The franchise as success for everyone

Can the independent producer learn something important from the typical Hollywood production model, without prostituting himself to a system, and create a sustainable movie production base that supports not just his own productions, but gains economic viability for production talent and crew?

Franchises work. George Lucas has made a career out of the Star Wars franchise. But the James Bond franchise offers some good lessons. It shows us that the right franchise can potentially have a legendary life if it has the qualities that capture the public imagination. For example, Bond movies are always high concept - good versus evil - plus they are high action, always add astonishing new things (gadgets), and have an iconic character. It was spawned by the real life espionage adventures of author Ian Fleming.

Can you sustain franchise success with only one main character and actor? In the franchise, Bond is the only main character (discounting the secondaries M, Miss Moneypenny, and the gadget guy). The first Bond, the inimitable Sean Connery, who was born in 1930, has aged gracefully in his career and indomitably gone on to many other successful acting and producing opportunities. The James Bond franchise continues. The franchise did morph over time, as Roger Moore in the character often portrayed a humorous parody of Bond, but the franchise has had 6 actors, some more successful than others. Despite lows, the franchise adapted and survived.

Producers can borrow from the successful TV series model and movie franchise model. There is a lot to be said for establishing a franchise base and then regularly creating movies that you love to make, using the same people over and over.

From TV we know that interest doesn't disappear from week to week, or during production lapses. Momentum builds through the series. When the series returns, the audience returns. Movie producers can't make 2 hour movies at the same rate as a TV series. They can't compete with TV on well produced series like House. And the Hollywood franchise model does not make movies with the regularity to continuously support a low budget business. But there is a model that can work:

• Make movies in the franchise every 4 to 6 months. This will keep people working and engaged in the production.
• More frequent movies more effectively leverage public interest than two year intervals.
• Since themes, like vampire themes, come and go, more frequent intervals allow you to capitalize on the theme.
• You need many fewer sets, since old sets and settings can be reused.
• You can use the same crew and facilities.
• Actors and crew can come from the local area and continue living in their homes and communities.
• Talent becomes more skilled through a franchise, providing a base for even better movie production, and providing more opportunities locally or in the industry.
• The audience doesn't have to see New York and LA over and over again - the movie setting can be anywhere.

Currently SAG and AFTRA (which seem to be merging), have adopted no union policies regarding "New Media," allowing the model to evolve. Movies made for Internet distribution, which hasn't proven itself economically yet, are one branch of New Media. If you adopt something close to the Low Budget Agreement, and pay above average industry wages to talent, you can have a viable and respectable business model.

Once you have a franchise going, you can delegate and pursue another franchise or another one-off movie.

Effort is never wasted. You learn. You may get picked up for conventional distribution. Examples of series that got their start on the Web, at Gigaom.com: How Do You Define Web Series Success?

Movie Stream Productions will work with producers to research and develop a franchise storyline that matches their interests, and advise on the development of their screenplay, to develop a franchise that is likely to be sustainable. Payment, or first option on distribution, may be required. Contact MSP for more information.

Have you produced a good independent movie or short? Get more attention for your shorts on FlixStreamer.com. Rent your movie on FlixStreamer.com for more profit.

- Dorian

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