Guess Who?
There is no denying that in our film trade, size definitely matters. So when a big fish makes a request to a smaller fish, the latter usually has no choice but to comply.
We saw yet another example of this recently when the critically acclaimed director of an upcoming film got a call from the producer of another film that was scheduled to release on the same day. While the call was very cordial and warm as filmy conversations usually are there was also a not-so-subtle message which is again standard practice for most filmy conversations! The producer told the director about the distribution muscle behind his (the producer's) film and whether the director's film would be able to stand up to it.
The director got the message loud and clear and decided to shift his release. The problem is, with the release calendar as crowded as it is, he now finds himself up against an even bigger producer than the one who called him! Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
1