NY VFXWAALA ( a division of Ajay Devgn Films )’s Post

Within five minutes of meeting Derek Mari and Dan Sima standing in line for a screening at The Sundance Film Festival, I realized they were part of a larger industry trend I'm reporting on. They have a project in pre-production, and a brand's going to fund it. This is happening for a few reasons. 1. Independent film has a money problem. Bootstrapping productions is the norm, forcing entrepreneurial creators to put everything on the line for their projects. And because major studios are acquiring fewer indie films for distribution, filmmakers may never see a return ...Let alone recoup their investments. And 2. marketers are carving out their space in the entertainment ecosystem. They're presenting indie film with a much-needed new funding option. Look to Nike's Waffle Iron Studios. It co-produced the doc Sue Bird: In The Clutch, which Netflix swiftly acquired after the film's festival premiere. Other brands behind narrative projects include Procter & Gamble (see series The Turning Point), Johnson & Johnson and United States Postal Service. Emma Fidel, Robert Profusek, and Sarah Stellate talked with me about why Henkel brand Got2b funded Fidel's documentary, Queen of New York. And then there's Apple. Audiences might've noticed the brand packed product integrations and a few references to Steve Jobs into its new theatrical film, Argylle. A few companies that sit between marketing and entertainment are connecting brands with scripts and facilitating deals. IPG Mediabrands' TRAVERSE32, led by Brendan Gaul, is one. Another is Michael Sugar's Sugar23. I think it's only a matter of time before more marketers follow the trend. Read the full story on ADWEEK. #Film #IndependentFilm #Advertising #Marketing #Branding #AgencyLife #FilmIndustry #Argylle #Apple #Production #ProductionHouse #ProductionCompany #ProductionLife

Why does Popart Films stand above the rest? It’s simple - their unparalleled creativity, flawless execution, mesmerizing visuals, and strategic prowess are unmatched. 🚀 Each campaign is a masterpiece, carefully crafted to not just meet, but exceed client expectations. 📈 But it’s not just about making a splash; it’s about generating tangible, massive returns on investment for their clients. Popart Films excels at turning creative visions into lucrative realities, ensuring that every dollar spent is not just an expense, but a lucrative investment. In a world where the average is often accepted as the norm, Popart Films dares to dream bigger, push boundaries, and redefine what’s possible in advertising. They don’t just lead; they revolutionize. 💡🔝 For clients looking to make their mark and for audiences craving unforgettable experiences, the choice is clear: Popart Films is the gold standard. Here’s to creativity that not only captures the imagination but also captivates the market. 🥂 #PopartFilms #AdvertisingExcellence #CreativeMasters #ROIUnmatched #VisualInnovation #StrategyKings #viralmarketing #videomarketing #adagency #creativeagency

I'll continue to say it. Every company will become a media company. I don't care if you're selling tech, ketchup, dog leashes, or pictures of Abraham Lincoln (I'd buy one). You will need to think of how you're going to use video media to get your message out. And not just one commercial, TikTok ad, or Super Bowl spot. You need a constant drip strategy. Does that mean you need to spend BIG bucks like Best Buy? NO. The big guys are not at an extreme advantage. In fact, many are at a disadvantage because of their own bureaucracy, processes and slow turn around. That's not to mention viewers social platforms and YouTube often trust the local underdog over the institutional giants. Those problems can be overcome, but they're problems a lot of us don't have. TL;DR = Your company is also a media company. Embrace it. ---- Am I wrong?

This shot list officially changed the trajectory of my entire career. And this is also the first time it has seen the light of day outside of the original crew since about 2015. Daniel Harmon and I created this shot list after Harmon Brothers 🦄 hired me to Produce and 1st Assistant Direct this viral campaign. We always knew it would do well, but I had no idea that this production would go on to be written in college textbooks, grab over 100 Million Views and create Tens of Millions of Dollars of wealth for the awesome owners over at SQUATTY POTTY LLC. A lot of late nights went into the creation of this shot list as the puppeteering had to be executed perfectly along with the proper VFX plates to make the demonstrations crystal clear for the public. I look back at this bizarre and crazy time with fondness as it officially put the nail in the coffin of the traditional commercial as we know it. This production made Trackable Performance Media prolific in the video marketing world and I would be asked a hundred times over the same year if I could make peoples' companies "The Next Squatty Potty". Harmon Brothers 🦄 ended up buying my company, Jamestown Films and I became a partner and senior creative director there for 5 memorable years. I left 2 years ago to found another company, Buck Wild Media and still call the Harmon Brothers my dear friends. These guys really are legends. #SquattyPotty #FilmMaking #VideoProduction #Casting #BehindTheScenes #ActorLife #Filmmaker #CreativeProcess #MovieMagic #CastingGold #VideoMagic #FilmCrew #SetLife #CreativeCollaboration #Founder #CEO #Marketing #VideoMarketing #CreativeDirector #VideoAdvertising #BusinessGrowth #BuckWildMedia

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆: …𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱? There are only two board games that I wanted to keep since I was a child: Risiko and Monopoly.   However, Monopoly is definitely the one that entertained me the most because of its dynamics related not only to luck but also to a certain amount of strategic skills in planning one's 'positioning' and becoming the richest in the city of Monopoly.   More than 50 years later, Lavinia Capresi post made me rethink this game from a different perspective, one that, honestly, I never considered.   The game mechanism, for those who don't remember it, (...very few), is based on entrepreneurial initiative in the real estate market, with the goal of growing one's capital, possibly shaking the pockets of competitors, facing odds and contingencies. Sometimes even coming to troubles with the law and being forced to stay in jail (!). Never has such an old game turned out to still be so relevant! But beyond that, among the many merits of Monopoly game, it is the fact that you can find similarities, many I would say, with the dynamics which companies today have to move in their market environment.  Let me give you a few examples:   Probability & Unforeseen: doesn't this remind you the SWOT analysis with threats and opportunities in the market environment? Money management: it's the simplified version of cash flow management… and when you're negative it'over! Buying/Selling properties: it was nothing different from managing tangible assets, with investments and divestments Jail: the stop during the game doesn't seem analogous to a regulatory problem that forces you to stay out of a market until you have received the certification of your product? …and so on. Amazing isn't it?   I had never thought about it until I read this post and the news related to the preparation of the next movie by the producers of the movie Barbie.   Thanks to Hasbro and Lavinia Capresi for taking me back in time and to this fun reflection.   What feelings does Monopoly remind you of? How about using it in your companies today, perhaps for teambuilding activities or to create fun in a sales effectiveness training program? What do you think about Monopoly?

🎼🎼It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! Magazine 🎼🎼 The late great Notorious BIG and I don't have much in common but this lyric has been playing in my head all day as I try to make this news feel like my **real life** and not a fairy tale I dreamed up. Nope- not just this news but honestly the last several years. ✨ Being appointed the first-ever Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate? A dream. ✨ Building the team from scratch and hiring some of the most incredible execs (all women of color btw) to work with me on disrupting and gateopening for storytellers from underrepresented backgrounds? A dream. ✨ Getting to collaborate with the most incredible execs in creative, marketing, PR, distribution, DEI, and more to shape our film slate over the last 4 years? A dream. ✨ Being a part of the greenlight, development, and marketing behind movies like JOY RIDE, BLACKENING, THE HUNGER GAMES, and JOHN WICK? A dream. ✨ Presenting my baby, Story Spark (a tool for elevating inclusion creatively and authentically from the script stage), at CAA Amplify this summer? A dream. ✨ Signing a production deal with Lionsgate to launch my own production company, Kas Kas Productions, with the full support of the studio, my colleagues, my family, and friends (with my dad helping name my new pod with strong connections to my Jamaican heritage) AND knowing that I am leaving the Inclusive Content team in the best hands ever as the torch passes to Tayanna Todd, MBA, who has been building the vision with me from day one? BEST DREAM EVER. I don't have words for how grateful, energized, terrified (in the BEST way), motivated, and overall humbled I am to have reached this point in my career. When I graduated from business school, I declined from all the obvious (stable!) post-MBA jobs to pursue my north star of changing the world by changing the stories we tell. Because stories by and about underrepresented communities are a revolution- not to mention the future of our business. There are too many people to thank so I'll just name a few! To Adam Fogelson, the chairman of Lionsgate, who has been in my corner for over a decade and has placed his trust in me with this new production deal in a way that exceeds everything that seemed possible. To Joe Drake and Jen Hollingsworth who brought me to Lionsgate in this career-shifting role. To Nathan Kahane, Erin Westerman, Jason Constantine, and the entire creative teams who embraced me and the challenging work that Inclusive Content team set out to do. To my incredible Inclusive Content team, Tayanna Todd, MBA, Mana Yamaguchi, MBA, Cindy Guo, and Megan Mell, who have always done the GREAT work and will continue it. And to all the friends, mentors, former bosses, colleagues, filmmakers, producers, DEI execs, and others who have poured into me. I can never fully thank you so I'll just strive to make you proud and get our stories told. 🎉🎉🚀🚀🎬🎬

🎬 BOXO Productions: Igniting Cinematic Revolutions 🔥 Brace yourselves for an electrifying journey into the realm of BOXO. 🌟 Here, stories transcend the boundaries of mere films, evolving into immersive experiences that linger long after the credits roll. Our diverse collection? A fusion of exhilarating thrillers that quicken the pulse and soul-stirring dramas that tug at heartstrings. Variety and finesse intertwine seamlessly, leaving an indelible mark. But that's just the beginning. The future glows brightly as we gear up for an array of ambitious, genre-defying tales. These forthcoming narratives promise to mesmerize, transform, and redefine the art of filmmaking itself. Venture behind the velvet curtain. 🎭 Follow us now for an all-access pass to exclusive content, sneak peeks, and the essence of BOXO's trailblazing spirit. Whether you're a diehard cinephile, an aspiring creator, or simply seeking stories that resonate – BOXO stands as your cinematic haven. A sanctuary where narratives breathe, thrive, and forever change how we experience the silver screen. Prepare to be part of the next big wave. 🌊 🤝 Ready to join us on this electrifying journey? Tap into BOXO's world of unparalleled opportunities. Stake your claim in shaping the film industry's future: https://buff.ly/48JcHWy #BoxoProductions #CinematicRevolution #ImmersiveStorytelling #filmmaking #cinema #hollywood #startups

The Journey of Project Casting: From Crisis to Innovation In the midst of the 2008 housing crisis, I found myself unable to find a job. Fortunately, I landed an opportunity at Tyler Perry Studios, working on ‘House of Payne’. This experience opened doors to more opportunities, and I realized the need to share jobs, access, and financial opportunities with others in the TV & Film industry. This realization sparked the creation of Project Casting. The first version of Project Casting took a year to develop, but our excitement quickly turned to disappointment when the app crashed on the first day of launch due to its design flaws. To make matters worse, the engineers abandoned the project, forcing me to start from scratch. It took two years to find the right partner who helped us build V2. With V2, we achieved over 500,000 users and saw incredible growth. However, the writers and actors strike put a strain on our business. We had to innovate and find a new way forward. During this challenging time, we reviewed our data, created a new product design, and leveraged our past experiences. Now, I am thrilled to announce that on Monday, we will launch Project Casting V3. This new version will allow us to develop and ship features faster, improve our organic growth and SEO, and focus on what really matters to our users. This journey is personal to me. I firmly believe in learning through hardship, and over a decade of work in the film industry has led us to create a product that adapts and provides the tools everyone needs to succeed. I am proud of what we have accomplished and excited for the future of Project Casting. #ProjectCasting #Innovation #FilmIndustry #Growth #NewBeginnings

BMW Group’s short-film collection The Hire is one of the finest examples of branded integration I’ve ever seen. Produced by Ridley and Tony Scott’s RSA Films and helmed by the world’s greatest directors, The Hire follows Clive Owen as “The Driver” steering a different model BMW in each episode. This tactic of combining art and advertising goes a step beyond branded content or product placement – with branded integration, the entire show revolves around a particular product.   Famous examples of branded integration in film are of course Transformers, G.I. Joe and Barbie, but there are also less conspicuous efforts, such as The Social Network and Robert Zemeckis’ Cast Away.   I know it sounds a bit far-fetched – perhaps even inappropriate – to call the Tom Hanks classic an example of branded integration, but if you really think about it, FedEx, its products and employees are a huge part of the narrative in Cast Away.   Obviously, the film isn’t an outright commercial for the company – for one thing, the story involves one of their cargo planes quite graphically crashing into the ocean – but one can see how the FedEx brass saw the PR potential and chose to participate anyway.   After all – one of the loveliest story-details in the film is that Hanks eventually personally delivers all the parcels that washed up on the island with him. I can think of no better and more effective plot for a thirty-second ad than that.   Branded integration has always fascinated me, and I refuse to dismiss it as a distasteful element of film and television production. In fact – I believe that if done right, it is not only a great tool for brand awareness and a way to fix financing-issues, it can greatly enhance story-engagement as well.   Cast Away and The Hire are phenomenal examples of this unique type of synergy, and I’ve included the episode Guy Ritchie directed for BMW to illustrate my point.   One of LogLine Entertainment’s pillars is the development of branded-integration pitches for likeminded companies. I have taken the liberty to write several spec-scripts featuring both established and evolving brands, and would love to take it to the next level with the right people.   I am at your disposal Jeroen van Vliet, Els Dijkhuizen, Jorieke de Vries, Marian Verheij, Johan Van Der Zanden, Bente Kooyman, Patrick Kuijsters RM, Aline van Keulen, Rosa Dieker, Erica van Vonderen - Hahn, Hajir Hajji, Boukje Taphoorn, Michiel Van Der Zanden, Caganur Atay Uctu, Gunay Uslu, Mariëlle Rooswinkel, Robin Kroes, Leo Hensen, Hendrik de Groot, Jeroen Bergman, Can Akar, Robert Kooyman, Jitse Groen, Tjalling Smit, Fleur van Bruggen, Cindy Kroon, Boudewijn den Herder, Bibianne Roetert… (and everyone else who doesn’t like to think inside the box…) Special shout-out to Rick de Gier, who wrote an excellent piece about brand-based films, which you can find here: https://lnkd.in/gnjt3J5j   #brandedintegration https://lnkd.in/gn2zYubH

Did you read the article in Cartoon Brew about how Lionsgate signed a deal with the AI company, Runway (article in comments below). What happened to the ART of storytelling? According to Lionsgate studio vice chairman Michael Burns, the goal is to save money – “millions and millions of dollars” – by having filmmakers and creators use its AI model to replace artists in production tasks such as storyboarding. I’m a huge history buff and after thinking about it, I instantly made a connection to the film industry in the 1980s. Before the 80s, former veteran filmmakers would be promoted to become the head of a studio. That to me is how we got amazing films like Taxi Driver and Apocalypse Now. Then in the 1980s, business people (instead of filmmakers) would be hired as the head of the studio, and that’s when it started to change. When money and profits became way more important than the art of film and storytelling. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always been about money, but the former filmmakers understood how to make art that would also bring money. I’ve always felt that was the beginning of the downfall of the art side of filmmaking. There have been great films that have come during this time, but I feel that’s when the industry started having all the problems we now have today: “Just throw the hot new actor in and it’ll bring in money” “Do re-shoots after re-shoots because they don’t have a definitive plan. Oh, and by the way, “we needed that yesterday” “Content. Content. Content” If you have that 1980s feel in 2024, then you understand why we’ve created CELs. A place where artists can get back to the ART of storytelling. Share and repost if you believe in humans behind storytelling, not AI. Sign up for CELs and join the movement to keep storytelling human with the only app dedicated to storytelling in animation, comics, and collectibles. Together we are strong! https://lnkd.in/eseppFDm