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SPIDEY’S WORLD-WIDE WEB
HOME PUTS BUMS ON SEATS…
…AS BOND HEADS INTO STORES AND HOMES…
…IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
NORMAN ABBOTT RIP…
…TRIBUTES PAID TO FIRST BVA CHIEF…
“HE BROUGHT A SENSE OF ORDER TO CHAOS”
CHARTS HEAD TO SKY STORE…
…MOVE ROUNDS OFF BUSY BASE QUARTER
CHRISTMAS HITS TOP CHARTS
BFI LOOKS TO 2022…
…AND ALSO HEADS SOUTH
FACT RAIDS
AT THE MOVIES
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
It was a good week for… James Bon in stores and Sipder-Man at cinemas, things are looking up…
It was a bad week for… Although who knows what will happen next and with new Omicron restrictions…w
It’s been a tough year, again, with uncertainty and a whole heap of pandemic-related problems causing all kinds of after-shocks and ripples through an industry that was already in a state of flux… But with No Time To Die arriving in stores after a barnstorming theatrical run, with the prospect of more to come in 2022 – not least with the new Spider-Man film, No Way Home, which has broken 007’s 2021 box office numbers and firmly installed itself as one of the biggest openings ever – you can forgive us if, despite the government’s failings, the Omicron variant and loads more, we feel a little bit optimistic heading into Christmas. Or, maybe, we’re just less pessimistic than we otherwise might be…
Starting with Spider-Man: No Way Home and Sony’s latest web-slinging, wall-crawling outing has wowed audiences and made its way into the record books since its opening: its North American opening raked in a mammoth haul of $253 million at the box office, making it the third biggest opening ever in the US and Canada; it’s a figure bested only by two Avengers films (Endgame and Infinity War). It was the biggest December opening ever, as well as becoming the highest grossing title in the pandemic in a matter of days. Its UK performance was equally strong, with more than £30 million taken at the UK box office, the second biggest territory worldwide. In keeping with the US, the film also performed strongly on each day, with assorted records toppling, all of which came on the back of record-breaking advance sales. The film also represents Sony’s biggest ever opening ever. As UK Cinema’s Phil Clapp told the Guardian this week: “t confirms not just interest in this particular title, but also high levels of confidence in the safety of the cinema experience, particularly amongst those audience segments – teens and young families – which in many ways led the return to the big screen and so have seen for themselves the efforts that all cinemas have made to ensure that the experience is an enjoyable and reassuring one. Our most recent independent industry survey for example showed that an exceptional 98% of returning cinema-goers rated their experience as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.” Roll on the home entertainment release in 2022…
And on to Bond, with No Time To Die being heavily advertised over the weekend and landing in stores on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday December 20, just in time to end up in consumers’ stockings – and remind them about the beauty of gifting physical product, alongside assorted digital gifting options. Comment came from both Universal, releasing the title, and Warner, which is handling the s&d under the ongoing agreement with the two studios. Universal first, and the company’s Stephanie Don said: “We're getting our martini mixers and cocktail shakers ready for the long-awaited and hugely anticipated release of No Time To Die on Monday, and we've been thrilled to see our huge array of media going live over the past few weeks and really ramping up over this weekend into release week, from stature placements in the biggest TV programmes like I'm A Celeb, the Royal Variety Performance, Coronation St and the biggest film blockbusters (as well as Bond classics like Licence to Kill), through to our wide-reaching DOOH, radio, press, digital and social activity. Across all our media we've been calling out our two-disc Collector's Edition with our never-before-seen exclusive content, the incredible acclaim and of course driving customers to BRING BOND HOME THIS CHRISTMAS and we're looking forward to seeing Bond finally hitting shelves on Monday.”
More comment came from Warner’s executive director for sales and marketing Sima Westley, who said: “In collaboration with Universal, we are hugely excited to bring to market the Physical Home Entertainment release of Bond - No Time To Die in UK and Ireland. Suffice to say the last couple of years have been incredibly challenging with changing consumer behaviour and the COVID pandemic however, No Time to Die has really delivered at the Box Office which has translated in huge awareness and we are delighted with consumer pre orders promising a much needed successful Christmas launch. We would like to thank all our retail partners across every sector, who are supporting this release with exceptional set up and look forward to seeing the results next week and beyond. Wishing everyone involved a joyful and well-earned break!”
Tributes have come into former British Video Association director general Norman Abbott, the first chief at the trade organisation and under whose stewardship the nascent video industry faced some of its earliest and toughest challenges, not least the threat of legislation, closure and much more during the video nasties debacle, who died recently (as reported here last week). Abbott also helped the industry in its first baby steps to becoming a reputable and respectable business and not some kind of cowboy operation. Current BASE chief executive Liz Bales (BASE is the renamed, modern equivalent of the BVA) said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Norman Abbott, the first Director General of what was then known as the British Videogram Association. Norman was a true pioneer of the British video industry, spearheading early initiatives against piracy with his involvement in establishing the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), and driving government policy change when lobbying for the 1984 Video Recordings Act. Norman’s legacy is echoed in the work we continue to do at BASE to this day. Our thoughts are with his family and friends this Christmas.”
More comment came from Lavinia Carey, former director-general at the British Video Association added “He was a pioneer and trail blazer, at the birth of the home entertainment industry.” The Raygun also spoke to former BVA stalwart Frances Howells, who was at the organisation with Abbott during its early days. She said: “Norman joined BVA in June1981, I joined on August 1 1981. We had no offices, furniture, typewriters or files. Donald MacLean found us a space in his building at Thorn EMI House, St Martin's Lane. Our office walls were portable screens! Norman and I didn't like to go out to lunch at same time, in case in our absence the 'walls' moved and became a smaller space. Strangely enough those offices were opposite the original Guild House (now Equity HQ) where Norman had been MD of The Film Producers Guild, having been head hunted from Rank Organisation circa 1968! I enjoyed my 12 years working with Norman and learnt a lot from his dignified manner in achieving goals. What a gentleman.”
Former trade press editorial director John Hayward, who worked with the BVA in its early days while at Video Business and then VHE and HEW said: “In what seems to have been a relentless year for losing well-loved industry figures, news of Norman’s death is another sad blow to those of us who remember the VHS years and benefited from his deft hand on the BVA tiller during the tumultuous 1980s.nWith his big horn-rimmed specs, cultured tones and avuncular manner he proved to be the right man at the right time to take on the director general’s role at the British Videogram Association (as it was somewhat clumsily christened) and deal with a Tory government that was in the process of being bounced into a war on the video business by a rabid tabloid moral panic over so-called video nasties. As the first full-time chief exec of the industry watchdog he steadily imposed a sense of order on the prevailing chaos. He and tireless assistant Frances Howells administered the arrival of BBFC regulation, while setting up the BVA Awards to recognise industry achievements as an official alternative to the existing Video Business gongs. Under his watch relations with the Home Office calmed down, while BVA membership was widened from a nucleus of studio-based majors to take in independents, manufacturers and wholesalers to make it a true all-industry body. At the same time pirates were ravaging revenues with impunity, so something had to be done to give FACT some proper teeth and get the help of the police and legal system. And in addition to all that, Norman was always ready to take calls from us trade journos and was a real pleasure to deal with. The industry was lucky to have him.”
News from the new updated version of the organisation Abbott helped found, as BASE and its Official Film Chart partner, the Official Charts Company, have announced that the listing will appear on Sky Store. The initiative will see the chart being published at www.skystore.com/chart each and every Wednesday – from just ahead of Christmas – with easy links to purchase. It will, BASE said, boost awareness of both new releases and drafting titles in the top 10 and comes at the end of a quarter and year that have seen a raft of initiatives from the organisation. A national radio campaign, run along editorial lines, has been highlighting the chart to listeners of Capital FM, KISS, Kerrang, Heat and Radio X, reaching 11 million consumers over 11 weeks, with support on Mumsnet with a competition and promotion and regional radio activity that has reached 80 million listeners.
Comment on the new initiative came from BASE head of communications and marketing Louise Kean-Wood who said: “Over the last three months, audiences all over the UK have been learning about the biggest selling disc and digital titles every week with the Official Film Chart, thanks to our What to Watch marketing and PR campaign. From an October to December broadcast radio campaign that took the chart to more than 11 million listeners on the Global and Bauer networks, to a fantastic Mumsnet collaboration that saw over 3000 users competing to win the ultimate film night, to a wave of regional radio activity that took the message of the chart to every area of the UK, we’ve seen a wealth of activity letting consumers know exactly what is available and where. It is amazing to be able to finish this campaign with news of the Chart’s integration with Sky Store. Inspiring customer choice and simplifying the journey to purchase on platform will continue to boost the ever-growing digital transactional format, and we are delighted to have been able to work with the OCC and the Sky Store teams on developing and launching the integration in time for Christmas. The What to Watch campaign has created a fantastic platform for BASE and The Official Charts Company to build on together in 2022.” Official Charts Company commercial director Becca Monahan added: “We are incredibly excited to continue our fantastic partnership with BASE and launch the first integration of The Official Charts Company’s data with Sky Store. The Official Film Chart is a fantastic weekly asset that dispels consumer confusion and drives engagement with the category, and we are so proud that audiences will now have the opportunity to engage with it on this brilliant platform.”
Back to Monday releases and in stores on December 20 – and another item with plenty of gifting potential, is Studiocanal’s Irish Folklore set, which pulls together the groundbreaking – and wonderful – animated features form the country’s Cartoon Saloon operation, including a first-ever Blu-ray for the marvellous Wolfwalkers. Studiocanal’s Carys Gaskin said: “We have the Irish Folklore Trilogy from the beloved Cartoon Saloon out in time for Christmas, featuring three Academy Award®-nominated modern animated classics with the exclusive Blu-ray presentation of Wolfwalkers plus earlier films The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, all housed in a beautiful premium boxset along with a bonus disc of new special features. Including a set of art cards, poster and a booklet with concept artwork and comments from the filmmakers; we wanted to make the perfect boxset for the fans of this incredible Irish film studio.”
Speaking of the Official Film Chart, and it’s beginning to look even more like Christmas, with the top four made up entirely of seasonal titles – The Grinch in different forms taking up the first and third slots, and Elf and Polar Express at numbers two and four respectively. Making for a somewhat less seasonal theme is the latest in the Rise Of The Footsoldier series, Origins, at number six.
A busy week for the BFI, which not content with announcing its Q1 home entertainment line-up recently, has given a preview of what to expect from the assorted arms of the organisation, from nationwide theatrical to the Southbank, cinemas around the country to the BFI Player and, of course, for home ent too, for the whole of 2022. We’ve already talked about some elements, such as the Truffaut season that will see the great director’s works screening at BFI Southbank and elsewhere and be matched by Blu-ray releases for The 400 Blows andJules Et Jim, as well as more Bergmans, with volumes three and four arriving in August and November respectively. There’s also The Proposition in the first part of the year, again already announced, with new reveals for a season featuring the works of Nigel Kneale in April, which will include a Blu-ray first for his adaptation of Orwell’s 1984. In the final quarter, there’ll also be an anniversary edition of Peter Greenaway’s The Draughtsman’s Contract and releases around such elements as Black History Month.
One event that we at The Raygun are hugely excited about is its season about exploration marking the centenary of the death of Sir Ernest Shackleton. It includes a restoration of South, the 1919 film charting Shackleton’s journey, digitally restored with a newly commissioned score from Neil Brand. The film releases at the end of January, with a Blu-ray to follow on February 21. There will also be a Blu-ray reissue of the Scott Antarctic expedition film The Great White Silence. Commenting on 2022 from the BFI, home entertainment chief John Ramchandani said: “The BFI Home Ent slate for 2022 is already brimming with some magnificent restorations across UHD and Blu-ray. The physical market for specialist and classic films continues to hold strong and I’m excited to confirm our next quarter in January. I am confident our customers are going to have a very Happy New Year.”
The Federation Against Copyright Theft has been busy again, working with Worcester Trading Standards, West Mercia police and BT to raid two addresses believed to be involved with illegal streaming. Seizures at the two locations pointed to an illegal IPTV operation in action, offering premium content to consumers at a fraction of the cost, with no money going to the copyright holders. A wealth of memorabilia suggesting proceeds of crime as also discovered. Those involved had previously received cease and desist warnings. Regional GAIN Co-ordinator Jason Grove, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: "Today's action is an excellent example of our multi-agency working to tackle fraud and organised crime. These kinds of offences cost the UK economy and in particular the film and television industry millions of pounds each year and today shows that we will take action against those involved. Anyone with information about this kind of crime can report it to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.” Councillor Karen May, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, commented: “This operation to help stamp out accessing TV illegitimately is yet another good example of our Trading Standards Officers working with partners, and other colleagues to tackle illegal activity in the County. I’m really grateful for partners working together to help crack down on those breaking the law here in Worcestershire.” Kieron Sharp, FACT CEO added: “Providing illegal streaming services is a crime and action will be taken against those running the services. We thank the GAIN Co-ordinators, Worcester Trading Standards and BT for enabling the progression of this investigation. FACT will continue to monitor channels used to advertise, market, sell and distribute software, add-ons, devices and streams to take action against suppliers and operators.”
AT THE MOVIES
It’s awards season, which is now in full flow, and the Golden Globes has been one of the week’s biggest announcements, with all the usual suspects lined up for gongs this year. You can see the full list of nominations here.
Amazon continues to ramp out the second series of its big Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Good Omens, with the news this week that Jon Hamm is set to return as the angel Gabriel, alongside an impressive cast that includes the likes of Doon Mackichan. Neil Gaiman, writer and co-showrunner, comments: “Good Omens 2 just would not be the same without the astonishing Jon Hamm as Gabriel, everyone's worst boss. The story that Terry Pratchett and I created all those years ago continues to take us from London's Soho into Heaven and Hell. It's a delight for me to bring back characters we loved (or hated) and bring in new characters, from the shiniest top floors of Heaven to the dankest basements of Hell, to love (or to hate, or to love to hate or hate to love). All of them are part of the strange and unusually beloved family of Good Omens.” Douglas Mackinnon, director and co-showrunner adds: "I couldn’t be happier that Jon has come back to do more Good Omens as the Archangel Gabriel, who is second in command in Heaven. He joins us nearly halfway through production, when we have already welcomed to the Good Omens 2 family familiar faces in familiar roles, familiar faces in unfamiliar roles, and unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar roles. We also have an unfamiliar face in a familiar role."
He’s not even started the forthcoming Dune sequel yet, nor the accompanying TV series, but Denis Villeneuve is already planning further sci-fi work, after news emerged he is developing Rendezvous With Rama, based on work from 2001 A Space Odyssey author and sci-fi guru Arthur C Clarke. He’s working with regular production partner Alcon, whose Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove said: ”This is one of the most intelligent works of fiction in the genre; it poses as many questions as it does answers, and is a work for our time.It’s perfectly fitted to our friend and collaborator Denis’ brilliant sensibilities and specifically to his love and passion for science fiction. We are also pleased to work with Morgan and Lori, who have a long-standing passion for this IP."
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Great start to this trailer…
From Ben Stiller, via Apple…
From Sky, to Dazzler for the second outing for the Gangs…
Where there’s Fairbrass, there’s brass…
Who doesn’t like a Bad Guy?
Love a good afters…
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