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View Full Version : BRANDING???


visionaryi
11-13-2004, 05:47 PM
I was at the recent Screenwriters Expo 3 & asked a few different producers & managers this question:

Is it better for a new writer to write a low budget idea(like a comedy) or go for broke a write a big budget spectacle?

The answer I got(which is the one I expected) was that it doesn't matter WHICH you write as long as it's a great script. Again, knowing this, I was pretty much satisfied until a manager I pitched to told me I had a great idea, but because it is a big budget family/fantasy adventure in the vein of HARRY POTTER and/or THE INCREDIBLES, most if not ALL the studios WILL NOT spend over 70 Mill on ANYTHING that is not already a known property such as a novel, comic book,etc. She referred to this as "BRANDING"(as in Branding my script)...I was already in the process of turning my script into a comic book & this just re-affirms that my hunch to do so right...

My question for the Board is:
Has anyone else heard this term or has anyone in this experience found that to be the case???

jimjimgrande
11-13-2004, 07:29 PM
with children's material, animation, and superheros studios generally do like to develop material that has a pre-existing fan base, i.e. the lead characters or the name of the property has been branded in another media and thus there is built-in awareness and a built-in audience.

in terms of action,thrillers,historical epics branding is not considered necessary