April, August, and October are typically slow seasons in the US, with a large number of low-budget independent films flooding the market.
With the US currently producing close to 1000 films a year, more than half of them manage to get a theatrical release.
The rest are shoddy films with budgets under 1 million US dollars, released directly to the disc market without going through cinemas.
The advent of DVD ushered the film industry into a new phase, with many independent production companies relying on the disc market to survive.
Also opening on the same day was the thriller crime film "High Crimes," distributed by 20th Century Fox, starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman, a medium-budget production with a 42 million US dollar cost.
Compared to "my big fat greek wedding," which opened in only 108 theaters, "High Crimes" opened in 2700 theaters!
For its opening weekend, "my big fat greek wedding" only grossed 600,000 US dollars, while "High Crimes" took in 14 million US dollars!
Through market research, IFC Films was very optimistic about the word-of-mouth for "my big fat greek wedding" and immediately began to increase its advertising spending.
The following week, the number of theaters increased to 247, with a weekly box office of 2.14 million US dollars;
At the same time, Universal Pictures' sci-fi action film "The Scorpion King" also opened.
By the end of the month, the number of theaters showing "my big fat greek wedding" reached 440, and its North American box office also reached 12 million US dollars.
For a low-budget romantic comedy with a production cost of 5 million US dollars, this momentum prompted IFC Films to further increase its promotional investment.
However, starting in May, as the competitive summer blockbuster season began, IFC Films, a distributor lacking resources, still focused on leveraging the film's word-of-mouth to compete in smaller theaters.
"Petty, no wonder they can only distribute low-budget, non-mainstream films," Charles Capet fumed, almost slamming down the phone after another call with distributor IFC Films at Capet Pictures.
"It's not bad, 'my big fat greek wedding' is now showing in almost 500 theaters, bringing in about 4 million US dollars at the box office each week!" Evelyn said with a smile.
"Charles, you've succeeded!"
Charles, of course, knew he had succeeded, as the North American box office had already exceeded 15 million US dollars, and the per-theater average had not decreased.
It's no secret that "my big fat greek wedding" has strong staying power; it's just that IFC Films' distribution and marketing capabilities are too poor. Any independent label under a major studio would be embarrassed to call itself a distribution company if it didn't get its films into over 1000 theaters now.
In the Central California region, Napa Valley, at the Coppola Winery estate.
Sofia Coppola was looking at newspapers in her family estate: The New York Times, The Washington Post, and entertainment magazines like Empire and The Hollywood Reporter.
"'my big fat greek wedding' really seems to be a dark horse. Charles said he would solve the funding problem before, and it seems he really did!" Sofia muttered to herself.
"Sofia, what's wrong?" Francis Coppola, his hair somewhat graying, entered the room and asked his dazed daughter.
"Oh, right, haven't you already written a script to film? I've read it, and it's not bad. The budget isn't too high. Do you need Dad's help?"
Sofia turned her head, looked at her father, then shook her head and smiled, "No need, I think the problem has been solved!"
Saying that, she shook the newspaper in her hand and said with a slight smile, "Charles Capet, the young producer of the dark horse 'my big fat greek wedding,' is very optimistic about my film. He told me to wait until his film was released, and I didn't expect him to really succeed!"
"Oh?" Francis Coppola was stunned for a moment, then took the newspaper and began to read it.
"Isn't this a film developed by Tom Hanks? Did Capet Pictures also participate? From the looks of it, it should have a long run with strong staying power; it's the distribution company's lack of capability!"
Francis Coppola retired from Hollywood a few years ago, but he still has a keen eye.
Indeed, to many outsiders now, the main credit for "my big fat greek wedding" belongs to the Hanks couple, as they were both investors and producers, and he also found the distributor.
As for Charles Capet and Capet Pictures, they were merely green leaves beside a red flower.
Sofia Coppola smiled, "Charles is a good young man. He bought that script last year, borrowing money from his mother when he was only 19 years old."
"Later, the Hanks couple also took an interest in that script, but Charles insisted on a collaboration, with Capet Pictures as a participant in the film, and they signed a revenue-sharing agreement that everyone at the time considered a joke."
"I never expected this kid to actually succeed; the box office for this film is promising!"
"Alright, Father, I think I should call Evelyn and congratulate Charles!" Sofia said, standing up.
Los Angeles, West Hollywood, in the Capet Pictures office.
Len Wiseman was discussing the preparation progress for "underworld" with Charles.
"Gothic-style architecture, I think we should go to Eastern European countries. Staff members have already gone to Hungary and other countries for discussions. Kate Beckinsale is undergoing a series of action training," Len Wiseman had been busy preparing the crew recently.
"The venue, actors, and other preparations are expected to be completed by June, and I believe filming should start in early July!"
"Filming in July," Charles put down the proposal and thought, "Filming will take more than two months, close to three months. No problem."
"Oh, by the way, I heard that the film 'my big fat greek wedding' that you participated in producing recently is getting a very good response. Congratulations!"
Charles smiled, "Don't worry, after 'underworld' is released next year, you'll also receive a lot of congratulations."
In May, "Spider-Man" and "star wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" were released one after another, and many other blockbusters were still to come in June and July.
Charles didn't know how much box office "my big fat greek wedding" could grab during the summer blockbuster season. Although he knew the film would have a long run, if it was too long, Charles wouldn't be too happy!
"Charles, Sofia called. She wants to meet and talk. Her script is finished!" Evelyn called to inform him.
"Excellent!"
Charles looked at the empty office again, finding it increasingly displeasing. Capet Pictures needed to hire staff to get things on track!
Sofia Coppola was here to ask for money. Capet Pictures did have some money now; Mubao Pictures had paid 2 million US dollars for the early preparations of "underworld."
Shouldn't Village Roadshow Pictures and Constantin Film be paying some funds now? Filming is less than two months away anyway.