Griswold Video!

Here is the Griswold video released off of Old Navy's YouTube page. Enjoy!

Griswold Christmas

With the holiday season in full swing, companies are doing their best to win the hearts of consumers everywhere. The trick that one company is using is to bring a holiday classic back to life.

It has been told many times that a great movie to make is a holiday one as it will ring promises of being played at least once a year, every year. When thinking of Christmas, many think of the film Christmas Vacation. That is what the company Old Navy is hoping for at least. They have created 5 commercials bringing back the family from the classic movie.

"We have a strategy this season to be doing it all the way, larger than life. Gifts all the way; Cheer all the way," said Michelle Wlazlo, global senior VP-adult merchandising and licensing

The thought of bringing in these characters is said to hit home within their direct target market of consumers.

           

Having been released only 2 days ago in the Ad Age site, there are many hopes that these commercials will make many for the company. If it does, I suspect that it will be just a start to using holiday classics for promotions once again.

It is said that the first ad that will be released will be the re-enacting of Griswold plugging in all the lights. It is one of the most memorable scenes and will raise the bar on what other goodies the company can bring to the table. It will be one of the most remembered Christmas ads of the season.

Dates on when the ads will be released have not been disclosed yet but I feel that they will be coming within the next two weeks to bring in the spirit of Christmas shopping to all around.

Here's hoping for the best with the Griswold's this holiday season. 

General Petraeus TV Mini Series?

With all the hype about the recent affair that has rocked not only the White House but many more instead, the ever infamous General Petraeus affair with Paula Broadwell. What does this have to do with a film company you may ask? Well everything that has happened within the case thus far has seemed so sure real, that I had to make a visual prediction of how this situation could go 1 of 2 ways.

I think there is a potential in making a movie about this situation, maybe not with the actual names of Petraeus or Broadwell but of the story itself; a higher general falls in love with the woman writing his book. The love will make them betray their families and their country while the hymns to pull on the strands of lust that lie within the air are just too great.

Sounds pretty catchy...however I always feel that as great of a story as it could be, with some alterations to the plot of course, I also think the government would not approve and it would cause a bigger uproar.

Although, I do believe timing is everything. I also feel there could be a good chance of having a try after things simmer down and General Petraeus makes his speech at Libya, as was previously planned (although that is still being tossed around).

For those that are overwhelmed by what I just wrote because you have no idea about the Patreaus situation, here is a video describing what has happened thus far.

As I said earlier, the potential of this situation being created into even just a TV mini serious could make a dramatic exit to General Patraeus' life and could have him portrayed in a different light than what he has been thrust into within the past week or so. With it being 2012, society as a whole has gotten much more open about things that were considered sinful in the 1950's such as birth control and same sex marriage. A TV mini series exploring the life of a general swooned by a manipulative writer could catch the eye of the generation of today.

To find out more on my thoughts on what has been happening in the world of film prospects, subscribe to my blog! =)

Taxing Your Kickstarter!

Being a part of a small production company or setting one up on your own as an indie filmmaker can be a rough spot to be in. However with the Internet, anything is possible, right? Yes, but not without a catch I am afraid.

Many know of the site Kick Starter and how it works. For those of you that don't, here is a simple picture pulled from Kick Starter itself, explaining it.

Seems too good to be true! The only downside is that you may not reach your goal of money and not get your project funded. But then there is that magically 'what if' you get above your goal. I'm talking $100,000 above your goal, do you have a plan for what to do with all that money? It may seem as a shock but projects get overfunded all the time on Kick Starter and similar sites. Kick Starter even has a page devoted to those who recently got over funded. 

I got the idea to do more research after having a great class discussion about what could happen once you go way over your initial price and the answer is simple...IRS will get you. I know it may sound scary and unreasonable since you didn't ask for all that money.

Here is a great article written from Forbes magazine describing just how something so good can bite you in the end. The article includes great tips and advice to help you if you get into that situation.

The most important thing I have ever been told and will certainly put to use within my company, is always have an attorney by your side. They can always help you or answer any questions that you may have. There are too many resources out there to help you find a great, legitimate one if the idea of searching for one is just too scary.

Overall, the idea of Kick Starter and IndieGoGo and similar sites may seem like a dream come true to most creative, starving artists but in reality can actually put you in a worse position if you are not aware of how the system works.