An overview of How the SMART distributors are MAKING MONEY in the Film Distribution Business

Greetings HHSE Friends & Followers - I was surprised to get some emails on Saturday from some HHSE shareholders that were lamenting that the 20-theatre opening weekend launch for UNHOLY SONG "only grossed $7,000" on the opening day.  

Well, let me clarify several key issues that may have NOT been clearly communicated in our prior blogs.

1).  BOX OFFICE RESULTS ARE IRRELEVANT TO OUR MARKETING GOAL - Our mission has been to enhance the visibility and awareness of the property... so if it sells some tickets, GREAT, but that was not the goal of a limited theatrical release. The point was to ENHANCE THE PROFILE of the movie so that it will be eligible for PRIORITY PLACEMENT onto TUBI, ROKU and AMAZON - all of which have a "theatrical release" preference for creating priority placements. THE MONEY IN THIS INDUSTRY IS BEING MADE VIA STREAMING SERVICES - not via Theatrical (unless you have a mega budget hit). When was the last time you went to a movie theatre... versus... the last time you STREAMED something to your home?

2).  WHILE $7,000 grosses on a FRIDAY might sound small... it indicates that the film will likely hit $20,000 this weekend WHICH IS WHAT WE SPENT IN THEATRICAL MARKETING. So in only three days, we GROSS back the total P&A expenditure... PLUS we have now enhanced the credibility of the movie for PRIORITY V.O.D. support.  NOT THAT IT MATTERS... but our "Per Screen" average on Friday of $355 makes the movie the NUMBER SEVEN best seller of tickets per location out of ALL Movies!!  We will PROBABLY end up with about $1,000 "per screen" average... and likely in the TOP TEN on this per-screen basis. 

3).  BECAUSE OF THE THEATRICAL RELEASE - this title is now eligible for DVD and Blu-Ray sales at WALMART, TARGET and BEST BUY.  These major retailers have found that INDIE films in key genre's WILL SELL WELL in pre-recorded, packaged goods formats... and we have now MET that condition (FYI, the genre's are HORROR, FAMILY, and CHRISTIAN appeal movies).

4).  WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH ON 300+ Screens - but decided that this would not be as ASSURED of a good return-on-investment. You see, 300 screens would cost the company about $250,000 in total costs... but would NOT generate a 10-X greater return from streaming than our initial launch with 20 screens (and a few more locations for UNHOLY SONG during March). 

TWENTY theatres and $20k in launch costs is the SWEET SPOT to maximize R.O.I.  Frankly, there's a mathematical argument AGAINST opening any film on 300 screens... because this level or release adds huge costs but is not a wide-enough release to cross the critical mass into a top ten that consumers will "want to see" sort of movie release.

Those in-the-know regarding streaming recognize that HOME PAGE or PRIORITY placement with TUBI, ROKU and AMAZON streaming services will make the difference between a title generating $50,000 in V.O.D.... and those titles that go on to generate more than $500,000 from streaming.

The theatrical launch of UNHOLY SONG was designed to make the film eligible for PRIORITY SUPPORT FOR V.O.D. and for Physical Goods (DVD and BluRay).  The money invested by HHSE has been well-thought out, frugally spent, and delivers an assured R.O.I.

Why are we doing this limited theatrical release RIGHT NOW? Because we also have the OTC QB UPLIST, the Studio Partner deal with WILDFIRE, the $22-mm funding for TEMPUS PORTA and several other "yet to be announced" projects that combine to elevate HHSE to the next level. 

UNHOLY SONG having a handful of theatres is a smart step to enhance the film's profile and become a part of a well-planned strategy to make HHSE into a respected indie studio (and towards our goal of a $.25/PPS stock). 

Those that ACTUALLY KNOW and work in this business, will see that we have hit a solid base-hit with UNHOLY SONG, on our way to winning the world series... just watch, it's all happening NOW>>>>>

Almost ANY movie can be placed onto TUBI and ROKU... but the financial winners are those that have HOME PAGE or CATEGORY PAGE priority listings. How do you get that? One way only: theatrical release exposure.

What better way - and what better spokesperson - than to have HHSE CEO Eric Parkinson promoting the company and releases like UNHOLY SONG at national media events (such as the SATURN AWARDS), and on local market media, such as KNWA (Fayetteville) and FoxNews10 Sacramento? These media appearances cost HHSE $0 dollars, which is a refreshing change to some of the company's prior experiences (e.g., paying an actress $20,000 to appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW, plus another $5,000 "wardrobe allowance" and $5,000 for hair-and-make-up entourage and private SUV Sedan car service... ugh!!).

HERE ARE SOME MORE REVIEW LINKS for "UNHOLY SONG"

I-HORROR.com

https://ihorror.com/indie-horror-unholy-song-gets-an-a-for-effort-review/

PRETTY  PARANORMAL  SITE

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vwXtmOCGcQ7WWhx921eWP

KEY MARKETS for INITIAL LAUNCH:

San Francisco - Bay Area

Sacramento-Modesto-Stockton DMA

Nashville DMA

Las Vegas DMA

Kansas City DMA

Memphis DMA

Tulsa DMA

N.W. Arkansas DMA

More exciting BOX OFFICE news from Hannover House - HHSE

Greetings HHSE Friends - although we are still under a news announcement quarantine about our MAJOR STREAMING VENTURE on "WILDFIRE" - we have been granted permission to pursue a THEATRICAL RELEASE for the film in April. Below is a full-page ad for BOX OFFICE Magazine (March-April) that will also have bonus circulation at the CINEMACON 2025 Show in Las Vegas (March 31 - April 3).  

Hannover House will be present at Cinemacon - with meetings set for the major exhibitors, as well as sneak-peek teasers on the epic and transformative major production of TEMPUS PORTA.  Just the big-stuff folks!

In other theatrical news, UNHOLY SONG launches this weekend in advance of a key market expansion on March 14.  Hannover House is positioning the film to create momentum and to maximize our streaming revenues (starting in May). International sales of UNHOLY SONG will be posted to the company's Q1 and Q2 reports, but are already sufficient to self-finance the company's decision to "greenlight" the production of UNHOLY SONG 2 to film this summer in Northern California. This is our development of a franchise IP, like "TERRIFIER" for HHSE to control. Just imagine the cash flows when this indie-horror property hits streaming!

Ain't no TALK, folks. This a DELIVERING real results and real REVENUES!

Social Media Ads Launch THIS WEEKEND with Theatre Chains, FaceBook and Instagram for UNHOLY SONG

Greetings HHSE Friends & Followers - with just a week to go for the initial theatrical launch of UNHOLY SONG, we are kicking off a Social Media campaign -including theatre-specific BANNER ADS and POSTS such as those pictured below.  

Our UNHOLY SONG 60-second trailer has been viewed over 12-million times across a variety of platforms, publications and sites... and these new BANNER ADS should make about 3-million impressions in the next 8-days... 

All of these actions to create market visibility and awareness will pay off for HHSE as we move into the lucrative V.O.D. market... as well as commence with International Deliveries and the production of UNHOLY SONG 2.  Much more to come!

Hannover House - Status Update for Shareholders

Greetings HHSE Friends & Followers - So many exciting things in motion at this time!  As requested by some HHSE Longs - here's a quick recap of key items and projects:

1).  TRUMP BOOK - Author Barr McClellan asked to add new material in order to cover the historic Inaugural week, plus "Promises Made, Promises Kept" (delivery on campaign pledges), as well as a recap summary chapter called "American Manifesto." These changes and additions will enhance the newsworthiness and shelf-life of the book - elevating it to a more lasting historical record. There will be about a 3-week delay in both the e-book and hardcover editions.... but in the scope of long-term values, we felt that this was a modest delay for a longer-term gain. Meanwhile PRESALES are ASTOUNDING!

   

2).  UNHOLY SONG - This is turning into a MAJOR SURPRISE HIT for HHSE. This low-budget horror thriller is the first title under our newly resurrected "releasing brand" of HEMDALE (the multi-Oscar winning indie studio where Hannover House CEO Eric Parkinson was previously CEO). The teaser trailer has already generated over 7-million total views (mostly via "X" posts and boosted ads) - which is a terrific sign of consumer interest. The film opens in theatres Feb. 28. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER for a Hannover House release, Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes have ALREADY launched the title page... a full four weeks prior to the film's release! Watch for some jaw-dropping PUBLICITY over the next few weeks... we won't tell you what to watch for in advance.. we'll just SHOW YOU with the photos and video links!

 

   

3).  HHSE UPLIST - At long last, we are filing the application to uplist to the OTC: QB.  Our plan to do this in January was not met, but our commitment remains. There have been some issues to resolve including the refiling of some prior years 1120 corporate tax returns. But we are close to completion, and look forward to the days in which high-volume traders will step-up to support the HHSE stock growth.

4).  WILDFIRE - As stated last week, the final theatrical mixing and mastering was completed in Los Angeles... and the film is presently in "delivery mode" to turn this asset into positive cash flow. Some HHSE Longs asked for an explanation of how a Special Purpose Entity such as SNOWY MORNING, INC. is related to a parent organization such as HHSE - and how the transference and capitalization of the balance sheet asset works? We realize that none of our HHSE shareholders (and none of the chat-room posters) have ever actually produced a movie, so this logistics question is understandably an unknown to non-industry professionals. But every major studio and distributor involved in feature productions uses "SPE" Special Purpose Entities for the physical production of features. This is an important step for both signatory status to guilds, as well as for arm's-length protection of the affiliate studio from any liens or liabilities that sometimes occur with feature productions. Once a film is completed and cleared, the asset is moved to the studio owner / distributor. 

5).  OTHER BIG STUFF - We are preparing for the production shoot of INDIAN TERRITORY - as well as in Pre-Production (in Malta) with TEMPUS PORTA, and a privately funded Native American comedy, HARD TIMES IN T-TOWN. The company is also "almost" finished with the production of NATIVE FABLES - and will have this fully ready in May for the CANNES FILM FESTIVAL (including one of the segments in the short-film showcase competition!). 

Last but not least... the MYFLIX Streaming Service is positioned to LAUNCH... we have been awaiting FINANCIAL RESOURCES to assure a success. With deliveries now commencing for WILDFIRE - as well as TRUMP book presales strong and ticket demand for UNHOLY SONG strong - we feel the company will be well-positioned to self-finance the MYFLIX launch in the coming months!

 

 

More Positive Achievements for HHSE Production Activities

Greetings HHSE Friends - This was another productive week for Hannover House in terms of completing important assets for the company's library, balance sheet and revenue-generating tools.

The long-awaited "WILDFIRE" Movie was finally completed in Los Angeles with the theatrical 7.1-surround Stereo mix of the feature, and some mastering issues to conform to German (and other) broadcast standards.  A "work-in-progress" screening for the film was held in Nov. 2023 at the Lone Star Film Festival. However, the issues of music edit, sound mix, color corrections and some VFX / CGI visuals were not completed at that time. These are now all done... and this frees up HHSE to begin deliveries (CASH FLOW!!!), as well as to reinstate the prior promotions set-up for the USA Theatrical release of the film.

Overall, WILDFIRE will add about $700,000 in hard-cash investments to the Hannover House balance sheet. It is expected to add about $2-mm in revenues as well... which would elevate it to the top title currently in the HHSE Film & Television Library assets list. 

WE DID IT TEAM! "Got 'er done" - and now this asset will generate income for HHSE for 50+ years! 

More information on sales and release activities to follow.... 

Private Funding, Co-Production Ventures and Government Incentives enable HHSE to open Malta office for TEMPUS PORTA major action-adventure feature!

Greetings HHSE Friends & Followers - A lot of shareholders have asked HHSE "what are you doing for an encore" - following the presale HIT success of the company's upcoming release of the TRUMP CAMPAIGN Book:  AMERICAN MANIFESTO?

Well, we are doing a LOT of things as an encore and follow-up:  delivery of WILDFIRE to presale buyers, theatrical activities for UNHOLY SONG and WILDFIRE, completion of the INDIAN TERRITORY feature western asset, OTC Markets up-list and a LOT more. 

But most immediately are the current actions to move forward with the $22-mm in funding commitments for the epic-adventure feature, TEMPUS PORTA - starring FOUR "AAA" List actors (!!). This film will be shot in Malta late Spring / Summer 2025 - and is planned for a North American Release onto IMAX theatres and mainstream cinemas on APRIL 17, 2026.  Some green-screen stage shots for this movie have already commenced - in order to give the CGI effects team sufficient time to build the complex visuals for the Time-Tunnel sequences.  The movie is best described as "Indiana Jones meets Stargate" with some "National Treasure" mystery-and-treasure-hunt intrigue to spice it up even more for audiences. 

As part of the eligibility requirements and general production logistical needs, establishing the company's right to conduct business in Malta is a prerequisite for receiving incentive funding. Accordingly, we are pleased to announce that Hannover House / HHSE / "Tempus Porta" movie now have an office set-up and operating in Malta!  It is a modest space, but satisfies the Malta operating entity conditions. The office is a simple one-room space within the Regus Business Center in St. Julians... but grants the production access to the common areas, conference rooms, reception, kitchen, etc... It's a great address and "corporate footprint" to establish a presence and provide working space for our pre-production staff as we begin working on the complex pre-production planning issues involving such a major feature production.

There is a significant "overhead fee" paid to HHSE from the film's production funding. But the bigger values are in HHSE capitalizing the full production costs ($22-mm) to the balance sheet, and controlling the worldwide distribution rights in Perpetuity (worth at least another $20-mm in gross revenues). We're not screwing around with low-value properties anymore... the way to take HHSE up to the Lionsgate level is to have some SERIOUS feature projects... such as TEMPUS PORTA.

More news to follow....

HUGE Step forward for HHSE Shareholders! E-TRADE has released trading "choke" on our stock!

Greetings HHSE Friends & Followers - approximately FOUR YEARS ago, without explanation or warning, E-TRADE FINANCIAL put a trading "choke" onto HHSE stock purchase. No restrictions on SALES... just obstacles to PURCHASING the stock (requiring that a purchaser actually CALL INTO E-Trade and place the "buy" order). Not surprisingly, this was a strategy that hurt our PPS - because it enabled bad-players (bashers and shorts) to "paint-down" the stock with tiny, uneconomical trades near closing time each day, to create a FALSE impression of a down trading day... which presumably has been a strategy to try to scare or discourage legitimate and intelligent people from buying into the HHSE stock.

When this first occurred with E-Trade, we had a securities attorney write them with a rather terse demand that HHSE be treated no less favorably than any other Pinksheet listed issuer. That demand fell on deaf ears.  Later, last summer of 2024, Hannover House CEO Eric Parkinson successfully got an E-Trade compliance officer on the phone and discussed the situation - at which time we were told that HHSE needed to be "trading over a penny" and "fully audited" before this purchasing restriction would be removed.

Last month, Hannover House hired a second securities attorney to write to E-Trade and point out that the stock is about to trade SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER than $.01... AND... that the OTC Up-list is happening with an audited (PCAOB) statement. Additionally, this second letter also pointed out that MANY OTC Pinksheet issuers were NOT receiving this same level of "buying choke" and that E-Trade's actions specifically against Hannover House appears to meet the conditions of an actionable restraint-of-trade violation. 

We don't know (or care) why E-Trade has LIFTED their "choke" on HHSE as of today... we are just HAPPY that nearly forty-percent of retail buyers can now easily access and buy Hannover House stock on-line, in real time, and without having to call in an order. This is GREAT NEWS and another sign of our positive trajectory as a company.

MUCH MORE GOOD STUFF NOW IN MOTION!

Great Launch of UNHOLY SONG "Sneak Peek" Trailer on "X" generates 1-million+ views in first 10-hours!

Happy New Year HHSE Friends & Followers - While many are reveling in the presale success for the upcoming Hannover House book on the TRUMP campaign - it's good to see that other campaigns and products are also catching fire with consumers.

A 15-second "Sneak Peek" of UNHOLY SONG was posted onto X (Twitter) at 11:35-pm (Central Time) on New Year's Eve... and by 9:35-am on New Year's Day, it had already racked up an astonishing 1,012,046 views (primarily through boosted links as below).  

That's a GREAT and FAST sign of consumer interest... and another indication that 2025 is going to be an AMAZING year for HHSE and our Shareholders!

Stay Tuned for Updates on these and other activities!  

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Start the New Year - if you dare - with this Sneak Peek Horror Scare!  UNHOLY SONG opens in theatres Feb. 28, 2025 from Hannover House (OTC: HHSE).