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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[@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.

[@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.

[@AdityaDixitYT]

​@@funnyoscarfx Can I send my resume to you? Would love my start in studio film marketing (I'm in Canada)

[@AktienMitKopf]

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

[@KutluMizrak]

This man is a movie financing genius.

[@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

[@Funcle]

@@v.k.y.3526 why so bitter?

[@Trackaddicts]

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

[@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.

[@at40montages]

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.

[@darren_lee]

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

[@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

[@AxelAxe]

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

[@mr.e3768]

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

[@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.

[@CarlMickens]

He was right about the movie theaters

[@collin013]

They had no idea how big Get Out was gonna be

[@owslajosh6577]

Thanks for uploading the whole interview!!

[@aaronw.bennett6776]

Peter Kafka...please let the subject speak after you ask your question. It's difficult to get their information out clearly knowing you're going to steamroll over them 75% of the way through. You then started speaking over Jason's answers to the audience. It's not about you.

[@JonathanDennill]

Love everything about this interview

[@largeinsize1]

This video is golden.

[@storycreator84]

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

[@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.

[@ScottSullivanTV]

That movie needed $240M to break even, let alone make a profit.

[@lostlakepictures7378]

@@ScottSullivanTV well they used to say a movie needs to double it’s money, hence my response. That’s double plus 53 million. Now we’re saying a move needs to triple its budget? What’s wrong with freaking Hollywood these days?

[@ScottSullivanTV]

@@lostlakepictures7378 Triple. (Some say 2.5x) I’ve never heard double.

[@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.

[@martyluther5428]

Very informative!

[@elitestar]

this guy sounds a bit like jordan belfort

[@southlondon86]

And looks a little similar to him.

[@reaps912]

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

[@ScottSullivanTV]

There was no clause that they had to make a trilogy per se. They paid $400M for the RIGHT to make up to three movies.

[@alexavocado133]

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

[@hazzaplayz808]

have my babies jason blum

[@jawhoney]

Wow this is right before Get Out haha

[@hanky6257]

Very interesting

[@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

[@italianbull]

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

[@jameswilliams-of3mv]

..and halloween 2018 !!