NU Online News Service, Feb. 18, 8:57 a.m. EST
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, insurer of about 80 percent of all films in the United States, said "Salt," was the riskiest film of 2010.
Angelina Jolie, who plays Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy, performed many of her own stunts during the film. That may be commendable, but when Ms. Jolie decided she'd like to ride a motorcycle, jump off a bridge, avoid being blown up, and throw punches, the risk skyrocketed.
"It isn't necessarily unusual, but it can cost a lot if she were to get hurt," said Wendy Diaz, director of entertainment underwriting at Fireman's Fund.
For a big budget film it can cost $250,000 per day if a star is hurt and unable to work, said Fireman's Fund, which has been insuring films for 85 years. Safety measures are taken to try to prevent disaster. Often Fireman's Fund will be on set to observe and analyze scenes, Ms. Diaz said.
The insurer provides coverage for losses from the cast; damages to props, sets and wardrobe; extra expenses; equipment; costs to reshoot scenes; and liability for damages at filming locations.
Apparently riskiness doesn't always equate to box office success. "Salt" had a budget of $110 million and earned $118.3 million domestically.
Former recipients of the riskiest film of the year distinction did achieve critical acclaim. Because of the action sequences and harm inflicted on its star, Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler" was risky, but Mr. Rourke and Marissa Tomei earned Oscar nominations. Action scenes and international locations put "Crazy Heart" and "Inglorious Basterds" on the 2009 riskiest list. Each was nominated for awards.
It isn't always people, daring action plots or exotic locations that can make a movie risky. Ms. Diaz said movies featuring animals tend to carry a lot of risk because each animal has different needs and many animals are normally on set as understudies. In 2010, Fireman's Fund insured "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore."
Animated movies, or those with a great need to use computers for special effects, carry less risk. The insurer said it encourages moving a copy of all data to an off-site location in case of fire or water damage to prevent losses and limit lapses in production. Animated film "Yogi Bear" was insured by Fireman's Fund last year.
Fireman's Fund, in 2010, insured seven of the top 10 grossing films of the year, including "Alice in Wonderland," "Inception," and "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows: Part 1."
Best picture nominees "The Fighter," "The Social Network," and "Inception" were insured by Fireman's Fund.
For more information on what goes in to insuring major motion pictures, see the article, "Lights, Camera, Insurance" in the February edition of American Agent & Broker.
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