Showbiz Sandbox 227: The Oscars Attract Big Business, Big Ratings and Big Money

March 4, 2014

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If you weren’t surprised by any of the winners at this year’s Oscar ceremony, you may have Oscar prognosticators like Anne Thompson to blame. Indiewire’s editor-at-large was at the big show and joins us to discuss the telecast, the show, and all the money and effort poured into the annual awards season. Thompson also fills us in on her new book “The $11 Billion Year: From Sundance to the Oscars, an Inside Look at the Changing Hollywood System“.

The business side of the film industry isn’t the only aspect of movies that is evolving. The sound accompanying new releases is getting a few enhancements thanks to immersive 3D audio. This has created an industry battle over audio formats.

Speaking of disputes, 19 Recordings, the music label responsible for “American Idol”, is once again suing their partner Sony. This time the argument is over the issue of whether digital tracks are sold or licensed to buyers. There is a huge difference in the royalty paid for each.

Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Tyler Perry leaves Lionsgate, Paramount is bullied into changing the marketing for “Noah” and Dreamworks Animation takes a write-down on “Turbo”.

The $11 Billion Year by Anne Thompson
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062218018…

Alain Resnais, Acclaimed Filmmaker Who Defied Conventions, Dies at 91
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/movies/alain-resnais-acclaimed-french-filmmaker-is-dead-at-91.html

’12 Years a Slave’ Wins Best Picture Oscar, ‘Gravity’ Takes Seven, ‘American Hustle’ Shut Out
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/12-years-a-slave-wins-best-picture-oscar-gravity-takes-seven-american-hustle-shut-out-backstage-quotes-full-winners-list

A Landmark Oscar Win for ‘12 Years a Slave’
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/movies/awardsseason/oscars-2014-winners-and-losers.html

Academy Report: Oscars Brought in $93.7 Million in 2013
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/academy-report-oscars-brought-937-684577

Sandra Bullock to Make $70 Million (At Least) for ‘Gravity’
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gravity-sandra-bullock-make-70-683561

Bombshell ‘American Idol’ Lawsuit Claims Sony Stiffs Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/bombshell-american-idol-lawsuit-claims-681625

Tyler Perry, Lionsgate End Long-Term Relationship
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tyler-perry-shutting-down-la-684483

Audible Lowers Royalty on Self-Published Audiobooks
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/audio-books/article/61231-audible-lowering-royalty-on-self-published-audiobooks.html

Disney to Spend $200 Mil on Marvel Series for Netflix Set to Film in New York
http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-chief-bob-iger-new-york-gov-andrew-cuomo-set-11-am-et-news-conference-1201121502/

DreamWorks Animation’s Shares Fall 6 Percent After $13.5 Million ‘Turbo’ Charge
http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/merlin-dreamworks-animation-to-open-shrek-visitor-attraction-in-london-1201118264/

Stacey Snider’s Potential Fox Job Clouds DreamWorks’ Future
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/stacey-sniders-potential-fox-job-clouds-dreamworks-future-1201120812/

JK Rowling Plans Series of Crime Novels Like Her Harry Potter Books
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/jk-rowling-plans-series-of-crime-novels-like-her-harry-potter-books/1228619

‘Midnight Rider’ Suspends Production After Fatal Train Accident
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/midnight-rider-suspends-production-after-fatal-train-accident-exclusive-1201121666/

‘Noah’ Marketing Tweaked at Urging of Religious Group
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/noah-marketing-tweaked-at-urging-684305

Dolby Acquisition of Doremi Makes Perfect Sense – Here’s Why
http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/24/dolby-acquisition-doremi-makes-perfect-sense-heres/

10 Reasons Why Dolby’s Atmos Will Bypass Your Living Room for Your Headphones
http://celluloidjunkie.com/2014/02/27/10-resons-dolbys-atmos-will-bypass-living-room-headphones/

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