Storm Surfers 3D executive producer Marcus Gillezeau is launching a free e-book to guide filmmakers on how to produce for multiple platforms.
Co-written with Evelyn Saunders, Hands On – All Media Producing is a follow-up to Gillezeau’s 2004 tome Hands On – A practical guide to production and technology in film, TV and new media.
“We have entered a new era where all media production will become the norm,” says Gillezeau, who is launching the guide at the SPAA Screen Forever conference, where he is giving a master class on November 21.
“The fundamental creative basis upon which stories have been told for thousands of years is being challenged. Form, genre, structure, format and duration are rapidly evolving and developing and in doing so, are opening up huge possibilities and new opportunities.
“Conversely, these same opportunities present enormous challenges for producers as they grapple with financing structures and revenue models that will work in the new landscape of all media production.”
The e-book is free for industry practitioners thanks to the financial assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW. It features case studies on a number of projects including Storm Surfers 3D, which was delivered as a 3D movie, a four-part 3D TV series, a 20-part web series, an app, game, e-book, soundtrack album and media website.
“Our goal in writing Hands On is to share what we’ve learnt over the last fifteen years and to hopefully encourage you to make your next project an all media production,” writes Gillezeau, CEO of Sydney-based Firelight Productions.
Among the other subjects of case studies are Conspiracy 365, Heroes, Reservoir Hill, Alpha 07, dirtgirlworld, Henry Jenkins and Wei is Tim.
“All media projects represent the future of the screen industry,” he says. “The entire cultural and entertainment business landscape is changing in response to the growing integration of story, content and brand across media platforms. Combined with the role consumers are playing in shaping how they want to be entertained it is at once a daunting yet exciting space to be working in.
“Producers and content creators often find it difficult to determine if an all media project proposal has the right elements to be a successful property due to the vagaries of terminology, the speed with which new platforms are opening up and the lack of information on what constitutes a successful all media production. This publication aims to help fill in some of the gaps by providing tips, advice and experiences from the front line of all media production.”
The 286-page guide will be available to download from next Monday at: www.firelight.com.au/handson