Podcast Summary
Barbie Expands from Toys to Hollywood: Producer Robbie Brenner successfully convinced Mattel to expand Barbie brand into movies, resulting in a pink-themed film with an all-star cast and early box office success, sparking 'Barbie mania' globally.
The release of the new Barbie movie marks a significant expansion of the iconic brand from toys to Hollywood. Robbie Brenner, a producer of the film and head of Mattel Films, shared her experience of convincing Mattel that making movies was different from making toys, requiring a major education process. The movie, which features a pink theme, all-star cast, and early box office success, has sparked excitement and "Barbie mania" around the world. Despite the challenges, Brenner expressed her joy at the brand's ubiquity and the potential for more collaborations between Mattel and Hollywood.
Greta Gerwig's journey from indie films to a major studio Barbie project: Greta Gerwig transitioned from independent films to a major studio Barbie project due to production challenges and her daughter's love for Barbies. Despite having no personal connection, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different.
Greta Gerwig, an acclaimed filmmaker known for tackling sensitive topics in independent films, transitioned to making a Barbie movie due to the challenges of producing such films independently and the allure of joining the major studio world. Her experiences with the toy as a vicarious one through her daughter's love for Barbies played a role in her acceptance of the opportunity. Mattel had previously attempted to make a Barbie movie with other actresses and studios before partnering with Warner Brothers for a more authentic and bold take on the character, which led to Gerwig's involvement. Despite her lack of personal connection to Barbies growing up, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different and embraced the challenge.
Trusting Artists with Corporate Projects: Giving artists creative freedom in unexpected collaborations with corporations can lead to unique and compelling projects, showcasing the importance of trusting their vision.
Giving creative freedom to artists, even when working with big corporations like Mattel, can lead to unique and compelling projects. Greta Gerwig, known for her personal dramas and comedies, was given the independence to write a script for a Barbie movie, resulting in an unexpected and thought-provoking collaboration. The discussions between Gerwig, Mattel president Richard Dixon, and Margot Robbie were extensive, with questions about the character's actions and representation. Despite initial concerns, the conversations were friendly and productive, leading to a mutual understanding and appreciation for the project's take on beauty and self-expression. The success of this partnership demonstrates the importance of trusting artists to bring their vision to life, even in unexpected contexts.
Barbie movie addresses representation and diversity: The Barbie brand is evolving to be more inclusive and representative of diverse appearances and careers.
The new Barbie movie, while being a fun and entertaining experience, also addresses the issue of representation and diversity in the Barbie brand. Over the past decade, Mattel has made a conscious effort to expand the Barbie line to include various body types, skin tones, and careers. The movie reflects this inclusivity, featuring Barbies of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Margot Robbie plays the stereotypical Barbie, but there are many other Barbies with different appearances and professions. The film is not only about female empowerment but is a movie for everyone, offering something for all audiences. The movie's director, Greta Gerwig, adds depth and profundity to the story. The takeaway is that the Barbie brand is evolving and becoming more inclusive and representative of the diverse world we live in today.
Investing in Tech and Creating Engaging Content: Tech companies invest in innovation, while toy companies explore new media to engage consumers and stay competitive. Success can be unpredictable, and careful consideration is necessary before embarking on new projects.
Companies, whether in tech or toy industries, are constantly seeking new ways to engage consumers and stay competitive. For tech companies, this may mean investing in cutting-edge technologies and innovations, while for toy companies, it could mean exploring new media like movies to expand their reach. The Global X artificial intelligence and technology ETF (AIQ) is an example of the former, investing in tech companies at the forefront of disruption. Mattel, a toy company, is an example of the latter, with its Mattel Films division producing movies based on its intellectual property to create engaging content and sell toys. However, the success of these ventures can be unpredictable, with examples of both successes, like the Lego and Transformers franchises, and stumbles, like the 2012 Battleship movie. Companies must carefully consider the risks and potential rewards before embarking on such projects. Mattel has announced plans for several movies based on its toys, including Polly Pocket, Major Matt Mason, a Magic 8 Ball film, a Hot Wheels movie, a Rock'em Sock'em robots movie, and even a UNO movie. However, budget concerns and partnership profit shares can pose challenges. Ultimately, the goal is to create compelling content that resonates with audiences and drives revenue.
Robbie's Role in Hollywood's Blockbuster Movies: Robbie contributes to the creation of emotionally deep and provocative blockbuster movies, appreciating both the large-scale productions and intimate stories in Hollywood, while acknowledging the challenges and importance of keeping audiences engaged.
The producer, Robbie, plays an active role in the creation of blockbuster movies, collaborating with Warner Brothers on story, cast, editing, and more. He values the emotional depth and provocative elements of these large-scale productions, while also appreciating the importance of smaller, intimate stories in Hollywood. Robbie acknowledges the challenges of making a good movie and the importance of keeping audiences engaged by going to theaters. Despite the uncertainties of the movie business, he remains committed to finding authentic voices and telling great stories.
A team of diverse individuals brings the podcast to life: A dedicated team of individuals from various backgrounds collaborate to produce an informative and engaging podcast each week
Vast team effort behind the production of the show. The show is brought to you by a diverse group of individuals including Maher Adoni, Annie Baxter, Katherine Brewer, Maria Byrne, Pia Gadkari, Rachel Humphreys, Ryan Knutson, Matt Kwong, Jessica Mendoza, Annie Minoff, Laura Morris, Enrique Perez De La Rosa, Sarah Platt, Alan Rodriguez Espinosa, Heather Rogers, Jonathan Sanders, Pierce Singh, Jivaka Verma, Lisa Wang, and Kate Linebaugh. The engineering team includes Griffin Tanner, Nathan Singapak, and Peter Leonard. The theme music is by So Wiley, and additional music this week was provided by Katherine Anderson, Peter Leonard, Bobby Lord, Emma Munger, Nathan Singapak, Griffin Tanner, SoWiley, and Blue Dot Sessions. Fact checking is done by Nicole Casulka. It takes a village to produce a podcast, and this team is a prime example of that. Their collective hard work and dedication result in the informative and engaging content that is shared with listeners each week.
