PLAYDIGM Entertainment Licensing & Branding

Seeking white knight investors for entertainment property.  Get in on the ground floor and take the elevator up to the top.

Own a piece of this brand.  Help produce a graphic novel and develop a license.

For more information contact Sandford Tuey at info@Playdigm.com – put ‘Investor’ in the subject line.

Imagine co-owning a Men In Black or Hellboy or another successful brand. They started as comics first, then turned into the entertainment juggernauts they are today.  This is our plan – join our team!

Here is a check list to ensure you are ready for exhibiting at your next trade show:

1. PRE-SHOW RECOMMENDATIONS

Locate the best economical space on the exhibit floor, will it be near a high volume area with lots of well known companies to attract buyers?  Ask the producers of the event as many questions as possible before you commit to the show.  What kind of trade show displays will be around your space, will they block line-of-sight or have other restrictive items?  Ensure your display has excellent lighting, not only in the booth but also project your brand name onto the ceiling or walk way (if allowed).  One thing I noticed is that the majority of people entering a room/facility turn to the right in western nations and turn to the left in asian nations (has something to do with the way they read). Something to consider for perfect booth placement.

Get your travel agent to contact the show’s event planning department to ensure you get maximum discounts on airplane tickets, hotel rates and rental items like cars, vans and rental display items such as televisions, projectors, monitors, sound systems and models. There are always things that can be found at a reasonable price to make your trip more enjoyable.

Before you leave make sure you send out to the contacts you want to meet and do business with, some sort of promotional piece that will draw these people to your booth.  A glossy brochure, catalogue, or just a quick email, will help attract customers.  I recommend some sort of prize winning contest or draw to get those on-the-fence people who might not normally have time to visit your booth.  Who doesn’t like to win something?

Invite clients and potential customers, and the media to drop by your booth. Ensure the booth #  is clearly represented as are all the details of the event.  You can also advertise in the trade show directory, in local papers that are distributed to the hotels involved with the event and on your website.  Make sure you get your message out to everyone who may be interested.

By connecting and making appointments with your contacts prior to the show you reduce the amount of printed advertising, promotional material and other items that trade show attendees intended to read but usually toss in the garbage because they don’t want to carry a ton of stuff around the event floor or all they way back to their office in another city.

At the trade show keep promotional propaganda to a minimum.  A two sided color page brochure with contact information and material on your product line should be enough.  If anyone wants more information take their card and contact info and after the show forward exactly what they need.

2. EXHIBIT AND TEAM PRESENTATION
I highly recommend your staff wear attractive team gear that easily designates them as members of your company.  If you have brands ensure that these logos are also on the clothing and caps they wear.  Many times I have been looking at other booths, only to be asked where my booth is and about the products we are promoting because I was wearing a shirt with GALACTIC GLADIATORS or BRUCE LEE on it.

Be creative with your display  walls by making sure your brands and company name are large enough to be read from twenty feet down the aisle.  Add full color artwork on your display and show off your products every way you can.  We gave away original framed line art at the end of a trade show – they were worth around $500 each and many people came to see if they won since you had to be there when the ticket was drawn.  Even sold more products while people waited for the prizes.

We like to provide a musical background that attracts the walkers-by to stop and check us out.  The driving beat and even noise of some sort makes people look and if they see something they like, they will come over and check your booth out.

The power of television is amazing.  People love moving images and therefore you should add some form of visuals to your booth.  One show I played Bruce Lee films (we produced the Bruce Lee board game) and I was surprised how often a person would stop and watch a bit, which would add curiousity to others who would stop and then a large gathering would happen.  I recommend creating a short film or animation promoting your products in a light and exciting way.

I have also hired models to dress up and become characters from our entertainment projects.  Having a good looking male or female dressed in costume and talking to potential clients works.  Even Gene Simmons of KISS dropped by for a photograph with Tessa Guess (the hero of Galactic Gladiators).  I was surprised how many people want to meet Spiderman, Batman, Harry Potter and all the other costumed stars.  If you have a photo area with a cool background for taking pictures all the better.  One time we had a life-size plastic tube over six feet tall with lights at the top and sounds when you got inside.  When you entered this preservation pod you learned the story in a one minute and ten second musical message and Tessa might even squeeze inside with you. We even had a Ninja outside the building handing out shuriken star-shaped cards to the attendees waiting in line to get inside which directed them to visit our exhibit booth.

Give away samples of your products (if they are not too expensive) and cost-effective brochures that highlight key selling features that state how to get in touch with you after the event.   You might consider giving a special promotion only offered to those that drop by your booth.   Try to keep your overall presentation a cohesive color and theme combination as this will leave a strong impression on attendees and make it easier for them to recall their visit with you.

3. FOLLOW UP AFTER EVENTS
Qualify visitors into three categories:  a) no interest or not likely to purchase anything; b) somewhat interested or has connections who may become interested – I also include Media and Press here; c) immediately contact after returning back to the office as they expressed interest or want to order.

Mail those in lists b and c a thank you – order now letter/ brochure as soon as possible after your show.  Add these contacts to your files and ensure they are kept up to date on your company and products. It is common that a potential client may need to be contacted up to five or more times before they will purchase.  Send postcards and other informative materials to keep in touch with the newly initiated.  Every sales person knows it is all about the personal relationship that makes companies a success.

4. WHICH TRADE SHOWS TO GO TO?
Trade shows are an effective promotion and sales method but which ones to exhibit at?  I recommend that you attend potential events prior to spending thousands of dollars to exhibit at them. This research will save you a lot of money by ensuring your company only hits the shows specific to your market.  This is important to your advance preparation and how to get the maximum return on investment.  Good luck and remember – having fun during these events is contagious, and if buyers see you smiling they will too!

Thanks to Nicolas Chartier of Voltage Pictures, one of the producers of the Oscar winning picture THE HURT LOCKER, suing pirates has become the hot topic once again.  This entertainment war between the makers of films and the audience who don’t pay to watch them, is about to go to another level.

Being a creator of entertainment products, I am a firm believer in copyright and making a living from one’s art/work.  It takes quite a bit of time to write a screenplay and even more to produce it.  You wouldn’t want to produce something you made and then not be able to earn fair market value from it so you can exist and continue to do what you love.

I don’t go into a store and borrow/steal things because I know that it ain’t worth getting caught.  Aside from the fine there is the criminal record which is worse than any monetary loss.  Is it fair to sue someone if they buy a DVD of their favorite movie or a CD of a great band and lend it to a friend? In this case I don’t believe they are a pirate.  They are not making a profit from this transaction. You can sue them (you can sue anybody these days for almost anything) but it is unlikely you will win.

It is my opinion, that to solve this piracy problem, go after those websites that upload copyright material illegally and ensure they can not offer people to download this material.  Are they not the ones who are breaching the creators copyright?  This makes more sense and could be achieved by getting the Internet Providers to ensure this is not being done.  Sure it is a complicated and expensive process, but suing someone for thousands of dollars because they (may or may not) have stolen a DVD/CD off the internet is not proportional to the crime.  If you stole an item from a store the fine is directly related to the worth of the item stolen and again, the criminal record is the worse part.

The entertainment industry needs to go after those that offer their goods online – not the viewers.  I have bought the Beatles White Album too many times and copied it from record to cassette tape then to CD and MP3 digital files.   I also will be lending my cassette of Alice Cooper tunes to a friend – does that make me a Pirate?  Or him?

I shake my head and wonder how all this will play out.  Either way, hope you all are rocking to good tunes and enjoying great movies because it is what helps make life worth living!  Mind you, if you do come across one of my entertainment products – please pay for it.  lol

Sandford Tuey

info@Playdigm.com

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!