Ulmer Scale: About the Ulmer Scale

WHAT IS THE ULMER SCALE?

The Ulmer Scale is the film industry's premier series of powerbases for tracking, measuring and ranking the star power of 1,800 actors and directors worldwide. Polling more than 100 leading deal-makers from Hollywood and more than a dozen key international territories, the Scale uses a 100-point ranking system to measure bankability, the key component of star power. Bankability is the degree to which an actor or director's name alone can raise 100% financing up-front for a film. Often it is the most critical factor in determining whether an actor or director is hired for a project. The Ulmer Scale tracks it exclusively for all three film budget levels: art house, mid-range and studio-level features.

The Ulmer Scale also tracks other critical factors affecting the rise or fall of a star's career. These include his or her willingness to travel and promote, career management, professionalism, acting talent and acting range.

Media outlets have frequently reported The Ulmer Scale's star rankings. They include Premiere magazine, The Los Angeles Times and Variety, as well as the television programs "Entertainment Tonight," CNN's "Bizz Buzz," "The Fox Entertainment Report" and reports on the CBS, BBC and HBO networks.

WHO USES THE ULMER SCALE?

Hollywood's top powerbrokers and professionals have for years relied upon The Ulmer Scale to assess and reduce the inherent risks of funding, casting and producing motion pictures. Financiers, producers, casting directors, sales agents, talent agents, buyers and distributors, both in the United States and abroad, have taken advantage of the Scale's unique ranking system to help cut time and costs in doing business. Thanks to the perennial public fascination with Hollywood and the business of celebrities, The Ulmer Scale has been regularly followed by nonindustry readers as well through its appearance in numerous consumer press outlets.

WHY IS THE ULMER SCALE UNIQUE?

Why are The Ulmer Scale's proprietarial powerbases so valued by Hollywood professionals?

The Ulmer Scale is the only system to measure an actor's or director's bankability by the budget level of a film.
The Ulmer Scale is the only database to survey exclusively the world's leading decision-makers. It is produced by deal-makers for Hollywood's top power brokers.
The Ulmer Scale is the only system to measure individually the key components of an actor's star power -- his or her willingness to travel and promote a film, professionalism, career management, risk factors and acting talent and range. The Ulmer Scale is devoted exclusively to researching, analyzing and reporting the value of actors and directors worldwide.
The Ulmer Scale powerbases have been developed by James Ulmer and reflect his 12 years of experience in reporting and researching the international film and television marketplace.
The results are published in a handy, pocket-sized books -- perfect for use at deal meetings, sale negotiations and casting sessions. Internet access is coming soon!

The Ulmer Scale powerbases take the guesswork out of financing, casting and packaging your film. The Ulmer Scale saves you time and money by gathering all the information you need to do your job--putting projects together and finding the right talent for them.