Are you an Adam Sandler fan? If you answered "yes" to that question - you're in major luck. Netflix, the world's largest subscription video service, recently announced that they would be producing four (that's right: FOUR) movies with comic actor Adam Sandler, in an effort to further expand into exclusive feature films. Happy Madison Productions, Adam's production company, will join forces with Netflix to develop the movies. Currently, Netflix operates in close to 50 countries, and the movies will premiere only to their customers.
According to AdAge and Bloomberg News, Netflix endeavors to add motion pictures to its lineup, which includes "first-run series, newer and vintage movies and TV programs, as well as documentaries and shows for kids." Netflix also recently announced a collaboration with Weinstein and Co. to produce a sequel to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Theater owners nationwide are protesting Netflix's plan to release the feature film on IMAX screens on the same day that the film becomes available for online streaming. This, however, won't be a problem for the Adam Sandler movies, which will not be released in movie theaters.
This move by Netflix to partner with Happy Madison Productions is most likely a very, very smart move. Sandler's movies do extremely well at the box office, and Netflix has said that his movies are among the most viewed by subscribers--not only in the United States but also worldwide.
Netflix has found tremendous success in original content, including Orange is the New Black and House of Cards, so this move to feature films is perhaps not so surprising. Netflix is slow to release data on how many people watch their original content, so this takes some of the pressure off of Sandler. It will be exciting to see how this partnership will affect Netflix, Adam Sandler, and the entire streaming landscape.
SOURCE: http://adage.com/article/media/netflix-making-movies-comic-adam-sandler/295260/
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I was also very intrigued by this story, and was especially interested in the upside for Adam Sandler. It was clear to me that Netflix wants to bet on “sure things”, especially actors who have their own massive fan base to help bring in viewers. TheVerge.com offered an interesting perspective on what’s in it for Sandler and his production company, Happy Madison. By partnering with Netflix, Sandler retains almost all creative control of the projects, allowing him not only to make the movies he wants but also add in whatever product or brand promotions he sees fit. The Verge noted the various in-movie plugs for brands such as Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Popeye’s Chicken and KFC that have appeared in Sandler’s movies. Inevitably, Netflix would also share in some of the upside of brands wanting to be a part of these projects and willingly paying handsomely for them. This because a newer, more elegant advertising model for Netflix which shields it from having to be a traditional publisher to earn advertising dollars.
By partnering with Netflix, Sandler also minimizes his own risk. Happy Gilmore would usually need to be financial responsible for at least some of the film’s financing under the traditional studio model; however, Netflix is covering all funding for the content. In addition, Sandler doesn’t have to worry about the end-all, be-all first weekend ticket sales that drive the perceived success of studio-backed films. Because Netflix doesn’t release streaming figures on individual pieces of content, Sandler won’t need to worry about the backlash he has received from his recent films like Blended and That’s My Boy.
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