Film Nation is a 2008 film production company based in both los angeles and new york, and they also distribute films. this paper of three pages in length makes up a few scenarios regarding the management of film nation. there was no information regarding the managerial decisions of this small production company, and the scenarios are entirely fictive but instructional nonetheless.
Film Nation is a relatively new production company that already boasts a long leger of big hits including Chernobyl Diaries, The King's Speech, and The Raven. In addition to their lists of production credits, Film Nation has distribution rights to a number of movies including Ceremony and Aftershock. A long and esteemed list of film makers have linked with Film Nation to bring a film to production including Steven Soderbergh, Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodovar, Jeff Nichols and Sofia Coppola (Film Nation). Film Nation's most recent acquisition has been the screenplay to children's book "A Tale Dark & Grimm" by author Adam Gidwitz (McNary). The announcement of the acquisition was made at the Toronto Film Festival.
According to company literature, "veteran international film executive Glen Basner" founded Film Nation in 2008 (Film Nation). The company is described as "a new kind of film company -- global, versatile and full-service; and is a go-to destination for many of the world's most renowned filmmakers," (Film Nation). According to the Film Nation Web site, the company "can board a project in a myriad of ways (as a producer, financier, sales agent, international distributor or marketer) and at any stage in a film's lifespan including development," (Film Nation). Indeed, Film Nation's list of projects is impressive and includes luminaries ranging from Robert Redford to Pedro Almodovar.
Film Nation is doing a lot right; it is running a small production company dedicated to the development of interesting films that, while mainstream, are still quirky and intellectual enough to be considered artistic. While it is impossible to disagree with any of the film contracts that Film Nation has boarded, it is possible to take issue with some of the company's management decisions. The company has "forged a number of strategic relationships with some of the most prolific, respected producers and financiers operating in the film business," (Film Nation). Some of these strategic partnerships might prove detrimental to the company in the near or distant future.
For one, Film Nation has already decided to undergo distribution rights as part of its diversification strategy. The distribution rights decision seems like a sound one, and it might work in theory. However, the rights to distribute films that Film Nation did not produce could prove to be a costly burden in the future. If the films that are being distributed by Film Nation were to be seized by the black market, then Film Nation would witness reduced revenues on that batch. Another reason why the distribution rights diversification might not be a sound management strategy is that the company is spreading its resources too thin. This will force Film Nation to hire more employees for the distribution sector, and it could affect the decisions they make with regards to film production.
Film production is Film Nation's backbone. Therefore, its best alternative was not to diversify in this way. All decisions the management makes should be with the goal of excellent filmmaking in mind, and whatever Film Nation does to hamper stellar film nation could ruin the company's reputation. When Film Nation delivered the news that they would be partnering with Jon Gunn ("Mercy Streets," "My Date with Drew") and John W. Mann ("Mercy Streets"), it showed that the company is committed to making sound decisions with regards to how to bring a film to the big screen (McNarty). However, it remains to be seen whether the distribution rights branch of the business will be lucrative. Management seems to think that distribution rights are an easy way to make extra profits that can be funneled back into the meat of moviemaking. It is advised that Film Nation rethink its strategy and free up budget for more film production investment.
Another management decision that might not prove to be a wise choice for Film Nation was the decision to undertake international sales rights to Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender's upcoming film Genius. This film is based on A. Scott Berg's biography "Max Perkins: Editor of Genius" (Foreman). The screenplay by John Logan seems promising The producer of the film in this case is James Bierman, working with the Michael Grandage Company. Grandage is another new film production company started in 2011.
The decision seems like a sound one on the surface again. However, this precipitated a domino effect of managerial decisions in the home offices in Los Angeles and New York. The regional directors of these two offices have been restructuring the offices, due to the international rights to Genius as well as other films. The restructuring also comes after the decision made by Film Nation to undertake massive distribution plans for other companies' films.
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