The Ghostbusters: West Coast pitch deck, presented by Carey Martell of Martell Films, proposes a 24-episode comedy web series designed to expand the franchise into the Los Angeles market. The strategy centers on casting 'very popular YouTube celebrities' to leverage existing digital footprints, specifically citing Harley Morenstein (6.7M YouTube subscribers) and Danica Massey (365K YouTube subscribers) as lead talent. While the deck excels at visual storytelling through extensive storyboards (slides 12–26) and identifies specific production facilities at Thunder Studios, it lacks critical bus…
Key takeaways
- The project is structured as a comedy web series consisting of 24 hour-long episodes (Slide 2).
- The narrative aims to continue the story from the original movies and Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Slide 2).
- Talent strategy relies on YouTube influencers, featuring Harley Morenstein of EpicMealTime with 6.7M subscribers (Slide 4).
- Production is slated for Thunder Studios, utilizing Stages 1, 3, 5, 13, and 14 (Slide 8).
- The deck includes specific location references, such as the Hook & Ladder No. 8 firehouse in New York for exterior shots (Slide 10).
- Visual conceptualization is handled through a sequence of 8 storyboard slides depicting ghosts, proton packs, and the Ecto-1 (Slides 12-26).
- The deck completely omits a financial ask, revenue projections, or a detailed budget (General observation).
- The presentation was specifically tailored for Sony Pictures, the rights holders of the Ghostbusters IP (Slide 1).
Executive Summary: The Influencer-Led Franchise Extension
The Ghostbusters: West Coast pitch deck, dated 2015, represents a specific moment in digital media where producers sought to bridge the gap between Hollywood IP and YouTube stardom. Presented by Carey Martell of Martell Films, the deck proposes a 24-episode web series. The strategy is simple: take the world-building of a multi-billion dollar franchise and populate it with creators who already own the attention of the target demographic. While the creative vision is well-articulated through storyboards, the deck functions more as a creative treatment than a business plan, omitting almost all financial and operational data.
Slide 1: Title and Presenter
The cover slide establishes the branding immediately, using the iconic Ghostbusters logo with a 'West Coast' subtitle. It identifies the presenter as Carey Martell, Producer at Martell Films, and specifies the target audience: Sony Pictures. The inclusion of a speaker icon suggests this was intended as a narrated presentation rather than a standalone document.
Slide 2: Synopsis and Format
Slide 2 defines the product. It is a 'Comedy web-series' consisting of 24 hour-long episodes. This is an ambitious format for a web series, as hour-long content typically requires significant budgets. The slide outlines three key pillars: enhancing the franchise by continuing the story from the movies and the 2009 video game, using a mixed-gender cast of YouTube celebrities, and exploring the 'negative consequences' of the team's celebrity status. The narrative hook involves the 're-emergence of a new Cult of Gozer,' providing a direct link to the 1984 original film.
Slides 4 & 6: Talent Profiles
These slides represent the deck's strongest 'traction' equivalent. Rather than showing revenue, the producers show social reach. Harley Morenstein is pitched for the role of 'Scott Belitz,' highlighting his 6.7M YouTube subscribers and 1.2M Facebook followers (Slide 4). Danica Massey (ComicBookGirl19) is pitched for 'Kylie Griffin,' showing 365K YouTube subscribers (Slide 6). By citing these specific figures, Martell Films is arguing that the show comes with a pre-installed audience of over 7 million potential viewers.
Slide 8: Production Details
This slide moves from 'who' to 'where.' It names Thunder Studios and lists five specific stages (1, 3, 5, 13, & 14) where interiors, including the LA office, would be built. To validate the choice of studio, the slide lists high-profile music video clients like Rhianna, Beyonce, and Justin Bieber. This is a standard industry tactic to prove that the production environment meets professional standards.
Slide 10: Locations
Slide 10 anchors the new series in the franchise's history by showing Hook & Ladder No. 8, the New York firehouse used in the original films. It specifies this would be used for 'Ghostbusters NY (exterior)' shots, suggesting a production that spans both coasts or at least utilizes establishing shots from the source material to maintain authenticity.
Slides 12–26: The Concept Storyboards
The bulk of the remaining slides are dedicated to 'Concept' art. These are black-and-white storyboards that depict specific beats:
Slide 12: Two characters encountering a large, multi-armed ghost. · Slide 14: A modern SUV styled as an Ecto-1 vehicle. · Slide 16: A character wielding a proton pack wand. · Slide 22: A ritualistic figure standing in a summoning circle. · Slide 26: The team facing off against a giant, aggressive marshmallow-like entity.
These slides are crucial for a creative pitch. They demonstrate that the producers understand the visual language of the franchise—slime, tech, and scale—and have already begun the work of blocking out key sequences.
What Works in This Deck
Audience Alignment: By targeting Sony Pictures, the deck speaks directly to the gatekeepers of the IP. The choice to continue the storyline from the video game shows a deep understanding of the existing 'expanded universe,' which appeals to hardcore fans and brand managers alike.
Influencer Leverage: In 2015, the 'YouTube-to-TV' pipeline was a major trend. Highlighting Harley Morenstein’s 6.7M subscribers provides a quantifiable reason for Sony to consider the project; it is a built-in marketing engine that costs the studio nothing to activate.
Visual Clarity: The storyboards effectively communicate the tone. We see that this isn't just a talk-heavy web series; it involves action, special effects, and the 'creature features' that define the Ghostbusters brand.
What is Missing
The Financial Ask: There is no slide indicating how much money is needed to produce 24 hour-long episodes. For a series involving heavy CGI (ghosts) and licensed IP, the budget would likely be in the millions, yet no figures are provided.
Revenue Model: The deck doesn't explain how Sony or Martell Films makes money. Is this a YouTube Original? A licensed series for a platform like Netflix? A purely ad-supported play? Without a distribution and monetization plan, it remains a creative exercise rather than a business proposal.
Rights and Legalities: Since Sony owns the IP, the deck should ideally address the proposed partnership structure. Is Martell Films looking for a production service deal, or are they asking for a license to self-fund and produce?
Unit Economics: There is no mention of the cost per episode or the projected ROI based on the influencer reach. A professional pitch deck needs to translate 'subscribers' into 'dollars' or 'platform value.'
Founder's Takeaway
If you are pitching a creative project based on existing IP, this deck provides a good template for visual storytelling and talent validation . The use of storyboards to prove 'concept' is highly effective for media pitches. However, the omission of a budget and a clear 'ask' is a significant hurdle. Founders should ensure that after the 'dream' is sold via storyboards, the 'reality' is sold via a clear financial roadmap. A 28-slide deck that ends without telling the investor how much money you need or how you will return it is a missed opportunity.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the core value proposition of this deck?
- The core proposition is franchise expansion through a 'next generation' team based in Los Angeles. By casting established YouTube stars like Harley Morenstein, the producers aim to guarantee a built-in audience of millions, theoretically reducing the marketing risk typically associated with new digital series while revitalizing legacy IP for a younger demographic.
- How does the deck handle production logistics?
- The deck is unusually specific about production facilities. Slide 8 identifies Thunder Studios and lists five specific stages. It also attempts to build credibility by listing 'notable television projects' and music videos by artists like Beyonce and Rihanna that have filmed at the same location, suggesting a high-tier production value.
- Is there a clear monetization strategy?
- No. The deck defines the project as a 'comedy web series' but does not explain if it will be ad-supported, behind a paywall, or sold to a streaming platform. It lacks any mention of sponsorship, merchandising, or licensing revenue, which are standard for entertainment pitches involving major intellectual property.
- What is the significance of the 'Concept' slides?
- Slides 12 through 26 serve as a visual script. They illustrate key franchise elements: the proton packs, the Ecto-1 vehicle, and various supernatural entities including a Stay Puft-like figure. This helps the viewer visualize the tone and 'Ghostbusters feel' of the show without requiring a finished pilot episode.
- Who is the intended audience for this pitch?
- The title slide explicitly states 'Presented For: Sony Pictures.' Because Sony owns the Ghostbusters IP, this deck is likely a pitch for a production greenlight or a licensing partnership rather than a traditional venture capital raise. This explains the focus on creative continuity over financial metrics.
