Want to win an Oscar for Best Picture? According to a recent article in the LA Times, it will only cost you about $4 million if you spend it wisely.
Still, one can't ignore the effect of the finely tuned Oscar strategy of Lionsgate and its parent, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. The company opened its wallet at key times in January and February to allocate an extra $2 million, bringing its total outlay to $4 million. Targeted were Los Angeles actors, the niche it needed to emerge from a field of five films, none of which was an obvious front-runner.
The article provides a keen insight into the political strategy invovled in swaying Oscar voters.
Of course the good news is according to early estimates, Crash's win will be worth over $10 million in additional revenue over the course of the film's distribution.