Hollywood & Games Summit Adds Barker, Tull Keynotes

The organizers of the 2007 Hollywood and Games Summit have announced that this years summit will see keynotes from both horror author, movie writer and director Clive Barker and 300 executive producer and Brash Entertainment co-founder Thomas Tull. The second annual Summit, co-created by the CMP Game Group (owner of Gamasutra) and The Hollywood Reporter, is intended to "...allow leaders from their respective industries to interact and discuss best practices for strategically marketing original IP via both media to greatest effect." Barker's keynote is expected to provide insight into the artistic process he uses to create an interactive parallel universe. Best known as the writer and director of the Hellraiser series of movies, Barker is also an author, playwright, actor and director, and is currently developing the supernatural horror video game Jericho with Codemasters, scheduled for release this fall - previous titles have included Clive Barker's Undying with EA. 300 executive producer Tull's keynote will cover his content strategies for film and games, and emphasize his innovative strategies for providing smart financial opportunities that leverage both industries. Also, Tull will be providing details of his latest venture, the recently announced video game company, Brash Entertainment. Brash Entertainment is said to be working on next-gen adaptations of 300. Tull is also chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, which recently entered into a five-year, 25-picture deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, and will oversee a number of upcoming movie projects including Trick 'R Treat, Where The Wild Things Are and The Dark Knight, the follow-up to Batman Begins. The keynotes will begin both days of the summit, which will also see such speakers as Heroes producer Jesse Alexander, Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner, Foglight Entertainment president Gregg Backer, Electronic Arts director of entertainment programming Brandon Barber, veteran journalist Geoff Keighley and fl0w co-creator Kellee Santiago. Lecture topics expected to be covered for the event include managing a unified pipeline: simultaneous creation of films and games; creating an attractive cross-platform property between film, TV, music, game, mobile, and Internet; how Hollywood talent can be relevant in the interactive medium; conversations between indie film and indie games; and using game engine technology in the film production process. Said Game Developers Conference executive director Jamil Moledina, "With Barker sharing insider details on the ways he builds suspense through various entertainment mediums including games -- coupled with Tull's exposé of his success criteria for securing the right creative talent in both film and games -- the audience will see both sides of the equation for deriving artistic and financial success." More information on the event, which takes place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on June 26th and the 27th, is available at the official website.