FREE RENFIELD In association with Universal Pictures’ new horror comedy
For Universal Pictures’ Renfieldat the cinema April 14,
Aptos joins forces with Forward Studio and Signal and Cipher
to change the way fans experience the film
LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Aptos Labs, Forward Studio and Signal and Cipher today jointly announced, in association with Universal Pictures, a fan-driven twist on the launch of Universal’s new horror comedy, Renfield (at the cinema April 14), starring the Oscar winner Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Emmy-nominated Nicholas Hoult as Renfield, his long-suffering servant.
FREE RENFIELD is promoted by partner Fandango, advertised on Bloody Disgusting, across digital theatrical advance programs and on Universal Pictures’ media channels. FREE RENFIELD is free to play, available on mobile and desktop devices and runs from March 24 to April 20.
Weight to live of Aptos blockchain, FREE RENFIELD gives fans the opportunity to compete for a chance to enter to win a variety of Dracula-inspired prizes, including Renfield’s digital art collection; auto-generated, individualized prizes that are stamped and become a tradable collector’s item.
Renfield’s digital art collection is a series of four designs that follow the story of Renfield, Dracula’s familiar on his quest to free himself from the clutches of the Prince of Darkness. This series features special poster designs and custom comic art based on key scenes from the Universal Pictures film Renfield. Each chip is linked to different levels of physical and digital prizes that can be won by playing the Renfield Sweepstakes.
In the film, Renfield eats insects to temporarily give himself superhuman powers, which served as the inspiration for Forward Studio to create FREE RENFIELD, an interactive online game that allows users to search for bugs, who star in the film, for a chance to win Dracula-inspired prizes. Players simply watch cutscenes for the hidden glitches, then select the correct scene for a chance to win and enter to win a prize worthy of a dark lord.
FREE RENFIELD meets fans where they already are, allowing users to seamlessly integrate web2 and web3 technologies into their everyday lives. Users will be challenged to swipe through a series of stylized images to find the bugs and win both digital and physical collectibles.
Improving fan engagement with Blockchain
FREE RENFIELD is an interactive online game that allows users to enter a contest for a chance to win prizes.
How to participate:
- Through Aptos blockchain, users are challenged to swipe through a series of stylized images to find the bugs, featured as a key element in the film, for a chance to win auto-generated, individualized prizes that are embossed and will become a tradable collectible.
Prizes available to eligible participants:
Prizes awarded to contest winners will get as close to the story and characters as they can for a chance to win:
- Ccustom jewelry inspired by Dracula’s adornments, digital collectible art inspired by the film as well as custom blood red velvet suits, 24k gold jewelry, historic Dracula rings, blood red rubies, vintage Dracula movie posters and a rare 1967 Dracula horror themed pinball machine.
When it comes to the digital collectibles in particular, a key feature will be different unique designs – with four different types of digital collectibles in play:
- Something for everyone: Everyone who plays regardless of winning will get the “Renfield Relic” is the movie poster that will be given to everyone who plays the game, regardless of whether they have won or not. Users authenticate to play, unlocking the relic. Winners drawn at random during the competition have a chance to win a rare, semi-rare or legendary digital art collection.
- The rare ones: HE IS MY SERVANT- Cartoon scene from the movie (8000 to win)
- The Ultra-Rare: COLLECTIBLE RENFIELD POSTER- Animated Movie Poster (1000 to win)
- The Legendary: I AM DRACULA- Limited edition cartoon scene from the film (only 16 will be won)
Bringing fans together through unique partnerships and experiences
“We know audiences just want to be connected. They want story and fun, and no barriers to connecting with their fandom,” said Greg Reed, Vice President of Technology Partnerships, Universal Pictures. “Our job is to leverage high-performance, scalable networks, which Aptos, which delivers the most unique, engaging and safe experiences for fans. Our main goal: to bring people closer to the characters and stories they love.”
To bring Renfield experience to the widest group of entertainment fans was realized through a partnership with Fandango, the ultimate digital network for all things film that reaches more than 50 million unique visitors per month. In addition to being the nation’s top online movie ticketing company, Fandango helps extend movie fandom to millions of moviegoers through its robust social platforms and direct-to-consumer marketing efforts.
Links you to Story to Bridge Web2 and Web3 for Fans
User experience has been an inherent block to mainstream adoption of web3. The FREE RENFIELD challenge will use the powerful technology behind it Aptos blockchain to deliver a seamless user experience and compelling interactive fan experience.
Going forward, the agency that conceived and built the experience shapes all of its work based on story.
“With such a rich history going back to the 19th century told in such a modern way, it was such a fun territory to highlight that no matter what cool technology is out there, it’s still just us humans trying to relate and connect with each other,” said Rachel NoonanChief Strategy Officer at Forward.
“Without new blockchain technology like Aptos Coming into the market to build on the current infrastructure, we would not be able to push forward with experiences like this that engage the fans directly and creatively,” added Sam SchoonoverFounder of Forward.
Experiences like the FREE RENFIELD challenge built on Aptos is powered by Move, a programming language developed by former Big Tech engineers that uses a more carbon-efficient proof-of-stake consensus method that makes use of a network of validators. The result is an immersive fan experience available on a global scale and with minimal environmental impact.
“It’s always easy to come up with the idea, but building it with new technology is a different beast. At Signal and Cipher, we’ve seen the power of new technologies like virtual manufacturing, and the convergence of web2 and web3. We’re proud to deliver an immersive fan experience powered by invisible technology and fully integrated into the action of Renfield,” so Ian BeacraftFounder, Signal and Cipher.
“When I worked at the movie theater in high school, I used to daydream about being the star of the latest movies as I swept popcorn off the floor. Now I have the unique opportunity to actually bring that dream to life with the FREE RENFIELD Challenge, a partnership of our high-performance blockchain technology and one of the world’s best studios. Together, we’re creating a world where fans can feel like movies are made just for them, which is such a cool addition to our legacy of storytelling and culture.”
To complete the FREE RENFIELD challenge, click here: https://freerenfield.renfieldmovie.com/
For FREE RENFIELD challenge press materials, email: [email protected]
ABOUT RENFIELD
Evil doesn’t last forever without a little help.
In this Emmy-nominated modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X men franchise) plays Renfield, the tortured assistant to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar)® winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to acquire his master’s prey and do whatever he wants, no matter how degraded. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there is life beyond the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his co-dependency.
Renfield is directed by Emmy winner Chris McKay (Tomorrow’s War, The LEGO Batman Movie) from a screen story of The walking dead and Invincible the creator Robert Kirkman and a script of Ryan Ridley (Ghosted series, Rick and Morty series).
The film also stars Golden Globe winner Awkwafina (Goodbye, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings), Emmy winner and Oscar® nominated Shohreh Aghdashloo (Saddam’s house, House of sand and fog), Ben Schwartz (Sonic, The after party), Adrian Martinez (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Focus) and Brandon Scott Jones (Ghosts, The other two).
Renfield is a Skybound/Giant Wildcat production, produced by Chris McKay, Samantha Nisenboim (co-producer, The war of tomorrow), Bryan Furst (Day breakers), Sean Furst (Day breakers), Robert Kirkman and David Alpert because of (The walking dead). The executive producer is Todd Lewis (unit production manager, Jason Bourne).
ABOUT APTOS NETWORK
Aptos is a next generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos’ cutting-edge technology and programming language, Move, is designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user security. Feel free to visit for more information on Aptos blockchain.
ABOUT APTOS LABS
Aptos Labs, co-founded by Mo Shaikh and Avery Ching, is dedicated to creating better networking tools and seamless usability to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. Have now raised above 400 million dollarsAptos Labs is backed by top investors including a16z, Jump CryptoBinance Labs, Dragonfly, PayPal Ventures and Coinbase Ventures.
ABOUT FORWARD STUDIO
Forward Studio uses human-centric design, new technology and entertainment to bring unique and innovative consumer experiences to life. Working with clients across sectors, they focus on expanding IP, brand stories and fan worlds by identifying key unmet consumer needs, market fit and untapped areas to create and build value for brands and audiences.
ABOUT SIGNAL AND CIFTER
We build next-generation experiences with tomorrow’s technology. Signal and Cipher is a strategic foresight consulting and production studio dedicated to decoding the future of the world’s most innovative companies. We guide our clients through the complex landscape of new and emerging technologies, including AI, virtual manufacturing, augmented reality, digital twins and more. We help them prioritize, implement, operationalize and commercialize the most advanced technologies in the world to create outstanding experiences for their customers.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL IMAGES
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a leading motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television station group and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
ABOUT FANDANGO
Fandango is the ultimate digital network for all things film and TV, serving more than 50 million unique visitors per month, according to comScore, with best-in-class movie and TV information, movie tickets to 31,000 US screens, trailers and original video, and home entertainment. The portfolio includes leading online ticketing companies Fandango, MovieTickets.com and Flixster; world-renowned film review site Rotten Tomatoes; and the Rotten Tomatoes Network on YouTube, the premier movie trailer and content channel. Fandango’s movie discovery and ticketing innovations can also be found on mobile, social, AI and voice platforms.
SOURCE Aptos Labs
