Hollywood Breaks (RevThink)

This week we speak about those inside politics of Netflix—is their culture really changing or is Big Brother watching over their internal people? We also make note that Netflix hopefully makes progress in improving some of those quality movies by creating new leadership in the movies. We also talk about films that have the potential to revive theatres, as well as the next big franchise on the film marketplace.

This episode was recorded on November 21st, 2020.

No one is really talking about the cinema experience, except Universal. Bold moves in distribution and possibly setting a foothold in the future of Theatrical Distribution, Universal makes a deal with Cinemark Theaters, similar to their deal with AMC, and defines terms for studio/theater collaboration. 
Entertainment Marketing Agencies need to prepare for the studios’ concentration of strategy and distribution beyond the proven techniques of yesterday.

Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

This week Keith Rauch is joined by guest co-host Robin Geisen! They share first reactions to Top Gun Maverick, prospects for next weekend's Jurassic World Dominion and the changes coming up at Warner Bros (and what that means for the industry at large).

This week on our podcast, we dive into the inner workings of a classic Hollywood career. Politics? Strategy? Relationships?  We cover it all. Join us for an insightful look into Hollywood!

Connect with us on your favorite social platform:

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This week we discuss the blockbuster hit Black Widow, but also the shifts in filmmaking and what's really happening in our industry. Is the Sun Valley Conference going to solve the problems of the industry, or are we seeing a possible evolution of filmmakers and artists that are rebelling?

Are we just playing games?

“More and more markets are opening up for game IP as more gamers seek premium entertainment.” - Sean Haran

Sean Haran, Chief Business Officer at Gearbox Software, joins us today to share his experience from studio executive to video game pioneer. The game industry has legitimized entertainment as a growth segment for over two decades and in the last year has grown in influence. Sean’s eye towards opportunity sheds light on the future game IP, games as distribution for content makers, and a venue for connection and competition even in a pandemic. 

Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

Robin Geisen is a marketing executive and gives our viewers insights on the new deal-making happening in the marketplace. Marketing consultant for the players, she is an influencer to synchronize the needs of the film food chain.

We've got a special extra show this week - an Oscars Special with Robin Geisen. We talk about the winners, the losers and once again...the slap. This show is about how Hollywood is breaking and we discuss ways for the film industry to break into new opportunities.

This week Keith Rauch is joined by Robin Geisen as we have a look at this week's box office, but mainly - tackle more on the Entertainment Strategy Guy's view on The American Viewer, Keith Rauch's favorite series (pretty much ever).

We know and love Corey Nathan from Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods. Now he also hosts the amazing podcast Talking Politics and Religion Without Killing Each Other. Today we spoke about what it's like to live in the new culture filled with changing opportunities of the different available social platforms and how our muscle of "peopleness" can be fixed post-pandemic...can it?

Spielberg is going for a remake called Saving Private Equity by inking a deal with Netflix for Amblin. A sign of the times when the strongest advocate for the theatrical experience changes course and gets in bed with Netflix business model of Quantity over Quality. Netflix has to leveraging against the WJS coverage that their films do not stand test of time. Of all the major players, Netflix scores a BIG 0 when it comes to films that are talked about 5 months after release. 

This week we have a fascinating talk with Kevin Goetz, Founder & CEO of Screen Engine/ASI and Author of Audience•ology.  Kevin Goetz has worked in the 'movie research' industry for more than thirty years. Today, we hear Kevin's stories of what it means to be an additional stakeholder in the filmmaking process as a person who interviews the audience and gives feedback to filmmakers.

The industry’s major players are taking sides as Netflix and Sony strike a partnership for content and distribution. The Yin and Yang of content and audience will meet up to give both entities the market strength they need in the ever competitive show business.

Godzilla vs Kong continues to give Hollywood brokers some positive feedback on the market and audience willingness to get back to the theater. But Vision Craft Brew Founder Keith Rauch declares “This is not a blockbuster!!” and industry futurists need to find new alliances to market the return to cinema as stay at home orders are released.

Scott Rudin is having a rude awakening as The Hollywood Reporter covers years of abuse and a major need for change of the guards. “No one needs to put up with abuse” (Tim Thompson) and Hollywood needs to no longer promote it.

This week we welcome guest Cami Sargent (Fox, Netflix, AppleTV+) about the work of Creative Marketing from a studio to streamer. We recap some of the large campaigns she created at the Studios and how they make a difference in the overall entertainment experience.       

Will Apple merge with Sony? Does Netflix work to solve the what to watch issue? How do we create new pop culture moments in the new Hollywood culture?

Disney hits the breaks on Blue Sky Studios and drops 90% of employees. This may be a reflection of our times, but realistically Disney was predictable. This move can create a new wave of animation as the Stamford Conn talent can differentiate from the Disney Homogenization machine and take advantage of the flat and wide distribution channels of a post pandemic industry.  

The newest players make big moves as Daily Wire scoops up Gina Carano the day after her breakup with the Mandalorian creatives. A clear move to make a name for themselves, which also gives a view at the strategic opportunity of New Hollywood and micro distribution. This may play out well for small studios who don’t need blockbuster numbers to break even on their content and can get into theaters earlier than the behemoth competition.  

Will #BlackWidow make its debut in the silver screen or be forced to follow the fate of WW84? Disney Plus nears 100M subs, but “Marvel movies were built to be seen in a theatre!” (Keith Rauch)  Kevin Feige needs to determine how tight to hold onto #Theatrical presentation over content dominance for his viewers and filmmakers and pass the burden to Universal for Fast and Furious 9 to break the stay at home bubble.

Which films are legitimate and which are just pushed out there? Why doesn't leadership step up in Hollywood? And what does it mean to be a leader in Hollywood anyway? We ask these and many more questions in the latest episode of Hollywood Breaks.

This week we welcome back the worldwide marketing expert Michelle Marks and engage in a conversation about the era of platform abundance. If you ever feel frustrated by the subscription ping-pong, you'll surely enjoy this episode!

The decisive Paramount Decree broke up the Studio Monolopy in the 1940's and removed the right for studios to own the exhibition of films, which also blocked independent films from distribution.

The reversal is a response to changes in the current economy of Netflix and Amazon and plays to the strength of Disney and Universal consumer experience.

Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

What a year!  Culminating with this week's release of the Thunder Smurfs, we're looking back at some of the amazing things that have happened in 2022. What did we not yet know in January 2022? Tune in to find out.

The biggest night in Hollywood is just around the corner!  Don't miss out on all the buzz surrounding this year's Oscar nominations - we've got it covered at Hollywood Breaks.  Who do you think will take home those coveted gold statuettes?

Connect with us on your favorite social platform:

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We're joined by Robin Geisen for a very special episode! We anticipate the wins a loses at the Oscars and raise the question: what do the Academy Awards mean to us culturally?

The "life-long media nerd" Sean McNulty joins us this week for a great talk about The Wakeup newsletter, television and how audiences turned into subscribers. Sean McNulty is an entertainment executive with over 2 decades of industry experience at companies such as HBO, DOTDASH MEREDITH, 3 ARTS ENTERTAINMENT, and as an EMMY-winning producer at CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS.He launched The Wakeup newsletter in Spring 2021 to provide industry executives with a more approachable & digestible way to keep up with the Hollywood & Media industry news to know each morning.

Subscribe to The Wakeup and while you're at it, also subscribe to The Founder's Brew Newsletter!

Disney’s theatrical marketing group is tapped for the roll out of the Disney+ big name content like Wandavision and The Mandalorian. 

Leaning on the creative channels from the successful theatrical team boosts the presentation of Disney+ content, but also changes the utilization of the marketing group, which can have bigger long term implications. 

How will they prioritize future release elements, what would the upsell be (if any) for a traditional release schedule?  

HBO Max is also feeling the pressure. With subscribers at 25% of what Disney brings in, and no real growth after the WW84 release leaves Warner Bros with the challenge of keeping filmmakers happy, cash flow coming in, and the daunting effort of keeping up with the competition.  

Shout out to @Midnight Oil for the work on the Terminator Salvation poster.

Our special guest Kyle Davies brings some huge enthusiasm for the return to theaters. From his experience in exhibition and distribution at Dreamworks, Relativity and most recent Head of Domestic Distribution at Paramount, Kyle shares the inside scoop on the changes and challenges due to the Pandemic. “The pandemic has accelerated a friction and the distribution windows are at the core”.

Doctor Strange, Netflix and giving a wolf a banana - learn more in this episode of Hollywood Breaks.

P.S. Also featuring a guest appearance from our producer Lidia.

This week Tim Thompson is back from his European tour! Keith Rauch brings Tim up to speed with what he's missed and they discuss the changes within Hollywood culture.

This week we chat with the inspiring Anthony Palomba. He shares his insights on topics such as: why audiences consume entertainment, and strives to understand how audience measurement can be enhanced to predict consumption patterns.

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

If you're a movie fan, you're going to like this episode! We discuss what Paramount is doing right and the possibility that Discovery and Warner Media have in store.

The VOD platforms have shown their dominance once again with the Golden Globes and Netflix gain of 4 time more nominations than others, with HULU and Amazon rounding out the pack, while traditional studios remain in the shadows. The studios are basically saying:  "Netflix, you know what? You go ahead and run Hollywood now.” Following the Big Tech influence is Apple’s purchase of CODA at Sundance for a record breaking $25 Million after a bidding war with Amazon.   

This trend changes many elements as Tech companies don’t function in the same models, but content makers can be quickly turned into luddites if they don’t keep up with the new demands and deals.   Evidence of change is also coming to the OTT space. Apple brings on Warner Bros veteran JP Richards to become head of film marketing strategy at Apple TV+. He joins the team to influence of Apple’s growing ambitions in original content.    

And watch out for the Gaming companies that their ability to increase the gross engagement time over content makers. The platforms desired metrics of Total Viewed Hours won’t be able to compete with gaming time. Following our discussion with Sean Haran at Gearbox, we see the trend continue with Riot Games hiring of Ryan Crosby from Hulu and Netflix.  This is clearly the indication that new studios are in the works.

We don't skip any beat in Episode 101!  With Regal down, we talk about the reset needed in the Hollywood understanding of new release structures. And we're also questioning what Apple is doing lately.

The Mouse Rocks The House: Wall Street Hearts Disney’s Investor Day
Disney Investor Day announces some big strategy for upcoming season. Investing $8-9 Billion in content creation for Disney+ and $16B on all streaming. This new growth market will have its heyday soon enough with SVOD and OTT platforms booming over traditional broadcast and distribution. Keith Rauch believes “The gold rush in the new era is “spend spend spend make make make””

Warner Media is paying a big price too, but theirs is in relationship capital with top deal makers angry about the HBOMax distribution strategy for 2021. Vocal filmmakers like Chris Nolan and Denis Villeneuve speaking openly (Variety article) about what they feel is a poor decision by the studio that cuts the returns for their top talent.

Richard Rushfield of The Ankler (https://theankler.com/) expresses strong position that only two studios, Disney and Universal, remain in the movie game while others back down their strategy. Possibly a sign of the weak cash position, studios like Paramount and Sony are selling off their films. This may be the chance Apple is waiting for. They are positioned to buy into the marketplace and establish a strong pipeline for their current weakness on AppleTV+ and overall content contributions.


** Episode Notes:
The Ankler is a newsletter about and for the entertainment industry, edited and written by Richard Rushfield, with the help of some special friends. You can subscribe at  https://theankler.com/

What do these things have in common? The West Wing, Perry Mason and Captain EO underoos? Watch this episode to find out! 

 #filmmaking #Hollywood #television #podcasting   

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

This week we welcome back Andrew Rosen. We discuss what the latest creator economy influences are and what these might mean to upcoming trends. And of course, we discuss the "greatest night in the history of television".

This episode, Keith Rauch really dives into what's going on with the theatrical experience. CinemaCon was this week, there were a lot of folks that didn't show up, so we were wondering what's going on or... are the politics really playing themselves out? Daily Wire is coming out with a film soon, so there are new players in this business that are doing something different! That makes us  ask what that scorecard looks like, and can it be changed? Can we get outside of the Hollywood scene and go into sub-markets? We try to answer these questions and more in the newest episode of Hollywood Breaks.

With all these '90s actors and films coming into the theatres, we're asking one big question: are we going back the right way, or is there actually a way forward?

We're talking about the need for studio leadership, what's really important in the Hollywood space and what's changing in this world of art, science, money and box office numbers.

We're doing our best to stop saying "content" while rolling a dynamic episode about the new generation of movie stars and productions. Join us on this rollercoaster about the making and breaking of Hollywood.  

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

Whether you're a Hollywood superfan or just getting started, this episode is for you. We're discussing about Netflix becoming a voice and a platform rather than a content machine (finally?). And of course, we mention Will Smith. And Batgirl.

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We're happy you can join us on Tim Thompson's birthday, no less, wohoo! This week, Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch tackle the changes that are happening over at Peacock and whether or not that bird is starting to lose its feathers. They also talked a little bit about Bond and its upcoming challenges as well as what's going on with Halloween Kills and all the fun and excitement that comes along with that.  

So sit back and enjoy the ride with this week's episode of Hollywood Breaks!

It's the topic of the week! Join us as we chat the joys and sorrows of Hollywood celebrity culture during the Oscars. 🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

In this episode we're talking about the magical thinking of Christopher Nolan, the gut feeling of Comcast's CEO and the successor challenges of Disney. Enjoy!

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape. Follow us: 👉IG: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodbreaks/ 👉FB: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodbreaks 👉TW: https://twitter.com/hollywoodbreaks 👉Tim Thompson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timtla/ 👉Keith Rauch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-rauch-24230811/ 👉VisionCraft Brew https://www.visioncraftbrew.com 👉The Founder's Brew Newsletter https://foundersbrew.substack.com/?r=23esq&utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web 👉RevThink: https://revthink.com/

In this episode we talk about this summer's throwback film experiences. Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch talk about the death of the blockbuster, but also about what they love and what they want to see more of in today's film environment.

"Mergers, acquisitions and movie stars" might appear as a better title, but hold tight and watch this episode to find out why we chose differently.

Hollywood Breaks is back! This episode is all about the Oscars. Duh! We're excited to announce that our special guest Robin Geisen is back to join the conversation and share her insights about the most anticipated awards show of the year! Get ready to hear all about the nominees, predictions, and potential surprises on the big night! 🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

This week we question the leadership in the Hollywood space. What can studio execs do better in order to allow stories to be told... and an evolution to take place?

This week we talk about what's happening with this Black Widow - Scarlett Johansson lawsuit with Disney and really wondering "Is this an actress-only situation that's happening?" — Dwayne Johnson gave us something to think about. Hello Sunshine though, Reese Witherspoon's company, sold for some beaucoup bucks last week — and that's a really interesting move and opportunity for new influencers to play in the field as well as looking at actors and actresses' careers and how they played themselves out. And lastly, this throwback move with Universal and their Boss Baby release!  If you're in the film, entertainment, even just curious space, we're happy to have you join us!

Quibi is gone and Netflix has missed its numbers during a pandemic shut down when all people are at home consuming content. Where are the viewers focusing their attention? 
New platforms are building a better distraction model with the ability to make a constant stream of content. With the INVERTED CONTENT CURVE, large players can’t expect the keep up with the demand of viewers' attention without a better strategy than just spending Billions.

In this episode, we take a critical look at Shazam, the superhero movie that unfortunately flew lower than expected. Keith Rauch is joined by industry expert Robin Geisen in exploring the missed opportunities and unique aspects of this film, as well as what sets it apart from other superhero movies. So sit back, relax, and join us as we take a journey through the world of Shazam! 🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

 This episode we're discussing "Disney's Mysterious Kareem Daniel", the unique role he has in decision making and how the industry is pivoting (or not).

Warner Media breaks the slow pace of Hollywood decision-making and makes a bold move to distribute 2021 films slate directly to HBO Max. This may be an indicator that studios are not confident that exhibitors can get the turnout needed for studios to take a risk on them. 
Discovery+ (really? That’s the name?) is coming on strong with original content on their OTT platform. Taking a page from the past success they can show others how to churn out needed new releases on a low budget. 
Disney shake-ups can be a big hit for former FOX players as contracts are coming to an end and Disney is looking for additional cuts. Not a position we want to see our friends dealing with in the upcoming weeks. 
And finally…. Bye Bye Quibi (and maybe Katzenberg?)

While Hollywood is a place of boundless imagination and ambition, it's not immune to the harsh realities of downsizing. In this episode of Hollywood Breaks, we're discussing the tough realities of layoffs in creative industries, and more. 🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape. Follow us: 👉IG: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodbreaks/ 👉FB: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodbreaks 👉TW: https://twitter.com/hollywoodbreaks 👉Tim Thompson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timtla/ 👉Keith Rauch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-rauch-24230811/ 👉VisionCraft Brew https://www.visioncraftbrew.com 👉The Founder's Brew Newsletter https://foundersbrew.substack.com/?r=23esq&utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web 👉RevThink: https://revthink.com/

This week we’re joined by movie research expert Kevin Goetz! He has been at the center of Hollywood for several decades and is sharing precious insights with us today! Tune in! 

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

Is F9 really the new mark for success in Theatrical? Filmmakers may need to change their scorecard for success and not depend on opening box office as a benchmark for career and investment. But the lack of independence will take its toll. Will the storyteller survive, or will they just be a commodity for the future OTT consumption game?

We welcome back Robin Geisen this week to review the past year and the big impact on the Industry. 
The shift into streaming has had the biggest impact from Disney+ 80M Subs to the Warner’s debacle with distribution on HBOMax. Keith Rauch and Robin Geisen debate the overall impact on all the players from studios, talent, exhibitors and award shows. Despite the uncertainty and major changes, theatres and streaming can co-exist but the viewing audience may not agree. The theatrical experience may be different but it can’t be replaced. 

Does AT&T see the talent as a simple commodity and not recognize the importance of relationship and trust when it comes to stockpiling quality entertainment? And moving their theatrical release to the Direct to TV Brand down grades their reputation from a film studio to a network.

And stay tuned to the end for everyone’s favorite Christmas movie

Our guest this week is The Ankler Editor-in-Chief Richard Rushfield where we discuss the stronghold of the Baby Boomer class has over the industry and the need for them to pass the torch. But there is a scarcity of leadership who would carry the torch outside of tech overlords who convert entertainment into “content”.

To experience this episode fully, we encourage you to watch it here: https://youtu.be/VEx9mkAPcaw

We are 100 episodes into the game and we cannot be more thankful to our team, guests and wonderful audience. Keep it up, fam!

Martin Scorsese Harper’s article (http://timt.la/3uelQTQ​) laments how Film and TV has shifted to “content” which only describes the commodity and has desensitized the experience into minutes consumed. Backlash from Kyle Smith claims the “misplaced nostalgia” doesn’t recognize the opportunity to shift the field.   Industry professionals are feeling more pessimistic about the recovery of the industry and their jobs. The dissolution of Blue Sky and consolidation of Marketing has left many losing confidence, recognizing that layoffs and shifts will leave many looking to change careers because being out of the film industry for one year is like being out for 10 years in other industries. Keith Rauch encourages Hollywood​ to follow Adam Grant’s view to Think Again (www.amzn.com/1984878107), by processing changes like a scientist instead of a politician. This helps us ask the right question and discover new opportunities.

This is a very fun and insightful talk with Tim Heindl, SVP Global Marketing Research at Lionsgate. 

Movies are the fighting back in the theaters.

Godzilla vs Kong is the first sign that film goers are willing to get back in the seat. Even though HBOMax released at the same time, the monster film reached $40MM Domestically. This may be a sign of success or flop as the summer gives us more post-pandemic numbers.   

Keith Rauch makes a great point that other industries have prepared messages to welcome customers back, #Hollywood​ is falling short. “The Hollywood egos that need to get all the credit stop the industry from surviving organically.”   

Disney+ discovers their original content is not always a guarantee. The original series, The Right Stuff, is cancelled after one season. This puts to questions: does Disney streaming audience have different expectations than cable network programming?  

Zack Snyder pushes some buttons with his 4 ½ hour Justice League director’s cut. Warner proves that they are willing to pander to the online pressure to release the film, but the skew of the DC Character is still disappointing. “They are supposed to be heroes” (Tim Thompson) but Warner Bros doesn’t want goodness to prevail.

This week we’re joined by Gearbox’s Sean Haran. We talk about various strategies for growth in the current age, as well as what storytellers can do to contribute to every form of entertainment in 2022.

In this new episode we discuss the brilliant marketing campaign of Smile, but we also zoom out to the industry as a whole, looking at how today's streaming numbers compare to the audience numbers of television broadcasts for series such as Seinfield and how key industry moments impact the viewing culture overall.

With the disappointing storyline of Wonder Woman 1984,  HBOMax still needs to find the tipping point. “A blockbuster movie isn’t just recognized with box office numbers. You know it’s a blockbuster when you want to see it over and over.” (Keith Rauch).The long tail model for OTT platforms need the evergreen content or they will always struggle.  

Warner Bros brings in experienced marketer of Josh Goldstine to helm as President of Worldwide Marketing, taking over the post once occupied by Blair Rich. This is another move by studios in the attempt to accomplish a unified offering for marketing on to the ever expanding platform. At the same time, Ricky Strauss from Disney is departing after a genius tenure for the studio. Strauss leaves a legacy of Disney+, Marvel and Star Wars success. “If you’re a fan of Marvel films, you’re a fan of Ricky Strauss’ Marketing. “ (Tim Thompson) 

Politics and Hollywood entertainment have become insparatable bedfellows over the last few decades, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing should want be players. Following the premise that Politics is downstream of the culture, Real Daily Wire is starting an entertainment division dedicated to broadening the conversation to include conservative values. “As I’ve said for years, Hollywood works behind gates and lives behind gates and it would be good to have a larger presentation of values without the heavy-handed power of the media monopoly. ” (Keith Rauch) 

The first film scheduled for release will be #runhidefightmovie on January 14th.

We discuss the latest changes to Disney’s org and ask the question about studio loyalty over the pursuit of subscribers. 
And Netflix still struggles with its original content. Many content creators know that their talent is becoming the commodity of exchange and the burn rate will be the next big movement Hollywood will be discussing.

Disclaimer: This episode is best experience with video. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/rwN4lM1wAZ4

Get in the holiday spirit and listen as  Hollywood connaisseurs Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch discuss their favorite Christmas movies.  Join in on the conversation as they share which holiday films bring back fond memories and why these movies are must-sees for every season. Find out what makes these classic tales so special, while they provide insights into some of the best cinematic experiences of all time!

This week we're interviewing the Editor-in-Chief of the most feared newsletter in Hollywood, Richard Rushfield from The Ankler. We discuss what happens in the distribution game, but also what the implications are in terms of how we're making money in this industry.

We welcome Dallas Taylor from Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast to discuss the transition of the traditional theatrical fanfare at the opening of a film, into the new desires of consumers and new sonic branding.

We discuss the changes on the #20thcenturyfox​, Netflix, HBO and the work they are doing to get consumers to register the sound and picture experience.

Cami Sargent is the EVP Creative Advertising at Paramount Pictures and we're thrilled to have her join us this week! We talk about the successful films she's been part of, as well as the opportunities coming up in the future.

Hollywood needs new marketing strategies, adapted to a world where temporary theatre releases blend with perpetual OTT streaming. Hear from industry insiders Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch about the way in which film marketing can make a successful comeback. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you don't miss out on future episodes of Hollywood Breaks.

Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch  discuss the amazing revolution taking place where NFTs are getting better numbers over the weekend than the film releases from Hollywood. Clearly another sign that the blockbuster era has finished and something new is coming.  We see this played over and over again, week after week. Specifically, this week we noticed that Top Gun is pushing their release date, again, for six more months, and Riot Games are onto something with Netflix executives.

We welcome Cameron Dillavou, Head of Global Brand Marketing, to discuss Prime Video’s focus on the platform, content creation, and meeting the consumer with their needs.

This episode we chuckle about Top Gun for a minute, but quickly move into talking about what's going on behind the scenes of Hollywood marketing departments and, of course, Kareem Daniel.

Stay tuned till the end!

Are marketing campaigns forever changed post-pandemic? What is it like to live through a merger of two very different film studios? Will Jeremy Gershman stay positive no matter what? Be sure to watch to find out all the answers and subscribe so you don’t miss out on our upcoming guests!

Do you remember your last water cooler conversation? About the weekend premiere, trailer or upcoming series.  In this new episode we discuss how cool would it be to get those water cooler moments back and why.

This week the podcast is hosted by the great Hollywood insiders duo Keith Rauch and Robin Geisen! We talk about Netflix and its great reset, CinemaCon and what else happened in Vegas recently. Enjoy!

Things are about to crash, didn't we know it? Look at the earnings report that came out, look at the conversations.  Keith and I talk even more about this promotion of Avatar and how that's going to really bomb.  

So... welcome to this episode of Hollywood Breaks!     

#filmmaking #Hollywood #television #podcasting   

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. 

Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

Welcome back to Hollywood Breaks with  Keith Rauch and Tim... Heindl!  

Tim is back by popular demand. 

Get ready for a delicious dish of expert analysis, always served up with a side of wit and fun.  

Enjoy!

This week we welcome our guest Michelle Marks from Disney and Fox. We discuss the genesis of the Disney Channel and the rise of experiential theatrical marketing. Today’s media conglomerates need to recognize that influencers have the power to sway consumers’ purchasing power. 

“We need to begin a revolution that empowers the talent to bring the consumers into the experience while the content is being made versus after the fact.” Keith Rauch

If you don't know Andrew Rosen from PARQOR, you're missing out on one of our generation's greatest minds, thinking through the marketing needs, and how that strategy plays out from one big corporation to the other. He asked the same questions we asked: What's going on here? What's really missing? and what are they actually telling us? So this week on Hollywood Breaks we invite Andrew into this conversation and we're asking some of the big questions about Disney's Q3 earnings, how this talent economy is really working, and really, what do these numbers mean for our current deals and future deals?

Please welcome back one of our favorite guests, Marketing Expert Robin Geisen! We dive into the realities of today's Hollywood motivated by the conversations around Dave Chapelle's latest discourse, as well as the overall understanding of what creative expression might look like in the near future.

The attraction of celebrity was the thought that a larger community was sharing an experience by following a person, knowing some personal details and then wanting to watch or listen to their next creation. The mystique of the person was part of the genius and the studios supported this arrangement in order to get engagement from the audience.

Today is just about influencers, but they are just being commoditized. This trend was literally started by the guy who built a website called “Hot or Not” and the person of the moment does not hold an audience's attention like a celebrity. But the big tech gatekeepers like this arrangement because they get the content for free, the makers are disposable and they only need to achieve distraction.

Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

We welcome back Cameron Dillavou of Amazon Prime Video - a really smart marketing expert with a great understanding of what's going on on the marketplace. As a marketer, she gives us an insight of what streamers are actually doing with their content and why sometimes you cannot influence your chance of discovering new things. It's a great conversation!

n this new episode of the Hollywood Breaks podcast, we talk about leadership in Hollywood. We discuss the role of David Zaslav, CEO and President of Warner Bros. Discovery and how he helps shape the industry by bringing theatrical first.   

#podcasting #Hollywood #television   

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.   

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Netflix’s 2021 Sizzle with all star cast sharing “What they love about movies”, trying to strengthen the definition of a movie without the need for theatrical release (and sometimes quality).  They also promises a movie a week, but will they be able to deliver on the promise of quality or will this be Netflix Churn?  

 Quibi is gone but not dead. Roku acquisition of Quibi content is a possible play for a “Netflix Light“ platform. Will Roku expand the Quibi shows into full length or does this make Roku a place to view a long tail of existing content?  

Disney does a Friday evening news dump to announceme Tony Chambers’ new position as Head of Disney Theatrical Distribution. Reporting now into Kareem Daniel’s division instead of studio chief Alan Bergman which marks a major shift toward a general platform distribution. Is a more general platform marketing far behind?

Catch the latest episode of Hollywood breaks, where Keith Rauch and Tim Thompson dive into the evolution of filmmaking. We kick off by discussing Creed 3 movie and Michael B. Jordan's powerful performance, which have brought a new flavor to the craft — capturing audiences in ways never seen before.  Tune in now to hear our deep dive discussion into why we (still) love films. 

🎬 Hollywood Breaks is an insiders’ view of what’s shaping the content-making world. Development partners Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch host this weekly show discussing current events with an eye towards seizing opportunity in the changing landscape.

Oscar season is disrupted by the pandemic. What is going to happen with the recognition of the great films and will the end of the year bring the films we were expecting. 

Layoffs, Layoffs, Layoffs. Deconstruction is a reality. 
The ROI on film distribution and marketing is tanking, which shifts the need for marketers to find an audience and vendors who can keep up with the new demands. 

Peacock and HBOMax are not stepping up like Warner and Comcast need.

Sony Pictures Chair Tom Rothmam pulls from his inner Beyonce and encourages that we will get back into the theaters “if we Make Dope Shit”. The sentiment seems to be rising that the theater experience will fulfill a different purpose than just paying the bills for studios blockbuster strategy. The exhibition of a cinematic experience will need to focus on the execution of the art more than the form in order to get viewers back in the seats.  

This week was the roll out of Paramount+ and investors are lukewarm on welcoming it into the clubhouse. The platform's strategy to release films 45 days after theatrical may be a bold move to keep the films relevant but will be a deal changer for the back end deals for films like Maverick.  

Golden Globes week is upon us without the glitter of the parties, FYC pushes and even the Films. How will the stay at home culture hold back the recognition and reward of the creative career? As a rollout begins for the list of films from the Academy, we may see the lowest numbers ever for the broadcast and a huge separation from the Hollywood of yesterday and today. 

NBC concludes the practice of overnight ratings, dropping the number from their investor and advertising reference to push the focus on the true KPIs of the TV Industry. NBC’s Stuart Levine, writes in Variety “Long gone are the days when a vast majority of viewers watched their favorite shows in the exact time slot in which they were scheduled.”  Further proof that the new metrics of the Hollywood screens are protected on each OTT platform. Influencer culture, branded content, sponsorship deals and subscribers are so entrenched that networks may no longer need Upfront season to make ends meet.

Who cares about the award shows if the Red Carpet doesn't exist? The show must go on is replaced with the Show Must Show Off. 

And there are new players following the success of Disney+ hoping to capture the stay at home viewers.

Sony announces the realignment of their TV and Motion Pictures marketing/distribution into a single hub. Even though Disney isn’t saying that directly, it is clearly an outcome of their recent shake-up with a centralized distribution strategy. Marketing executives and vendors will be part of the shuffle in the next few months.

In the latest episode of Hollywood Breaks podcast, we explore just how impactful the potential return of movie theatres will be for the film industry.  We delve into discussions around the leadership decisions that could have a lasting effect on setting Hollywood right.  Be sure to tune in!

On New Year's Eve Eve Tim Thompson and Keith Rauch exchanged predictions about the Hollywood of 2023. If you've been watching/listening to us, you know we're pretty good at predictions.  Enjoy this episode!

Want to watch the video version instead? Watch here: https://youtu.be/2wvuzaFgzwk

This week we welcome back one of our favorite Hollywood Breakers, Marketing Executive Robin Geisen! 

We're diving into subjects such as the recent firings at Netflix over a Slack chat, the future of movie-going business from a talent perspective, and also Space Jam coming to a theater or streamer near you.

This week we have a lot of fun with Creative Marketing Exec Jeremy Gershman, who we challenge to answer the question: is Hollywood making any progress at all? We talk about leadership changes that continue at Paramount, but also about the entertainment of the past versus the entertainment of the future (aka NFTs).

Tim Heindl of Lionsgate has seen the evolution of marketing into what is now a David vs Goliath mound of data.

But the human experience can’t be captured in a data driven industry so micro giants like Lionsgate separate themselves from the crowd by finding an audience and inspire them to connect with the content.

This week Keith Rauch talks with movie producer Dallas Sonnier about his fascinating career arc, the upcoming SHUT IN movie, the future of storytelling through film, and what are the odds of movie theatres surviving the change of audience behavior.

This week we have a wonderful conversation about the theatrical experience, what it means for Regal to be shutting down. Maybe this is the beginning of a new revolution in the way we experience movies?

This week we discuss the not so marvel-ous trends happening at Disney. Disney+ aren't getting the numbers they're used to, investors are asking some questions and quite honestly, people aren't going to the theatres the way Disney wants us to. Is Marketing not doing the job they're supposed to be doing? These and many other great questions - in Episode 64 of Hollywood Breaks.

This week we bring back guest Cameron Dillavou, Head of Prime Video Global Strategy, to share insights into Prime Video’s success in Oscar nominations, NFL Contracts and what it takes to make a worldwide brand like Prime relevant for every viewing experience.