Can you even imagine how much fun it would have been to be Steve Jobs introducing the iPhone. He KNEW he had a product that would revolutionize the industry.
Would you like to revolutionize the movie business?
When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone the smart phone market was dominated by phones with tiny keyboards and limited internet capability. The general public mobile phone was a flip phone with tremendous incapability. The iPhone brought the whole world into the smart phone market.
Currently the top movies every year internationally are the big-violence, sci-fi and superhero movies, but the MPAA admits only 12 percent of moviegoers go frequently. The industry spends heavily attracting the Comic Con audience and makes a lot of money doing so, but what about the 88 percent who are not Comic Con ticket buyers?
The fastest growing demographic on the planet is grandparents. Grandparents love to have things to do with grandchildren. What do grandparents want most? They want to leave a better world for their grandchildren. Imagine movies with great adventure and low violence that promote values grandparents most wish to pass to their grandchildren.
When grandparents take grandchildren to a movie the theater sells tickets to two generations and, in all probability, popcorn, candy and soft drinks.
Imagine movies with heroic grandparents, fun children, good moral values and great adventure.
It is NOT just grandparents who want good moral values. Everyone wants to live in a good neighborhood and have their children in good schools. How do you define “good” in neighborhoods and school? No violence, no vulgarity, no drugs, and lots of kindness.
The person who can make a movie that excites all generations and fosters a better world will draw audiences into theaters beyond the Comic Con group, but could attract Comic Con fans as well.
Look up “grandpa” on IMDB and you may find Bad Grandpa, Nasty Grandpa, War with Grandpa and Let’s Kill Grandpa. The person who wishes to be like Steve Jobs will smile wide and go make a movie that grandpas and grandchildren will love for generations to come.
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I’m on the side of the fence that says, for those who didn’t grow up in “good” neighborhoods or have “good” childhoods, there should be movies that reflect their struggles and worldview. This means making movies about drugs and sex and violence, because these things do exist and people’s real lives are impacted by them. Hinting that such movies are less than because someone couldn’t take their grandkids to see them diminishes the value of people for whom the movies are intended.
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A prophet is never accepted in his native land. I recall a story about Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson in a Naples, FL nightclub trying to get in (for free?): "Don't you know who I am!?!"
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Steven, I am not proposing that all such movies you prefer should stop being made. There's a generous supply of them and lots of scriptwriters offering more. I'd like to see more of the ones I'd like to take my grandchildren to.
I'd just like to see better movies. Period!
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Me, I'd like to see more work from all kinds of different perspectives. More films created and directed by women and people of color. More of everything. That's not revolutionary, that is where the industry is heading. More and more people are sitting at the creative table. The door of opportunity is opening wider. Plus there has never been such a voracious appetite for entertainment. There are more and more viewing options than ever before with a variety of access for audiences to consume it. This is a great time for story. ;)
As far as films for grandchildren, there are plenty!!!!!! I'm a parent, we see all kinds of things. With all the viewing and streaming options today there are a ton of options. Plenty of choices for everyone whatever your film preferences may be. Why the cynicism?
The studios make many family-oriented films every year. So do indie producers. There are many great films made every year, and are released theatrically or on Cable/TV; or go STV/STS - domestic films and films from other countries..
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, David!
David, they say write what you want to see—right? So write those stories about hero grandpas. If you wish to target those audiences then do it. Nothing is holding you back. There are markets for faith-based films and family dramas, etc. Go for it! Best wishes to you and to all your creative endeavors! :)
Thank you Beth. I have some scripts with such stories and more in the works. I agree with those who say there's lots of opportunity. I'd like to point out I'm not opposed to people making movies they think can be successful. I'm just saying there's and amazing opportunity out there for appealing to grandparents and grandchildren. I'd love to meet some filmmakers interested in such stories. I think they could be VERY popular.
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David,
Don't know if you've ever seen this, but here is a nice list of faith-based production companies. I've talked to several of them, and many are quite accessible.
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, David!
https://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/production-companies/
One of my selling points for my franchise of romantic screenplays plus a bonus musical is that the films would appeal to all four quadrants of the market. Stories that aren't religious or political, that reflect the diversity of Central Ohio, and that have contemporary problems apart from the violence and addiction themes. They're more about the social/psychological aspects of romantic love. Nice guys and nice ladies, but tons of problems.
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Personally for me movies don't have to be filled with violence and the vulgarity. I love a great story line. Movies that others may call 'boring' because it's just more psychological based or telling a story rather than blowing stuff up or is sex filled, me, I'll sit and enjoy every moment of it, because it speaks to morals and values in a world where it seems a topic shied away from. Ironically, my debut script into the industry is an action, but my second script i'm working on delves into a more important life topic. I want to hone my craft to write quality scripts that has overlaying messages within, and not simply a story just for a story sake. But, there has to be all types, I love my gore and action movies too. Even movies where the plot is horrible but it feeds that 'thrill' side of me I'll enjoy it haha. Will see what the future holds for me as I progress as a writer...
What ‘Jobs’ did was define the problem more accurately than anyone else. “The internet is becoming ubiquitous, how do we make it mobile”.
We need to define the movie problem with the same accuracy.
I did my weekly movie thing:
Captain Marvel - Friday Night
Dumbo - Saturday Night
Swimming with Men - Sunday afternoon.
The first two were packed. And I saw them in “Gold Class” ($35 a ticket, recliners, bring booze to me while i watch).
You are correct. Grandparents are a growing demo. But are they crying out for films? Perhaps it is the McDonalds method. Attract kids, they’ll bring the adults.
Thanks Craig. You have an excellent point about attracting kids to then get adults. But I'd like the experience to be one grandparents love on their own. I've been known to take my grandchildren to bouncy houses because they wanted to go. They're noisy and really just for the kids. Adults get to take pictures. I want to make something kids love but so do grandparents. I want fun kids in the movie but some heroic grandparents as well. Did you enjoy Dumbo? I thought it was beautiful from an artistic standpoint.
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Bill Costantini Thanks for the info that Christian film data base Bill. I have a 90 page script titled "22 Short Stories about Teenage Jesus" (or "Teenage Jesus" for short) - uses the same structure as 32 Short Films about Glenn Gould - circles of illumination.
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Thanks Erik – I had not seen that article yet. It was brilliant. Theaters of the future will survive only as excuses to go out for an event. I hope to help create event movies for families, but the bottom line is that there.will still be movies even if there are not theaters. What will remain of great value is really wonderful stories.
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A good film starts with a good story/script. I endeavor to write compelling, entertaining scripts and will continue to do so.
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These are good points, David. Movies with grandparents (or elder people) and children as central characters which excite and appeal to both generations seem like they're not done often. On Golden Pond comes to mind, but I think it isn't the kind of movie kids like. The Princess Bride. Up. I'm sure there are others but I can't think of them. I guess that makes the point this is something that can be tapped into more as you're saying.
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Good point James. The movie business is high risk, but there are those times when someone makes something amazing for a new audience and it has a huge impact. Walt Disney was brave enough to bet the ranch on Snow White. It was such a huge success Disney went from a cartoon studio to one of the majors. Today it's the biggest of the majors. Someone, someday will offer something risky that will reach far beyond the Comic Con audience.
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When I saw Jordan Peele in Keanu little did I know it was merely a springboard to so many great things on his horizon. Bravo
A WHOLE BUNCH OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY, FOUR-QUADRANT TENT POLE FILMS FOR 2019
The Kid Who Would Be King; The Lego Movie 2; How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World; Wonder Park; Dumbo; Missing Link; Disneynature Penguins; Pokemon Detective Pikachu; Ugly Dolls; Aladdin; Shaun the Sheep 2; The Secret Life of Pets 2; Toy Story 4; The Lion King; Dora the Explorer; The Angry Brids Moie 2; Playmobil: The Movie; Spies in Disguise;Abominable; The Addams Family; Sonic The Hedgehog; Frozen 2; Cats; Star Wars: Episode IX; A Dog's Journey; The Queen's Corgi; Noelle; THE WAR WITH GRANDPA; Cruella; Are You Afraid of the Dark; Descendants 3; Henry Danger Movie; Kim Possible; Klaus: Disney Magic Camp; The Legend of Secret Pass.
It's another banner year for great family-friendly films - enjoy!
Wonderful Bill. I enjoyed Dumbo. I expect to see Aladdin. I may see some others. I noticed you included War with Grandpa. I understand this is a comedy with some good values in it. It's not supposed to be like Bad Grandpa and Nasty Grandpa (one of which a reviewed for a publication). My hope is to include heroic grandparents and fun children without pitting them against each other.
David Outten I did; its called Intergalactic Law of Maggie. 2 of the main characters are over age 65. The violence level is that of Star Wars. Sci- Fi action adventure full length feature.
David Outten : Jesus said, "Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” Sometimes it is necessary to pit characters against each other to demonstrate the real strength and value of their relationship. Because liking someone who never challenges us or puts us down is easy. Liking someone who is a bee in our bonnet is difficult and makes for a more compelling narrative.
Definitely love your post David! We all should know that we have a huge responsibility with our stories to educate the audience - adults of any age plus children. May I invite you to have a look at my treatment for THE MAGIC OF SHIRKAN.
David,
I'm not sure where The War with Grandpa is headed. It was originally a film in The Weinstein Company portfolio, but you know what happened there. I'm pretty sure it was sold by the company for a fraction of the production cost during last year's fire sale. It certainly has a great cast, and was based on a best-seller, so we'll see what happens next.
I'm not trying to discourage you from your goals, but even with a can't-miss cast, and being based on a best-selling and beloved novel, a film like The War with Grandpa still has a hard time getting into theaters. I hope you'll look at the list of family-based indie film producers that I included here earlier - there are some really great producers who make films there.
Selling a script to a major studio is so hard, and their film slates are mostly determined years in advance. Most are based on successful novels, or IP that they already own, and have developed over time through other installations of a film's franchise history. But you never know - you might be one of the lucky ones.
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, David!
Thank you for your interest Bill. I realize I'm in a difficult place. The project I'm working on is like a 21st Century Sound of Music. It's filled with joy and ends with a scene that's euphoric. It's not the kind of thing most of the producers you listed would want to tackle. It's really not for the Evangelical Christian market. It's written to be a throwback to roadshows. I'd love to see it released for a period of time exclusively in some old movie palaces. I'm not experienced in budgeting, but my guess would be in the $30 million range.