Who wants to make $100mil?

Ok, so I've been thinking lately somewhat about what I want to do next after this HL2 machinima film I'm working on. It's kind of ridiculous to think that far out because somewhere in and past there I have to release a game or two... but anyways, its just thinking, but based on what I've done in the past, what I am currently doing, and what I see possible mixed with what I believe I'd be capable of and I gotta wonder. It may almost be time to go for the big gusto. Make that full length feature film. In some ways its a crazy thought. Like I mean, just after making a few short ~5 minute machinima films I'm pretty much knocked on my ass for 6 months not even wanting to think of going back at it. And that's a 5 minute film. How could I consider ~70 minutes+ ? But I've had a few ideas here and there that make it somewhat feasible. Also, in considering the Bloodspell thing, it's not impossible. Quick? Hell no, but not impossible. Your only real cost there is time.

So to save on a few other related 'coincidences' of thought and information I've come across. I came across this article today. The meat of it is part way down starting from the header, "THE 411". It's an article about Nolan Bushnell, the great founding proprietor of Atari among other great achievements, talking about the video game industry and digital entertainment. And in reference to machinima (within the context of the article anyways) was the following quote:

"I believe that in the next five years, there will be a movie that will make over $100 million that will be made by three people."

I was like 'WOW' what a statement. I just sat there reading it over a few times and thinking. I share his sentiments very much. Like I mean, many talk about the 'Blair Witch' machinima that will crack this chasm wide open. When and by whom is anyone's guess. It could very well be in production right now. But this statement really got me thinking. It actually gave measurable bounds of success to his vision (challenge?). 3 people, $100 million dollars.

Now the first thing that hit me was, why did he have to say 3 people. Even 5 would have been sooo much better. But alas, 3 people.... they would have to be very multi-talented but what would be the scope of those three roles. So heres what I would think:

Role 1 - Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Production-ist, Editor. This role would be the primary individual which would write the script, manage the production and implement it in the game engine (I don't know what this implementer role would be called, so I use 'productionist' for lack of a better word off the top of my head).

Role 2 - Concept Artist, Art Designer, Character Artist, Modeler, Texture Artist, Level Designer and Level Builder. This role would have to be an artist superperson. Being able to take an artistic vision from spark, right through to high quality finished ingame product. Along with this, having superpowers in the creation of static objects, possibly vehicles, characters and architecture would be very difficult to find, but necessary.

Role 3 - Now here's the tough one. The other third should be sound. A killer foley, musician, composer, audiophile would have to be there, but this role would only be involved for half the production work. The other thought was an expert animator. Be it the action of any machinima film is highly placed in the animated sequences within the camera's eye. But also notice, I don't mention any type of programmer. You'd have to work within the strick limitation of the game engine. So this is where I'm stuck. To find an expert animator audiophile I imagine would be extremely rare, rarer than a artist in role #2 with animation skills, but thats a lot on one plate, or maybe even someone in role #1 with audio or animation skills? I don't know.

So there's the thing. Would these three people have a magical blend of talent with a freakish coincidence of knowing/finding each other, or could the production of such a film be easily broken up into three roles where it would just be a matter of finding someone with extreme talent in each of their specialties (I'm not even mentioning the determination and endurance characteristics needed to see such a project through to completion). I also take the 'made by three people' as license to use other resources, such as voice actors or recording mocap. As long as the 'made' is referring to the bulk of the work...but it would be nice to stay as close to this mark as possible. Imagine those three people doing the voice work and recording mocap ped movement? Plus I know there are other key things I'm overlooking.

But still.

I think the $100 million dollar goal would have to mean theatre distribution. I don't think one could raise enough marketing hype on a DVD only release to hit that marker. You'd have to come out of the gates with a bang so even if you make a few million in the theatre, the DVD market will be there in larger numbers. Ambitious, yes, impossible, fuck no.

I would love to hear anybody's feedback on how such a film could be made with three people.. or along any other aspect of such a challenge.