March 15, 2008...4:40 pm
Attack of the Killer Old Media Careers
It’s official, we’re getting into feature films. We’ve been hired to write and me to direct the relaunch of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
The company that we’re working with has a great track record — they were behind the recent Rambo relaunch (which was awesome). We are truly honored to be in business with them.
We’re really excited about this and here’s why:
First off, it’s not about the money. We’re actually taking a pay cut to do this thing. That said, it’s a much better deal for Kent and Douglas than anything we’ve been offered in the new media space. That’s something that new media companies need to figure out — paying for track record.
This move is about career. Going into movies gives us access to the top of the Hollywood food chain. Show business is still an aspirational place — web shows want to be cable shows. Cable shows want to be broadcast shows. And broadcast shows want to be films. (And I guess now, films want to be Broadway musicals, but that’s a different story…)
By going to straight to features, the entire showbiz world is still open to us. We’ll be able to move freely up and down the aspirational chain without being pigeonholed as the web guys. And actually we’ll be even more valuable since we have a deep understanding of the new media landscape.
We want to have careers that stretch into decades. That means diversifying and trying succeed in larger, more established businesses.
So does this mean we’re selling out?
No. We’ve always wanted careers in Hollywood. We’ve rejected becoming a VC-funded entity and focused strictly on being a creative team. This is just another step along that path. Selling out would involve the Ninja and the AskANinja brand and changing it to accommodate a new owner/source of revenue (i.e., if the Ninja stopped making fun of celebrities or if he stopped talking about killing…). This move doesn’t involve either.
When we sellout you’ll know about it (mainly because I’ll have a platinum grill).
What about Ask A Ninja?
We have a great 2008 planned for the Ninja, and this film will not impact that. We’re working on a lot of new tshirts and other fun things for the NinjaMartStore. The Ninja Handbook is coming out later this year and we recently renewed our contract with Federated Media. We’ve committed to producing at the same rate (weekly-ish).
After that contract? Who knows. We love the ninja and we want to be a part of our lives for a long time to come. But at the end of that term it will have been over three years since Ask A Ninja has been in production and over four since we’ve been writing ninja-related things. I’m sure we’ll take a bit of a break (at least in terms of producing weekly-ish). We’ll definitely keep the archive online and hopefully the fansite will continue to thrive. And there’s always the Ninja movie…
And this does not mean that we are abandoning the web as a place for new projects. On the contrary, the web will continue to be our forum for no compromises. We won’t make a web series simply because it’s the cheap and expedient thing to do, we’ll do it to get our untarnished vision to an audience. And from there we’ll translate it into other mediums with hopefully a strong case to keep that vision intact.
The web is still an awesome place to cut your teeth and get noticed. It’s also becoming a place where you can make a calling card piece that also makes you money (though that path is much less established). Just be ready with a good answer of what you wan to do next when someone asks you. Be prepared to start making a career.
So that’s it. It’s exciting, it’s big, and it’s hopefully the first of many such deals in the space. Online video is the new music video and commercials as a place to find new voices.
Thanks to Dal Walton for believing in us, the original Tomatoes team for their blessings, our agent Jay Gassner at UTA, and especially John Elliott for getting the ball rolling.
Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.
25 Comments
March 15, 2008 at 4:45 pm
You have a terrific business sense, Kent.
March 15, 2008 at 4:55 pm
“…After that contract? Who knows.”
Are you hinting at the end of Ask-A-Ninja? That would suck. Rather than just kill it off what about letting all of us continue it? Instead of us sending you questions, what if you pick one of the fans to play the part and YOU asked the question? Kinda “open source” Ask-A-Ninja. Just an idea.
Also, I remember watching the original Attach of the Killer Tomatoes over and over on early cable TV. I often sing parts of “Puberty Love” out loud while watching One Tree Hill just to mess with the other people watching it with me.
March 15, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Congrats! You guys are my heroes.
I only hope it ups the violence level compared to Rambo.
March 15, 2008 at 5:03 pm
When somebody asks you if you’ve sold out, you say YES!
March 15, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Nice Blog. I like the layout you used. Did you make that yourself?
- Randy Nichols.
March 15, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Congratulations and good luck!
March 15, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Congrats Kent,
I’ve been reading the posts that you link to from your twitter stream, and have enjoyed all of the insights and honesty that you bring to what you’re doing.
I visualize certain aspects of Hollywood as a big old typewriter that hasn’t been updated since the 1950s. But on the other hand, their revenue streams seem to be fairly predictable formulas like investing X dollars of advertising, opening in Y number of theaters, etc. And I’ve heard of sophisticated ways of predicting success based upon who’s acting in it and whatnot, but it still seems like a crapshoot for what will catch fire and what won’t.
So I look forward to whatever innovations you bring to the machine, in particular any web-related ad campaigns, vlogs, “leaked footage”, etc. I’m sure you guys have a few tricks up you’re sleeve in that arena.
March 15, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Your success is an inspiration. An active demonstration for anyone with the ambition to turn their dreams into goals. Good things come to those who never stop moving in the direction of their goals.
Like you said the web is a great way to get noticed, but more than that it is an inexpensive way to keep working. There is always SOMETHING that can be done, however small. And with the right person behind a project, that something small can take a life on of it’s own and become something huge.
Congratz on getting into film. It was only a matter of time, but I’m glad it was sooner rather than later. Your hard work and dedication is hard to miss.
March 15, 2008 at 6:40 pm
That’s awesome, Kent. Congratulations.
Just curious though: will this get you in the WGA (if that’s your goal)?
March 15, 2008 at 7:01 pm
This post sounds like you are apologizing for this new opportunity. I hope you don’t feel you need to do that. Artists should exercise their craft in all the areas that interest them. As audience members we don’t limit our consumption to one format, so why would we as entertainers?
March 15, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Dude - congrats. LOVE the Ninja and will look forward to Tomatoes.
Found this interview of Terry Gilliam last night and it really inspired me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v7YjOCC-cM
You inspire me as well.
Chuck
March 16, 2008 at 8:19 am
[...] Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine, of Ask a Ninja fame, who will be writing, and Kent directing, a remake of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. I was lucky enough to be standing with Kent when the news broke on The Hollywood Reporter, not [...]
March 16, 2008 at 9:28 am
Great stuff Kent, and congrats. Seems like a smart move and well thought out.
March 16, 2008 at 10:15 am
This is great news Kent and couldn’t have happened to a nicer chap. I’ll be fascinated to hear your perspective navigating the old media space, i’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic learning experience
March 16, 2008 at 12:43 pm
[...] Ninja, have been hired to remake the classic film “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”. See Kent’s announcement and The Hollywood Reporter story for more [...]
March 16, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Congratulations.
Get ready to start dreaming about Killer Tomatoes:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2337979559_7c7c66fc6c_o.jpg
March 17, 2008 at 4:51 am
Kent I’m totally pumped about you guys doing a movie. I’m confident it will be great. I’ll be there opening night.
March 17, 2008 at 10:52 am
Congratulations to you both!
March 17, 2008 at 2:15 pm
[...] to Hang Up His Mask? When do you kill the one-trick pony? Kent Nichols, in a blog post about he and partner Douglas Sarine’s deal to write and direct a new version of Attack of the [...]
March 18, 2008 at 11:45 am
I’m still angling for a spot as an extra Killer Tomato! You guys are the best.
March 18, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Congratulations on this opportunity! I love “Ask a Ninja” and sat in on your panel at SXSW which was awesome, entertaining, and informative (even though the most commonly used term was ‘tool’). I often feel discouraged (yeah…
and jealous (hrmm… 
of other people’s successes - a character flaw, I admit - but I am so happy for you guys. You definitely deserve all the wonderful successes coming your way. You did what you love, shared it with all of us, and great things came your way. I hope you continue to do the same thing and have the same great fortune.
Sincerely,
Vanessa
March 19, 2008 at 1:51 pm
[...] Kent Nichols leveraged Ninja to get a movie greenlit. He deserves it. Ninja is hilarious but Ninja’s money and Ninja’s legacy has only a small percentage in ad sales (especially the ones inside of the actual content). Kent used the tool of Podcasting to show that media just doesn’t have to be as complicated at Hollywood makes it and … he proved his point. Great job sir. [...]
March 19, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Congratulations!
This project was made for you guys. I know you’ll both do a bang up job. Looking forward to seeing it.
March 20, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Guess I won’t continue on my new project War of the Spaghetti squash. I have the worst timing.
Good luck in the future.
mike
April 18, 2008 at 5:39 am
I have a sealed VHS copy of the Director’s Cut
of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”.
includes packet of tomato seeds!
Can’t wait.
*strolls off, humming “Puberty Love”…*
-Merbrat
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