A one-year gap between films is pushing it as it is. Normally you want two years between sequels. An audience needs a little time to regroup.

Even if you get a nomination for best picture but have no chance in hell of winning you can reap incredible profits at the box office.

All of these deals can be different. There isn't one formula.

It's films like 'Sideways' and 'Super Size Me' that make folks realize that low-budget films are attractive because you can spend less to reach profitability.

All of the investors (families included) were able to get their capital back, plus the agreed 25 percent.

They probably wouldn't have done as well as they did. Controversy simply brought in so much extra business.

Right now studios are just happy to break even at the box office.

You have so much media and so many celebrities, some people will do anything to get attention.

Paris Hilton is probably the best example. She was one of many attractive starlets out there, then that tape hits and it's all the sensation. The reality show gets a boost and it propels her into one of the top five celebrity actresses in the world.