‘Jackpot!’ Star Awkwafina and Director Paul Feig on Building Brands, Honing a Vision and Adapting to Streaming

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that “Jackpot!” is a delightful addition to Amazon Prime Video’s action-comedy genre. The film’s clever integration of real-world brands and pop culture references truly ground its characters in the world we know, making it feel more authentic than some of the old 1970s and ’80s TV shows that awkwardly obscured brand names with masking tape.


The fresh action-comedy series “Jackpot!” on Amazon Prime Video is filled with nods to popular culture, tributes to movies, and entertaining Easter eggs for those in the entertainment industry. Notably, it also features numerous brand mentions, ranging from Airbnb to El Pollo Loco to Shinola. This deliberate inclusion, as explained by producer-director Paul Feig, is part of a strategic plan.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Paul Feig, known for hits like “Bridesmaids,” “Ghostbusters” (2016), and “The Heat,” emphasized the significance of cultural authenticity in creating relatable characters. This is especially crucial in comedies like “Jackpot!”, a future LA-set film that’s due out five years from now.

During the Amazon Ads Immersion Day event held in Culver City on Wednesday, Feig reminisced about the era of ’70s and ’80s TV where product brand names were frequently hidden with tape, making them awkwardly unclear. Times have certainly evolved since then.

Feig expressed that it seems out of place when movies and TV start incorporating fake brands, as it goes against the goal of making them appear like real life. This was stated during a 30-minute discussion on brand development and pop culture, which he participated in with co-star Awkwafina and moderator Cynthia Littleton, who is the co-editor-in-chief at EbMaster.

Furthermore, brand partnerships in films and television series can serve as a crucial revenue stream for Hollywood during periods of escalating production expenses. In an unexpected turn of events, a collaboration with luxury watchmaker Shinola, whose timepiece was prominently featured in “Jackpot!” by actor John Cena, proved beneficial when needed, according to Feig’s disclosure.

“Feig mentioned that we made an arrangement with Shinola. John Cena is sporting a Shinola watch in our project. During post-production, we needed another song for the soundtrack but didn’t have the funds. Then, Shinola provided additional money for this purpose. Feig has no issues with this, however, he made it clear that he won’t accept any free watches as part of the deal.”

As an enthusiastic follower, I’m excitedly looking forward to the Immersion Day event, where they’ve got a fantastic lineup designed to strengthen our bond with the brand. In the chilly month of October, Amazon Ads is all set to host their second annual UnBoxed gathering – a thrilling two-day advertising conference right here in Austin, Texas!

On a Wednesday, I emphasized the significance of artists building their personal brand to foster fan bases. For me, it’s all about nurturing that creative spark and effectively engaging with my audience through social media platforms. The secret lies in maintaining control over your own content at all times, as this empowers you to both express yourself and build trust among viewers. This approach naturally fosters authenticity since you know people are tuned into what you’re sharing.

“Playing Katie Kim, an aspiring actress who unexpectedly wins the California lottery but finds herself targeted for murder, provided Awkwafina with a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to flex her acting muscles in the Amazon MGM Studios film that premiered on Prime Video’s global platform on August 15.”

“Awkwafina humorously shared that her fitness adventure began with this particular film, referring to it as her boxing routine.”

Initially, Feig gained recognition through unique contributions to television series such as “Freaks and Geeks,” “The Office,” and “Parks and Recreation.” He consistently underscored the significance of infusing a powerful personal perspective into every project. Moreover, he encouraged creatives to take risks in order to avoid being stereotyped.

Feig expressed that he frequently enjoys switching between different genre types. Maintaining a distinct comedic voice is crucial, no matter how disparate the projects may be.

At the Culver Theater, Feig informed a group consisting of marketers, advertisers, and business heads about his heightened understanding that the emergence of on-demand viewing significantly alters consumer habits.

It’s undeniable that creating a movie for a streaming platform differs significantly from one intended for a theatrical release.

When you go to a movie theater, there’s usually an engaging scene within the first 20 minutes that keeps people from leaving early. However, when streaming, it feels more like “What on earth am I watching?” That’s why I always design my films with an immediate impact – a significant event at the start that grabs your attention, he explained.

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2024-08-15 22:47