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 Jan. 8-10:

With Disney and Paramount sharing the costs, the drama “A Civil Action” looks to be a good enough performer here and abroad to make back its costs and possibly a bit more. Fox Searchlight’s low-budget “Waking Ned Devine” will make enough to pay for itself and its marketing, leaving a little gold at the end of the ancillary rainbow. Note the change in status for “The Faculty.” Miramax’s retooled marketing campaign has breathed new life into the horror film, which should carry it well into the black.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Proj U.S. box- Box- Esti office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions A Bug’s Life Disney 7 $85 $160 Patch Adams Universal 2 65 130 You’ve Got Mail Warner Bros. 3 60 115

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$ Minor Moneymakers

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Proj Box- Esti office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Enemy of the State Disney 10 85 110 Star Trek: Insurrection Paramount 11 62 70 Stepmom Sony 4 50 90 Waking Ned Devine Fox Searchlight 12 6 20 The Faculty Miramax 9 23 40

U.S. box- Movie title Enemy of the State Star Trek: Insurrection Stepmom Waking Ned Devine The Faculty

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Tossups

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Proj U.S. box- Box- Esti office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Prince of Egypt DreamWorks 5 75 90 Shakespeare in Love Miramax 8 40 42 A Civil Action Disney 1 55 48

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Money Losers Proj U.S. box- Box- Esti office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Mighty Joe Young Disney 6 85 50

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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.