Chris Anderson's line tail theory in perspective

1) find and example of a film that is a big hit and compare it with a niche film
Compare:
Production cost
Cinema / screen tickets
DVD sales
Fan activity

American Pie series is a block buster, in 1999 the first American pie was released with a budget of $11 million, in the first weekend it made $18 million almost doubling the profits in 2 days, $101 million by october 1999, and making a life time gross profit of $235 million.
On the release it was shown in 2508 cinemas through the USA alone.

Clerks is a independently-made film by Kevin Smith, which was filmed in the convenience store he worked in and funded by himself, most of the people in it being friends. It's in the niche as it didn't take off in the market. It only have a budget of 27,000 dollars, with a additional 200,000 dollars for advertising, going round the festival circuit before getting released. Even though it's widest release was in 94 theaters, it made 3 million dollars in the states, making 100 times it's original budget, while American Pie only made 20 times it's original budget. The cult following become more extensive and devoted as the director has expanded the characters in the original film, especially the cult figures Jay and Silent Bob.

Anderson argued that a block buster had a huge following for a couple of months and then faded out, however American Pie, James Bond, Harry Potter etc have all been block busters yet are still known world wide, and remain in a niche market as they are still recognized today.

2) Do your figures work out the same or close to each other?
Is Chris Anderson proved right or wrong?


America Pie had a higher figure of profit, $235 million,  compared to Clerks; $3 million however the rate of profit compared to the budget is far superior from Clerks which was filmed for under $30,000, their profit is 100 times more.
Where as American Pie is 20x times more - $11 million - $235 million.

Chris Anderson theory is proved correct that blockbusters make a huge sum of money in the short run, as  American Pie made $101 million in its first year, how ever a the budget of creation is far superior to Clerks, therefore the more money you put it in the better the result.

3) Blog your understanding of the Long Tail theory - which niche markets do you access + how.

Blockbusters make a huge sum of money in the short run however in the long run they may fade out, and even be almost forgotten, where as a niche market may not take off hugely however people remember it and buy it for a longer period of time, therefore the rate of profit can level match a blockbuster over time.

Blockbusters usually cost ALOT more however blockbusters should break the $100 million mark
Where as Niche markets budget is much lower however over time the rate of profit is much higher than a blockbuster.

Niche market films

short films on youtube and vimeo
people who create websites to put their films on
example, weebls stuff, albino black sheep have put short films and even feature length films online
Gorillaz released their documentary exclusively on their website
4chan raises a lot of awareness for unheard of films due to various internet memes.