Jim Gianopulos (Former Studio Chairman/CEO) on Making Successful Movies, Greenlighting Projects, & More!

Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz

Send Kevin a Text Message

Kevin is joined by Jim Gianopulos, former studio head of 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures.

Jim Gianopulos, Studio Head
Jim Gianopulos is a highly influential executive in the entertainment industry, known for his visionary leadership. With a career spanning decades, he has made significant contributions to film and television, overseeing major blockbusters such as Titanic, Avatar, and more recently, Maverick: Top Gun. Under Jim’s leadership at Paramount Pictures, he took a studio that was at an operating loss of nearly $500 million a year and built it into a significantly profitable studio. Gianopulos is celebrated for his exceptional creative instincts, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to storytelling, making him one of the most influential figures in modern cinema.
Influential filmmakers and the privilege of running a studio (10:42)
Jim talks about his early influencers in the film industry such as Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes, his Greek heritage, and the privilege of running a studio.
Searchlight's Marketing Strategy (20:57)
Jim and Kevin talk about Searchlight's brilliant marketing strategy, and how they took creative risks on movies like Slumdog Millionaire.
Ice Age (27:02)
Jim shares a story about the almost missed opportunity with Ice Age, the decision to keep it, and the success of the franchise.
Avatar's Budget (30:12)
Jim talks about the challenges of greenlighting Avatar due to its expensive budget and new technology. He shares what it was like to work with James Cameron on the blockbuster film.
Castaway's Ending (34:50)
Jim discusses the audience screening of Castaway and how audience reaction led to a change in the film’s ending that was crucial to its success.
Testing Movies with Audience Feedback (39:28)
Jim and Kevin discuss the importance of testing movies with audience feedback and how it helps to serve the audience better.
The Release of Top Gun: Maverick (45:12)
Jim talks about the pressure and decision-making process behind the release of the movie Maverick during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Changing Entertainment Landscape and the Green-Lighting Process (48:23)
Jim discusses his thoughts on the future of movie theaters and why he believes they will always exist. The conversation turns to the flexibility of film distribution and how movies can be moved between theatrical releases and streaming platforms.
Tune in to hear Kevin and Jim discuss Jim’s career in the movie industry and his guiding principles for making successful movies. Throughout the conversation, Jim stresses the importance of making bold decisions and taking calculated risks. The pair discuss the importance of audience feedback and testing in making successful movies, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the movie industry in the current landscape.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Jim Gianopulos
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Jim Gianopulos:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gianopulos
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1963549/
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz360
Linked In @Kevin Goetz
Screen Eng