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Dragging the Net

Looking for the big fish in a sea of interactive media

Friday May 20^th, 2005 - For the first time ever, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is set to award an Emmy® statuette to the winners of the 2005 Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television. While the Interactive Television category is in its fourth year, this year’s recognition in the form of a statuette will cast in stone (or a mixture of copper, nickel, silver, and gold, to be exact) the TV industry’s acknowledgment of interactive media as a peer component in television entertainment.

One might be tempted, at this juncture, to infer that interactive entertainment is at last considered on a par with the more conventional forms of mass distribution entertainment. Experience suggests otherwise, however. While “New Media” has unquestionably grown well beyond its “newness”, many people in the film and television industry do not perceive video games, mobile entertainment, and other forms of interactive media, as full-fledged partners in the larger entertainment arena.

What luck that the LA Convention Center was festooned this week with over 2 million pounds of rigging, and nearly 6,000 monitors and screens; blanketed with 20,000 feet of power cable and 200 miles of cabling; and draped with more than 2.5 acres of banners – all covering more than 540,000 net square feet, the equivalent of 2,700 city blocks, and all dedicated to celebrating the power of interactive entertainment as a global industry. E3Expo 2005 was in town, hosting more than 400 exhibitors from 90 countries, and literally thousands of new or imminent productions. What a shame that most of Hollywood didn’t attend.

The world’s largest interactive entertainment trade show was conspicuously lacking in Film or TV figures. OK, Michael Chiklis was there for a bit, signing “Fantastic 4” posters, and a few non-union actors got a couple of days of work dressing up as characters from lesser-known video games. E3 doesn’t trot out a tantalizing coterie of star actors and directors, à la ShoWest and NATPE. The explanation for this lies in the fact that Interactive entertainment focuses on immersion, rather than passive observation. The fastest growing sector of the entertainment industry has dedicated itself to the proposition that the viewer IS the cast. As a result, game players do not respond well to megastar casting trends, preferring instead to worship at the altars of renowned game designers, programmers or platform developers. There has finally been a strong shift toward emphasizing deeper story richness, but one should not hold one’s breath, in the hopes of hearing how the latest Tom Cruise game broke all sales records. Gamers are sold on gameplay, story, and -- in such cases as Tiger Woods and Tony Hawk -- real-life personalities playing themselves. But interactive entertainment holds fast to the principle that the audience is the star.





Several years ago, I moderated a panel of industry prognosticators, including a high-ranking executive from the Screen Actors Guild. I took the opportunity to discuss Video Game production with the SAG executive, encouraging her to enter into dialogue with game development companies, in order to preemptively establish SAG actors as a crucial part in the creative development of game production. The executive with whom I spoke made it very clear that SAG did not consider such dialogue a priority at the time. At that time, I believed that the still emerging game industry – willing to sacrifice a measure of operational liberty, in exchange for entrée into new distribution opportunities - might be willing to partner with organizations already strongly established in the entertainment industry. It was a classic case of “they need us, more than we need them”. The SAG executive on my panel gave me the distinct impression that she believed this would always be the case, and was not interested in hearing suggestions to the contrary. I wonder how she feels today?...

Producers of TV and film properties still have an opportunity to engage in serious dialogue with game developers and other interactive entertainment producers, as we continue to explore the relationship between “Hollywood” and the interactive entertainment arena. How that dialogue is conducted may professionally affect us all far more deeply than we might imagine.

The leadership at the Producers Guild of America is fond of referencing the "producing team," and rightly so. But ask yourself, producers, does your producing team encompass new media producers? If it doesn't, it should. It's always a challenge to expand our frame of reference and embrace new modes of telling our stories. But it's a challenge that every single producer will have to face. The real choice is: Will you face that challenge proactively or reactively? That said, interactive entertainment producers in the US are themselves faced with an opportunity: to engage in dialogue with their international counterparts at such organizations as Australia’s GDAA, and Europe’s TIGA, in order to keep communication, production, and distribution channels open in all directions.

The interactive entertainment industry wants to work in partnership with the TV and film industry, as attested to by such lauded upcoming game releases as “King Kong”, “24”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, and even some classic titles such as “Taxi Driver”, “Dirty Harry”, and of course, the much anticipated EA game, “The Godfather”. Yet the *really* hot titles have nothing to do (yet) with TV or film properties. Games such as "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess"; "Madden 2006"; "Spore"; "Nintendogs"; "F.E.A.R."; and "Civilization IV”. Suffice to say, game developers have plenty of successful titles to keep them going, without tapping into film or TV properties. As one game developer rep who-shall-remain-nameless quipped at E3, “it would be nice to work on some more film-related games, but not crucial for us”. While I believe this confidence may come back to bite this executive in the server-side output channel, film and TV producers would do well to recognize the relatively strong position of their interactive entertainment counterparts, as and when they explore possible alliances and co-productions.

I sat with David Hufford, Global Group PR Manager for XBOX, to discuss the company’s vision, with respect to how it would collaborate with Hollywood. “When you combine games with movies,” he said, “you immerse the audience in the world of that story…forever”. When questioned about the recently announced XBOX Live Marketplace, he enthusiastically invited Hollywood to bring their stories online, via the XBOX 360. “The episodic nature of online gaming establishes an interactive relationship with the audience for as long as the story is being told, which could be forever.” Hufford invited producers to consider releasing trailers and other footage via the XBOX Live community. Imagine releasing your feature trailer hand-in-hand with the first few levels of that story’s online component. Imagine getting the characters and themes in front of a guaranteed 4 Million plus eyeballs, and initiating an INTERACTIVE relationship with a community whose fervor for a well-told story is unquestionable…

Game on.

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E3 Insider

GDAA – Game Developers’ Association of Australia

TIGA – The Independent Games Developers Association (UK)

XBOX 360

Neologisms 2005

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.
6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.
7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle (n.), olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Cultural events side note

Just got the latest QofV list of LA area events (with a definite Venice Beach area focus), and thought it might be useful to post the info for y'all:

Fri, May 6 9pm-4am $15 advance
CIRQUE BERZERK BURNINGMAN CAMP BENEFIT PARTY "Release the Freaks" will feature ethno breaks + progressive electrofunk by DJs Karsh Kale, Janaka Selekta, Patrick Harvard and David Starfire. Also aerialists, stilters, skaters, jugglers, fire spinners, massage tables & more.
2210 Lincoln Blvd (just N of Venice Blvd), Venice

* * * * *
Sat, May 7 10am-5pm $50 advance/$60 at door 11TH ANNUAL VENICE GARDEN TOUR This showcase of unusual and delightful gardens was conceived by landscape designer Jay Griffith and Venice community leaders Linda Lucks and Jan Brilliot as a fundraising event for Las Doradas Children's Center. Your tickets are tax deductible.


* * * * *
Sat, May 7 1pm $10
"PEACABLE KINGDOM" ~ SCREENING
A powerful and moving documentary about farm animals, described by many viewers as “a life changing experience.” (90 min) Laemmle's 4-Plex, 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica

* * * * *
Sat, May 7 5–8pm Free
WAYNE WHITE ~ ARTIST RECEPTION
"Organic Remains of A Former World: New Paintings" – New work by the artist, production designer and former puppeteer (on PeeWee’s Playhouse.) Western Project, 3830 Main St, Culver City http://www.western-project.com/news/MainNews.html

* * * * *
Sat, May 7 6:30-8:30pm Free
ARTNIGHT AT 18TH STREET ARTS CENTER
Gallery receptions, open studios, music and a new site-specific performance by Osseus Labyrint.
18th St Arts Center, 1639 18th St, Santa Monica

* * * * *
Sun, May 8 5pm Free
EROTIC NIGHT MOTHER'S DAY ~ READINGS
A Hammer tradition featuring steamy readings by renown writers.
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Westwood


Sat, May 14 10am-7pm Free
14TH ANNUAL SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL
Featuring an eclectic lineup of music, theater and dance on two solar-powered stages in a outdoor setting, + arts workshops and more.
Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica

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Sat & Sun, May 14 & 15 12noon-11pm $20 advance 13TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH FESTIVAL & BAYOU BASH Featuring cajun and zydeco music, dancing, entertainment, children's area, cajun food (including 6,000 pounds of crawfish) and beach bar.
Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon, 200 N Portofino

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Sat, May 14 6-8pm Free
BRITT EHRINGER ~ ARTIST RECEPTION
"Baghdad Pizza Hut" - On a ranch an hour outside of L.A., Ehringer creates art investigating the multiplicity of images with which we are constantly bombarded. (Show runs through June 11.) Berman/Turner Projects, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica

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Sun, May 15 11am-4pm $65 advance/ packages available
AIA/LA HOME TOUR OF VENICE
Featuring contemporary homes by architects Michael Folonis, David Hertz, Koning Eizenberg and Vaughan Trammel. (Palisades tour June 5 and Santa
Monica+ tour June 26.)
For tickets, call 213.639.0777 or visit:


* * * * *
Sun, May 15 4pm $15 (kids $5)
YUVAL RON ENSEMBLE ~ CONCERT PERFORMANCE "The Legend of the Baal Shem" - Klezmer meets mystical music of the Middle East in this kabbalistic story about having children, the magic of prayer and finding true love.
Christian Fellowship Church, 269 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga RSVP & more info: info@yuvalronmusic.com

* * * * *
Sun, May 15 5pm Free
ERIC BOGOSIAN ~ READING
The award-winning playwright, novelist and actor reads from new novel, Wasted Beauty.
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Westwood


* * * * *
Tue, May 17
LOS ANGELES GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Please vote for our next mayor and council member!!!


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Sat, May 21 12noon-4pm $75 /$100 Weekend Package VENICE ART & ARCHITECTURE TOURS Self-driving "On the Fringe Tours" showcase notable artists and homes on the Venice Canals and Victoria Avenue.
Part of the Venice Art Walk. Saturday includes Art Auction Preview Reception.

Sun, May 22 11am-6pm $50
Venice Art Walk & Auction
Featuring art auction, food faire, cocktails garden, live entertainment, drawings and more to benefit the Venice Family Clinic.
Begin at Westminster School, 1010 Abbot Kinney

* * * * *
Sat, June 25 12noon-10pm Free
4TH ANNUAL CARNEVALE! VENICE BEACH
This outdoor festival focuses on the art and artists of Venice and features live entertainment, dancing, food, booths and a costume competition. A Venice Beach Centennial Celebration event.
Windward Circle, Venice