HOUSTON — You would think the struggling studios would be celebrating the release of Taylor Swift’s movie of her record-breaking “Eras Tour.” The studios are facing a bleak winter as the actors' strike continues and numerous big projects are delayed by the now-resolved writers’ strike.
So, what’s the problem?
The studios were left out of this deal altogether.
According to “Variety,” the pop stars people started all this the traditional way, meeting with studio executives to hammer out a deal to distribute a concert film of her blockbuster tour. They must not have liked the terms because Swift did something unconventional, she cut out the studios entirely and took the movie directly to AMC.
Entertainment watchers are already calling the move game-changing for the industry. Though experts point out there are few stars who can give up the massive marketing muscles of movie studios and rely instead on a legion of dedicated fans.
So, how does this deal work?
The movie is not exclusive to AMC theaters, it is also playing at Cinemark and Regal. Screenings will be limited to Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to make it feel more like a big event. Adult tickets are $19.89, Swift’s birth year and the name of her fifth album. Children and senior tickets are $13.13, her favorite number.
If you want another number to illustrate Swift’s power, pre-sales for this movie reached $100 million, already making it the highest-grossing concert movie of all time.