Hollywood Studio Magazine (1977)

Murray Weissman Forms New ‘Word of Mouth’ Film Society ““Murray Weissman, motion picture marketing executive now working with director Steven Spielberg and producers Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips on Columbia Pictures’ highly anticipated upcoming “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” is the mastermind behind the new ‘“Word-of-Mouth Film Society.” The new Film Society screens new, major, theatrical motion pictures every other Saturday afternoon and evening at the Writers Guild Theater (formerly the old Academy Award Theater) for avid movie-goers employed within the Hollywood entertainment industry. At this point there are 900 ‘“‘avids,’’ as Weissman fondly calls the membership and room in the Society for a few hundred more. Therefore, any qualified, passionate, moviegoer who works in any career capacity of the industry may apply for membership consideration by sending in the questionnaire on page two of this month’s Studio Magazine. It is not too late to join. There still remain many films to be presented bi-weekly, now through January, 1978, when the Society’s first season concludes. Active members are secured renewal options for future seasons. Among the present Film Society members are such diversified industry career people as executives, office workers, cameramen, art directors, costumers, film editors, publicists, musicians, composers, story analysts, messengers, tour guides, agents, producers, personalities, extras, film technicians, film students, film teachers, etc. Says Weissman, “‘We’re convinced we have absolutely the best word-of-mouth organization in the city. Each member has been carefully screened as we continuously search for passionate movie lovers. The kind of people who line up in the rain to see a worthwhile film. We ask our members to come at 2:00, 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. to see films, sometimes on sunny Saturdays. If they are that avid about the movie going experience and talk about film to many people this is the Film Society for them. Also, we especially search for ‘Opinion Leaders,’ the kind of movie goers whose comments about film have high validity among friends, relatives and associates.” The Word-of-Mouth Film Society premiered February 12 and since that time has screened ‘‘Fun with Dick and Jane,” “The Late Show,” Black and White in Color’ (Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film), ““The Eagle Has Landed,” and “Brothers.” Weissman’s background has given him the perfect expertise to create and supervise the new Film Society. For 10 years he was Publicity Director of Universal Studios, supervising motion picture publicity. He also created and now serves as its co-chairman, the Film Group of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which similarly screens films also at the Writers Guild Theater, on alternate Sundays through the year. ‘“‘What I’ve set out to do with this new Film Society,” says Weissman, “‘is organize the many diversified career people in Hollywood who do not now see films through any other Guild or Academy. For instance the Writers, Directors, and Movie and TV Academies all see films on a regular basis. But the rest of the good people who work in the industry, and love film and are in a perfect position to support new movies with enthusiastic word of mouth did not have such an opportunity until this new Word-of-Mouth group started. I’m delighted I’ve done it. I feel I’ve brought dignity and importance to others in our industry and in a way that builds support for new films. It’s a project that deserves the full support of every major studio, producer and distributor.” A HOLLYWOOD STUDIO Magazine 37