Review The Blockbuster Formula is Not Working

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Pamela Jo

News Neil Gaiman on 1st drafts

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Pamela Jo

Why the only recent good BBC series was Happy Valley

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This is a big deal, I think.

The focus group / tent-pole franchise / IP-based approach to creating content that users want to see / read is dying. It’s producing turgid, formulaic rubbish. I’m damned if I want to pay $50 for two to see Marvel Cinematic Universe Brand Extension Vol 666. I’ve better things to do with my time and cash.

This trend will only get worse with the unthinking adoption of AI – which is 100% recursive – to IP generation.
 
Pamela Jo said:
I think there is a rebellion brewing among consumers. Everything that the big corporations have thrown money at has failed. People are creating their own zeitgeist.

www.theguardian.com

King of the streamers: how Godzilla Minus One became a monster hit for Netflix

One of 2023’s blockbusters lands on the streamer, with Oscar in hand and more thrills than most Hollywood summer offerings
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
Click to expand...
Godzilla minus one is well worth the time. Not so much about a monster as the emotional state of post nuke, post lost war, Japan.
Part of the death of the blockbuster is that they're all just terrible. In the past, there have been some really well done ones" Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, the pre-sequeled to death super hero stuff.
The new trend reeks of fear. Taking a chance opens up a chance of brilliance, but also total failure. Not taking one at least keeps you below the berm.
 
AgentPete said:
This is a big deal, I think.

The focus group / tent-pole franchise / IP-based approach to creating content that users want to see / read is dying. It’s producing turgid, formulaic rubbish. I’m damned if I want to pay $50 for two to see Marvel Cinematic Universe Brand Extension Vol 666. I’ve better things to do with my time and cash.

This trend will only get worse with the unthinking adoption of AI – which is 100% recursive – to IP generation.
Click to expand...

I just submitted a query on Querytracker with an agent who asked if AI was used at all...
 
MattScho said:
Godzilla minus one is well worth the time. Not so much about a monster as the emotional state of post nuke, post lost war, Japan.
Part of the death of the blockbuster is that they're all just terrible. In the past, there have been some really well done ones" Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, the pre-sequeled to death super hero stuff.
The new trend reeks of fear. Taking a chance opens up a chance of brilliance, but also total failure. Not taking one at least keeps you below the berm.
Click to expand...
It's the effect of shareholders come first. Why we have stagnated in fashion and any kind of innovation for decades. The only thing that has innovated is tech and that stops with AI.
Like my son says says all these techbros paddling like hell to educate AI to come up with an idea a humanities student came up with and trashed in their freshman year.


I think a lot of the appeal of GOT was the subconscious recognition of climate change. "Winter is Coming." And people wanted more bread, more circuses. Now people are moving more towards WTF do we do about winter coming. They want something real to sink their teeth into and the way humans have always done that is thru horror and fantasy IMO. With some Busby Berkely mindless entertainment thrown in.

Voila! Godzilla. Who was always a mixed metaphor for the Japanese. They hated him and loved him at the same time. Sort of like the American occupation.
 
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Fall Guy reminded me of that formula. It was AWFUL! And after spending so much money on 3 Body Problem Netflix did better with an old series they picked up for 45k.

Which reminds me I really wanted to like Bodkin, but it isn't a fraction as good as "Bad Sisters." Tho the music is FANTASTIC it lacks Sharon Hogan's touch and went down the dark Irish soul snake hole. I think I really need to submit One Magic Summer to Irish publishers who I had confirmed to me do not require agents.
 
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Pamela Jo

News Neil Gaiman on 1st drafts

  • Pamela Jo
  • Replies: 6
Pamela Jo

Why the only recent good BBC series was Happy Valley

  • Pamela Jo
  • Replies: 0
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