Using Vault AI To Gain a Competitive Advantage During the Writers’ Strike

While the writers’ strike can halt writing and production work for some time, it also presents an opportunity to leverage AI insights to gain an edge over the competition. 

Vault AI is helping networks in three valuable ways during this time:

1) Pivoting to unscripted content
2) Deciding which new titles to green light once the strike ends
3) Identifying white space opportunities

Let’s dive into each of them and show you some examples. 

 

Pivot to Unscripted with AI Concept Testing

While networks pivot to more unscripted programming to maintain strong viewership levels, choosing the right project to pursue is critical. Ideally, projects will succeed while aligning with the core audiences and growing the brand.  

Using on-hand materials, from a sizzle to a character tape to a written description or paper presentation, Vault AI can ingest the unscripted concept and match it against its database to answer: 

• Which unscripted concepts are predicted to have the most success overall and by demographic?
• How do the concepts rank against each other?
• What key story elements will engage or hold back viewers?
• How unique is each concept vs. the current TV landscape?

 

Case Study

A broadcast network evaluated seven unscripted projects with the goal of green lighting five due to the writers’ strike.

Vault AI ranked each concept based on predicted success among:
• target Women 25-54
• the network’s viewers
• viewers of other unscripted shows on broadcast

Vault AI also unpacked each concept’s key drivers and challenges to enhance the chances of the series becoming a success.

 

Get a Head Start with AI Script Testing 

Networks that leverage Vault AI  during the writers’ strike can get more significant insights and position themselves to immediately ‘hit the ground running’ when the writers’ strike ends. 

Vault AI can ingest a script, book, or podcast and provide the deep analysis (similar to a pilot test) that helps with script selection or preparation for pilot production.

The deep analysis answers questions like:

• Is this script worth developing?
• Will this pilot hit our target demographics?
• Which storylines are strong and unique enough to keep viewers coming back?
• Which storylines are proving problematic?
• Is the main character compelling enough?
• What network is the best distribution channel?

 

Case Study

A cable network had four scripts that it commissioned before the writers’ strike and wanted to decide which one to move forward with when the strike is over. The cable network also wanted to know what changes to make to the scripts before moving on to the pilot phase. 

Vault AI ingested each script and mapped them against its robust database. For each script, a thorough analysis was provided, including target audiences, key storylines to explore, character evaluations, and metrics on the project’s probability of success and uniqueness. 

Using the insights, the network plans to move forward with one of the scripts and potentially a second.  

 

Identify White Space Opportunities with AI Landscape Studies

During uncertain times, executives look for new opportunities. Vault AI’s ability to segment genres and sub-genres by analyzing data from thousands of titles simultaneously helps development executives identify white space opportunities.  

The questions we answer the most with landscape studies are:

• Can we create new sub-genres within the genre?
• Is there a hybrid opportunity between two sub-genres?
• What are the key story drivers of each sub-genre?
• What are the critical demographic segments for each sub-genre?

 

Case Study

A network wanted to dive deeply into the world of crime programming and understand the nuances of the sub-genres within crime and what made each similar and/or different. The network also wanted to know if any opportunities existed to create a new crime sub-genre. 

Vault AI evaluated over 100 crime shows and segmented them into various sub-genres, mapping out each sub-genre’s key story elements, emotions, and demographics. By comparing the mapping of key story elements, Vault AI identified white space opportunities and sub-genres that were less saturated. 

The client is sharing these insights with its development team and production partners to inform new titles.

 

Take Advantage Today

Find out more about how Vault AI can help you gain a competitive advantage during the writers’ strike by contacting david@vault-ai.com

Rapid Insights: The Walking Dead: Dead City Powered by IP and Big Apple Setting

Though The Walking Dead vanquished its final zombie last year after eleven intense seasons, its broader shared universe lives on through numerous current spin-offs. The newest of these premieres next month on AMC and follows Maggie and Negan–two characters who survived the mothership series–on a journey through post-apocalyptic Manhattan, battling terrors both living and dead to rescue Maggie’s young son.

Here’s what you need to know about The Walking Dead: Dead City and the broader Walking Dead franchise:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

What does The Walking Dead audience look like?
The shows’ linear viewership is fairly gender-balanced (50-54% male) and heavily older (86-91% aged 35+), matching viewing trends for cable TV. In contrast, those streaming the series include more men (54-60%) and under 30s (34-44%). We’re predicting that the Dead City audience will most closely mirror that of anthology Tales of the Walking Dead, which proved more male-skewing than The Walking Dead or Fear the Walking Dead. With a score of (135), fans of HBO’s The Last of Us will likely also be on board (as well as fans of the other AMC franchise series).

What makes these shows so popular?
Their tales of survival. From The Walking Dead through the upcoming Dead City, each series has featured a World Turned Upside-Down (118) thanks to a global zombie apocalypse, and viewers have tuned in each time for the resulting Scary Situations (125), moments of Life in Danger (137) suspense, and human vs. undead Action & Violence (120). The series also all feature strangers banding together (Team-Up, 121) to share Survival Skills (135) and offer mutual protection, a triumph of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. All are top ratings drivers.

How important is the franchise link to these shows’ success?
Crucial. Their shared universe–and its connection to the original Robert Kirkman comic books–is a top driver of bingeability across the board. Given that Dead City continues the narrative of characters originating in The Walking Dead, its IP Extension (160) is a particularly essential reason that viewers will want to keep watching.

What will set Dead City apart?
A more focused storyline. Whereas its predecessors have been much broader in scope and followed a host of different characters, Dead City hones in on only two and tracks their singularly Dangerous Mission (121) through downtown Manhattan (NYC Setting, 121), an urban locale new to the franchise.

What kind of emotional experience should viewers expect with Dead City?
An intense one. In keeping with its franchise brethren, the upcoming series rates as especially Bloody/Gory (131)Action-Packed (121)Violent (119)Scary (117), and Suspenseful (116), and audiences can anticipate feeling Tense (118) and Shocked (113) while watching. At the same time, we predict they’ll be more Thrilled (119) by the show than is typical for a horror title.

What can Dead City learn from its predecessors’ longevity?
Build out the interpersonal relationships. Both The Walking Dead (11 seasons) and Fear the Walking Dead (8 seasons) have succeeded for so long because of the tight-knit kinship that developed at their center. While viewers initially tune into these shows for the danger and apocalyptic setting, they stick around to watch the Family Relationships (133)Unlikely Friendships (116), and moving bonds of Protectiveness (116) that form among their core characters.

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*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Goes Bigger and Bolder

Early next month, Sony’s follow-up to its Oscar-winning, animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) hits theaters, and viewers will once again be treated to the Spider-ventures of teen Miles Morales as he navigates life as a web-slinging superhero. In this new installment, Miles teams up with Gwen Stacy and a host of other Spider-People to save the multiverse from The Spot, a tricky supervillain primed to cause catastrophic disaster.

Here’s what you need to know about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Is Across the Spider-Verse a kids’ movie, or will it go broader?
Definitely broader, just like its predecessor. Leveraging Vault AI’s capability of creating and analyzing custom, hyper-targeted fan segments, this animated sequel looks promising not only with fans of other animated superhero titles (The IncrediblesBig Hero 6Lego Batman, etc.) (112), but also with those who love the wider live-action MCU (111). Demand will likely be strongest among parents (132), followed by younger males <35 (110). We’re also predicting that it will outperform with Black audiences thanks to its lead.

What made the first Spider-Verse movie so compelling?
Spider-Man’s origin story. Whereas the live action Spider-Man films have focused on Peter Parker, Into the Spider-Verse introduced teen Miles Morales as the titular hero and explored what it meant for him to take up the storied mantle. Audiences leaned in to watch Miles Become Spider-Man (160) after Parker’s death and honor his legacy by Protecting New York (156) from fearsome villains.

What will set this upcoming Spider-Verse movie apart?
All the Spider-People. Bigger and broader in scope, Across the Spider-Verse leans hard into the multiverse (and the multi-Spider-Man) concept of the first film, bringing in a host of spandexed crusaders that keep their many universes running. As a result, the idea of their Superhero Team-Up (160)–and the references made to Spider-Man’s comic book origins (Comic Connections, 160)–is a bigger draw than it was for Into the Spider-Verse (141). The sequel’s Stylized Action (134)Enhanced Animation (134), and sticky new villain are also more prominent drivers this go-round.

How important is Miles’ own story in Across the Spider-Verse?
It’s supportive. While audience demand will be driven more by the web of Spider-People, Miles’ personal journey will give the film crucial emotional stakes. Viewers do want to follow the Coming of Age (125) tale begun in the first movie, and Miles’ Mentor and Protege Relationship (114) with multiverse Peter Parker, friendship with love-interest Gwen Stacy, and brave stand against the dubious head of the Spider-Society (Disagreements & Conflict, 114) are also promising elements.

How buzzy will this new movie be?
Very. We’re predicting outstanding scores for both Google search volume (126) and social buzz (121), meaning that Across the Spider-Verse will be a key topic for search activity and online chatter in the days around its release. Users will be talking about Miles’ Interdimensional Heroism (118) and the many Spider-People inhabiting the film’s multiverse.

Introducing SEGMENTS

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Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

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*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: Platonic Reignites Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne’s Comedic Chemistry

After their hilarious pairing in the Neighbors films, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne have again joined forces for Apple TV+’s new limited series releasing on May 24. While the show is technically a romantic comedy, its trailer goes all-in on its riotous “com” over its “rom,” a creative choice reflected in its humor-heavy viewership drivers. The show tells the story of two estranged childhood pals who reconnect as adults and try to recapture the magic of their former friendship.

Here’s what you need to know about Platonic:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who will be tuning in for this rowdy comedy?
A broad adult audience. We’re predicting a viewership that’s gender-balanced (51% male / 49% female) and mostly older (63% aged 30+). That’s less female-skewing than Byrne’s other Apple TV+ series (dark dramedy Physical, at 59% female) but right in line with several of the streamer’s recent comedies (Loot, The Afterparty).

Why will audiences want to watch?
To see Sylvia’s life implode. When her childhood Friendship (137) with Will is rekindled, the pair regress into madcap adolescence, shaking up her “boring” Family Life (145) and causing clashes with her other friends (Friendship Conflict, 160) and husband (Family Relationships, 136). The resulting disarray is the show’s main ratings driver.

How will the comedy contribute to the show’s success?
By making it bingeworthy. The Awkward & Funny Moments (131) arising from Will’s hilariously childish antics (Arrested Development, 137) and the scenes of Over-the-Top Humor (128)–from a surprise raccoon attack, to a sudden glass door collision, to getting high on horse tranquilizers–will keep viewers engaged.

What kind of viewing experience will audiences be looking for?
An upbeat one. The show’s heavy focus on comedy will lead viewers to expect a host of positive emotions that suggest a good time, like Anticipation (151), Admiration (146), Joy (140), and Optimism (140).

Will fans of Neighbors and Neighbors 2 enjoy Platonic?
Definitely. We’re calculating an outstanding fan affinity score of (121), meaning that those who liked Rogen and Byrne’s first two collaborations are sure to love their third. These fans will be more drawn to their characters’ Midlife Crisis (121) and raucous Partying & Drug Use (121), themes also echoed in Neighbors.

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: The Idol’s Sleazy Love Story Exposes Pop Music’s Dark Side

Next month, HBO will release its much-hyped take on the LA-based pop music industry. It’s a take that leans heavily into depravity and sex as it depicts (according to the trailer) “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.” The brainchild of Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and directed by Sam Levinson (Euphoria), the series focuses on aspiring pop idol Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) as she falls into a complex relationship with a self-help guru and cult leader (Tesfaye).

Here’s what you need to know about The Idol:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

How will its audience compare to other music industry dramas?
It’ll be more gender-balanced. In general, this genre’s built-in melodrama attracts more women (Empire, Atlanta, Daisy Jones & the Six, Nashville, Monarch, and Queens all skewed 56%-67% female). Still, with The Idol’s heavy focus on sex, nudity, and prominence of The Weeknd’s cult leader character, we predict that more men than usual will tune in (51% male / 49% female).

Why will viewers want to watch?
For the Moral Ambiguity (124)The Idol revels in the Dark Themes (116) of a dysfunctional, potentially abusive relationship between pop star and cult leader, where Sexual Promiscuity (115) leads to empowerment. Viewers will be drawn in by the twisted combination of Love (118) and Terror (116) that defines this central connection.

How important will the musical backdrop be to The Idol’s success?
Crucial. Viewers across this category are intrigued by the politics, drama, and inner workings of the Music Industry (135). The theme consistently lands as a top viewership driver for ratings, bingeability, and longevity, whether the show focuses on hip hop, country, or rock. For The Idol specifically, its critique of the pop music world is the critical factor for social buzz (135) and bingability (134).

How is The Idol’s social buzz looking?
Very promising. The show’s initial teaser drop maxed out our meter (at 160) in July 2022, with subsequent marketing efforts resulting in similar spikes in online chatter. Its buzz also received a boost (again hitting 160) in early March when Rolling Stone reported on its contentious mid-production creative overhaul, quoting a crew member in calling it “twisted torture porn”.

What will help The Idol reach a second season?
Jocelyn’s story. She’s a sympathetic Female Protagonist (130) that viewers want to root for. While her extravagantly Wealthy Lifestyle (121) provides a dose of lighter escapism, the darker elements of her toxic Romantic Relationship (142) will provide the best fodder for future episodes. In this way, The Idol fits right in among previous music biz series; rather than the trappings of the music industry itself, it’s always the characters’ relationships–from sibling rivalry to friendship conflict to parent-child dysfunction to adultery–that drive their shows’ longevity.

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: Killers of the Flower Moon Aligns with the Scorsese-DiCaprio Canon

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are back together again, this time with the Apple and Paramount film Killer of the Flower Moon, which showed off its first trailer today at CinemaCon to much anticipation. Their sixth film – a Western period piece investigating mysterious murders – is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year before its official theatrical release in October.

Until the trailer is released publicly, it is worth examining for now how the Scorsese-Dicaprio canon might inform expectations for Killers of the Flower Moon.

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who shows up for Scorsese-Dicaprio movies?
Males, but not to the extent one might assume. Across the 5 titles (Gangs of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), The Departed (2006), Shutter Island (2010), and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), there is a slight male skew (55%), which increases to 62-63% male for rough and tumble crime dramas The Departed and Gangs of New York. However, the mystery thriller Shutter Island (48% male) and the biographical drama The Aviator (46% male), attract more female viewers. There is less variation by age, with 69-74% of audiences aged 30+ across all titles.

As for Killers of the Flower Moon, a Western crime drama, the audience will certainly be older and male-skewing, but Dicaprio in a crime mystery will also draw in older females.

What makes Scorsese-Dicaprio narratives so compelling?
Seeing the darker side of human nature. Themes of Corruption & Greed (116) are central to the narratives and box office success. Greed also features prominently in Killers of the Flower Moon, where Osage tribe members experience newfound wealth due to the oil on their land. DiCaprio’s protagonists often face moral or psychological challenges that test their limits. For example, The Wolf of Wall Street is an explicit portrayal of the dangers of unchecked greed, while The Aviator explores the moral dilemmas that arise from pursuing success at any cost. In The Departed, the tension between personal ambition and moral duty drives the story.

What experience do viewers get from these movies?
Increasing tension and suspense as if the walls are closing in. Criminal Investigations (115) play a central role, heightening the stakes and driving the story forward. Viewers are left waiting for the proverbial “other shoe to drop.” In both Shutter Island and The Departed, DiCaprio portrays a law enforcement officer who becomes entangled in complex situations. Notably, in Killers of the Flower Moon, DiCaprio takes on a different role as the husband of one of the Osage tribe members, rather than the FBI agent leading the murder investigation, but is entangled in the conspiracy that the FBI are investigating.

What else can viewers expect to see?
Power struggles, both violent and subtle. Sudden Violence (118) is a common element of the canon, particularly in the portrayal of the brutal lives of crime families. The unpredictable actions of organized crime in The Departed and the street warfare in Gangs of New York exemplify this. However, not all conflicts are overtly violent. The intense corporate battles in The Aviator serve as a prime example. In Killers of the Flower Moon, the power struggle will likely take the form of DiCaprio’s character facing conflicting loyalties between his Osage wife and his powerful uncle.

What is a defining quality of the characters DiCaprio has played across the canon?
The embodiment of paranoia. DiCaprio’s characters are often grappling with their identities and navigating deception (Identity and Deception, 112). Examples include infiltrating dangerous organizations in The Departed and Gangs of New York, and contending with mental instability in Shutter Island and The Aviator. These internal struggles add depth to the characters and contribute to the films’ thematic explorations.

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

Stay in the know

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Past Rapid Insights: Miss one? Check out previous issues here

Rapid Insights Genre Trend: The Family Stallone Puts a Positive Spin on Reality TV Drama

In recent years, the number of family-based reality TV series–specifically, those focusing on multiple sisters–has spiked. E!’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians was in many ways the blueprint, and Hulu’s The Kardashians, its no-holds-barred successor, has continued to amp up the drama, with Season 3 releasing this May. TLC’s drama-filled The Culpo Sisters, which premiered last November, focuses on Miss Universe winner Olivia Culpo and her siblings and fits right alongside. And Paramount+’s The Family Stallone, the newest entrant in the genre, arrives next month and will focus on the daughters of actor Sylvester Stallone. All three series expertly draw viewers into the real-life relationships of their central sets of sisters.

Here’s what you need to know about this trend:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who’s the core audience for these types of reality series?
This genre typically skews heavily female (69% for The Kardashians, 71% for The Culpo Sisters) thanks to its focus on sisterly bonds, but with Sly involved as the clan’s figurehead, we’re predicting a uniquely balanced gender skew (48% female / 52% male) for The Family Stallone. All of these series lean older (ages 30+), especially the linear-based Culpo Sisters.

Why do viewers tune in to shows like The Kardashians and The Culpo Sisters?
For the drama. Audiences want to be a fly on the wall for the delectable Family Conflicts (124), Emotional Turmoil (123)Rocky Romances (116), and Strained Relationships (124) as the shows’ core personalities–especially the Kardashians and Culpos–experience an exaggerated version of life’s ups and downs (Reality TV, 122). They also want to watch the sisters strive for success in their various business endeavors, leaning into their Ambition & Drive (115) and competing for Social Status (117).

How will The Family Stallone be different?
It will take a more positive approach. While the other series play up conflicts and clashes, the trailer for Stallone shows a clan that cares, leaning into their mutually Supportive Relationships (160), loving Family Values (142), and bracing Life Lessons (133). The show will also depict the Male Friendships (140) between father Sylvester and his well-known actor buddies (Celebrity Focus, 150), broadening it out to a male audience. All will be key viewership drivers unique to this series.

What type of emotional experience are viewers looking for?
A mix of positive and negative. The families in these series are only human, and audiences are looking both to cheer for and be frustrated by their decisions in turn. Drawing on both ends of the spectrum, from Acceptance (135) and Trust (116) to Disapproval (135) and Loathing (119), is crucial for ratings.

What gives these series legs?
Relatability. These types of shows offer an intimate look at familiar–if somewhat heightened–Family Relationships (151) across several generations (Multigenerational Family, 128) and between sisters (Sibling Relationships, 119), connections with which the audience can identify. The recognizable Family Values (160) at their heart are a top driver of their longevity.

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: Marvel’s Secret Invasion Will Bring the Best of the MCU

Disney+’s next entry in the Marvel canon, releasing in early June, will be the first streaming series of the MCU’s Phase Five and has already picked up considerable buzz. Based on the comic storyline of the same name, the show will follow Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and his allies as they attempt to thwart a Skrull invasion of Earth before the alien shapeshifters can destroy all of humanity.

Here’s what you need to know about Secret Invasion:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

How will this audience compare to Disney+’s other Marvel series?
It’ll be more gender-skewed than most. We’re predicting a heavily male (62%) viewership, much more so than The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (57%), Hawkeye (52%), Moon Knight (54%), WandaVision (50%), and She-Hulk (53%); Loki is its closest comp (at 60% male). All, however, appeal similarly to a mostly older demo (60-66% aged 30+).

How is the online buzz looking?
Stellar. Its social tracking maxed out our buzz meter (at 160) after its second trailer drop (and hit (150) after its first), scores very much in line with Marvel’s typical highs; most of the previous series stayed in the conversation long after their episodes released, and Secret Invasion seems poised to do the same. Viewers will primarily be tweeting about the Skrull invasion conspiracy and Nick Fury’s Search for the Truth (135).

Which aspect of the show will viewers most be tuning in to see?
A deeper portrait of Nick Fury. After a long post-Endgame stint in deep space, Fury’s return to Earth (Lifestyle Change, 156) is complicated by an existential crisis–and the potential end of humanity. His team-up with allies Talos and Maria Hill (Co-Worker Relationships, 134) to stop the Skrull invasion will shed more light on his enigmatic character as well as offer plenty of classic Marvel Stylized Action & Violence (113). All will be top ratings drivers.

How important is Secret invasion’s connection to the MCU?
Absolutely essential. The show’s place within the broader Marvel Universe (150) is its top driver of bingeability, a common theme for all of the Disney+ Marvel series (the motif is the #1 or #2 bingeability driver across the board). Viewers won’t be able to look away as the story links itself back to previously-revealed characters and events, such as the Skrulls’ backstory in Captain Marvel (Alien Lifeform, 112).

What will carry this miniseries into future MCU spin-offs?
Its tense revelations. Though Secret Invasion has been conceived as a limited-length show, the Dangerous Missions (114) undertaken by Nick Fury and his allies and the threatening Secrets & Lies (117) they uncover will help feed into the brand’s next phases of storytelling.

Introducing SEGMENTS

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Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

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*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights: Fast X’s New Villain Will Rev Up the Adrenaline

After F9 became one of the pandemic’s biggest successes, the second-to-last installment of Universal’s Fast & Furious series will arrive theatrically in mid-May to revved-up anticipation. This new film will introduce Jason Momoa, Brie Larson, and Rita Moreno to the franchise’s already extensive cast and will tell part one of the saga’s two-part final story of revenge and family.

Here’s what you need to know about Fast X:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who will be lining up on opening weekend?
Men. As with the previous nine, the tenth Fast & Furious movie is predicted to lean heavily male (62%), with men of all ages expressing an outstanding level of demand (139). Teen girls and women 30+ also look promising (110-111).

What will be this penultimate film’s biggest draw?
The Fast Franchise (160). Theatergoers will once again be drawn in by the brand’s core DNA: thrillingly Over-the-Top Action & Violence (157), adrenaline-spiking High-Speed Chases (123) with reckless Dom in the Driver’s Seat (116)–this time involving a fully vertical race–and a large, recurring ensemble cast that truly feels like family.

What will set Fast X apart from the earlier Fast & Furious films?
The next generation. While the Fast movies have always centered on family, Fast X will take the theme a step farther by exploring the specific legacy of Fathers & Sons (117): villain Dante Reyes seeks revenge for his own father’s death (in Fast Five) by targeting Dom’s eight-year-old boy, who the tough leader is terrified of losing.

Is this latest antagonist an important draw for the film?
Definitely. After the franchise essentials, Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes will be a top driver of demand for Fast X (New Villain, 114), and the dynamic threat he presents to our heroes–along with the dazzlingly exotic locales he frequents–will help bring in women (121) even more than men (113).

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

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Rapid Insights Genre Trend: Silo Joins the Dystopian Book Adaptation Boom

Next month, Apple TV+ will be releasing a dark, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi-tinged drama that leans into the recent streaming craze of adapting compelling dystopian novels for the small screen. The series will join the likes of HBOMax’s Station Eleven and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale in exploring themes of humanity and society in the face of global disaster, from a pandemic to mass female infertility to a ruined and uninhabitable planet.

Here’s what you need to know about Silo and this broader trend:

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who’s the typical audience for dystopian dramas?
It varies. This genre generally skews older (67-71% aged 30+) but hits different gender sweet spots depending on execution. On one end of the spectrum lies The Handmaid’s Tale, attracting mostly women (59%) thanks to its themes of Female Friendship (141) and oppression (Religious Themes, 142); on the other is Silo, expected to be mostly male (59%) due to its embrace of harder Sci-Fi (130) and futuristic Gizmos & Technology (132)Station Eleven falls in the middle (gender balanced at 51% male/49% female); its multi-story structure (Narrative Device, 127) offers something for everyone.

How much potential do these series have for generating online chatter?
A lot. Even in its fifth season, The Handmaid’s Tale maxed out our social buzz meter (at 160) with its late-2022 premiere, and Station Eleven hit a high of (149) when it concluded its limited run in September 2021. Though Silo hasn’t quite broken through just yet, at a month out, there’s still plenty of time for it to start a similar social media fire.

What drives ratings for these types of shows?
Characters fighting back against a dark future. By definition, their Distinctly Realized Worlds (134) are compellingly pessimistic, whether they paint a picture of an uninhabitable Earth (World Turned Upside-Down, 133), the near-end of humanity (Death of a Loved One, 116), or the chilling dominance of Totalitarianism (136) and Abuses of Power (124). In response, their protagonists band together, determined to survive; they make Life-Changing Decisions (111), form Resistance Groups (154), and grapple with issues of Morality (125) to keep the chaos at bay (Overcoming Adversity, 128) and, hopefully, change their worlds for the better.

What do audiences want to see the protagonists strive for?
Their humanity. This genre challenges its characters to find a sense of belonging, connection, and peace–all basic human needs–within devastating and inhumane conditions. They yearn for Family (135)Social Contact (134)Honor (128)Acceptance (131)Order (133), and Tranquility (133), all of which boost ratings.

What kind of emotional experience do viewers come in craving?
A mix of dark and light. Audiences are drawn to the bleak horror of these dystopian landscapes and the characters’ overriding Vigilance (130)Sadness (129)Anger (129)Aggressiveness (129), and Fear (129). At the same time, glimpses of hope puncture the darkness and viewers lean in when it seems things could get better, with moments of Acceptance (138)Optimism (137)Amazement (129), and even Joy (134) and Ecstasy (111).

What will set Silo apart from other series in this genre?
Its Mystery (117). Whereas most dystopian dramas take place on a broader stage–both The Handmaid’s Tale and Station Eleven encompass farflung settings and make no secret of their characters’ realities–the storytelling in Silo is confined to a sealed-off underground city. As its citizens begin to question their confinement and suspect high-level Conspiracies & Cover-Ups (131), the series poses plenty of questions about the true state of its outside world.

Is their source material important?
Yes. The fact that these series are based on well-known, fully-realized novels is a key viewership driver across the board (Based on a Book).

Introducing SEGMENTS

Break free from slow and expensive oversampling 

Create hyper-targeted fan groups and analyze every audience that matters to you.

Introducing SEGMENTS, the groundbreaking new feature revolutionizing how you analyze and target your audiences.

Get rich AI-powered audience insights at your fingertips with 5 Custom Segments included as standard. Define your own or choose from our library of 500+ ready made Segments. No extra costs, no time delays.

Learn More

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

Stay in the know

Subscribe to get Rapid Insights delivered to your inbox or follow us on LinkedIn

Past Rapid Insights: Miss one? Check out previous issues here

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