I watched Kezia Williams deliver a presentation on what theatrical distribution at Pathe does.Williams shared that distributers work to create a successful marketing campaign for each film. I investigated the different aspects of a marketing campaign for a specific recent film like:
- Film website
- Film posters
- Film trailers
- Cross promotion/ product tie-ins (like Heineken and James Bond in SkyFall and Spectre, Toyota and Star Wars)
- News articles, interviews, award ceremonies
Kezia Williams explained that, in a congested marketplace, a distributor's aim was too position a film in a way that it stood out for its target audience. Similarly, Chris Besseling offered me a series of insights into how distributors market a film's USP (Unique Selling Point) such as its star cast, its provenance (such as literary adaptation or biopic credentials), its awards and good reviews.
Matt Smith of the FDA tells us that spend on digital has increased enormously. For instance, trailers are now cut to portrait viewing on smart phones. Digital includes all social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc) that work as a synergistic whole in promoting a product. Matt Smith also refers to paid-for marketing as distinct from the free publicity. Social media can generate viral marketing-free publicity.
Social media
Social media is a great way for those interested in that film to engage. Some may not even know the film story line but is interested in this upcoming film purely based on i.e, where it is set, the main actors, directors etc. This helps build that momentum before the film is already released, 'hyping' this upcoming movie.
Film Websites:
Film websites allow those who want to see exactly what will happen within the movie. They are able to see all the movies resources such as posters, trailers and the cast. This will please those who want to know background behind how it was made and who made the film before going to go watch it.
Posters:
For Blumler and Katz, audiences use media to gratify their needs. One need is the pleasure of forming relationships. One way Joker has used this is by using the actors Joaquin Phoenix, this would attract those who watch this specific actor purely because of who he is regardless of the storyline. This acts as an excellent marking strategy
Good. You have researched how distributors create a marketing package for a film and you understand how the different types are integrated.
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