Viacom Kisses Off Spielberg - Blu-ray Forum

Jack Torrance · 09-19-2007, 06:57 PM

I think this is actually an "on topic" conversation because of Spielberg's support of BD and Paramount's lack of it...

Quote:

Viacom Kisses Off Spielberg

In what appeared to some analysts to be a remarkably cavalier comment from the head of the company that had paid $1.6 billion for the DreamWorks film company in 2005, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman said Tuesday that if Steven Spielberg decides to leave DreamWorks when his contract expires next year, "the financial impact to Paramount first and especially to Viacom overall would be completely immaterial." Dauman's dismissive comments came as rumors spread that Spielberg, a DreamWorks cofounder, was becoming increasingly unhappy over his relationship with Paramount chief Brad Grey since the acquisition. Nevertheless, most of Paramount's successful releases since the acquisition have been DreamWorks' productions, and it was assumed within the industry that Viacom would do whatever was necessary to allay Spielberg's concerns. On the contrary, Dauman told a Goldman Sachs conference in New York Tuesday, Paramount was already planning for Spielberg's departure. Reporting on Dauman's remarks, Daily Variety commented that they were especially "notable" given the fact that publicly Dauman "usually speaks in formal, restrained tones."

http://imdb.com/news/sb/2007-09-19/

JTK · 09-19-2007, 07:01 PM

^^ I think I have to find a word stronger than "delusional" to cover that kind of insanity.

Manco · 09-19-2007, 07:07 PM

No surprise.

That entire organization has gone "south". They'll go back to being an non-player in the industry. Just like RKO Pictures from once they came.

They can have HD-DVD as far as I'm concerned. Serves them right.

MrBogey · 09-19-2007, 07:07 PM

I wonder if Penton-Man will give us some inside info on all of this when he returns.

It'd be nice to know if there is woo-ing going on.

The Guardian · 09-19-2007, 07:09 PM

Well, you can debate the merits of whether or not he's the greatest director of all time... however why would you intentionally antagonize the MOST COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL director of all time?

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/...umgross&p=.htm

SS316SRV · 09-19-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

http://imdb.com/news/sb/2007-09-19/

(MODS - posted this in off topic discussion, but couldn't delete it. Could you delete the duplicate?)

Another 2007 Highlight for Paramount...

CptGreedle · 09-19-2007, 07:10 PM

Well looks like Viacom realizes they can't make a bargain with a god... so instead of waiting for him to dump them, they are going to dump him! Viacom has a lot to learn... especially since they are now loosing their best directors and alienating not only their directors and staff, but also their costumers/consumers.

Kousakuya · 09-19-2007, 07:11 PM

Spielberg is smart. I don't think he wants anything to do with format war.
Even if that means he wouldn't release Blu movies either.

GasCat · 09-19-2007, 07:13 PM

They now have the cinematic 'genious' of Michael Bay. Enjoy!

kaliraver · 09-19-2007, 07:13 PM

Man Paramount really wants to dig itself its own grave? They are crazy that they want to get rid of Spielberg. Thank god Spielberg realizes that Paramounted sucks major @$$ without him. HD-DUD will be happy with a Spielberg-less Paramount, hahaha.

E-Dogg · 09-19-2007, 07:15 PM

The higher ups in Paramount seemed to have lost their minds. Oh well, when "Encounters" is released on Blu lets welcome Steven's masterpiece with open arms.

Manco · 09-19-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

...Penton-Man...woo-ing going on.

Conspiracy. WickyWoo is Penton.

cpgator · 09-19-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Well, you can debate the merits of whether or not he's the greatest director of all time... however why would you intentionally antagonize the MOST COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL director of all time?

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/...umgross&p=.htm

Agreed - very stupid, and show very little class. Even if you have an issue with SS, you should still show respect for him.

After looking at that link, it looks like SS has only had 1 or 2 movies in the last 5 years that made any money - maybe that is why they said it would have little impact?

Kousakuya · 09-19-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasCat

They now have the cinematic 'genious' of Michael Bay. Enjoy!

I hate Bay, ever since the atrocity that is Pearl Harbor.

patrick99 · 09-19-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-Dogg

The higher ups in Paramount seemed to have lost their minds.

Clearly true.

Xerious · 09-19-2007, 07:20 PM

Via-who? say what?

glenn22 · 09-19-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kousakuya

Spielberg is smart. I don't think he wants anything to do with format war.
Even if that means he wouldn't release Blu movies either.

Spielberg IS releasing movies in High def. His first High Def release is going to be Close Encounters of the Third Kind which comes out on November 13th. After that... probably dependent on sales.

glenn22 · 09-19-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kousakuya

I hate Bay, ever since the atrocity that is Pearl Harbor.

Agreed, he got lucky with Transformers I think. His other movies has been lackluster.

glenn22 · 09-19-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manco

No surprise.

That entire organization has gone "south". They'll go back to being an non-player in the industry. Just like RKO Pictures from once they came.

They can have HD-DVD as far as I'm concerned. Serves them right.

South is putting it mildly, they completely went against industry trends, publicly insulted their talent, and were outright blasted by their industry peers... if any company is headed straight for the crapper, it's Paramount.

erowe83 · 09-19-2007, 07:24 PM

Speilberg as a filmmaker is SOOOO overrated it makes me wanta puke, but Paramount is sooo dumb for letting go of the most successful commercial filmmaker ever for sure.

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09-19-2007, 07:01 PM	#2
JTK Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2006 Location:www.blurayoasis.com	^^ I think I have to find a word stronger than "delusional" to cover that kind of insanity.

09-19-2007, 07:07 PM	#3
Manco Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Tucumcari	No surprise. That entire organization has gone "south". They'll go back to being an non-player in the industry. Just like RKO Pictures from once they came. They can have HD-DVD as far as I'm concerned. Serves them right.

09-19-2007, 07:07 PM	#4
MrBogey Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007	I wonder if Penton-Man will give us some inside info on all of this when he returns. It'd be nice to know if there is woo-ing going on.

09-19-2007, 07:09 PM	#5
The Guardian Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Kitchener, ON Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	Well, you can debate the merits of whether or not he's the greatest director of all time... however why would you intentionally antagonize the MOST COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL director of all time? http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/...umgross&p=.htm

09-19-2007, 07:10 PM	#7
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Well looks like Viacom realizes they can't make a bargain with a god... so instead of waiting for him to dump them, they are going to dump him! Viacom has a lot to learn... especially since they are now loosing their best directors and alienating not only their directors and staff, but also their costumers/consumers.

09-19-2007, 07:11 PM	#8
Kousakuya Member Member since:Aug 2007	Spielberg is smart. I don't think he wants anything to do with format war. Even if that means he wouldn't release Blu movies either.

09-19-2007, 07:13 PM	#9
GasCat Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	They now have the cinematic 'genious' of Michael Bay. Enjoy!

09-19-2007, 07:13 PM	#10
kaliraver Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2007 Location:San Francisco Bay Blu-Ray SteelBooks™: (150+) Blu-ray collection:373 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:285	Man Paramount really wants to dig itself its own grave? They are crazy that they want to get rid of Spielberg. Thank god Spielberg realizes that Paramounted sucks major @$$ without him. HD-DUD will be happy with a Spielberg-less Paramount, hahaha.

09-19-2007, 07:15 PM	#11
E-Dogg Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:159	The higher ups in Paramount seemed to have lost their minds. Oh well, when "Encounters" is released on Blu lets welcome Steven's masterpiece with open arms.

09-19-2007, 07:20 PM	#16
Xerious Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Washington, DC Blu-ray collection:238 Blu-ray reviews:4	Via-who? say what?

09-19-2007, 07:24 PM	#20
erowe83 Senior Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:1	Speilberg as a filmmaker is SOOOO overrated it makes me wanta puke, but Paramount is sooo dumb for letting go of the most successful commercial filmmaker ever for sure.

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