Battlestar Data : THE HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE'S PERSPECTIVE

CONSIDER THE FLIPSIDE:
THE HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE'S PERSPECTIVE
By Marianne Woods

Let's put things into perspective:

In the time that Battlestar Galactica went off the air (or should I say, Galactica: 1980 went off the air), a person could have been conceived, born, grown up, graduated high school and entered college. And that person would have no frame of reference about Battlestar Galactica. Unless they had an affinity for 1970's science fiction shows, and were able to watch reruns on The Sci Fi Channel (U.S.), then they wouldn't have the first clue about the show.

And that, right there, is the core audience, the key demographic, for a new Battlestar Galactica television show or movie. And why would any Hollywood executive back such an endeavor? In that position, the first question I would ask is, "Why wouldn't we do something new? That worked for the 1970's audiences. We're entering the 21st century." As a Hollywood executive, I would be juggling a new Galactica development with numerous other productions, both actual and proposed. I would have stacks of scripts and proposals to pour over; Galactica would be only one of many considerations for movie making/television programming. I would contemplate that these old-time producers and actors want more milk from a twenty year old cash cow. I would be worried about banking my profit margin on aged, sour milk.

Realistically speaking, companies like Universal and USA Networks are looking at the "new" Battlestar Galactica, wondering "How much money do we have to spend to make money? What can we do with this property? If we spend money on a new Galactica production, will our other properties weaken? Is this the right time to commit to such an ambitious project? Are our careers worth such a risk?" The risk is significant. Paramount parlayed the original Star Trek into the most successful franchise in television/motion picture history. Was it pure luck? Turner Network Television (TNT) worked with Warner Bros. to air the final season of Babylon 5, then botched the development of the Babylon 5 spin-off, Crusade. Is science fiction on the decline? Or would a new production be welcomed? And not just by die-hard, dedicated sci fi fans, but the general masses.

As a Hollywood executive, I'd rather produce something inexpensively and reap from the newer cash cow. Between the shareholders' cries for increased profit margins and mixed messages from marketing about demographics and "what the public will/won't watch" I would be turned off from a new Battlestar Galactica. My time would be too precious to investigate it further. Enter the two different Hollywood teams who want to bring the original show back. One team is driven by ego, arrogance and potentially "draining the merchandising well dry," in my humble opinion. The other team is driven by recapturing former glory and stretching their creative wings. As the same Hollywood executive, I would be curious if the package deal could be put together: rights/licensing, distribution, production costs, short term and long term commitments. And the team with the best, organized package would catch my eye.

As a Hollywood executive, I live on Mount Olympus. I don't have time to deal with the zealous emailings and letter writing campaigns from mere mortals. It sounds callous and insensitive; my world is a completely different paradigm than 99.9999% of every else's. I think it's great that people want the show brought back. But show me the actual production overview, plus the concepts and costs, as applicable to the 1999/2000 A.D. audience. Then I'll make time to talk further. Bear in mind the production efforts of both teams have been put into a microcosm. Any news about "production meetings" or "delays" or "sensitive this or that" may be driving some fans crazy. But this is a huge logistics and business arrangement. Fans are lucky to hear anything about the ongoings of these productions. The same delays, same messages, and same problems surface because most items cannot be spoken publicly.

Other groups may be interested in competing projects -- or even stepping in to override your project with one of their own! If you were negotiating your salary, would you want it publicly known by other co-workers, or even by outside companies who might hire you one day? If you were talking to your doctor, would you want your appointments/records to be openly aired? The term "sensitive discussions" applies to the Battlestar Galactica negotiations. When the production team is chosen, we will know.

Until then, people are forced to wait and see and redigest the same delay news over and over. The Powers That Be in Hollywood may live for the almighty profit margin. But, people will see which team succeeds in pitching the best proposal. Hollywood does pay attention to serious production teams. Battlestar Galactica will return. May the best team win.