Dropping In With Charlie Houpert Meet The Man Who Talked His Way Into A HollyWood Dream Job
Nov 3, 2023
Guest, Adi Shankar, Hollywood producer known for adapting video game series, talks about creating his dream job, convincing Hollywood gatekeepers, and inventing a job that is creatively fulfilling and commercially successful. Topics include George R. R. Martin's creative mind, creating dark versions of IP characters, gaining recognition as a creator, the value of social media, and resonating with the audience while maintaining authenticity.
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Origin Of Captain Laserhawk
- Adi Shankar described how Captain Laserhawk began as vivid images in his head and grew from mixing dystopian influences like Orwell and Neuromancer.
- He sketched Rayman with Tommy guns and raving-rabbit kaiju and let those images guide the worldbuilding.
Dinner With George R. R. Martin
- Adi shared a spontaneous dinner with George R. R. Martin that boosted his confidence about treating pop culture as serious art.
- Martin talked about comics like the Justice League with the same reverence as the Iliad, which validated Adi's approach to animation.
Early Richie Rich Pitch Rejection
- At 24 Adi pitched a dark Richie Rich reimagining to the rights holder but they wanted a kid-friendly Taylor Lautner-type instead.
- That rejection repeated across many meetings taught him persistence and how studios prioritize safe, marketable choices.