Opening Weekend Audiobook By Jim Fredrick cover art

Opening Weekend

An Insider's Look at Marketing Hollywood's Hits and Flops

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Opening Weekend

By: Jim Fredrick
Narrated by: Jim Fredrick
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In a world where movie marketers are the stars of the story, Opening Weekend: An Insider's Look at Marketing Hollywood's Hits and Flops recounts Jim Fredrick's journey through the realm of movie marketing. Fredrick offers readers exclusive access to behind-the-scenes anecdotes and firsthand accounts of working with studio executives and navigating relationships with famous movie stars and directors.

After starting his career in 1983 as a trailer editor and producer at famed advertising boutique Intralink, Jim Fredrick went on to serve as president of marketing at Castle Rock Entertainment; senior vice president of creative advertising at Warner Bros.; and executive vice president of marketing at Sony Screen Gems. In 2011, he founded his own company, Jim Fredrick Motion Picture Marketing.

Across a span of thirty-five years, Fredrick's roles as a trailer maker and studio executive allowed him to craft advertising campaigns for a range of movies, from such iconic cinematic gems as The Shawshank Redemption to the widely beloved Harry Potter franchise, to commercial failures like The Adventures of Pluto Nash and Fired Up! Opening Weekend explores the intricacies of the lesser-known business of film distribution and marketing, unraveling the complex mechanisms through which movies are sold to discriminating audiences. Replete with triumphs, setbacks, and the relentless spirit that drives the creation and promotion of cinematic masterpieces, Opening Weekend promises an enthralling glimpse into the previously untold world of Hollywood movies.

©2024 Jim Fredrick (P)2024 University Press of Mississippi Film & TV Direction & Production Entertainment & Performing Arts Marketing History & Criticism Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities
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Fantastic book. This “Ball Four” of the movie marketing industry gives the inside scoop of what it is like to be part of the industry. If you love movie trailers and posters you will get a sense of what goes into designing them. The author states that he originally started out wanting to be a baseball player. He hit a home run with this one.

You’ll believe a man can write a great book about movie marketing.

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Bravo!! I love everything about this book. Jim (the author) is so knowledgeable and honest, and relates all his experiences during his very storied career with intelligence, candor, humor and humility. This is a rare opportunity for readers to get a true behind the scenes look at movie marketing at the highest level. And having the author narrate really makes it feel like you’re just sitting with him, face-to-face, while he shares all his wild stories. I can’t recommend highly enough!

Amazing Chronicle From An Insiders Experience In Hollywood

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This was one of my favorite audio books of the year! It contained an exemplary combination of detail, humor and charm, this is one of the better freshman attempts I’ve read. The author REALLY gives you a feel for the industry through the decades that he worked at different levels and for different companies. He’s really gracious, but also quite candid about his interactions with people from the regular co-workers, to titans in the industry, to the uber famous actors (and there are plenty!). It includes TONS of funny little stories and asides about huge projects, giving a great deal of color to round out the picture of the movie industry that he paints so beautifully. I love it when authors read their own books, particularly when they are autobiographical and Jim’s narration is top notch for a first time narrator.
If you have any question about whether or not to give this title a try, just take a look at the dust jacket recommendations and you’ll see what an amazing story and storyteller you are in for.

Excellent, detailed and SO engaging.

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The most fascinating book on the business of movies I’ve ever read. Marketing movies straddles the line between art and commerce, and it is an integral part of how Hollywood works. This book is never dry and gives a good explanation for how those forces meet.

Insider’s Guide to Selling Movies

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This is an easy to read, entertainingly fascinating look at the movie business. It clearly outlines the many parts that have to come together at just the right time to launch a hit. Jim Fredrick is humble, honest, congenial, hard working with integrity and family values. His audible version is read by the author which makes it authentic. “The business” doesn’t always award the deserving but audiences do and vote with a ticket. It is enjoyable and captivating.

The competition, creativity, pressure with high stakes that is part of the business.

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