Ridley Scott Firm Integrates Brands in Blade Runner-esque Shorts

London-based agency Ag8 has partnered with Ridley Scott Associates Scott Free entertainment division to develop a series of branded online films inspired by the director’s iconic Sci-Fi movie, Blade Runner.

The project, dubbed Purefold, aims to bring together platforms, filmmakers, product developers, and communities to explore the movie’s central question of “what does it mean to be human?” Plots for the films themselves will be informed by online audience conversations tracked and gathered by FriendFeed.

According to Ag8 founding partner, Tom Himpe, the films will offer brands a unique alternative to the typical product placement offerings often found in Science-Fiction entertainment. “We want to stay away from the pitfalls of traditional product placement. Purefold will offer advertisers the chance to integrate their brands, or future visions of them, within the narrative framework,” he said.

Ag8 is currently in discussions with a number of brands, facilitated by agencies WPP, Aegis, and Publicis.

“We’re speaking to brands across all verticals. We think this is something that can work across all product categories. Obviously it lends itself to certain verticals, such as technology, but we’re hoping to see involvement from packaged consumer goods companies as well,” Himpe added.

The resulting content will be distributed under a creative commons license, giving all parties rights to distribution, or further creative interpretation. Directors will be chosen from RSA’s global pool of directors.