In the ever-evolving landscape of television and streaming content, the launch of a new series or new season is no small feat. It requires a meticulously planned marketing strategy that not only captures the essence of the show but also ignites the curiosity and excitement of a global audience. Stand out between the dozen other series that are being released weekly now. Why should they watch YOUR series?  One standout example of such marketing prowess is the promotional campaign for “Bridgerton,” a period drama series that debuted on Netflix in December 2020. At the time of the first rele ..read more

Why do people think that the arts are ‘just a hobby’ and not a full-time job? Why are artistic people being told to find another job during the pandemic? The tension between the economy and art is a long-time discussion. I was taught about it in my very first class at the university. And it would continue till the very last class. And now, today, the tension is once again seen with the cultural field closed. I’m usually not really outspoken about politics, but I feel that – on this point – that there is some knowledge missing. I’m not trying to change your mind, just to give you a new look on ..read more

‘There’s no business like show business’. It is such a famous saying. And there are so many other sayings about the industry. From bad (‘everybody sleeps with everybody’) to great (‘I live for showbiz!’). In this blog, I’m taking you on the road of discovering what makes showbiz showbiz. Using Porter’s five forces framework, we will analyse how the entertainment industry works. We will also see how it differs from  other industries I will be focusing on the production side of showbiz, so I will leave the distribution part for what it is.   Get ready for a long article, but very inter ..read more

Scarlett Johansson has changed the way actors get paid. Because the distribution system has changed. Films are no longer released on cinema and several months later on DVD. Streaming services are here to stay. And it changes the paying system of actors. Johansson’s lawsuit to Disney for releasing Black Widow both in the cinemas and on their streaming service at the same time – meaning that she will miss out on income – was the start of the change in the movie industry. So let’s take a look at how actors get paid in the film and TV series business and how it is changing. The background informat ..read more

The Eurovision Song contest. You hate it or you love it. But there’s one thing you can’t deny: the production behind it is one amazing big project. What you see on the television is just such a small part of what’s happening backstage at the moment. Not to say about the whole process before the shows. In this article, I’ll give a short layout of the production aspects. General idea Before I go into certain aspects, let’s give you an idea of the magnitude of the project. Let’s start with a list of the products used in 2021: 70 wireless mics 4.2 kilometres of sound cables 298 speakers (150 in 2 ..read more

How often did you see a movie trailer and said: They only cast him or her, because they’re famous. Why do we suddenly see Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson in every fight movie? Is he really the best cast for this movie? Well, maybe he is sometimes. And sometimes he isn’t. In this article, I want to show you the reasons behind casting people. When and why do you go for the best-skilled actor or the most popular one. Casting the best-skilled actor Let’s start with the most obvious one to look at when casting people: the best-skilled actor. Or actually, that isn’t right. It’s misleading. Because it is n ..read more

Honestly, if there was one straight and simple answer for this – the key question to success – there would be no failures. No losses made. Because every creative product you would ever make, would also instantly make a huge profit. But the answer doesn’t exist. And to be fair, this also makes it so much more fun to produce something (even if it gives you some anxiety as well). However, what do you do now? How do you decide which artistic idea – whether it’s a musical theatre show, a tv-series or a film – to produce in the end? Well, there are a few possibilities to base your decision on and I ..read more

You have the best idea. EVER. It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s something completely different from anything else. Maybe you’ve already written the script for it. You know millions of people will be interested. But now what? You want to get your idea commissioned so it will be developed and broadcasted. But how do you go about doing that? There are several options. You can set up your own production company and produce your idea yourself. But that takes a lot money. To produce an average series costs between 5 and 15 million dollars per season, money you most likely don’t have in your bank account. O ..read more

Did Charles really cheat on Diana with Camilla? Is that really what Buckingham Palace looks like? Did they wear exactly those clothes? The Crown is an immensely popular drama series based on real – and still alive – people. But how close to the truth is The Crown really? Let’s find out. In this article, we will go through multiple elements that can reflect historical accuracy about the royal family. It’s not just the story that reflects true life, but it’s also the costumes, manners and setting. Are you ready? Let’s go! What is The Crown? Okay, if you’ve been living under a rock this month (or ..read more

A while ago I was sitting at the audition table for a new musical production. With five persons we were judging the actor in front of us: some people from the original creative team, some from our production department. All five saw the same audition, all five gave different feedback. One watched if the actor fit the role, another was looking at his fame and how to utilize it for marketing use. Auditions are hard. Every actor or actress can tell you that. And they are also incredibly complex, as the best singer is not necessary the best person for a role. In this blog, I will tell you about th ..read more