Hooray! The Internet Proves it is a Viable Pathway to Hollywood… Oh Wait, for Big Name Stars.
June 11th, 2008 by Alec McNayrPosted in Business, Comedy, Online, Strategy | No Comments »
The Hollywood Reporter reported yesterday that a fake movie trailer posted online will be made into a feature film. Seems like the breakthrough moment that we’ve all been looking for, right?
Sure, except that “Seth and Jay vs. The Apocalypse” was created by Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel, already big name stars (Knocked Up, Freaks and Geeks, Superbad, etc.).
What’s next? The Landlord Trilogy?
Don’t take this as sour grapes: those guys are funny and they are the “in” young comedians for movies right now. While it doesn’t seem “fair” that big Hollywood names are using online media (the medium of choice for the independent/aspiring writer-producer), a story like this makes me realize that online entertainment still exists within the ecosystem of big-money entertainment, so the same rules apply.
Except in rare cases, it takes a star to get a project off the ground. A friend of mine is producing an independent film with Cuba Gooding, Jr. Apart from being a good actor, he’s a recognizable face that will help sell DVDs (at Blockbuster, Wal-Mart, etc.). Adding Cuba to the cast made the project profitable.
We’re starting to see this kind of tactic creep into online media, too.
- Gemini Division, a forthcoming Web series created by writer Brent Friedman (Afterworld) and recently picked up by NBC, stars Rosario Dawson.
- HBO announced to today that it bought a 10% stake in FunnyorDie.com, featuring content from partners Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Chris Henchy, and Judd Apatow.
This only represents the start of the intermingling of movies, TV, and Web entertainment.
“Seth and Jay vs. The Apocalypse” (coming soon to a theatre near you)
