Producer Jason Blum explains how to make blockbuster movies on a budget | Code Media 2017

The movie studio Blumhouse Productions has become known for doing less with more. Namely, turning low-budget flicks - think “Paranormal Activity,” “The Purge” franchise and indie sensation “Whiplash” -- into blockbuster hits.
So what’s the formula? Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum outlined it in a conversation with Peter Kafka at Recode’s Code Media conference at The Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, Calif.
The studio typically spends no more than $4 million to $5 million on a film - and that number isn’t pulled out of thin air. Blum said digital distribution through channels like iTunes can guarantee about $2 million in sales in the U.S. and another $2 million overseas.
Blumhouse also doesn’t decide on whether a movie is going to the big screen or straight through digital until it’s finished. So even if a film bombs and isn’t even put into theaters, the worst-case scenario is typically a $1 million loss.
“I say to the directors ‘I guarantee your movie will be seen, but I’m not guaranteeing how it will be seen,’” Blum said.
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[@dagny3276]

I am a huge fan of BlumHouse. I came here to listen to Jason Blum. Can the interviewer chill and let the man answer the questions ???

[@funnyoscarfx]

My name is Karen Barragan am the chief marketing officer of blumhouse? Are you a fan of my boss Jason Blum

[@southlondon86]

@@funnyoscarfxMy name is Terminator. I’ll rip out your heart and I’ll be back.

[@Barrrt]

This was super insightful. Thanks to the conference and to Jason Blum for being so open with us. It's rare (at least in my experience, but I'm in a different business than movies) to see someone being so open on the business/deals/tactics side. Yet I think this is hugely helpful to loads of people, and what we need to move forward.

[@kutlumzrak2689]

This man is a movie financing genius.

[@v.k.y.3526]

Not a philosophy a 5-year-old’s logic wouldn’t have. The fact is, like “get out” their films are becoming more boring and ridiculous and amateurish by the second. So, they are not geniuses if they can’t figure out a way to make a quality movie to entertain the audience the way East of Eden did, or Street car named desire with Brando, or the godfather, whatever, you name it… the good movies era finished in mid nineties. This guy is a small time bug, he is not a producer or an expert like Goldwyn or Warner. The glamour and magic of the cinema has long left the station 🚉 don’t go to the theatres 🧨🛠🦠

[@v.k.y.3526]

Trust me. He is a small time blind bug not anywhere near a genius. Speaking a language every exec would learn within 3 months of working in marketing or even project management.

[@luminaryeternal7016]

@@v.k.y.3526 ur a moron. No one will ever know ur name.

[@Stumme-40203]

@@v.k.y.3526 financing genius. He’s good at making money from financing films, whether the movies are good or not doesn’t matter.

[@ivemusic]

Thats actually not true. 2019 was one of the best movie years ever. Secondly if you just consider everything that happened from 2000 up to 2010, I mean Gladiator, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Inception, Departed, Shutter Island the list goes on... And to that that he's small time blind bug. He distributed one of the most profitable movies of all time. Consistently making movies that dont flop@@v.k.y.3526

[@bounceenergydrink]

" Get Out " the most profitable film in Blumhouse's history. 1. "Get Out" (2017) Domestic gross: $176,040,665 Worldwide gross: $225,408,115 Budget: $5,0000

[@AktienMitKopf]

there is a mistake in the video description, it should say, they do MORE with LESS!

[@Trackaddicts]

Why does the interviewer have to interrupt so much before he is done answering.....

[@darren_lee]

After watching this, I thought Jason Blum is a pretty decent and straight forward guy. Insightful! Thanks for the talk.

[@peterp2626]

3:38 He doesn't work with first time directors? Joel Edgerton on The Gift, Jordan Peele on Get out, Stiles White on Ouija, Patrick Brice on Creep, Gregory Plotkin on Paranormal Acitvity: The Ghost Dimension.

[@dirty06maggot]

Peter P exactly

[@JERSEYBOYPLAY2HARD]

he works with people with names

[@cameronclark9818]

There are a couple of podcast interviews where he clarifies. I’m guessing he didn’t feel like he had the time to try to explain in this interview. He says that he will work with people who have shown a good track record in acting/producing. In the case of Jordan, it was that he was an excellent show runner. I think honestly, he probably is the type of guy who will break his own rules, when necessary. Having good judgment like that is an admirable trait.

[@andressrojas]

It was a bad use of words, but I think he doesn't want people without a curriculum. Edgerton wrote some movies and directed some short films, you can see his abilities, Jordan Peele it's a great writer and showrunner, Stiles White wrote the screenplay for some horror movies for big studios, "Creep" was a finished product, like "Paranormal Activity", so Blumhouse only do some changes and distributed, Gregory Plotkin was the editor for most of the Paranormal Activity's movies. It wasn't so strange.

[@TheFanClubReview]

Yea the interviewer sucks. He interipts too much. JEEEZUS MAN!!! Zipp it! Talk and listen! LOL. Otherwise. Excellent. I am an inspiring producer/production co. CEO and I believe that financially and strategically us as filmmakers can learn tons from Mr. Blum.

[@AxelAxe]

Great interview. Straight to the point and no fluff. Thanks you so much for uploading this video.

[@CarlMickens]

He was right about the movie theaters

[@owslajosh6577]

Thanks for uploading the whole interview!!

[@JonathanDennill]

Love everything about this interview

[@largeinsize1]

This video is golden.

[@mr.e3768]

So insightful, no one knew how good this small movie "Get out" was going to be. Low budget works indeed

[@storycreator84]

The location in my mystery thriller script is Westlake Village - L.A. -Westlake Village :)

[@martyluther5428]

Very informative!

[@lostlakepictures7378]

I'm confused. Scott Derrickson's next film was "The Day the Earth Stood Still" which made $233 million on an $80 million dollar budget. Even adjusting for marketing that's not a flop.

[@hanky6257]

Very interesting

[@elitestar]

this guy sounds a bit like jordan belfort

[@southlondon86]

And looks a little similar to him.

[@GeoffRendell]

Over 50% on marketing, sounds about right considering the pipeline is smaller.

[@sailingsam3815]

I hope he keeps making exciting movies...pay the talents if you make a good profit.

[@jamesh8862]

What if it bombs...will the 'talent' give back some of their pay to help the struggling studio out. What about the original builders of your home, shouldn't they get additional money because the cost of your home has risen x times since the original construction date. You make or are contracted to do something, you get paid up front for completing said job...the end.

[@99highlights]

Hey love your channel. Do you mind if I do a Scrim 2 video tomorrow. Courtesy of Firesite. I will put a link to your page in the description and shout you out to my subs. I just want to use your clips to make a highlight video. Also I will be in oelando on sat. Let ya boy buy you a drink #goCanes

[@jameswilliams-of3mv]

..and halloween 2018 !!

[@hazzaplayz808]

have my babies jason blum

[@alexavocado133]

Jason Blum was a joy to listen to but the interviewer kept interrupting which really sucked

[@reaps912]

“So anyway we just bought the rights to The Exorcist for $400 million with a clause that we have to make a trilogy..”

[@jawhoney]

Wow this is right before Get Out haha

[@italianbull]

Why did he talk over him when asking the marketing question???😡😡😡 25 to 30 what???

[@NoahCuban]

bro would not let jason talk XD