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followers, which is impressive considering that he has been dead for Magnolia Pictures, which is distributing "Marley," a movie about the singer's short but productive life, is hoping to leverage his online called day-and-date release, meaning that it will be available both Although documentaries usually are cheaper to produce than feature films, they usually appeal to niche audiences. "Shine a Light," a popularity to transform what is typically a money-losing passion more than 30 years. 2
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[ENTRY #2 – 1/24/12 ]2
WALL STREET ARTICLE
A documentary has been made on Bob Marley. The film holds interviews with his former bandmates and family. It also holds pictures, footage of performances, and his connection to Rastafarianism. In the article it states that documentaries do not take much to make but generate a lot of cash. This documentary will be in theatres and available on demand on April 20. This date was chosen because of the connection to marijuana and Rastafarians. This film is going to generate a large following because Bob Marley is an icon that fans want to be closer to and within his everyday life.
Making a 'Marley' MovieBy RACHEL DODES
Bob Marley has 38 million Facebook fans and 192,000 Twitter
followers, which is impressive considering that he has been dead for
more than 30 years.
Magnolia Pictures, which is distributing "Marley," a movie about the
singer's short but productive life, is hoping to leverage his online
popularity to transform what is typically a money-losing passion
project—the rock documentary—into a hit. The film will get a so-
called day-and-date release, meaning that it will be available both
in theaters and on demand April 20, a holiday of sorts for marijuana
enthusiasts.
Although documentaries usually are cheaper to produce than feature
films, they usually appeal to niche audiences. "Shine a Light," a
Martin Scorsese-directed concert film with the Rolling Stones,
brought in only $5.5 million in the U.S.
"These things are specialized. Music isn't to everyone's taste," says
Mr. Scorsese, who was initially signed to direct "Marley" in 2008
before dropping out because of a scheduling conflict.
Financier Steve Bing, who also produced "Shine a Light," had paid
Universal Music around $1.5 million for the rights to Mr. Marley's
music catalog. Fearful that those rights would expire by the time Mr.
Scorsese was available, he brought on director Jonathan Demme, who
subsequently left over creative differences.
"Jonathan wanted to make a film about Jamaica and Rastafari and it
was very spiritual," says Kevin Macdonald, who wound up being the
third and final director after Chris Blackwell, the founder of Mr.
Marley's record label, Island Records, suggested that Mr. Bing give
him a call.
Mr. Macdonald had wanted to make a Marley movie ever since he was in
Uganda shooting his 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland." He was
amazed by how many people had Marley posters and played Marley music
in their homes.
The film, which wound up costing about $4.5 million to produce, is
filled with interviews with Mr. Marley's band mates and far-flung
family—he had 11 children with seven different women. It features
concert footage, photos and revelations about the inspiration for
some of his songs.
Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures, said the release date
was "an obvious choice," because Mr. Marley was a devout Rastafarian,
whose religion believes using marijuana is a way to get closer to the
late Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. "We're not hitting it too
heavy, but it's a wink to the fans, saying, 'Get it?' "
