This is absolutely the future. I know AI is a hot button issue for creatives but this creator centric future requires an empowered creator class. AI is potentially an engine for that new creator community.
The look is such a huge part of it. Like any great auteur, you can always tell when you're watching an A24 movie. Every film by Kubrick, PTA, Lynch, etc, is unique and has its own texture and feel while still being undoubtedly painted with the same. A24 is the same. I don't think any other studio has achieved that.
You may well be right about NEON surpassing them. the truth is they took a lot of capital in and now have to push their revenue, which according to some means they are going to water down the brand. Maybe you are already starting to feel that... thx for comments!!
This is one of the best breakdowns I’ve seen on A24’s culture. Love the suggestions too. Hollywood has never built an official minor leagues of content and a pipeline to scale new talent and IP.
thx Connor. I think the key is looking at them like a creator and not a studio. thats where this is all going. the creator economy doesnt mean Mr Beast. It can be so many things. A content studio can be a creator if they have a singular voice.
This type of “outside-looking-in” armchair coaching for brands often has me rolling my eyes. But damn if every one of those examples didn’t have me nodding. Brilliantly on point.
It’s been interesting to see A24 adopt more mainstream Hollywood personality traits, especially in regards to their purchases/marketing. ‘Civil War’ was a fascinating roll out - marketing this intense torture porn of a film as this “crazy thrill ride”. Felt intentional. The lack of marketing for ‘Sing Sing’ was disappointing. I think they’re having brief moments where they’re falling victim to the pitfalls of any major studio…but most filmmakers also speak so highly of their support throughout the creative process, which is super refreshing to hear.
Overall, they’re potentially dictating the new Hollywood. It’ll be really wild if they ever get acquired/the ripple effect of that sale. So much to keep tabs on.
they did take on a lot of capital which can lead to brand dilution. they are way smarter than I am but I would focus more on leveraging the audience they have in new ways (music, live events, etc) rather than try to output more content. the brand will grow more organically that way. new ways to capitalize without brand dilution. Again - way smarter than I am so lets where they go with it all...
Really enjoyed this breakdown! As a music industry strategist I found this super insightful, with some themes that align with what i believe is the only way to approach artist development these days ie. “specificity scales”, authenticity as a strategy and that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all 🤘
Interesting! I find that A24 is very good at marketing A24, they come across a strong brand instead of a distributor so many normie moviegoers don’t really understand what they do as a distributor. Personally I find that NEON is surpassing them in terms of distribution, curation and marketing. Plus Neon does a better job of bringing filmmakers front and center. I think A24 got lost in their merch game.
This is absolutely the future. I know AI is a hot button issue for creatives but this creator centric future requires an empowered creator class. AI is potentially an engine for that new creator community.
Love it.
The look is such a huge part of it. Like any great auteur, you can always tell when you're watching an A24 movie. Every film by Kubrick, PTA, Lynch, etc, is unique and has its own texture and feel while still being undoubtedly painted with the same. A24 is the same. I don't think any other studio has achieved that.
Well said all around, appreciate this forward-looking comparison!
Thoughtful and refreshing insights into how studios ( and individual creators) can stay relevant
You may well be right about NEON surpassing them. the truth is they took a lot of capital in and now have to push their revenue, which according to some means they are going to water down the brand. Maybe you are already starting to feel that... thx for comments!!
This is one of the best breakdowns I’ve seen on A24’s culture. Love the suggestions too. Hollywood has never built an official minor leagues of content and a pipeline to scale new talent and IP.
thx Connor. I think the key is looking at them like a creator and not a studio. thats where this is all going. the creator economy doesnt mean Mr Beast. It can be so many things. A content studio can be a creator if they have a singular voice.
This type of “outside-looking-in” armchair coaching for brands often has me rolling my eyes. But damn if every one of those examples didn’t have me nodding. Brilliantly on point.
💯
Really appreciated this blog and subscribed! I think this creator-community centric approach is coming from all media types, not just studios.
Beautiful work!
It’s been interesting to see A24 adopt more mainstream Hollywood personality traits, especially in regards to their purchases/marketing. ‘Civil War’ was a fascinating roll out - marketing this intense torture porn of a film as this “crazy thrill ride”. Felt intentional. The lack of marketing for ‘Sing Sing’ was disappointing. I think they’re having brief moments where they’re falling victim to the pitfalls of any major studio…but most filmmakers also speak so highly of their support throughout the creative process, which is super refreshing to hear.
Overall, they’re potentially dictating the new Hollywood. It’ll be really wild if they ever get acquired/the ripple effect of that sale. So much to keep tabs on.
they did take on a lot of capital which can lead to brand dilution. they are way smarter than I am but I would focus more on leveraging the audience they have in new ways (music, live events, etc) rather than try to output more content. the brand will grow more organically that way. new ways to capitalize without brand dilution. Again - way smarter than I am so lets where they go with it all...
Really enjoyed this breakdown! As a music industry strategist I found this super insightful, with some themes that align with what i believe is the only way to approach artist development these days ie. “specificity scales”, authenticity as a strategy and that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all 🤘
So much overlap with music. We are actually going to write about that soon
Interesting! I find that A24 is very good at marketing A24, they come across a strong brand instead of a distributor so many normie moviegoers don’t really understand what they do as a distributor. Personally I find that NEON is surpassing them in terms of distribution, curation and marketing. Plus Neon does a better job of bringing filmmakers front and center. I think A24 got lost in their merch game.
Neon is killing it. Similar strategy. they feel like a creator more than a studio.