Chapter 320: Home Media I

Anyways, ChaosNet matters are the sort of things that can be sorted out for later.

As of now, Alexander and Old Sullivan's attention were focused on the next step that the backdropped Back to the Future was going to take.

All this while, the time-travel flick had been raking in ticket sales all over the world and accrued a whopping $388.8 million, which might as well be $390 million, at the global box office.

Following its test screenings and premiere date that was brought forward to July 5, 1985, Back to the Future was given more time in theaters during the busiest period of the theatrical year.

Still, it had mostly been good news from there.

Of course, as it is now nearing the end of its theatrical run, Back to the Future has become a critical and commercial success, earning millions to become the highest-grossing film of 1985 worldwide.

Critics had long praised the story, humorous elements, and the cast—particularly Lloyd, Fox, and Stoltz.

It had slated up multiple award nominations and even its theme song, "The Power of Love", was also a success.

Back to the Future has since grown in esteem and is now considered by critics and audiences to be one of the greatest science-fiction films and among the best films ever made.

Clearly, Creed Pictures had a big winner with this one. It was an even bigger winner when you consider the fact that there are still two more sequels to follow.

However, the concerns of the Creed proprietors weren't about the sequels for now.

What they were discussing about was the film's shift into home video or home media.

"Are you really sure about this, grandpa?" Alexander had reservations though. "I thought that we were supposed to just be shelving BttF tapes and handling the home media side of things at around May."

It had to be said that it had just turned March and Back to the Future was just going to be phased out of theaters, with only a sparing few theaters that are milking it.

This makes Old Sullivan's decision to slate BttF this quickly into movie renting and movie retailing stores to be quite a surprise.

Shouldn't there be some sort of gap or whatnot for better momentum? Or is the quick shift from theater to VHS tapes even better for momentum?

"It's fine." Old Sullivan appeased. "The earlier, the better. Keep in mind that we will have our hands full with the upcoming Top Gun theatrical release, so settling the BttF's tapes this early is a good thing."

Theatrical distribution for cinematic releases and home video distributions via video tapes are two different beasts. Each should be handled separately and not at the same time.

"I wonder what Columbia will think of this decision of yours?" Alexander was really wondering. Usually, the Hollywood majors are in charge of this part... especially when it's a film that they theatrically released.

"Don't worry too much about them." Old Sullivan shook it off. "Our deal only extends to the theaters and they've mostly eaten up the ticket earnings, anyways."

"They should be satisfied enough with that." Sure, Columbia and the theater companies had the greater cut.

Sure, that was something to feel crummy about. Film distribution companies like Columbia just suck. They suck in many ways.

However, Creed Pictures have already paid off the investors for 3 films, made bank, and Old Sullivan can still grow his profits in other ways. "The other off-theater parts are ours and it just so happens to be an area that we're both quite well-versed in."

"That is true." Alexander can attest that toy sales and costumes had actually been quite bountiful.

With the home video sales being taken into account, it was just going to be so much more bountiful.

Although it may seem that Hollywood is all about the box office, it was actually so much more than that. Factors outside the box office matter a lot.

Any movie, no matter how big or small, successful or not, will still have relevance.

Despite a film's very short life on the big screen, it is mostly guaranteed to have a much longer life on smaller screens. Smaller screens are television, in this case.

It is also guaranteed to expand some more when various film-related peripherals are involved.

Old Sullivan can already envision the steady cash flowing right in for a stable and extended amount of time.

Unlike his previous try at distributing tapes into people's homes, Back to the Future is the uncontested winner.

A publicly renowned box office champion is also much much better than the flash-in-the-pan stuff that his previous "film" venture was producing.

"I still can't believe that I am moving on from the shady corners, misleading tape covers, and kinky stores." His old bones can't help but sigh. "Hollywood and San Fernando Valley are such close neighbors and even produce "films" in their own ways... yet the treatment is just so different."

He still remembered how he got shifted out of mainstream Hollywood...

Used his film production and film equipment connections for a new start at the valley...

Eventually, being a hidden part of adult film production himself...

Even hiring hot porn stars as his grandson's babysitters because it seemed economical...

Now... things have really changed.

"It has been a long road of turning over a new leaf for me." The elderly sure was melancholic. "Oh, how a journey it was to get here."

"When the connections, resources, and manpower your using to distribute a Hollywood-based tape is still the same connections, resources, and manpower you've used to distribute porn tapes... it's not exactly turning over a new leaf, is it?" Alexander just had to comment.

This was no joke since the reason that Creed Entertainment was able to move BttF tapes around... is through the hidden web called the adult film industry.

"Erm..." Old Sullivan could only grimace. "Alex, you don't blame grandpa for this decision, don't you?"

"No, I actually think that it's inspired." Alexander truly felt that it was brilliant. "Besides, I already know that our foundation for being able to do stuff that we've been doing is... well... you know..."

He added. "One can't underestimate men of culture and one sure can't underestimate the businesses and industries that hold up this society of culture."

"Men of culture? Society of culture?" Old Sullivan was confused.

Oh right. Arakawa Under the Bridge has yet to be made and memes have yet to become prevalent.

"It's nothing." Alexander diverted. "I just think that where we're from isn't something that you should be awkward about and it surely isn't something to be underestimated."

If anything, Hollywood should watch out because the porn industry has presented an incredible opportunity for Creed Pictures.

It happens to be an opportunity that not a lot of production companies could get a hold of.

After all, the two Creeds have quite the elaborate ploy with all of this home media stuff.

This national distribution of video tapes will serve as a test for the bolder distribution plans they had in mind.

The key word is 'distribution' in this scenario.