Video games don’t always make a smooth transition to the silver screen. Mario, Street Fighter, and more failed in their Hollywood adaptations — at least in terms of quality. It’s probably time for the two mediums to take a different approach.
Enter Mediajuice Studios and its Video Games: The Movie documentary. Mediajuice is producing a feature-length film that will inform viewers about the history and culture of the video game medium. To help finalize production and get the film in theaters, Mediajuice launched a Kickstarter project. The production company is asking the crowd to chip in $60,000.
“We have spent the past year gathering footage, speaking with industry founders, influencers, and pundits to get their take on what we’ve collectively created as an industry and where we’re headed,” Video Games: The Movie director Jeremy Snead said in a statement. “We’ve amassed an amazing library of footage that we think will help bring the true story of the video game industry into clear focus. We’re now headed into post-production and are looking to the community to get us to the finish line.”
Snead finished shooting earlier this year. He intends to use the funds to polish up the final product. Funds will go directly toward editing and scoring the film. Snead will also use the money to add narration, archival footage, and motion graphics.
The director wants to give gamers a proper documentary that the industry can take pride in.
“I hope that once we’re done, Video Games: The Movie will stand as a benchmark for all other movies about the games industry,” said Snead. “And [I hope] that it will help dispel some of the nagging falsehoods that ignorantly plague game makers and players keeping them from receiving mainstream acceptance like other art forms such as films, music, and books.”
For the film, Snead talked to industry luminaries like Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, Gearbox chief executive Randy Pitchford, Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski, and more.
“In the end, our hope is that this film will help further legitimize the industry and the culture to those who continue to disregard it without really spending time to learn about it,” said Snead.
