In space no one can eat ice-cream...
Science fiction is possibly the greatest literary and filmic invention since giraffe musicals. There have been a plethora of sci-fi franchises that have generated millions upon millions for the film industry (Star Wars, Alien, Terminator and Robot Teapot Salesman). These wonderous stories enable the viewer to escape the humdrum of daily life and immerse themselves in the realms of fantasy. The storytellers that allow their brains to conceive these ideas have been claimed as icons by the fans. These fans often devote themselves to their favourite sci-fi franchise and believe they are in fact an integral cog in the worlds in which their characters exist. Merchandise is also produced to tie-in with the films and can reap huge amounts of extra income for the producers and/or rights owners. T-shirts, coffee mugs, toys and chicken typewriters have all been proved to be huge sellers in fandom.
One line of sci-fi merchandise has proven to be so succesful that most genres have picked up on the idea and adapted it to suit their own market of teenagers that are gullible and prone to a myriad number of strops.
Star Wars, probably the leading contender for amount of income generated through merchandise produced the most innovative and durable toys of this and many generations. Upon release of the DVD box set of the original trilogy (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) George Lucas* stumbled upon an amazing idea. Whilst surveying the copious amount of unused footage he came upon a scene that was to prove integral to the trilogy's climactic Battle Of Endor. Lucas had originally filmed a scene in which Han Solo and Chewbacca opened a marshmallow (mmmmmmmmm marshmallow) business on the Death Star to confuse the Emperor who was unaware of the strict Fluffy Pillow Like Sweet Law 109BY (BY =Before the Battle of Yavin)in place at that time that had never been repealed. Suffice to say Lucas made an absolute mint on Star Wars marshmallows that he licenced to various droids within the Eastbourne area.
Thus was born the era of heavy film merchandising. I hope you too can learn from this and eat more marshmallows.
*George Lucas is in no way connected to this blog. Boba Fett was but due to a severe bout of couscous he is currently unwell.
If you wish to purchase marsmallow online please visit your nearest branch of Halfords
No comments:
Post a Comment