Comments on: AVATAR Box Office: #4 All-Time Domestic – Behind STAR WARS http://www.altfg.com/blog/box-office/avatar-box-office-star-wars-489/ The Oscars, film awards, new releases, Los Angeles screenings, movie classics, gay movies, film festivals, box office, foreign and independent films Sun, 20 May 2012 21:06:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Michelle http://www.altfg.com/blog/box-office/avatar-box-office-star-wars-489/#comment-485783 Michelle Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:54:01 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20779#comment-485783 Hi Michael, Thanks for writing. It's our editorial policy to add "not accounting for inflation" or some such whenever making box office comparisons among films released many years or decades apart, or whenever saying that "such and such movie broke box-office records." AVATAR is different in that it's also making most of its money at 3D/IMAX venues that charge premiums. So, it's also the blog's editorial policy that we should tell our readers about that fact to keep things in context. We've "chatted" before, but many people are newcomers. This post may be their first Alt Film Guide visit. That's why I'm supposed to repeat "3D/IMAX/inflation" each time I post about AVATAR's all-time box-office records. In no way is that a comment on James Cameron's technological or artistic achievements. Hi Michael,

Thanks for writing.

It’s our editorial policy to add “not accounting for inflation” or some such whenever making box office comparisons among films released many years or decades apart, or whenever saying that “such and such movie broke box-office records.”

AVATAR is different in that it’s also making most of its money at 3D/IMAX venues that charge premiums. So, it’s also the blog’s editorial policy that we should tell our readers about that fact to keep things in context.

We’ve “chatted” before, but many people are newcomers. This post may be their first Alt Film Guide visit. That’s why I’m supposed to repeat “3D/IMAX/inflation” each time I post about AVATAR’s all-time box-office records.

In no way is that a comment on James Cameron’s technological or artistic achievements.

]]> By: Michael Sellers http://www.altfg.com/blog/box-office/avatar-box-office-star-wars-489/#comment-485779 Michael Sellers Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:10:52 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20779#comment-485779 Hi Michelle, Me again. I notice that every time you report on Avatar's Box Office, you caveat it by saying "not adjusted for inflation or higher 3D ticket prices". I have a thought about the 3D ticket prices and I ask you to consider it. You are treating it as if Cameron's decision to "go for it" with 3D was a "done deal" -- that he would automatically get benefit from it. I disagree. It was a gamble. He was rolling the dice and saying he would do it in 3D, and then he would deliver an experience that would JUSTIFY the higher price. Audiences could have said -- no way -- there's a recession -- I won't pay the extra $3 for 3D -- and Cameron could have had the disaster many were predicting. But he delivered an experience that the audience has judged worthy of the 3D surcharge. I do not think you can discount his accomplishment for the 3D surcharge. For the general increase in ticket prices since Titanic -- yes. It should be adjusted for that. But not for 3D ticket prices. That could have been his Waterloo had he not delivered an extraordinary experience. Hi Michelle,
Me again. I notice that every time you report on Avatar’s Box Office, you caveat it by saying “not adjusted for inflation or higher 3D ticket prices”. I have a thought about the 3D ticket prices and I ask you to consider it. You are treating it as if Cameron’s decision to “go for it” with 3D was a “done deal” — that he would automatically get benefit from it. I disagree. It was a gamble. He was rolling the dice and saying he would do it in 3D, and then he would deliver an experience that would JUSTIFY the higher price. Audiences could have said — no way — there’s a recession — I won’t pay the extra $3 for 3D — and Cameron could have had the disaster many were predicting. But he delivered an experience that the audience has judged worthy of the 3D surcharge. I do not think you can discount his accomplishment for the 3D surcharge. For the general increase in ticket prices since Titanic — yes. It should be adjusted for that. But not for 3D ticket prices. That could have been his Waterloo had he not delivered an extraordinary experience.

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