For anyone working on film, TV or game deals: entertainment attorney Simon Pulman (Prior Cashman, New York) on franchises, risk and video game adaptations.
Simon works on deals across television, film, podcasts, video games and publishing. He explains why individual incentives are driving risk-aversion at studios, why IP acquisitions have replaced original scripts, and how game companies flipped Hollywood's ownership model.
In this conversation:
- The Last of Us, Fallout and Mario: what successful adaptations have in common
- Why honouring the IP is non-negotiable
- How a hit show drives game sales, and the weekly release versus the binge
- Netflix's games strategy, BioWare's potential beyond games, and Roblox's next generation of moguls
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Simon Pulman's expertise
02:14 Why original scripts dominated in the 90s vs franchise dominance today
04:35 The audience shift: Why people won't leave home for cinema anymore
07:18 How international content (Squid Game, anime) is reshaping Hollywood
10:47 Snow White remake failure: Budget vs ROI analysis
13:30 Community: The undervalued asset Hollywood ignores but gaming understands
17:42 The Holy Trinity of successful adaptations: Last of Us, Fallout, Mario
21:36 Why honoring IP is non-negotiable for successful adaptations
26:55 How transmedia success drives game sales - the feedback loop
30:10 The weekly episode model vs. binge culture for deeper engagement
33:22 Netflix's gaming strategy: Can they leverage their IPs effectively?
39:08 BioWare's storytelling potential beyond games
43:15 The new deal paradigm: How game companies flipped Hollywood's ownership model
49:40 Roblox's untapped potential: Why it's creating tomorrow's entertainment moguls
56:28 AI's complex entertainment industry implications
57:45 Entertainment predictions for next 12 months
About Simon Pulman:
Simon Pulman is an entertainment attorney with Prior Cashman in New York City, specialising in deals across television, motion pictures, podcasts, video games, and publishing. He helps companies develop, produce, and finance media projects during a period of unprecedented technological and audience behaviour change.
The Transmedia Revolution:
This episode explores how successful properties like The Last of Us have created a virtuous cycle where shows drive game sales and games build audience anticipation for new seasons - all while maintaining the core emotional elements that connected with audiences originally.
Join the Conversation:
What gaming property do you think deserves the Last of Us treatment next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Connect with Simon:
Find Simon Pulman on LinkedIn for more insights on entertainment law and industry trends.
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