Hollywood Accounting — How Harry Potter Loses Money

An anonymous reader writes "Techdirt has the details on how it was possible for the last Harry Potter movie to lose $167 million while taking in nearly $1 billion in revenue. If you ever wanted to see 'Hollywood Accounting' in action, take a look. The article also notes two recent court decisions that may raise questions about Hollywood's ability to continue with these kinds of tricks. For example, the producers of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' now have to pay $270 million for its attempt to get around paying a partner through similar tricks."

Comments

Re:Not a new trick

[91degrees]

He probably got paid. The contract would have been for basic rate + royalties. He just didn't get royalties.

Re:Not a new trick

[schon]

the guy who was actually in Darth Vader's suite never got paid

I thought movies used trailers, not hotel rooms.

and wouldn't Darth Vader be in Darth Vader's suite? Or are you talking about his bodyguard or something? (I would think it would be the actor's responsibility to pay his staff.)

And if you're talking about the actor (or maybe the guy in the suit), instead of his entourage, why would you talk about where he stayed? Why not mention him specifically?

Re:The Terrible Economy Threatens Even the WB

[mcgrew]

LOL! Did you just register under that username for that comment? Kudos, sir (or madam).