So in my continuous quest to understand Transmedia, I came across Entourage. Entourage is a TV series commissioned by HBO and is created by Doug Ellin. The series was a hit and won numerous awards too during its course. After much hype and fan demand, Entourage – The Movie was announced, continuing from where the series left off!
By the looks of the trailer and the hype that is building, the movie has all the potential to continue the success which the franchise is earning.
The movie is coming out on June 3 and the producers are leaving no stone unturned. On taking the Trasmedia root, the producers have paired with different brand like Cadillac and Johnny Walker which has led to two short movies. One featuring Ari Gold and the other featuring Johnny Drama.
The one with Ari Gold is the story of how Ari comes back to Hollywood to become the new studio head and is directed by series creator Doug Ellin.
ARI GOLD IS BACK
“Ari’s in what seems to be the most romantic place on Earth but clearly communicates that its not where he’s suppose to be or wants to be“, says Doug to the Hollywood Reporter. He also adds, “I thought people would want to know what Ari has been doing since the show ended, so it was a perfect opportunity to do that and make a separate short film.”
This 4-minute short film has two functions. Its tells the story of how Ari came out of retirement and is also an advertisement for Cadillac’s Ciel concept car.
JOHNNY FOR JOHNNIE
Johnny for Johnnie features Johnny Drama along with talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel. It is funny and gives us a taste of what the movie might me. Not only that, it extends Drama’s character story as well, by tapping on his relentless pursuit of success. This short film perfectly mixes Johnnie Walker’s tag line ‘Keep Walking’ with Drama’s character trait. Not only that, the entire series was based on this principal. No matter what the ups and downs, just keep walking aka life changes, friends don’t.
“What makes the Entourage series so universally relatable is that its story revolves around a group of friends and their unrelenting pursuit of their dreams,” explains Dan Sanborn, VP of Influencer and Entertainment Marketing for Diageo North America. “We all have dreams but it’s not always easy to achieve them. In this short film, Johnny Drama – as only Drama can – brings to life his own dream, bringing some fun and levity to his journey and all of the steps along the way. It’s a classic Johnny Drama story of perseverance.”
MAYBE, this may just be a marketing strategy, maybe it may not. But fans are definitely enjoying this trans-medic step taken by the producers. In the end, ain’t everyone happy? Fans are rejoicing as they get to see new chapters in the Entourage story. The producers are definitely making money from these two commercials/short movies.
Apart from these short movies there has been a book released by the producers called “The Gold Standard” written by non other than Ari Gold himself.
Ari Gold, after years of dominating the Hollywood agency scene, finally offers invaluable tips and advice on how to be as successful in work and in life as Gold himself.
Ari Gold is known for his ruthless approach to deal-making and client relationships that made him one of, if not the, most powerful and sought-after agents in Hollywood until he retired in 2011. In his new book THE GOLD STANDARD, Gold will illuminate, for the first time, his unique, effective and, some would say, outrageous philosophies on running a successful business, client management, employee motivation, keeping a happy home life, and other keys to his many successes. Brash, emphatic, instructive and always wise, Gold’s book will rival business and leadership bestsellers the world over. In his own words and with his trademark enthusiasm, Gold’s tome will be the only book anyone wanting to make something of him or herself will ever need.
Ari Gold says: “In my humble opinion, if you want to run a successful business this is the only book you’ll ever have to read. And my humble opinion is never wrong.”
He not only writes this book (in doing so shares his secrets to success), he also comes into real life news/tv shows to promote it.
and…
Entourage had always had this ARG-ness to it. The serials featured at-least one real celebrity in the show. Some times stars would play themselves in the film, and sometimes they would act. The show is famously known for its celebrity appearances. So taking this step towards movies and short film was inevitable I guess.
Who would had guessed that this small idea on Mark Wahlberg’s life (originally intended to be a documentary) would turn out to be such a huge thing. This just shows us the power of trans-media. Ofcourse, the producers are given credit to finally tap on to this franchise and how!
Common!! Release the movie already!
