OOGIELOVES: The Film Hollywood Didn't Want To Make
- Details
- Category: Interviews
- Created: Tuesday, 28 August 2012 07:24
- Published: Tuesday, 28 August 2012 07:24
- Written by Lupe Haas
When producer Kenn Viselman pitched an interactive G-rated movie that would have three to five-year old children dancing and singing in the aisles, movie studio executives "dismissed" his idea as a crazy concept. Now Ken Viselaman may have the last laugh as his independently-produced and distributed film THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG BALLOON ADVENTURE hits theaters this week.
Ken Viselman made a name for himself marketing "Thomas the Tank Engine" to a pre-school audience. He went on to work on the Teletubbies and eventually started writing and producing his own series such as "It's Itsy Bitsy Time," and "NiNi's Treehouse." During a press event in Los Angeles, Viselman told press of his own adventures bringing THE OOGIELOVES to the screen. Described as the first completely interactive movie experience for children and parents, Viselman set out to make a family-friendly film with G-rated humor, "exuberant" songs and lively dance numbers with recognizable faces such as Toni Braxton, Cloris Leachman, Jaime Pressly and Christopher Lloyd interacting opposite the costumed characters, the Oogieloves -- Goobie, Zoozie, and Toofie.
According to the writer/producer, Viselman has "done $20 billion in the world of children's entertainment." However, his track record did not help him find studio support, and most found the concept of the G-rated movie "ridiculous."
"Most people the first time around just threw me out of their office...nicely of course. At that point, I've done $20 billion in the world of kids and families so you can't throw me out of the place, but you can dismiss me."Viselman added that studios don't understand marketing to 2-year-olds and their parents. Hollywood studios prefer PG-rated fare where you'll find "violence" and "sexual innuendoes," he said. In addition, studios "don't like to take risks" and stick to formulaic films. Something off the "grid" like THE OOGIELOVES was not a concept they could grasp. Of course, when he returned to the studios with the finished product for possible distribution, they wanted a "huge percentage of the take." He kindly replied "no thanks" and set off to find his print and advertising money to release THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG BALLOON ADVENTURE on his own.
Viselman strongly believes in G entertainment which the studios don't, he said. He kept THE OOGIELOVES innocent without any form of cynicism or snottiness. Working with moms and mommy bloggers since "Thomas, the Tank Engine," the successful business man prides himself on his knowledge of mother's feelings towards movies. Hollywood family fare tends to use violence in their PG-rated films to get across the concept of evil. Whether it's a mother being killed off in the beginning of a movie or a father being eaten by lions, he deemed that "not necessary."
"There's enough violence in the world that we can just have 83 minutes of love. We can show kids love. If kids learn from the behavior that they see, why do we have to present hell to them. Why do we have to tell them there is something evil so you better be good or you'll experience evil? Why can't we just experience love."You won't find any sexual innuendos or jokes only adults will get a laugh out of because he made sure to delete any form of non-kid friendly attitude or snarkiness. During editing, he had the director delete a comment made from one character to another because it was "snotty." His goal - "be more loving."
Viselman hopes to see the love when the film opens in movie theaters August 29, 2012. You can expect studio executives will be watching closely opening weekend, and if successful, we'll be seeing similar copycats in the near future.