CaptainTux
September 9th, 2003, 10:52 PM
I posted this on CA in response to someone who thought that Sci Fi did market research to ensure a succesful series and create ORIGINAL programming. I just wanted to share and get your thoughts on it. I am new here...so please be gentle...:o
I believe it is a fantasy to think that marketing departments follow what will sell in the long run. There are formulas that are followed in making a show a "hit". Originality from the likes of Glen Larson or Gene Roddenbury or George Lucas have to fight their way to see production. There was no battle in a bunch of people deciding to cash in a name that is established enough to make a quick buck.
Just an example of formula. I am a big fan of musicals as long as I am not on stage. Anyway, a great musical is Sunset Boulevard. In an excerpt between soon to die Joe and the lovely Betty they discuss how to write a hit..
"Joe
Look, Betty, it can't be done, it's out.
Let's keep in touch through Artie.
That way if you get stuck, we can at least talk.
Write this down, I'll give you some ground rules.
Plenty of conflict but nice guy don't break the law.
Girl meets boy, she give herself completely
And though she loves him
Joe/Betty
She keep one foot on the floor
Betty
No one dies except the best friend
No one ever mentions communists
No one takes a black friend to a restaurant.
Joe
Very good, nothing I can teach you
We could have had fun fighting the studio."
It is, of course, a ficticious rendering, but if you read the history of the fight for Adam's Ark and Wagon Train to the Stars you will see the innovative ideas had to fight the studio and wait while the treatment idea collected dust..not get embraced with slick ad campaigns and big name actors. I think if you watch some excerps from "An Evening With Kevin Smilth" you will see further evidence that market research being run by people that understand the genre and care about fan base and the big picture is a disappointing misnomer.
Make no mistake, Science Fiction is a genre that can be artistic. People in suits look for profit and do not understand that if you offer the masses art...the masses will watch and appreciate you. Unfortunately, the suits read too much PT Barnum and lean more towards giving people what they want (or a sucker is born every minute.) Furthermore, I think they underestimate the sophistication of the science fiction fan.
If you know anyone in the industry...you will find that the marketing science that is currently used would be better left to Wiccans throwing Rune stones around.
Cheers!
Tux
I believe it is a fantasy to think that marketing departments follow what will sell in the long run. There are formulas that are followed in making a show a "hit". Originality from the likes of Glen Larson or Gene Roddenbury or George Lucas have to fight their way to see production. There was no battle in a bunch of people deciding to cash in a name that is established enough to make a quick buck.
Just an example of formula. I am a big fan of musicals as long as I am not on stage. Anyway, a great musical is Sunset Boulevard. In an excerpt between soon to die Joe and the lovely Betty they discuss how to write a hit..
"Joe
Look, Betty, it can't be done, it's out.
Let's keep in touch through Artie.
That way if you get stuck, we can at least talk.
Write this down, I'll give you some ground rules.
Plenty of conflict but nice guy don't break the law.
Girl meets boy, she give herself completely
And though she loves him
Joe/Betty
She keep one foot on the floor
Betty
No one dies except the best friend
No one ever mentions communists
No one takes a black friend to a restaurant.
Joe
Very good, nothing I can teach you
We could have had fun fighting the studio."
It is, of course, a ficticious rendering, but if you read the history of the fight for Adam's Ark and Wagon Train to the Stars you will see the innovative ideas had to fight the studio and wait while the treatment idea collected dust..not get embraced with slick ad campaigns and big name actors. I think if you watch some excerps from "An Evening With Kevin Smilth" you will see further evidence that market research being run by people that understand the genre and care about fan base and the big picture is a disappointing misnomer.
Make no mistake, Science Fiction is a genre that can be artistic. People in suits look for profit and do not understand that if you offer the masses art...the masses will watch and appreciate you. Unfortunately, the suits read too much PT Barnum and lean more towards giving people what they want (or a sucker is born every minute.) Furthermore, I think they underestimate the sophistication of the science fiction fan.
If you know anyone in the industry...you will find that the marketing science that is currently used would be better left to Wiccans throwing Rune stones around.
Cheers!
Tux