Resource
‘Whiplash’ Charts Slow But Steady Expansion at Box Office
Citation
Lang, B. (2014, November 3). 'Whiplash' Charts Slow But Steady Expansion at Box Office. Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://variety.com/2014/film/news/whiplash-box-office-expansion-1201346308/
Summary
The article explains how Whiplash's distributer, Sony Pictures Classics, plans on rise in Box Office. Sony Pictures Classics, who got the film's distribution rights at the Sundance film festival. Due to the lack of A-list actors and it having a complex story, alone it wouldn't be able to be as successful. Whats Sony decided to do, in order to gain the desired amount of view, they released the film in a slow and steady pace. It started out being released in only 6 theaters then little by little reached 61 after a month, and expanded more from there. The reasoning behind this strategy is their intention of trying to the expose the movie as a 'classic' American film, which is apparently Sony's forte.
Quotes
• “These pictures tend to have great word-of-mouth. We release them like an accordion, where we go wider and wider, before eventually we contract a little.”
• "The film’s producer Jason Blum said he appreciates the methodical way Sony Pictures Classics is introducing the film to the wider world."
Reflection
I, at first, found it very strange finding out Sony's tactics on how the film was going to be distributed. My expectations were that they were going to distribute 'Whiplash' to as many theaters as soon as possible in order for it to gain the fame they desire. Fortunately, I do enjoy this idea of slowly bringing to the top and having it become one of the 'classic' films. This way, the film would also be around for several years like The Breakfast Club or The Perks Of Being a Wallflower where they have made a stamp in indie films. Its definitely a different approach having the film warm up to the audience.
This tactic is a smart one to use when distributing such a low budget film with very little recognizable famous actors and doesn't seem to have the simplistic storyline. Its defiantly a great alternative for any filmmaker and how they might help the film rise to the top.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
'Foxcatcher' Fails with Their Initial Promotions
Resource
New 'Foxcatcher' Trailer, Poster Promise All Sorts of Channing Tatum
Citation
Zuckerman, E. (2014, July 2). New 'Foxcatcher' Trailer, Poster Promise All Sorts of Channing Tatum. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/07/the-foxcatcher-marketing-campaign-is-now-focusing-on-channing-tatum/373860/
Summary
This article shows Foxcatcher's different ads on various medias with a noticeable pattern. Knowing that the most talked about performance in the film was by Steve Carell and yet it was easily seen that they made sure Channing Tatum was the main and only focus. Even though Sony's decision to promote around Tatum's performance, Carell unintentionally took the spotlight.
Quotes
• "So does this mean that Sony Pictures Classics' believes Tatum to be their greatest Oscar hope?"
• "New advertising for the film, however, is primarily selling Channing Tatum's performance as du Pont's mentee, the wrestler Mark Schultz, hard"
Reflection
This was an interesting case where the company's main focus received less fame than the secondary character. This comes to show how just one performance can overpower the initial promotion for the film. Carell was even nominated for the Golden Globes and Oscars, where as Tatum got non. I feel as though it demonstrates that audiences/viewers still hold a part of the throne as to what becomes popular and 'trending'. Sony's attempt to lure their target audience towards Tatum failed and uncaps their intention of manipulation.
What does this come to show when deciding how to advertise your film? It isn't always that easy for these companies to figure out what the public's reaction would be when making these designs. It comes down to just research and assumptions, especially important for these low budget to gain such an audience. The film's incorporation of the well known actors came to their favor but could have promoted it using more of the cast rather than only basing the advertisements on one character.
New 'Foxcatcher' Trailer, Poster Promise All Sorts of Channing Tatum
Citation
Zuckerman, E. (2014, July 2). New 'Foxcatcher' Trailer, Poster Promise All Sorts of Channing Tatum. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/07/the-foxcatcher-marketing-campaign-is-now-focusing-on-channing-tatum/373860/
Summary
This article shows Foxcatcher's different ads on various medias with a noticeable pattern. Knowing that the most talked about performance in the film was by Steve Carell and yet it was easily seen that they made sure Channing Tatum was the main and only focus. Even though Sony's decision to promote around Tatum's performance, Carell unintentionally took the spotlight.
Quotes
• "So does this mean that Sony Pictures Classics' believes Tatum to be their greatest Oscar hope?"
• "New advertising for the film, however, is primarily selling Channing Tatum's performance as du Pont's mentee, the wrestler Mark Schultz, hard"
Reflection
This was an interesting case where the company's main focus received less fame than the secondary character. This comes to show how just one performance can overpower the initial promotion for the film. Carell was even nominated for the Golden Globes and Oscars, where as Tatum got non. I feel as though it demonstrates that audiences/viewers still hold a part of the throne as to what becomes popular and 'trending'. Sony's attempt to lure their target audience towards Tatum failed and uncaps their intention of manipulation.
What does this come to show when deciding how to advertise your film? It isn't always that easy for these companies to figure out what the public's reaction would be when making these designs. It comes down to just research and assumptions, especially important for these low budget to gain such an audience. The film's incorporation of the well known actors came to their favor but could have promoted it using more of the cast rather than only basing the advertisements on one character.
Friday, January 16, 2015
'Birdman' Distributed Through Freebies
Resource
Citation
Marich, R. (2014, October 19). Dissecting Birdman Publicity Campaign : News : Marketing To Moviegoers : A Handbook Of Strategies Used By Major Studios And Independents. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from http://www.marketingmovies.net/news/dissecting-birdman-publicity-campaign/
Summary
The article explains how Birdman publicized itself and what techniques were used to gain the audience they want. The film was marketed as much as possible, from Tv outlets to press junkets with the cast. Their technique, like other films now a days, was to widen the audience variety as possible.
Quotes
• "The junkets, which bring together large numbers of journalists, are the most impactful because they are cost-efficient and can be conducted quickly"
•"The distributor Fox Searchlight is the specialty-film arm of 20th Century Fox with an excellent track record marketing smallish films to hit proportions such as Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years A Slave, Black Swan, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways"
•"The distributor Fox Searchlight is the specialty-film arm of 20th Century Fox with an excellent track record marketing smallish films to hit proportions such as Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years A Slave, Black Swan, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways"
Reflection
I feel like the way the film was publicized made it a bit confusing on what type of audience its mainly for. As it states in the article "straddles the line between drama and black comedy, so it’s hard to classify, which audiences often find off-putting". It is understandable when releasing any film, especially indie, it would be helpful and easier if it was just distributed through freebies. Although, this does come with risks towards the audience's understanding of Birdman. This also puts off the connection and/or message viewers should gain from the film.
The campaigns were less concerned with the quality, in which who they were marketing to and where, and more invested in quantity making sure the movie was advertised everywhere/anywhere. In my opinion, its not the best idea to take the easy way out.
I feel like the way the film was publicized made it a bit confusing on what type of audience its mainly for. As it states in the article "straddles the line between drama and black comedy, so it’s hard to classify, which audiences often find off-putting". It is understandable when releasing any film, especially indie, it would be helpful and easier if it was just distributed through freebies. Although, this does come with risks towards the audience's understanding of Birdman. This also puts off the connection and/or message viewers should gain from the film.
The campaigns were less concerned with the quality, in which who they were marketing to and where, and more invested in quantity making sure the movie was advertised everywhere/anywhere. In my opinion, its not the best idea to take the easy way out.
Friday, January 9, 2015
James Franco's former NYU students' film 'The Color of Time' received a decent amount of views, but reviewed to be terrible.
Resource
James Franco starred in his former NYU students' film 'The Color of Time'
Citation
Sacks, E. (2014, November 30). James Franco stars in his NYU students' film. Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/james-franco-stars-nyu-students-film-article-1.2022102
Summary
'The Color of Time' was mainly created by a couple former NYU students and brought along James Franco to not only star in, but also help direct. The film gained a sufficient amount of popularity, but unfortunately had an average rating of 3.5/10 according to Rotten Tomatoes. This student film was fortunate and received help in getting some A-list actors to be casted such as, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, Zach Braff, Henry Hopper and Bruce Campbell. One of the main reasons it was able to get its audience was due to the casting of these famous actors.
Quotes
• "Franco rounded up a band of his students and several former classmates from his own time at the NYU program, also enlisting famous acting peers like Mila Kunis and Jessica Chastain"
• '"The budget was so low on this film, that I drove the first equipment truck with one of the line producers from New York to Detroit through a blizzard" Shruti Ganguli, 32'
Reflection
The film advertised seemingly to be this remarkable artistic piece featuring some of our favorite actors turned into a disappointment to most. 'The Color of Time' gave excitement to many indie film fans hoping to have all of the perfect artistic elements, plus having a great set of actors meant that it had to be a good film, right? Thats where you were fooled. The NYU students were lucky to have been able to partner with James Franco and giving them easy access to add the A-list actors, but didn't receive their expected reviews.
This comes to show how beneficial it is to have these type of actors in a film tagging along all of their twitter followers alone to watch it. The celebrities are constantly circling around some other TV outlets, such as, going on talk shows giving them a chance to advertise the film even more. Looking past the reviews for the film it still was able to receive a decent amount of fame and was a good learning lesson for these up coming directors, of what i can assume, from NYU.
James Franco starred in his former NYU students' film 'The Color of Time'
Citation
Sacks, E. (2014, November 30). James Franco stars in his NYU students' film. Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/james-franco-stars-nyu-students-film-article-1.2022102
Summary
'The Color of Time' was mainly created by a couple former NYU students and brought along James Franco to not only star in, but also help direct. The film gained a sufficient amount of popularity, but unfortunately had an average rating of 3.5/10 according to Rotten Tomatoes. This student film was fortunate and received help in getting some A-list actors to be casted such as, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, Zach Braff, Henry Hopper and Bruce Campbell. One of the main reasons it was able to get its audience was due to the casting of these famous actors.
Quotes
• "Franco rounded up a band of his students and several former classmates from his own time at the NYU program, also enlisting famous acting peers like Mila Kunis and Jessica Chastain"
• '"The budget was so low on this film, that I drove the first equipment truck with one of the line producers from New York to Detroit through a blizzard" Shruti Ganguli, 32'
Reflection
The film advertised seemingly to be this remarkable artistic piece featuring some of our favorite actors turned into a disappointment to most. 'The Color of Time' gave excitement to many indie film fans hoping to have all of the perfect artistic elements, plus having a great set of actors meant that it had to be a good film, right? Thats where you were fooled. The NYU students were lucky to have been able to partner with James Franco and giving them easy access to add the A-list actors, but didn't receive their expected reviews.
This comes to show how beneficial it is to have these type of actors in a film tagging along all of their twitter followers alone to watch it. The celebrities are constantly circling around some other TV outlets, such as, going on talk shows giving them a chance to advertise the film even more. Looking past the reviews for the film it still was able to receive a decent amount of fame and was a good learning lesson for these up coming directors, of what i can assume, from NYU.
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