Franchise

Hyde Park Entertainment and Parkes/MacDonald Productions have acquired Kenny Golde’s spec screenplay Killer. The contained thriller was originally written with the intent to produce the film on a low budget. I heard that the screenplay was originally making the rounds at Paramount’s new low-budget film division and Fox Searchlight, but quickly made its way up to the bigger studios.

The story is told through the point of view of a single video camera held by a police officer videotaping a murder investigation. While investigating the crime scene, the police discover a video left by the killer, made with hidden cameras planted throughout the house they are investigating.

“As the story moves back and forth between the lunatic’s homage to his own madness, and the POV of the investigation, the lines blur until the police become a part of the killer’s film.”

"Large Franchise" With "Zany Ideas" Coming To Project Natal

A job listing spotted by website CVG appears to hint that a "large franchise" is coming to Project Natal. This job listing also serves as a very important reminder — namely, not to use the word "zany".

Here's the Microsoft Games Studio listing:

We are developing interactive and creative content for Project Natal. If you would like to be part of our internal development team then please keep reading. We are developing a studio from the ground up, made up of some of the industry's most creative, innovative, and technical minds.

MGS is looking for a talented, motivated and experienced Sr. Level Designer who can create innovative game-play solutions for a large franchise. The Sr. Level Designer is expected to implement major gameplay features to high quality, focusing on creating and implementing level designs. Qualified individuals are expected to be organized, with excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, and have a proven track record in AAA game design. Must have a clear understanding and experience creating mission/environment design, look and feel, AI, combat, strategy, game-flow, and balance. We want somebody who can put forth ideas without fear, and build off other people's zany creations. Candidates who find fault with other people's brainstorms to prove how smart they are need not apply. Candidates must have passion for a broad range of game experiences, and be well versed in market trends and styles. While years of experience are a definite plus, positive creative energy and a wealth of genius ideas is a must. This is a rare opportunity to join a seasoned, creatively driven team on an exciting next-generation project.

Zany? Zany? Zany? I cannot think of a worse word to describe a large franchise than "zany". Not even wacky or goofy or silly. At least those words have a proud history. Unlike Zany.

Nobody says, hey, I want to play that game, it looks so zany. "Zany" is what you use to describe kids' television hosts that are not funny. "Zany" is what you use to describe middle-age clowns that do not remind you of serial killers. "Zany" is a word you'd see on an educational toy from the 1990s.

When I hear the word "zany" and Microsoft Game Studios in the same sentence, I imagine someone sitting in Microsoft's corporate offices trying to think of a way to make a Natal version of Viva Piñata sound...zany? That, or Banjo-Kazooie. Though, Banjo is far too good for zany. Viva Piñata? Eh...

Microsoft.com - Careers [Microsoft via CVG]

Send an email to the author of this post at bashcraft@kotaku.com.

Many folks don't want to start a business from scratch because of the obvious hurdles involved. An alternative to this is to buy a franchise. Franchises nowadays account for more than 30% of all U.S. retail sales! When a franchise comes to mind, most people think of fast food restaurants, but actually motels, hotels, real estate brokerages, automobile dealerships, accounting services and service stations are also very popular! It seems that most any type of business can lend itself to be franchised. Even the legal and medical professions have joined the franchising community!

After World War II, the boom in franchising blossomed, even with the fluctuations in the economy and new government regulations. The definition of franchising is very simple. It is a way of doing business whereby the company owner (franchisor) grants the franchisees (business owners) the right to sell and market the company's services and/or products. The "parent" company gives its franchisees the right to use the company's name and trademark. It also lends the company's reputation, and can help with selling techniques.

In return for all of these rights, the franchisee signs a contract agreeing to pay a franchise fee or a percentage of the annual gross sales, or both. Also, the franchisee may agree to buy equipment, products or supplies from the franchisor. Although buying a franchise might be an easier alternative than starting your own business from scratch, it can be expensive. The initial investment can run from several thousand dollars upwards to a million dollars! Even after the initial investment, don't forget about the annual royalty fee and/or percentage of the gross sales that are usually required. It may not be a cheap alternative!

There are advantages of buying a franchise however. One important aspect is that there is only limited experience required. A franchisee has access to the franchisor's experience instead of having to spend years learning the business. The franchisee can be instantly running the business instead of learning it. Another important factor is that training and continued assistance are usually provided by the parent company. You don't have to "go it alone". You will have the help and support you'll need to run the business.

Other advantages are that financing is often available, and the promotion and advertising by the parent company is usually pretty strong. And high customer acceptance is usually in place, since the products and services of the franchisor are proven and well known. A new business would have to spend years in developing a positive reputation. A franchisee's reputation and pulling power however are already established, leading to a higher profit possibility.

There are disadvantages although in buying a franchise besides the initial investment and annual fees. Normally the franchisor sets certain rules and guidelines that must be followed. There is no room for creativity in selling different products or sometimes even in selling techniques. Also, your profits are shared by the franchisor. Even if your business doesn't make a profit that year, the royalty fee still must be paid. Another important thing to explore in buying a franchise is that the transfer of ownership is limited. In most cases you won't be able to sell your franchise or bequeath it in your will to a loved one without the permission of the parent company.

There are many ways to start a business, and buying a franchise is an instant one. But a soon-to-be business owner should research all of the avenues of business ownership. Buying a franchise may or may not be right for you!

Hyde Park Entertainment and Parkes/MacDonald Productions have acquired Kenny Golde’s spec screenplay Killer. The contained thriller was originally written with the intent to produce the film on a low budget. I heard that the screenplay was originally making the rounds at Paramount’s new low-budget film division and Fox Searchlight, but quickly made its way up to the bigger studios.

The story is told through the point of view of a single video camera held by a police officer videotaping a murder investigation. While investigating the crime scene, the police discover a video left by the killer, made with hidden cameras planted throughout the house they are investigating.

“As the story moves back and forth between the lunatic’s homage to his own madness, and the POV of the investigation, the lines blur until the police become a part of the killer’s film.”

"Large Franchise" With "Zany Ideas" Coming To Project Natal

A job listing spotted by website CVG appears to hint that a "large franchise" is coming to Project Natal. This job listing also serves as a very important reminder — namely, not to use the word "zany".

Here's the Microsoft Games Studio listing:

We are developing interactive and creative content for Project Natal. If you would like to be part of our internal development team then please keep reading. We are developing a studio from the ground up, made up of some of the industry's most creative, innovative, and technical minds.

MGS is looking for a talented, motivated and experienced Sr. Level Designer who can create innovative game-play solutions for a large franchise. The Sr. Level Designer is expected to implement major gameplay features to high quality, focusing on creating and implementing level designs. Qualified individuals are expected to be organized, with excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, and have a proven track record in AAA game design. Must have a clear understanding and experience creating mission/environment design, look and feel, AI, combat, strategy, game-flow, and balance. We want somebody who can put forth ideas without fear, and build off other people's zany creations. Candidates who find fault with other people's brainstorms to prove how smart they are need not apply. Candidates must have passion for a broad range of game experiences, and be well versed in market trends and styles. While years of experience are a definite plus, positive creative energy and a wealth of genius ideas is a must. This is a rare opportunity to join a seasoned, creatively driven team on an exciting next-generation project.

Zany? Zany? Zany? I cannot think of a worse word to describe a large franchise than "zany". Not even wacky or goofy or silly. At least those words have a proud history. Unlike Zany.

Nobody says, hey, I want to play that game, it looks so zany. "Zany" is what you use to describe kids' television hosts that are not funny. "Zany" is what you use to describe middle-age clowns that do not remind you of serial killers. "Zany" is a word you'd see on an educational toy from the 1990s.

When I hear the word "zany" and Microsoft Game Studios in the same sentence, I imagine someone sitting in Microsoft's corporate offices trying to think of a way to make a Natal version of Viva Piñata sound...zany? That, or Banjo-Kazooie. Though, Banjo is far too good for zany. Viva Piñata? Eh...

Microsoft.com - Careers [Microsoft via CVG]

Send an email to the author of this post at bashcraft@kotaku.com.

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