I really want to see this movie after reading this article http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/film/articles/2010/02/24/1266687089416.html
$10,000 if you can get through this film alone
- Thread starter TheBuck
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Publicity stunt
Publicity stunt. It seems like every other horror movie.
Publicity stunt. It seems like every other horror movie.
I think they had the same offer for Gigli. 
-Thanks-
-Thanks-
Lame.
What would actually be cool would be William Castle coming back from the dead and slapping this guy in the back of the head.
What would actually be cool would be William Castle coming back from the dead and slapping this guy in the back of the head.
Far from lame, I think it’s great. Anything to get people talking
about your movie.
It was a stunt that pushed “Paramormal Activity” into the number
one spot at the boxoffice. I rather poor, not very scary movie
made a LOT of money because of a publicity stunt.
We have a thread going about how to get people to watch your
movie. If the “lame” stunt makes even 10,000 people pay $10 to see
the movie...
I’m not good at math. You figure out the numer.
about your movie.
It was a stunt that pushed “Paramormal Activity” into the number
one spot at the boxoffice. I rather poor, not very scary movie
made a LOT of money because of a publicity stunt.
We have a thread going about how to get people to watch your
movie. If the “lame” stunt makes even 10,000 people pay $10 to see
the movie...
I’m not good at math. You figure out the numer.
Reminds me of an eating challenge. "Finish this 72 ounce porterhouse and your meal is free."
Of course I do not believe there will be an actual payout. Couldn't he get in trouble for this? Or is there is there a disclaimer at the bottom of the promo material that says this is for dramatic effect only that the press is missing?
"Varma issued a similar challenge ahead of the release of the original Phoonk but the promotional contest was withdrawn after allegations the selection process was rigged."
I guess he has an exit plan.
People are talking. Good for him. Unless this is fraud.
Of course I do not believe there will be an actual payout. Couldn't he get in trouble for this? Or is there is there a disclaimer at the bottom of the promo material that says this is for dramatic effect only that the press is missing?
"Varma issued a similar challenge ahead of the release of the original Phoonk but the promotional contest was withdrawn after allegations the selection process was rigged."
I guess he has an exit plan.
People are talking. Good for him. Unless this is fraud.
I think the economic description of this stunt is called "pulling forward future demand".
Whatever the film makes, if viewers feel cheated or are not pleased, they will make it a point to not watch anything made by these people ever again.
Is that worth it?
survive one day in Gun Town and get a free copy of the movie with a wooden nickel.
Yeah, this is a stunt. Not able to sit through the entire film for a chance at 10K? please. They must have figured that into the budget.
Yeah, this is a stunt. Not able to sit through the entire film for a chance at 10K? please. They must have figured that into the budget.
If this guy is a fraud then it IS lame. But in the spirit of Wm.
Castle, this seems like a great way to get attention.
Castle’s first stunt was when we was producing a play with a
famous German actress. He paid people to protest, write letters
and even spray paint the theater. Then he made a big show of
painting the theater, said no amount of protest was going to
hinder his freedom in America and put on the play after hiring
security to protect the audience from possible vandals.
I can see this guy’s “stunt” working. Here’s what I would do. Put
an additional $14,000 into your marketing budget. Take the the
movie to four theaters around the country (like Castle would do)
and make an offer. Anyone who can sit through the entire film,
alone, will get $2,500. Hire a couple of people ($100 each) in
each city to try and fail. Then pay the $2,500 to each of the four
people who try it and succeed. Have the media cover it, shake the
persons hand as you hand them the check and express your surprise
and admiration.
People have short memories. Directors make horrible films and then
they make a good one and people go see it. Actors make horrible
films and then they make a good one and people go see it.
You may very well be the exception; once you feel cheated by a
writer, producer, director or actor you might never see another
movie from them again. But I think you are the exception. I think,
as a filmmaker, it might be worth it.
Using my previous numbers if even 10% of the 10,000 chose to never
see another movie from that filmmaker, there are still 9,000
people who will. And if a stunt like that pulled one quarter of
the numbers of “Paranormal Activity”...
Castle, this seems like a great way to get attention.
Castle’s first stunt was when we was producing a play with a
famous German actress. He paid people to protest, write letters
and even spray paint the theater. Then he made a big show of
painting the theater, said no amount of protest was going to
hinder his freedom in America and put on the play after hiring
security to protect the audience from possible vandals.
I can see this guy’s “stunt” working. Here’s what I would do. Put
an additional $14,000 into your marketing budget. Take the the
movie to four theaters around the country (like Castle would do)
and make an offer. Anyone who can sit through the entire film,
alone, will get $2,500. Hire a couple of people ($100 each) in
each city to try and fail. Then pay the $2,500 to each of the four
people who try it and succeed. Have the media cover it, shake the
persons hand as you hand them the check and express your surprise
and admiration.
It might be.
People have short memories. Directors make horrible films and then
they make a good one and people go see it. Actors make horrible
films and then they make a good one and people go see it.
You may very well be the exception; once you feel cheated by a
writer, producer, director or actor you might never see another
movie from them again. But I think you are the exception. I think,
as a filmmaker, it might be worth it.
Using my previous numbers if even 10% of the 10,000 chose to never
see another movie from that filmmaker, there are still 9,000
people who will. And if a stunt like that pulled one quarter of
the numbers of “Paranormal Activity”...
I just might be the exception.
But I think there is a difference between a bad attempt and a gimmick trick.
My rule is let your work do the talking.
People remember frauds more than people who just come up short.
If you make a bad movie, people won't remember you. That might sound bad,
but in truth it just means they might unwittingly watch your next one.
If you cheat them, they will remember. And you won't get another chance.
I'm just a little leary of people who talk big schemes and don't show anything for it.
They remind me of used car salesmen.
No offense to the used car salesmen out there.
And every time I think of used car salesmen, I think of Bill Paxton in True Lies.
Add: Also Rik, I think it comes down to this:
Does the person really have something worth watching? If they do, then by all means promote.
Get people to watch the film, and like it, and then you're all set.
If the product is crap and they are just trying to make money off a gimmick, they are likely to piss people off.
But I think there is a difference between a bad attempt and a gimmick trick.
My rule is let your work do the talking.
People remember frauds more than people who just come up short.
If you make a bad movie, people won't remember you. That might sound bad,
but in truth it just means they might unwittingly watch your next one.
If you cheat them, they will remember. And you won't get another chance.
I'm just a little leary of people who talk big schemes and don't show anything for it.
They remind me of used car salesmen.
No offense to the used car salesmen out there.
And every time I think of used car salesmen, I think of Bill Paxton in True Lies.
Add: Also Rik, I think it comes down to this:
Does the person really have something worth watching? If they do, then by all means promote.
Get people to watch the film, and like it, and then you're all set.
If the product is crap and they are just trying to make money off a gimmick, they are likely to piss people off.
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I agree. People are tired of being deceived. Case in point: Piracy. Why? Because people are tired of thinking it's a good movie because of fancy cover art and great looking trailers. But I won't get into that. A gimmick is fine and dandy...if the gimmick is true.
Oh, and I used to be a used car salesman. Believe me, I'm not offended.
Just like the other thread about how to get people to
see a movie, it always comes down to making a good
movie. And we all know that "worth watching" is subjective.
On the "Paranormal Activity" thread there are people who
thought it was worth watching and those who thought it
was crap. Which is why I stay away from that aspect. I
just don't believe it's as simple as making a good movie.
I suspect if you got pulled by a marketing stunt and liked
the movie you would tell others and then go see the next
film by that filmmaker. And if you didn't like it (purely
subjective) you would warn others away and never see
another movie from that filmmaker. And I'm almost certain
that many people are just like that.
So that's why I think a marketing stunt is worth it. Because
without a marketing stunt if you see a movie and like it you
will tell others and go see the next film from that filmmaker.
And if you don't like it...
A marketing stunt just might draw more people to see your
movie than just making a good film.
