I am an entrepreneur and am very new to cartoons and animation. I have created an animal character that is quite unique, according to the research I’ve conducted, and I am having an excellent caricature artist render it for me. It will be finished very soon.
The character has a “dark†side, but it is much more comical than dark.
I'm sure that everyone with an idea says this, but I have no doubt that this concept has a broad range of possible avenues for development and marketing, and I plan on getting it on one or more of them.
I've shown the preliminary sketches and explained the concept to a select few people, and they have loved the idea.
I see definite marketing/licensing possibilities in the areas of animated cartoons, video games, greeting cards, imprinted on various products, or any combination of these.
I would like to be able to reveal the concept, along with the completed rendering… in a way that will be “safe†for me… to companies or individuals interested in exploring such Intellectual Properties.
In addition, I don’t want to invest money with a company in order to proceed (like with “market your invention†type companies), but would rather partner, in one way or another, with a company or person that will examine my concept, and then choose to move in the direction of development and marketing if they see the potential in this.
I would appreciate any input that may be offered regarding how I might best proceed along this path. :D
Here's some advice:
Explore the concept and services of Kickstarter.
Its a good way of determining if your concept has merit and an audience, because you'll gain support by direct purchases and donations from people that would actually buy your stuff.
Understand that the idea of partners seems like a "less risk" kind of thing.......but once you bring outside parties into your project, they will want something........usually control. And I'm talking the kind of control that essentially pushes you into the background.
The best and safest way to manage your idea is to stretch yourself to handle the marketing of it yourself.
It takes more time, sweat, and equity to do this, but you do not cede control and you get to oversee things every step of the way. That is you don't have to slice up the profit-pie as much.
Here's a article that I just read today:
http://community.bmo.com/smartstepsforbusiness/articles/start/five-tips-success-film-biz
If you want safety in this thing, be prepared to spend some money.
Legit copyright and trademark registry can bring you protection for your property--and there's no way to skirt around it if you want actual protection.
If you baulk at the cost, you are baulking at your own project and forsaking it in the same breath. Additionally, a entertainment lawyer can advise/direct you toward additional safeguards, such as NDAs--and again........it will cost, but its a cost that buys you protection in the legal minefields.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Thanks for the input and advice, Ken. Very insightful. I may want to get into some dialogue with you on this, if you'd be willing.
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