From Madison Ave to Hollywood: The Birth of a Trailer Empire

📌 Episode Summary

This week, we continue our heartfelt tribute to Andy Kuehn, a visionary often considered the father of the modern trailer industry. This week, Corey and special co-host Benedict Coulter of REBEL welcome longtime industry luminary Jim Gibbons (EVP of Paramount, founder of Flamingo Films) who takes us on a journey through the formative years of trailer creation—from New York's Madison Avenue to Hollywood's 7️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Santa Monica Blvd.

In this edition, we explore the early days of Kaleidoscope, Andy's legendary influence, and how the art of trailers evolved into what it is today. From pioneering trailer edits to running parallel campaigns against studio execs, Andy's legacy looms large.

🕰️ Timestamps & Highlights

• [00:00:00 ] Welcome & intro by Corey Nathan

• [00:01:00 ] Greg McClatchy on Andy Kuehn's AJK Foundation and film preservation 🌈🎞️

• [00:03:00 ] Enter Jim Gibbons: From liquor stores to Kaleidoscope in 1969

• [00:06:00 ] The story of Andy defying studio orders with A/B testing campaigns 📊🔥

• [00:08:00 ] Jim's memories of Andy's legendary NYC loft salons 🥂🎭

• [00:10:00 ] Launching Kaleidoscope in LA, reunions at 7026 Santa Monica Blvd

• [00:14:00 ] From Kaleidoscope to Utopia, and starting Flamingo Films

• [00:20:00 ] The evolution of trailer shops—from National Screen Service to creative boutiques

• [00:25:00 ] Behind-the-scenes on Star Wars, lasers, and early VFX 💥🛸

• [00:30:00 ] From competitor to client: Jim working with Andy at Paramount

• [00:34:00 ] Collaboration with Benedict at Trailer Park

• [00:40:00 ] Reflections on transitioning from indie shops to studio system

• [00:44:00 ] Modern-day trailer creation: Streamers, social, digital 🎥📱

• [00:45:00 ] What Jim misses most about Andy Kuehn

• [00:47:00 ] History of Kanew-Manger-Deutsch, Geronimo, and the rise of trailer giants

• [00:48:00 ] Signature sounds, trailer style debates, and fun industry lore 🎧😂

• [00:50:00 ] Final reflections & gratitude

🌟 Notable Quotes

"Andy created a standard... the tone was: be innovative. Don't settle for the norm." — Jim Gibbons

"He was always Andy. That smile, that mustache. You couldn't miss him. You felt him in the room." — Jim Gibbons

"We all owe a lot to Jim... he was part of the original group that really started it all with Andy." — Benedict Coulter

📚 Related Links

• 🌐 AJK Foundation: ajkfoundation.org – Support film preservation & LGBTQ+ cinema history.

Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤