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Despite numerous studies that try to explain the success of motion pictures, the question what really makes a movie successfully remains. Thus far, an unambiguous answer does not exist. The author, Sebastian Grosse, set himself the ambitious goal to answer the following question: What are the most influential key determinants for the success of a motion picture and how does word of mouth incorporate into them? Based on findings of current studies success factors are evaluated according to the strength of their impact on a movie´s success. After- wards, path analysis is run in order to test interrelationships between the most significant determinants. This reference book is for aspiring film- makers, film journalists, critics and marketing researchers. It is suitable as a starting and base point and serves furthermore as decision aid for senior management tasks in film production and marketing. This book provides: a detailed overview of all relevant success factors that have been studied to date; a concise, but easy to understand insight into latest studies on motion picture success and worldwide unique and exclusive findings about the mode of action of word of mouth with movies.

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