Blaine Graboyes

Media Architect

Blaine’s History in DVD• Made my 1st DVD in 1996• Started ZUMA Digital in 1997 in NYC• Produced over 3,000 DVDs• Entertainment, Business and Fine

Arts• Developed software products• Understanding of multiple areas

How I Became A DVD Producer

• Mathematics, Sculpture and Philosophy of Science major

• Interested in computers for Fine Arts• Unsatisfied with CD and Web• Fascinated with power of TV• Started my own company to explore• Signed with ICM for representation

Studio Cognito• Creative group at Comchoice• Services; Creative, Design, Production• Clients include New Line, BBC, Warner

Bros., Fox, Pfizer and many more• Focus on Original Development

– New Product Launch - Atmos : Clouds– AIDS / Women - The World Is Ours DVD

Set

What Is A Media Architect?• Integrates Creative, Technical and

Business objectives into a unified Project Plan and directs all aspects of the production process to ensure total success.

• The primary goal is the development of media properties that entertain, educate and motivate viewers.

What Is A Media Architect?

creative

technical

economic

What Is A Media Architect?

creative technicaleconomicBrand IDDesign

EditorialPackaging

SubtitlesEncodingAuthoring

Replication

LicensingFinance

SponsorsMarketing

What Is Creativity?• In business, Creativity is about creating

profits, by understanding the goals of the client / project and exploiting the resources available to achieve goals

• It is about THE IDEA• It is executed through design and

production• Consumer judges quality via purchase

State Of The Business• DVD business is doing very well• High margin retail sales• Often 60% of studio revenues• About 50% of DVD sales via WAL-

MART• 63% installed base of DVD players• Widespread consumer acceptance

Copyright Protection• Need to focus on a viable

solution– Concede that hacking happens– Focus on strengths of content

Emerging Trends

Licencsing Production DistributionDefer fees for access to 100% of DVD royalties

Automation Solutionsfor Authoring and

Manufacturing

Non-traditional retail outlets, such as gas

stations, newstands and home design stores

TV Shows DVD Games Discount DVD Sales

Niche Rights and Specialty Licenses

Custom Interfacesand Controllers

Reaching NichesWomen, Kids, Hispanics

DVD Forum Approves New Formats for Next Gen DVD

Desktop Production Promotional DVDs with cereal boxes, cars, etc.

Return to Brand Driven Entertainment and

Marketing

Faster Turnarounds NETFLIX, etc.

Who hires the DVD Producer?

• Current Scenario– Studio / Distributor– Dir. Marketing or DVD Production– V.P. Home Video or Production at Music Cos.

• Future Trend– Director / Producer– Production Company - fulltime, in-house– Talent Agency / Packaging– Advertising Agencies

DVD Producer Responsibilities

• Develop concepts and direction• Work with talent• Coordinate production team(s)• Oversee Program and VAM production• Oversee menu design• Document deliverables for authoring• Support as needed during authoring• QC final product for approval

Production Pipeline

Budgets and Schedules• Basic Level $15-50k• Medium Level $75-150k• Big Budget $300k +

2-4+ months for Production6-8 weeks for Design2-6 weeks for Technical

New Technologies• DVD is precursor and R&D platform

for new technologies such as Tivo, VOD, iTV and Broadband

• DVD Producers have been producing for these new technologies all along

• Convert some formats and concepts to work with new platforms

Future Of DVD• Custom Interfaces and

Controllers• HD-DVD• Web-connected settop devices• Ubiquitous distribution

How To Be A DVD Producer

• Start doing it for someone• Work with established players

– Client and Vendor side(s)• Develop specific expertise

– Director, Post Supervisor, Designer

• Do it for yourself