Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns (approximately 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of Feb. 19-21:

“Office Space” and “Jawbreaker” are likely to squeak into the no-loss category because of their low budgets. “October Sky” could have enough holding power to break even. “My Favorite Martian” and “Blast From the Past” had strong second weeks and may end up in the black. “She’s All That” looks to be the first major teen movie to make money this year.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Life Is Beautiful Miramax 11 $11 $35 Saving Private Ryan DreamWorks SKG 10 65 220 She’s All That Miramax 7 9 65 Patch Adams Universal 12 65 135

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$ Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Payback Paramount 1 52 85 Shakespeare in Love Miramax 6 42 75

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? Tossups

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Message in a Bottle Warner Bros. 2 55 60 Rushmore Disney 9 12 20 Office Space Fox 8 10 12 Jawbreaker Sony 14 4 4 October Sky Universal 4 22 22 My Favorite Martian Disney 3 45 40 Blast From the Past New Line 5 32 30

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE.

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to company.town@latimes.com. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

For weekly box-office listings, see Calendar section on Tuesdays.