. The movie "grossed a modest $23 million when it was released by Miramax in 1998. He said it went on to make an astounding $70 million, not in gross but in actual dollars returned to the distributor."

The Hollywood Reporter goes on to note about Harvey Weinstein's comments:

Still, he recognizes that the film will have to work better in theaters this time because of the changes in the marketplace. “It’s working without a net right now,” says Weinstein, “until VOD and the Internet situation matures. (At present) they are not working like DVD did.”

In the future, Weinstein said later, he believes VOD and the Internet will be more important, and part of that will be streaming services. “I have to admire Netflix,” says Weinstein, who praised the company for really being interested in the movies and not just seeing them as a product like other Silicon Valley companies that get into new media.

Certainly what Weinstein is saying, is it resonating with everyone? Theaters are concerned with distraction patrons with added "experiences" that aren't cinematic nor involving. Check in point: Many blockbuster films this summer are seeing significant drop-offs of revenue from the 3D screening versus regular 2D projections. Some can say audiences are tired of the extra dimension, but it seems that audiences are smart enough to decide when a film is worthy of the "cinematic experience" as it would be with a film that utilizes the technology successfully, very much in the way that Avatar was so successful.

The interview goes on to say why he's been so successful:

When asked what made him successful, Weinstein smiled and said, “I think everybody knows my charm,” which brought a big laugh, after which he said it was the quality of “tenacity.”... If you stick around long enough and if you have a little bit of talent and a lot of drive, it’s better than a lot of talent and a little bit of drive.

Weinstein notes that his influence and "management style has gotten better because of what he has learned as a father." That he also wished he could have been more successful in television, admired Mark Gordon, producer of Grey's Anatomy and Criminal Minds and is currently working with Gordon on The Details, "working together on improving the narration at the beginning and end of the movie to try and make the central character, who commits adultery and murder, more sympathetic."

At the conference, Weinstein's past with Disney went on to note that "whatever they were paying him, “It isn’t enough.” Gordon insisted they had been generous with him, even though everyone always wants more. Then in a reference to his own checkered history with Disney, which bought Miramax but eventually forced him and his brother Bob out, Weinstein said, “If it’s Disney making it, it’s definitely not enough.”"

Gordon and Weinstein then fell in consensus when it came to making a movie:

"[It] is not the producer’s job just to help the director fulfill his vision, or to support the cinematographer, editor or anyone else. “Your focus as a producer has to be on the movie,” says Weinstein, “not on any one department, including the director.” Gordon cited a professor he had at NYU Film School who told him, “If you put the movie first, you can’t make a mistake.” Gordon says it is often the producer who spends years developing a movie before bringing on the director. “We’re supposed to say now it’s your baby? Wrong!” exclaims Gordon. “It’s collaboration. Often the producer has the best perspective as to what is best for the movie.”

We all know the notoriety that Weinstein carries around when it comes to interrupting production of a film with a director to which he "happily agreed".

Source: The Hollywood Reporter