Video game software companies are backing away from adaptations of theatrical films because of short timelines in Hollywood and poor sales of some movie titles, says the “Los Angeles Times.” That’s particularly true for mainstream game cartridges for console video games, which are the rich end of the video game spectrum. Game adaptations require rushed production, which has … [Read more...] about Decline in Game Adaptations of Films
merchandise
‘Transmedia’ Credit for Cross-Platform Role
A quasi-marketing function is getting some respect at the Producer Guild of America! The PGA just approved a screen credit for “Transmedia Producer.” “As technology evolves, it’s no longer adequate to think of a project as simply a television show or a movie,” PGA President Marshall Herskovitz says in a press release announcing the new screen credit. “We now understand … [Read more...] about ‘Transmedia’ Credit for Cross-Platform Role
Wal-Mart Pushes ‘Dragon’ Merchandise
Wal-Mart lined up a big exclusive movie merchandise tie in with DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon” that opens in a week via Paramount Pictures. DreamWorks is hoping big displays in 2,600 Wal-Mart stores flogging movie products will boost the theatrical opening of the PG-rated animated film. A press release says the displays “feature a giant ‘How to Train … [Read more...] about Wal-Mart Pushes ‘Dragon’ Merchandise
Movies Based on Toys Multiply
Hollywood is being swept by a fascination with toys as source material for movies, as movies based on toys soar at the box office and star vehicles hit a rough patch in 2009. A “Wall Street Journal” article is a delicious combination of funny and serious about this film development and movie marketing trend. “Toys now are receiving the same A-list treatment that any … [Read more...] about Movies Based on Toys Multiply
Disney’s Pricey Wedding Merchandise
Walt Disney rolls out some of the most expensive movie-licensed merchandise anywhere—diamond rings and wedding dresses for women who want a real-life princess experience. Diamond rings – named for animated movie characters Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle – run $4,210 to $6,780 each. Wedding dresses go up to $4,000 and are created by … [Read more...] about Disney’s Pricey Wedding Merchandise
Uni Backpedals From Video Games
The major studios have increasingly opted to create video games tied to their movies via in-house divisions in recent years. A “Los Angeles Times” article says Universal Pictures is backpedaling, after some poor results. “Based on the 2008 movie of the same name starring Angelina Jolie, the video game [‘Wanted: Weapons of Fate’] sold only 100,000 units in the U.S. in its … [Read more...] about Uni Backpedals From Video Games
‘Avatar’ Toys Tout Augmented Reality
Mattel is trying to put some special sauce on its toy line licensed from upcoming theatrical “Avatar” by touting there’s online content unique to each toy. A press release from the toy company calls the special content “augmented reality technology.” Says a Mattel press release: “Each action figure, vehicle and creature in the product line will come with a 3-D web tag, … [Read more...] about ‘Avatar’ Toys Tout Augmented Reality
Par Bags 3-pix Burger King Tie-in
Paramount Pictures inked a three-picture promotion deal with Burger King, which will give marketing ooompf to “Star Trek” (premiering May 8), “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (June 24) and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” (Aug. 7). Fast food chains have become more selective about film promotions as, for example, McDonald’s did not renew a 10-year alliance with Disney … [Read more...] about Par Bags 3-pix Burger King Tie-in
Fans Make “Twilight” Merchandise
Movie-themed merchandise for the film adaptation of “Twilight” gets a promotional lift on website CafePress, which offers direct to consumer sales of tee-shirts, buttons, stationary, posters and the like. Customers can select a surprisingly large number of Twilight-themed images that appear on various products, citing 6,000 products. Separately, the soundtrack … [Read more...] about Fans Make “Twilight” Merchandise
007’s ‘Quantum’ Overflows With Commercialization
The next James Bond 007 spy thriller comes packed with merchandise, product placement, marketing promotions and some complaints of overdoing it on the commercialization front. But a reality is that fans of the spy-thriller movies seem to enjoy the product glitz in overdrive. Some pundits in the UK suggest product placement and promotional tie-ins for “Quantum of Solace” are … [Read more...] about 007’s ‘Quantum’ Overflows With Commercialization