Movie Trailers, Marketing and Microfiction

There seems to be little thought in the artistic significance in movie trailers.

They can be seen as traditional advertising, which companies often stick to, but they house many opportunities to extend the narrative and the world of the film.

In this video I explore what’s up.

Side note: my comment about ‘non-technological piece of graphic content brought to you through a technological medium’ is a tongue in cheek comment on how marketing peeps like to use descriptive words to make something seem like a bigger deal than it actually is.

Another Side note: discussion of movie trailers seems to be ‘in vogue’ at the moment, for more information about film trailers look at this video by SlashFilm

What are your favourite trailers?
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Camera Assist: Matthew Smolen
Song used: Route 101 from Audio Network

Clip information in order of appearance:

Pleasure Seekers: Film Clip
Film Released: 1964
Directed by Jean Negulesco
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Blazing Saddles: Best of Hedley Lamarr
Film Released: 1974
Directed by Mel Brooks
Crossbow Production, Warner Bros.

Ambience: Trailer
Film Release: 2020
Directed by Anders Weberg
This film will be showed once and then deleted forever, learn about it through their site.

Cabin in the Woods: Trailer
Film Released 2012
Directed by Drew Goddard
Lionsgate, Mutant Enemy

10 Cloverfield Lane: Trailer
Film Released 2016
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Paramount Pictures, Bad Robot, Spectrum Effects

Suicide Squad: Trailer
Film Released 2016
Directed by David Ayer
Atlas Entertainment, DC Comics, DC Entertainment

Inception: Trailer
Film Released 2010
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Warner Bros. Legendary Entertainment

Web 2.0: What does it mean for film?

We can’t help ourselves

Web 2.0

With the interactive platform of the internet filmmakers are closer than ever before with their audiences.

When I was growing up film was my safe place. I would fall in love with the narrative, characters and inevitably with the actors. Pre internet I would get all the magazines I could and cut out pictures of my favourite stars, I would get every poster and any paraphernalia that was available.

Having so much content available online means I no longer feel the need to obtain every single thing available in addition to the film itself, although sometimes I just can’t help myself.

Watching film is a much more involved process then it has ever been, the conversation we have when we walk out of the cinema has crossed over to the online space. Especially when we increasingly watch film at home, we need that connection and sharing of responses through reviews and consumer created content.

Produsage

Consumer created content has allowed the audience to interact with film and T.V in a way they have never been able to before.

What I have wondered most recently is how this process effects the copyright of original works. How the artist and creators may suffer from the enthusiastic sharing and repurposing of the content (piracy being a whole other topic to explore).

Transmedia & Convergence

I’m very interested in these two terms and how they should be considered by filmmakers. This is where the narrative can become richer and more immersive for the viewer as they consume content from multiple platforms.

I hope to delve into these concepts more in my blog, and use case studies to consider and critically evaluate how these ideas come to fruition.

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Image Credit: Alfabeto Visual Blog

Donnie Darko: Waking the Transmedia Universe

The world will end in: 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds

Donnie Darko (2001) is a psychological thriller directed by Richard Kelly and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The story follows a teenager being lead to cause mischief by his imaginary friend Frank before the world ends, kinda (make sure you see the film).

With the release of the film came the website.

Crossing the tangent universe through transmedia platforms

The website sets itself apart from standard film marketing as it creates a distinct audiovisual experience. It’s nature reflects that of the film and it serves as a quiz that unlocks further information about the film and it’s characters. With this the events and characters of the film transcend the cinematic universe and echo into reality through this online presence.

Thankfully we can still view the site through Hi-reS! Archive as the site is no longer being supported by its original host.

While this film is not the first to have online support, Donnie Darko was the first film I experienced that had multiple avenues in which I could explore the world created.

The site is a representation of the culture of convergence and an element of integrated marketing communications that focuses on the audience members experience and highlighting the film’s narrative possibilities.

Donnie Darko and it’s website have paved the way for filmmakers as they consider that narrative possibilities lie in marketing opportunities. Marketing and narrative storytelling don’t have to be separate, they can support each other, and ultimately enrich the audiences experience.

Where do we go from here?

*All images licensed under Creative Commons Attribution

Do you know a film that also has an awesome website?
Leave a comment or Get in touch and let me know!