Working Title Research - relationship with Universal and Marketing process

1) How long have Working Title ‘re-upped’ with Universal till?
= They re-upped in June and will be running through with Universal until 2020.

2) Who else do Working Title work with apart from Universal?
= Working Title have also formed strong relationships with ‘Studio Canal’ (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), and have also done deals with ‘MRC’, ‘Warner Bros.’ and ‘Sony’.

3) What does this allow them to do?
= It gives them the opportunity to operate across both studio and indie playing fields, as well as being able to continue making the fare-intelligent , mid-budgeted dramas and comedies which are predominantly taking over premium TV.

4) Why do they go to film festivals?
= The pair feel that any additional spotlight you can gain for a film (especially when it opens the festivals) is great thing to get. For them, the Venice film festival is a particular favourite as many of their greatest films have opened there (inc; ‘Tinker Tailor’, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Atonement’).

5) What benefits do WT get from working with Universal?
= Fellner - WT ultimately benefit from the power that Universal have as a distribution company – the power they have within the market place in terms of exhibition, TV deals, and the positive environment it provides is brilliant as well.
= Bevan – Believes they also benefit from the fact that Universal have a brilliant distribution and marketing team. He refers to the distribution of films such as ‘Everest’, where Universal were able to notice even the smallest possibilities of heading somewhere else in the distribution process.

6) What is meant by ‘premium TV’?
= The larger shows which are being found in the market place at the moment/ can also refer to the rise of Internet TV platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.

7) How much do studios spend every year on marketing?
= Bevan - Studios in the VOD business are spending a million dollars on marketing.

8) How much was spent on marketing Project X?
= $20m/VOD route – could spend $25 on marketing.

9) What is a tentpole movie?
= Definition – a tentpole movie is one which has “a commercial undertaking, a story franchise, or a fictional character that serves as primary support (for a company, television program, etc.) especially a blockbuster movie which compensates for a studio’s flops.”