Out with the Old, In with the New (Business Models...)

While developing the script, it's important to be mindful of the new business model we are embracing, as it's going to have an effect on how our story unfolds. Under the transmedia business model, we are going to tell part of our story through a different medium other than film, long before financing is secured.

With an elaborate story and a complex time-line of events to interweave through two different mediums, it's important that all our story elements work in harmony of each other. We must tread lightly and remain sensitive to the fact that we are introducing our character's back-stories independently from the script itself.

So why is the transmedia business model beneficial over the old business model? (Robert Pratten from the workbook project explains the different business models here)

With our previous film, it felt like our distributor simply stuck the film on Hollywood Video's new release wall and hoped for the best. Or perhaps they assumed that the film's slick DVD artwork would stand out from the thousand of other horror films on Netflix. They were simply trying to inflate their marketing numbers without getting their hands dirty; this ensures that the filmmaker won't see any back-end profits while the distributor puts forth minimal marketing efforts..

By attempting to gain 5,000 fans before production begins, we are taking matters into our own hands (and remaining one step ahead of filmmakers who wait until post-production wraps to start the process). Why rely solely on the distributor to raise awareness and interest for the film?

As Kevin stated previously, having a pre-established fan base is much more attractive to investors, as we are assuring them that a market already exists for a film that has yet to begin production. The transmedia model is certainly favorable in this aspect.

Alternatively, this new business model will help filmmakers gauge how a story will be perceived by fans, before the camera's start rolling. Is there even an audience for the film we want to make? The transmedia model helps test the waters. It can be viewed as a form of risk management; why waste our time (and others money) with a story that no one has any interest in?

Lucky for us, we've got a story that no one's told yet.

- Mike