Hollywood IP at Gamesbeat 2014
September 2014 – One of the keynotes was on the topic of transmedia licensing which was titled Hollywood IP: From the big screen to mobile devices. The panel featured Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities as the moderator and Peter Levin of Lionsgate along with Chris Petrovic of Kabam. Lionsgate is fresh off an acquisition of the Rovio to formally be in the game development space.
In order to obtain a more attached following, the studios are looking at games linked to TV shows and films to help build up and maintain excitement about a project. Film studios have been partnering with Games development companies to deliver a quality experience to the user. Lionsgate, and their president of interactive ventures and games Peter Levin, explained that the need to produce a platform on multiple levels – signage, film, games, collectibles, requires a multiple platform approach.
The majority of the time, people are not looking at the big scrren they have a t home, it is the minimum sun 6” screen of their mobile phone as the new platform.
Beyond the big screen, Hollywood studios are looking to extend their intellectual properties to provide long-lasting and engaging experiences to fans. By partnering with game development studios, content from hit movies becomes accessible everywhere, extending the life of the Hollywood intellectual properties. In this fireside chat with Lionsgate president of interactive ventures and games, Peter Levin, and Kabam head of corporate development & licensing, Chris Petrovic, we will explore how the partnerships with Hollywood studios and game studios are shaped and how they benefit both parties. We will also discuss how extending to mobile provides an interactive and enjoyable extension of these intellectual properties.
The goal of the transmedia licensing that is being undertaken at this time is to secure the rights and options to all forms of media for the story. This includes collectibles & clothing, books, graphic novels, animated series, live action series, mobile games, console/PC games, arcade games, cable & direct to screen films, and independent/feature films. The current environment is fluid to the point that any starting point in the mix can lead to the creation of the other media options. The pathway is no longer a single vertical path – it is a horizontal all equal level for all the media options.
