Pitching a Domino Documentary to Agencies — Lessons from The Orangery's Transmedia Playbook

Hook: Your domino build is more than a viral clip — it can be a transmedia franchise

Creators: you know the pain. You build jaw-dropping chains that earn millions of views, then struggle to turn that buzz into predictable income, agency interest, or long-term IP value. In 2026, agencies aren’t just buying creators — they’re buying packaged IP they can scale across screens, retail, and brand partnerships. Look at The Orangery — the European transmedia studio that packaged graphic novels into agency-friendly IP and signed with WME in January 2026. Their playbook shows how to reframe a single creative asset into a multi-licensable universe. This article teaches you how to pitch a domino documentary to talent agencies using that playbook as a template: from treatment to merchandising to rights strategy and branded collaborations.

The big idea — use transmedia thinking to sell a domino documentary

Short-form virality is great. But agencies and brands want projects with expandable rights, merchandising hooks, and clear revenue upside. When you present a domino documentary as a single-window entry to a multi-platform franchise — documentary, short films, collectible kits, experiential events, and brand tie-ins — you shift from “viral video” to “IP opportunity.” That’s the exact repositioning The Orangery mastered with graphic novels like Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika before their WME deal (Variety, Jan 16, 2026).

Why agencies are buying transmedia IP in 2026

• Consolidation in talent representation and streaming: agencies want controllable IP that can be monetized across their development slates.
• Brands seek authentic creator collaborations with built-in audiences — not one-off influencer posts.
• Short-form platforms now feed longer-form pipelines: shorts → doc episodes → feature docs → branded merchandise.
• Technology (AI-assisted editing, AR filters, on-demand manufacturing) lowers cost and speeds productization.

What to package: the domino documentary as a transmedia nucleus

Think in layers. Your documentary is the narrative layer that proves the creative voice and audience. Around it you can build commerce, content, and experiences.

Core package components

• The documentary treatment — logline, director bio, visual style, 20–30 page treatment, rough runtime, comps.
• Short-form spin-offs — 3–6 minute build shorts optimized for TikTok/YouTube Shorts/Instagram Reels.
• Merchandising concepts — limited domino kits, specialty tiles, instruction books, signed prints, apparel mockups.
• Branded collaboration templates — sponsor integration ideas, co-branded kit mechanics, product-placement sketches.
• Rights & revenue map — who controls what (film, merchandising, game/AR, live events), proposed splits.
• Marketing & distribution plan — festival route, streaming windows, agency introductions, social amplification plan.

Step-by-step agency pitch playbook (Orangery-inspired)

Adopt the Orangery method: craft an IP-forward narrative, show immediate monetization paths, and demonstrate expandability. Here’s a practical sequence you can follow.

1) One-page pitch + hero assets

• Start with a crisp one-page pitch: logline, audience, one-sentence ask (e.g., option & development funding), and three revenue levers.
• Attach a 60–90 second highlight reel or build montage — pro-shot if possible. Agencies want to see creative signal and audience proof.
• Include 3 merchandising mockups (kit box, specialty tile set, poster) as JPEGs.

2) 12–15 slide agency deck

1. Cover: title + tagline + hero image
2. Hook: social proof & audience stats
3. The documentary treatment: logline + synopsis
4. Creative team: director/DP + producer bios
5. Transmedia map: spin-offs & productized assets
6. Monetization model: revenue streams & projections
7. Audience & distribution plan
8. Comparables & comps (Orangery-like deals)
9. Rights summary & proposed deal points
10. Budget snapshot & timeline
11. Sample branded integrations
12. Ask: what you want from the agency/partner

3) Rights strategy — show the agency how they’ll scale it

Agencies need clarity on control and upside. Lay out a concise rights matrix that answers “who can do what, and for how long.”

• Documentary film rights (option period vs. outright sale)
• Merchandising & physical goods rights (territory & term)
• Short-form/social content rights (platform-specific licenses)
• Live event & experiential rights (pop-ups, tours)
• Music & soundtrack licensing (pre-cleared vs. original score)
• Digital extensions (AR filters, mobile app, NFTs) — explicit language on resale & royalties

Tip: propose an initial 18–24 month option period with a defined development budget. That’s agency-friendly and gives creators runway.

Monetization blueprint — revenue streams and realistic splits

Map income to three buckets: Content, Commerce, and Collaborations.

Content

• Documentary licensing fees (streamers, broadcasters) — upfront license + backend.
• Short-form ad revenue & creator funds — platform-native monetization.
• Festivals & awards (indirect value) — boosts licensing price and merchandising demand.

Commerce

• Branded domino kits (limited & evergreen editions)
• Collectible tiles & artist collaborations — higher margin, low volume drops
• Instructional books & coffee-table photo books
• Licensing to toy companies or boardgame publishers

Branded collaborations

• Title sponsorships and product placement in the documentary
• Co-branded merch and exclusive kit bundles
• Live build events for brands (activation fees + merchandise sales)

Typical splits (benchmarks, 2026 market data): agencies and production partners often expect a 10–30% distribution fee on content deals, while merchandising revenue is commonly split 60/40 (creator/partner) after manufacturing costs unless an upfront buyout is negotiated. Always model both scenarios.

Sample pitch email (subject + 3-paragraph body)

Use this template when reaching talent agencies or brand partners.

Subject: Domino Documentary + Transmedia IP — option & co-dev opportunity

Hi [Name],

We’re developing "Falling Forward" — a feature-length domino documentary that follows three creators as they scale from viral builds to a global touring exhibition. We have a 90‑second highlight reel (link) and 1-page treatment attached. The project is designed as transmedia IP: the film, a line of collectible kits, branded activations, and short-form spin-offs for social platforms.

Given your work packaging creator-driven IP (see The Orangery’s recent WME signing), we’d love to discuss an 18‑month option plus co-development to scale the property across streaming, retail, and brand partnerships. Attached: a 12-slide deck, merchandising mockups, and a rights map. Are you available for a 20-minute call next week?

Pitch deck comps & narrative framing (how to borrow Orangery’s moves)

The Orangery’s success hinged on three moves you can replicate: clean IP ownership, high-quality look & feel, and modular licensing opportunities. Your deck should highlight similar strengths:

• Show compact, publishable IP (e.g., a documented “build bible” that can become a book or kit).
• Demonstrate creative control — clear ownership of underlying content so agencies know they can license without legal friction.
• Offer modularity — separate rights blocks for film, merch, live events, and digital extensions so partners can bid on what they want.

Practical production & budget notes for domino documentaries

Documentaries about large-scale domino builds have specific logistics. Show agencies you know the constraints.

Production checklist

• Prebuild documentation: CAD/plan views, time-lapse rigs, motion-control for smooth reveals.
• Safety & venue insurance: third-party liability and build-specific rider language.
• Shot list for transmedia: hero 5–10 second sequences for trailers, vertical edits for shorts, behind-the-scenes clips for social.
• Music & sound design budget: original score increases licensing value; clear rights for soundtrack releases.
• Manufacturing partners for kits: proofs, MOQ, lead time, and fulfillment plan.

Budget guide (ballpark, 2026)

• Short documentary (30–45 min): $80k–$250k — depends on location and VFX needs.
• Feature documentary (75–100 min): $200k–$800k — includes festival & distribution spend.
• Merch & kit development (prototype to first run): $10k–$60k depending on quality and tooling.
• PR & agency packaging fee: 8–20% of production budget or a fixed retainer.

Deal structures creators should aim for

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but here are practical frameworks:

• Option + development fee: Agency takes an 18–24 month option with a small development retainer. If they exercise, you negotiate production terms.
• Co-production: Profit & rights split negotiated up front. Good for resource-heavy builds where agency brings financing.
• Licensing-only: Retain core IP, license documentary rights to a distributor for a defined window and keep merchandising rights.
• Full buyout: Fast cash; usually lower long-term revenue — avoid unless fully compensated and you’re exiting the IP.

Negotiation tips

• Keep merchandising rights unless the agency offers a participation credit and higher backend share.
• Demand a reversion term: rights revert to creator if certain milestones aren’t met (e.g., no exercise in 24 months).
• Define approval rights for major creative decisions and for third-party brand deals.
• Insist on transparent accounting and quarterly statements for licensed merchandise.

Branded collaborations: creative formats that sell

Brands want measurable outcomes. Give them formats that track attention, conversion, and product engagement.

• Co-branded kit drops: limited edition kit tied to documentary premiere with promo codes.
• Sponsored challenges: brand-led build challenge seeded to creators and amplified via short-form channels.
• Product integration: subtle product placement within the build (tools, tiles, clothing) with dedicated social reciprocity.
• Pop-up experiences: touring builds with ticket sales, VIP kits, and brand activations.

Legal and rights red flags to avoid

Protect your IP early. Watch for these common pitfalls.

• Language that assigns all rights worldwide in perpetuity without adequate compensation.
• Ambiguous merchandising clauses that let partners launch products without profit share clarity.
• No reversion / no-performance milestones, leaving creators with locked IP and no development progress.
• Excessive exclusivity across social platforms that prevents you from monetizing your existing audience.

Always run deals by an entertainment lawyer with transmedia experience.

Case study snapshot — applying Orangery’s lessons to a hypothetical domino doc

Imagine "The Last Tile," a 90‑minute documentary about a globe-trotting domino crew. Use these Orangery-style tactics:

• Package a 6-ep short-form social series as the doc’s prequel content to seed awareness.
• Simultaneously develop a limited-edition kit featuring the documentary’s signature tile design for retail and direct-to-consumer drops.
• Offer an agency an 18‑month option for development plus a first-look on feature adaptations and branded activations — while you retain global merchandise rights for 3 years.
• Negotiate a revenue split: 70/30 on merchandise sales (creator/agency), 85/15 on digital content ad revenue, and standard agency commission on content licensing.

2026 trends to weave into your pitch

• Agency transmedia deals are mainstream: The Orangery-WME move shows agencies value pre-packaged IP with merchandising potential.
• AI tools accelerate content repurposing: Offer examples of how you’ll cut 60-second versions from the doc using AI-enhanced editing.
• On-demand manufacturing: reduces upfront cost for merch runs — include scalable fulfillment plans.
• AR and micro-experiences: propose AR filters that let fans “place” a virtual domino installation in their home — perfect for sponsorship activation.

Actionable takeaways — checklist before you pitch

1. Create a 1‑page IP summary and 60–90s highlight reel.
2. Build a 12‑slide deck with a clear transmedia map and revenue model.
3. Prepare merchandising mockups and partner LOIs for manufacturing.
4. Draft a rights matrix with reversion milestones and proposed splits.
5. Line up at least one festival or streamer comp and audience metrics from socials.
6. Consult a transmedia entertainment attorney before signing option agreements.

Closing — pitch like a studio, act like a creator

In 2026, agencies want projects they can scale. The Orangery’s WME signing proves that small studios that package their IP attract major representation — and the same strategy works for domino creators. Treat your next documentary as a transmedia nucleus: a narrative that validates your voice and a commercial framework that lets agencies see clear upside. Package smart, price transparently, and keep ownership levers that matter.

Call to action

Ready to build your pitch? Download our Domino Documentary Pitch Kit (treatment template, 12-slide deck, rights checklist and sample merch mockups) and join the dominos.space Creator Lab for feedback on your deck. Submit your one-page pitch and highlight reel this month — we’re reviewing submissions for a curated brand partnership round.

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