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LDS Box Office Report and LDS Film News Mailing List

Looking for box office totals? Click here for tables with box office totals for films with Latter-day Saint characters, LDS Cinema, films by Latter-day Saint directors, stars, etc.

Also: Top 5 Movies for Each Year 1939-1988: LDS Contributions

You can subscribe to our free email list and receive our "LDS Film News Mailing List" or our weekly "LDS Box Office Report." What are the reports like? They're archived below. Take a look. One of the prominent features is the latest weekend's box office report -- showing how "LDS movies" have done in the nationwide standings. These are the movies made by above-the-line Latter-day Saint filmmakers and leading actors, as well as movies featuring major Latter-day Saint characters.

We'll continue to post the reports on this website - eventually. (Currently we're months behind in posting these news reports online.) You don't need to subscribe in order to get them. But if you subscribe, you get the reports first, and you don't have to check back here to see when the next one is ready. You'll also receive breaking news from the LDS film world (including film news, commentary, casting calls, upcoming film info, historical LDS film research, open positions, reviews, and notices when we make major changes or add new pages to this website). This is a relatively high-volume list: Some days there may be only one message, but on other days there can be ten to twenty messages.

To subscribe to the main LDSFilm.com mailing list, click here to send an email to us.

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Weekly LDS Films Box Office Report - Once a Week Only
Some subscribers may wish to receive only a weekly report, featuring the latest box office figures. (If you have signed up for the main list by clicking above, there is no need to sign up for the once-a-week-only report, because you will already be receiving it.) If you wish to receive only this weekly box office report, sign up below:

The "LDS Film News and Box Office Report" is totally independent, and totally confidential. Signing up is an automated process. Subscribers will NOT receive personalized email and the subscriber list is NOT shared with anybody. We do not include any advertising in the mailings. We don't have any products to sell, and we don't accept money from advertisers, movie distributors, or anybody else. Feel free to use a pseudonym or "online name" instead of your actual name.

Previous Box Office Reports:
1995 * 1996 * 1997 * 1998 * 1999 * 2000 * 2001 * 2002 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005

2002
Jan 4 * Jan 11 * Jan 18 * Jan 25 * Feb 1 * Feb 8 * Feb 15 * Feb 22
Mar 1 * Mar 8 * Mar 15 * Mar 22 * Mar 29 * Apr 5 * Apr 12 * Apr 19 * Apr 26
May 3 * May 10 * May 17 * May 24 * May 31 * June 7 * June 14 * June 21 * June 28
July 5 * July 12 * July 19 * July 26 * Aug 2 * Aug 9 * Aug 16 * Aug 23 * Aug 30
Sep 6 * Sep 13 * Sep 20 * Sep 27 * Oct 4 * Oct 11 * Oct 18 * Oct 25
Nov 1 * Nov 8 * Nov 15 * Nov 22 * Nov 29 * Dec 6 * Dec 13 * Dec 20 * Dec 27

Sample LDS Box Office Report

Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of November 29, 2002 [If table lines up improperly, use mono-spaced font, i.e. Courier]

Natl  Film Title                Weekend Gross
Rank  LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Star   Total Gross Theaters Days
---  ----------------------------- -----------  -----  ----
 3   The Santa Clause 2             12,133,257  2,526    31
     Ken Daurio (screenwriter)      113,587,046
     Cinco Paul (screenwriter)

29   Punch-Drunk Love                  171,813    131    52
     LDS actors/characters:         17,592,824
         David Stevens,
         Nathan Stevens,
         Michael D. Stevens,
         Jim Smooth Stevens
           (James Smooth)

53   Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man   29,634      5   941
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   14,390,061

61   Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure   15,879      8   661
     Scott Swofford (producer)      13,679,319
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)
     Sam Cardon (composer)
     Stephen L. Johnson (film editor)

64   Jack Weyland's Charly              10,789     11    66
     Adam Anderegg (director)          534,972
     Jack Weyland (book author)
     Janine Gilbert (screenwriter)
     Lance Williams (producer)
     Micah Merrill (producer, film editor)
     Tip Boxell (co-producer)
     Bengt Jan Jonsson (cinematographer)
     Aaron Merrill (composer)
     Actors: Heather Beers, Jeremy Elliott,
        Adam Johnson, Jackie Winterrose Fullmer,
        Diana Dunkley, Gary Neilson, Lisa McCammon,
        Randy King, Bernie Diamond, etc.

68   Galapagos                           8,181      5  1130
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   13,848,806

73   China: The Panda Adventure          5,131      5   493
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)    2,961,345

104  The Other Side of Heaven               77      1   353
     Mitch Davis (writer/director)   4,720,371
     John H. Groberg (author/character)
     Gerald Molen, John Garbett (producers)
     Steven Ramirez (film editor)

SC2 CLIMBS UP THE RANKINGS - Moving in a direction contrary to gravity and a bunch of unwritten Hollywood laws, "The Santa Clause 2", from Latter-day Saint screenwriters Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, moved up the rankings this weekend to the number three spot -- up from last week's number four spot. Even more amazingly, the film actually made more money this weekend than the previous weekend, experiencing an 18.83% increase in theater gross, despite playing in 725 fewer theaters. Part of this can be attributed to the Thanksgiving Weekend, which for many people serves as a boundary for getting in the Christmas spirit, and admittedly, it does seem a little weird to go see a film about Santa Claus before putting away the turkey. On the other hand, the film does tell a charming story - pretty much everyone we've talked to says it's better than the original "The Santa Clause". Thomas C. Baggaley of LDSFilm.com and his family agree with that assessment. Word of mouth about the film has certainly brought in more people to theaters. If a film has legs, a great deal of credit can be given to the writers.

MORE PAUL AND DAURIO - So what are Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio ("The Santa Claus 2") working on now? They are currently working on another family movie for Disney that will hopefully be released in 2004. It is a musical featuring singing dogs. They are also editing a short film based on a script titled "Special" that they wrote together in 1999.

CHARACTER ACTOR PARLEY BAER PASSES AWAY - Salt Lake native Parley Baer died in California on November 22nd. He was probably best-known as Mayor Stoner of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show." He also provided the voice of Ernie Keebler in the Keebler cookies commercials. Baer's more than 75 film roles include major roles in "Almost an Angel" (1990), "Amazing Dobermans" (1976), "The Ugly Dachshund" (1966) and "Two on a Guillotine" (1965).

ALAN WILLIAMS ON TNT - A new musical score by leading Latter-day Saint film composer Alan Williams will debut next week on national TV. The TNT movie "Miss Lettie and Me" stars Tyler Moore and Burt Reynolds. Williams' more than 3 dozen scores include the critically acclaimed IMAX films "Kilimanjaro: Mountain of Many Faces" (2002), "Island of the Sharks" (1999), "Mark Twain's America" (1998), and "Amazon" (1997), as well as TV movies, feature films, and videos available at Latter-day Saint bookstores. "Miss Lettie and Me", a Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation, debuts Sunday, December 8th at 8pm (ET). It will also appear on TNT at the following times:
Sunday, December 8th at 10pm
Monday, December 9th at 12am
Wednesday, December 11th at 9pm
Saturday, December 14th at 10pm
Sunday, December 15th at 4pm
Monday, December 16th at 12am
Saturday, December 21st at 12:30pm

LDS FILM FESTIVAL UPDATE - From LDSBox.com: The winners of the Feature Screenplay Competition will be announced next week. One more judge has to finish reading the scripts before we can announce the winners. Please be patient as we try to carefully examine 25 scripts and over 2000 script pages. We would like to thank all the filmmakers and volunteers for their great work! We are looking forward to an exciting next year! Hope to see you and your films there!

"BEST OF 2002 PROGRAM TO TOUR NOW NATIONWIDE AND ABROAD - Similar to last year's "Best of 2001" program, the best films of this year's LDS FILM FESTIVAL competition will go on a national and international tour. The "Best of 2002 tour program is offered to wards, stakes, institutes, private parties, high schools, university campuses, media arts centers, museums, libraries and independent theaters across the country and abroad. Organizers are free to charge admissions. The program is available for a rental fee of $ 46.00 (includes shipping). Additional screenings are $ 19.00 each. The program is only available in English and on VHS. Screenings can now be scheduled. The "Best of 2002" program is a collection of 12 short films and is 135 minutes long. The program includes comedy, drama, documentary, and experimental films. It is enjoyable for all ages and can be appreciated by members and nonmembers alike. If you are interested in organizing a screening of the "Best of 2002" program, contact the LDS Film Festival at: http://www.ldsbox.com/cgi-bin/feedback.php

ADDITIONAL SCREENING OF 24-HOUR FILMMAKING MARATHON FILMS - Come and see over 30 short films that were made within only 24 hours or less. LDSBox.com will have an additional screening this coming Friday, December 6, at 9.30 p.m. at MUSE MUSIC in Provo. The theme of the marathon was "redemption." Filmmakers also had to implement an object (a bar of soap) and a dialogue line ("You can't just change..."). A sold out screening of the 24-hour filmmaking marathon films at the LDS Film Festival showed many different approaches to the same theme. Many films were well crafted and impressed the audience. We congratulate all the participating groups for their excellent work and endurance.

See them all:
Friday, December 6, at 9.30 p.m. at MuseMusic
145 North University Avenue, Provo
$ 3 at the door

LDS FILM FESTIVAL IS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS - In its second year, attendance doubled from 750 to 1500. Over 30 events were held between November 13-16. Over 80 films were screened. Next year the LDS Film Festival will continue to grow and draw more attention and people. The festival has now a solid foundation and feels ready to invite sponsors to support the growth of the festival. There are several sponsorship programs for businesses and individuals interested in supporting young LDS filmmakers and the LDS Film Festival. The programs offer many benefits for sponsors in exchange for their support. Please contact the festival at: http://www.ldsbox.com/cgi-bin/feedback.php if you are interested in becoming an official sponsor.

"FACES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE" CONSIDERED FOR NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION - Tawnya Cazier's documentary, "Faces of Domestic Violence", which was made with a community outreach grant, has been sent to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. The department is considering it for national distribution. In addition, as part of the National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, a copy of the video was sent to every county community outreach coordinator in Utah. With the release of this video, Cazier's name and credits have been moved from the "Up and Coming" Latter-day Saint filmmakers page on this website and promoted to the main ("professional") directors and producers page.

THE CALL OF STORY TO BE AIRED - Tom Lefler's documentary, "The Call of Story" will be airing nationally. For broadcast dates and times according to area, or to learn more about the documentary and storytelling, go to an impressive site dedicated to the documentary at http://callofstory.org

MORE AP ARTICLE - The C. G. Wallace article on Mormon Cinema distributed by the Associated Press been published in even more newspapers last weekend, including The Fresno Bee (where the headline was "Mormon films are Brigham 'em in: The novelty is wearing off, which may point to a decrease in quality") and The Hartford Courant (Connecticut), which ran the story under the banner "Mormon Movies: An Eager Market Helps, But It May Be Too Eager." The Hartford Courant version adds something after the sentence: "Since then, Mormon-themed movies have been flooding Utah screens"... This version of the article appended the note: "(they are available nationwide for purchase or rental, at video stores or via the Web)" All of the versions contain the phrase "The movies - most of which have played only in Utah." Obviously that's not the case. Of the seven movies released, all have played in commercial theaters outside of Utah except for "Out of Step." The Hartford version of the article is also the only version we have seen with the following sentence: "Dutcher's "Brigham City," about a serial killer preying on a Mormon town, probably went as far as the church would tolerate, earning a PG-13 rating."

As for the upcoming Spielberg movie... One of the actors with a small role in the movie is none other than Bountiful, Utah native James Morrison. Morrison is best known for his starring role as Lt. Col. Tyrus Cassius 'TC' McQueen in the science fiction TV series "Space: Above and Beyond." (He's the white-haired military leader who happens to be a clone.)

KBYU STUDENT GRANT PROJECT - For BYU students: KBYU Student Grant Project is accepting proposals and applications. Forms can be picked up in the TMA Office and must be completed by Dec. 3. Turn in to the TMA office, Attention: Duane Roberts. Proposals must include a treatment on how the student project will produce a 5-10 minute morality tale based on faith promoting stories in the LDS Voices found in the Ensign, meant to air on BYU TV or KBYU-TV or radio. Questions should be addressed to Duane Roberts at KBYU (378-8446) or duaneer@byu.edu.