Pratten, Robert
18.12.2009
Moving Filmmakers to a Transmedia Business Model

Not bad article, but still film-centred: the ultimate aim is to make a film.

4 interesting graphics.

“Remember that it’s not all for free! Free is your loss-leader to generate the money. Even if it’s “real content” you might still effectively look at it as a marketing cost – it can help to position it in this way to investors. And note that what’s free and what’s paid will be in flux – maybe changing over time and from media to media.”

“Indies that follow this transmedia model will be offering an evolving service rather than a one-off product and that means audiences become customers that need to be listened to, responded to, cared for and managed”

“If you perfect this evolving transmedia ecosystem you may ask yourself if you still want to make a feature after all.” Good point, but he might not believe it himself.

“Don’t expect anyone to delve deeply into your storyworld looking for brilliance. You have to provide “satellite media” that orbits the core: it’s easy to digest and looks cool or fun. Celebrity cast or crew and genre are going to get attention and convey credibility – just as they always have.”

“To summarize then, filmmakers will move to transmedia storytelling because it’s going to be the way you build audiences.” His final point, and it’s wrong! Transmedia won’t be there to sell a film, but to sell the transmedia. And film can be part of it.

Moving Filmmakers to a Transmedia Business Model (05.01.2010)