Material numbers

This weekend is the most important milestone for the Material movie. We had a solid opening weekend last weekend and now we have to see what the drop off will be. Last night we had only a 12% drop off from the previous Friday, which is fantastic.

It is raining in Johannesburg – this gets people into the cinemas.

Now we ponder … tonight’s cinema goers are going to get entertained - what film will they choose?

Are the numbers for Saturday going to be material?

We will know very very very soon!

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

The opening weekend ...

The Material movie did around 45,000 tickets on the opening weekend, with a box office of just over R 1.3 mil. The leader, at about 10% higher, was Safe House, and it did just over R 1.4 mil. Material is on 41 screens and Safe House is on 70 (and in the biggest houses). So, we did stack up pretty good.

We achieved a very high per screen average (certainly on par with the top 10 for the year) - we just need to maintain this scenario now, which is nail biting, and challenging, to say the least.

The next key milestone to watch is the "drop off" rate - the average performing film drops off around 30% a week - if a film drops off 50% from week 1 to week 2, then it is a real dog, but, if the drop off is only around 10% to 15% then it is a diamond and, if the film doesn't drop off at all (or hardly anything) from week 1 to week 2 then it is often labeled a "sleeper" - Bend it like Beckham is a prime example.

So, for now, we are carrying on with the marketing and publicity effort, and we hope that next weekend's numbers yield a minimal drop off.

Proper nail biting !!!

If you have seen the film then please go and vote on IMDB : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1899240/

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

The opening weekend !!!

I don’t know who reads this blog, but if you do, please go and see Material this opening weekend (ie, tomorrow).

If you are not inspired by the film I will give you your money back.

And, if you are excited by the magic that has been created here then please post a comment on www.facebook.com/riaadmoosamovie.Don't forget you can win a car.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

One week to go

By this time next week the Material movie will be out there in full swing !!!

Until then, the pacing continues ...

This week gone by saw the Johannesburg premier come and go - what a blur. There were 650 people there, and the positive response continues to overwhelm us.

For the week ahead, leading up to the opening day, there are over a dozen sneak previews across the land. We are confident that the word of mouth on this film is going to be very strong, which is not the norm when it comes to local movies - this preview exercise is about mobilizing a first wave of supporters. Let's hope it bears fruit.

A week from Sunday, on the evening of the 19th, we will have the opening weekend figures - they will come with a drum roll - the numbers never lie.

Start your engines ...

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

Cape Town here we come ...

There has always been that old joke that goes "What is the best thing to come out of Cape Town?" Answer: the N1.

I was born and raised in Cape Town so I am allowed to make this kind of joke. But jokes aside, one of the best things to come out of Cape Town is Dr. Riaad Moosa. And tonight the Material movie will be having its premier there.

This is our next acid test. We passed the one in Durban last Wednesday night, and this evening we have another full audience coming experience the magic of Material. Bring it on!

I better get moving ... we have a lot to organize still today before the big night.

Before I go, if you have not seen this stunt that the good doctor pulled off recently, then check this out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnr_3NKt7Yg&feature=related

Posted by Ronnie Apteker