PLAYDIGM Entertainment Licensing & Branding

If you have the ability and talent to program code for a Facebook/My Space type game then here is an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime.

There are many kinds of income but basically they all can be summed up into three types:

1)  Employment Income – If you are an employee or  work at a job where you must be in an office or do some sort of task (yes plumbers, electricians, doctors, dentists and accountants fall into this category), then you must show up or you don’t get paid.   The limitations to employment  income are obvious, if you are sick or don’t show up for work – you don’t get paid.  There are also only so many hours you can work in a day, only so many patients, clients or teeth you can pull in a day – so this form of income is limited.  This type of income is one of the highest taxed by government.

2) Business Income – This revenue stream is much better than employment income especially if you own the company.  However,  there is a lot more work for you to do.  Dealing with employees and their paperwork, tax documentation, the government regulations, lawyers, accountants, banks and other time consuming tasks.  Sure the revenue produced is taxed more friendly than employee income (especially dividends), but unless you have management in place to run your company when you are away, you need to be in the office to keep the business profitable.

3) Passive Income – Of course receiving money for something you did or created years ago and now receive royalty checks, dividends from shares or any other revenue where you only have to check your bank account to see if the deposit came in, is in my opinion, the best form of income.  After you create a Facebook/My Space game, or a product, a song, a film or some other thing that generates money where a portion automatically goes into your pocket without you having to do much else other than spend it – that is the kind of income everyone should be thinking about earning.

Passive income is the kind of income you could be earning but only if you have the talent and the computer coding skills to produce a Facebook/My Space type game similar to Kingdoms of Camelot and Mafia Wars.  If you can code this type of online game then contact me at info@Playdigm.com.

Become a co-owner in the next project you work on instead of just an employee who watches everyone else benefit long term.  Receive passive income for the rest of your life and your childrens children’s lifetime…

Send your qualifications and skills to info@Playdigm.com  and make sure you put Attention Sandford Tuey in the subject line.

I look forward to discussing this project with you.

Stephen Colbert has a big pair!  He dared to taunt the Bilderberg Group during the opening of his April 15, 2010 show on Comedy Central.  Is he crazy – like a fox?

Or was it a dare?  He did point to a member of the audience or someone behind the scenes after making the comment.  If he seemed nervous doing it you couldn’t tell.  Maybe he thinks his persona is too big to gain attention from what some say is the most powerful group of people and corporations on our planet.  Time will tell.

Either way Colbert spoke the secret rulers of the world’s coded name just as he commenced his program. Sure it was just a quick mention and then a plea for the Bilderberg organization ‘not to shoot freelance reporters’ like him – as he kind of referred to himself.

Is he brave?  Is he causing eyes that he doesn’t want watching his show to begin following one of the funniest and most powerful comedic brands on Earth?  Is this wise?

The Bilderberg Group first got their nick-name from the hotel in Holland they held their initial meeting at (or the first meeting that was uncovered and revealed to the public).   It is known that these rich and powerful people/companies influence almost everything in our lives but no one dares to talk much about this or can get close enough for insight into what they are planning for all of our futures.  Love to be a videorecorder on the wall during one of their conferences.

With most of the world’s media under the Bilderberg members control, it will be surprising how much anyone, Colbert or otherwise, is willing to say out loud.  I mean, could the networks or cable providers silence him by terminating his show, even though he is so damn popular?  If anyone can stop Colbert – it’s the Bilderberg Group. lol

Will Colbert speak out more on this topic?  We can only hope so as more people need to know the truth!

Keep your eyes open and learn who really rules our world…

How are movies based on toys a good idea?

Well those that have been following my posts know that I have been calling feature length films that are based on entertainment properties like Spiderman, X-Men, Men In Black, Hellboy, etc…  ninety minute commercials for the toys.  Most in the know would agree but Mattel’s move into transmedia, specifically films and a possible television series to promote a new line of toys it is developing confirms everything I have been saying.  I mean it was obvious after Transformers and G.I. Joe came out.

The toy company’s latest project,  according to Playthings Magaziine and the New Yorker, is about “…an alien civilization that’s been living in the depths of Earth’s oceans.” The article added that the Mattel executives decided that this idea had the most inherent “transmedia” options, which is the current buzzword for the potential to spiral off into every possible product that people will pay to play with, see, hear, or eat.”

I think the executives of the film and toy industries are blurring the edges, if not overlapping product placement and/or substituting quality of subject with whatever sells the damn stuff.  The challenge will be for the screenwriters to take a basic concept or 2 dimensional character and flesh it out so that it entertains.  Some Marvel, Darkhorse and DC franchises have been successful but can a Toy company make the grade?  Time will tell.

I will check out this project just out of curiosity but they better get it right the first time because there most likely won’t be a second chance to take my money.  Especially when I am trying to compete with the big boys.

I am sure those that appreciate and love cinema believe the merging of toy-and-screen will be the death of film, but licensing and merchandising professionals are cheering and believe it’s the next logical move for Hollywood.  The Toy industry could benefit big time if this is successful… after James Cameron’s AVATAR… anything goes!!

Question:

Q: What should I pay to someone who locates funds for my project?

A: I haven’t checked within the last couple of years so first I recommend you check with the Securities Exchange Commission in your jurisdiction and the government on their requirements. There are also conditions on how you can present your investment opportunity and if you require a prospectus or not.

The Finders Fee parameters were as follows the last time I was raising money:  a)  a maximum of 10 % on the first $300,000; b) a maximum of 7.5% on amounts between $300,000 to $1,000,000; and a maximum of 5% on amounts above one million dollars.

Please check with your financial advisers and legal counsel to ensure that the compensation amounts and rules haven’t changed and always have professionals review and edit any business plans or potential investment packages you are thinking about using to raise money for your projects or investing in.

Sandford

Ever wanted to be involved in an entertainment project?

Want to help design and develop a brand?

To learn more contact info@Playdigm.com.

Sophisticated Investors welcome.

Welcome to Today’s Question:

Q:   How long did it take to license Bruce Lee’s name and likeness from the Bruce Lee estate?

A:   The entire process took about six months from the time I contacted Black Belt magazine, who in turn led me to Mrs. Lee’s attorney (at the time) – Adrian Marshall, who let me know that the estate wanted to see a prototype of the board game.  I made three hand-made copies of THE ORIGINAL BRUCE LEE MARTIAL ARTS GAME and sent one off to Mrs. Linda Lee.  I got positive reviews and word that Brandon thought his father would like it.  After I negotiated the licensing details and an agreement worked out, I paid the advance royalty fee and received a one page letter that doubled as a valid contract which allowed me a three year worldwide production and marketing deal.

This was my first venture into the game industry and my life changed.

Sandford Tuey

PS:  I am going to answer one question every Monday as time permits.  So if you have any questions about the entertainment, game or toy industries, branding and licensing – send them in to    info@Playdigm.com.  Make sure you put QUESTION in caps in the Subject Line so it will stand out from the mass email I receive.

To make a successful brand you will have to do more than just write a good story, be it a short story, novel or screenplay.  Every writer hopes and looks forward to their big break.  Well unless you make it happen, it isn’t going to happen.
So what can you do?

First,  you need an amazing story idea – then write it down.  A story so damn good that everyone wants to read it or hear it told.  That means having a great idea and putting it on paper.  I always explain when I give seminars or am a keynote speaker at conferences and events, start with a short story, two or three pages that will express the basics of the idea, but more importantly, turns your unprotectable idea into something you can copyright.

I recommend the three page short story structure so that you can write Act 1 on page one, Act 2 on page two and Act 3 on the final page.  This gives you the skeleton of the story.  I do this as soon as possible, that way if I talk to anyone about this intellectual property, it is no longer just an idea (which are easily borrowed).

Once you have that, you can expand it into novel format or a screenplay or a comic book/graphic novel, video game story format, etc…   This is where diversifying your original story allows you to sell it into several markets.

I write the screenplay next because it only has to be a maximum of 120 pages.  This script, based on your short story, will be able to be shown once you have the first draft completed – rewritten several times with input from friends and professionals in the industry that you can trust (will not borrow your excellent concept).  If many of these readers point out the same problem or area, then this is a sign to correct or improve or delete that section of your story.  That is why readers screen screenplays at studios and production companies.  This is also a great way to ensure you are ready to submit your best work.

Second, you have to brand yourself by making people, especially industry people, notice and want to know more about you.  AND what you have written about.

By drawing on your past, previous  profession, jobs, interests, you may spark some interest with a person who can lift you from obscurity.  If you have no writing past then it is time to start creating one right now.

Your brand? Who are you right now and what have you done in the past.  How can this bio info be leveraged to make you stand out from all the other writers?

Take a class at a reputable University or College/school.  Co-write with a famous writer.  Write greeting cards or comics or video games or any thing – even a website blog like this.  What ever gets you attention and in the search engines.  That way if some one tries to locate you, they search for your name on the internet and there you are.

If you write two screenplays mention the second one in your query letter as it makes you seem more professional than a one-time script writer.  Then there is the  email/mailing campaign that promotes you and your screenplay.  What should be in a query letter will depend on who it is written for.  I will discuss this in a future post.

The key is to get as much exposure as possible.  Network at events, conferences, trade shows, mingle where other writers hang out or join a writer’s group, meet producers, directors and actors.  If you can, put on a party and invite the elite, if they don’t show, hey you tried.  If they do, make sure they enjoy themselves, that way they will remember you.

There are so many ways to make a brand so don’t limit yourself to staying within the box.  My mother always said, “If you don’t ask… you won’t receive.”  She is right, so go ahead and contact the star or element you need to take the next step.  The worse they can do is say ‘No’.   Robert Ludlum said no to me three times and I still did a deal with the man.

Work with what you have, create the image you want and live the part.  Sure the world’s a stage but you are the writer, write the lead character (you) a really juicy part.  Because, in the end, you only get one life to live = so live it the way you want to and you will be surprised how many doors open if you just keep promoting yourself and have others help you too.

This is the reason stars remain stars – they hire Public Relations firms.  Which is another great idea to help brand yourself if you can afford it.  Otherwise, you are your own PR company.

Cheers and good luck branding your story and yourself!

The Olympics are finally over and Vancouver, Canada is almost back to normal – if you can call living in a big city that.  The crowds have thinned down to rush-hour status as the ParaOlympics are now underway.

I should first point out that I voted against bringing the Olympics to British Columbia in the referendum, not because I don’t like the winter games or sports, I watch them every four years on television no matter which country is the host.  What I voted against was the cost and how the billions of tax dollars could have been better spent.

It took British Columbians a hell of a long time to pay off the Expo 86 World Fair debt and I didn’t think we should jump into that kind of deficit as quickly as our present provincial government chose to do so.  Especially after the Liberals have been selling off our Provincial assets (BC Rail, BC Gas) and still trying to sell BC Hydro. So now comes the headache after the party and the realization of how much did it really cost?    I have seen numbers ranging from 2 Billion to as high as 6 Billion dollars.  I wonder what my personal share will be?

I also did not think it fair to BC residents living outside Whistler and the lower mainland.  It is questionable if they benefited at all, definitely not from any of the construction contracts or the short term  tourism, yet they get to share equally in paying off the amount to host such an expensive event.

Then there was the issue of security and the inconvience of rerouting traffic due to closing down major streets like Robson and Georgia or dealing with the checkpoints and security personel within a half mile radius of every event center/facility.  Sure it was only two weeks and It was interesting to see people with back-packs getting searched just to board a skytrain but since I served in the military that didn’t bother me at all, in fact, I am sure it deterred any thoughts of terrorism.

But was it all worth it?

It will depend on how fast this debt can be paid off without hurting the standard of life to the middle class and poor.  If it takes a couple generations to erase, then definitely ‘NO’ and the money could have been better spent on dealing with this recession/depression and its affect on our corner of the world.  Heck, just the interest on the principle debt could have raised a lot of BC citizens up from below the poverty line and helped our seniors live out the rest of their lives under better conditions.  Or imagine how clean every hospital in British Columbia could have been – at the least, Hospital Acquired Infections would have been reduced dramatically.  Oh well, there is so much a couple billion could do for a province…

One thing for sure is that the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic brand are making a profit from every one of their summer and winter events, leaving the hosting nations with the mess to clean up, like a evening party guest that leaves in the wee hours to head to the next celebration.   I wonder how much profit they made?

A “spec” script is short for a “speculative” screenplay, which is a screenplay written without the writer being paid for their time and effort to create such a literary work.

Normally producers pay you to write a screenplay.  You are retained to write a draft of a script that they have come up with.  This commission is usually on a Work-For-Hire basis and the producer(s) own your work and copyright.

Even better is when producers pay you to write a draft or another draft of a screenplay you created under an option agreement. Usually they end up owning the rights to your screenplay and you make a small amount of money and if you negotiated well – even a small piece of the future revenue, if any.

Of course, the only thing better, is to develop your own screenplay with your own money and your collaborators/partners – as this will provide you with the maximum risk but also the maximum reward.  Of course, you will need a lot of money to do this but wouldn’t it be great to control how your vision would lookon film.

You, the writer are considered an element that is attached to a screenplay.  Just like producers, actors or the director are elements.  The more elements attached to your screenplay, the easier it is to be sold to a STUDIO or PRODUCTION COMPANY.

Selling to a studio is considered the best-case scenario as they have the distribution and marketing clout to do it right.  Plus they pay the most for writing screenplays.  Major studios, mini-majors and other production houses require you approach them directly but the likelyhood of an unknown writer getting through the gatekeepers is slim.  Having a producer or agency (especially a known one) is the kind of  middleman to act as a bridge between you and thestudio to ensure that the script is polished enough to be purchased by a studio.

So if you have finished your screenplay and are not successful at getting any producers or agents or managers to read it or become involved with your project, then try and attach an element or two to your project.  This makes it more attractive to other elements and a studio.

Also try and diversify your writing from just your screenplay  to a novel, comic series, graphic novel, video game or any other ancillary merchandise based on your license/brand.  This two will help attract other elements and non-film markets.

This is what I do and continue to do.  So can you!

Sandford Tuey

Recently I was asked which screenwriting books would I want to have with me if I was on a island in the middle of nowhere.  My response is below:

1)  Save The Cat by Blake Snyder.

2) How To Make a Good Script Great by Linda Seger.

3) Screenplay by Syd Field.

I would also hope to have actual screenplays to read as samples and a copy of -

Clause By Clause by Stephen F. Breimer as this is the screenwriters legal guide.

Of course, an internet connection in an air-conditioned hotel near the beach with room service would be great.

Hey, nobody said it was a deserted island… lol