Sony Pictures Classics Co-Boss Not Worried About Paramount-Warner Bros Merger – Cannes
Sony Pictures Classics Co-Presidents Tom Bernard and Michael Barker discussed the potential impact of the Paramount-Warner Bros merger on arthouse films at Cannes. Bernard expressed optimism, believing there will still be room for specialty films despite the merger's commercial focus. He also highlighted the changing trends in moviegoing and the need for better engagement with potential arthouse audiences.
- ▪Tom Bernard believes there will still be room for arthouse films despite the Paramount-Warner Bros merger.
- ▪He noted that the current moviegoing trends show audiences attending specialty films during weekdays as much as weekends.
- ▪Bernard emphasized the importance of better communication from theaters to potential arthouse moviegoers.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Mark Mann In a chat today at the Cannes Marché du Film, Sony Pictures Classics Co-Presidents and Co-Founders Tom Bernard and Michael Barker were asked about how the Paramount-Warner Bros merger might impact the arthouse label. “I think there’s going to be room for us,” said Bernard. “You can’t make ten to 15 commercial hits,” he added referring to Paramount’s initial promise for a 15-picture slate (post merger Paramount CEO David Ellison has promised 30 feature films annually). “Even If you look at Amazon right now, they have three types of movies they make in dollar amounts. I think there’s going to be more movies falling back to the days like the ‘70s where there’s going to be new ideas and cultural stuff,” he continued.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Deadline.
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