After reviewing the top grossing movies of 2012, I noticed a
peculiar little trend within them. Movies that started marketing way before
with posters and multiple trailers got a higher gross in the theaters. Movies are beginning
to market almost two years early with trailers posters and other promotional
material, but what works? How do you keep your market interested and get them
all in the seats for the movie. Prometheus created viral videos that gave
viewer a unique perspective on what the movie was about and suffered lower
numbers in the box office, while John Carter, had one trailer that may be the
most confusing trailer ever and even though the movie had a budget of 260 million, it only made a little over 60 million in the box office. The Avengers created several trailers that
people watch, shared, and talk about on the internet, along with The Dark
Knight Rises, which also created trailers that in each new release had a small
new scene or shot that kept people talking and discussing what was to come in
the new movie. Both of these movies will probably be neck and neck when the box
office sales are given out from the dark knight.
More trailers more money
Keeping the public involved and part of the movie is the
best way to increase ticket sales. However, the brand its self is also super
important. Prometheus and John Carter are nowhere near as well known stories
than the avengers and batman. However, if they were to create more content they
could bring more people to see their movie. By increasing trailers and bringing a little bit more from the movie, the viewer can share trailers and talk about them with friends and get more people at the theaters.
Don’t just give a trailer
Cut together multiple ones showcasing new footage every
time. Find new avenues like an old TV show called LOST. While their six seasons
were running viewers could log onto their website and also find webpages made
just for the show. You could go to the airlines website or a website for the
dharma initiative. Im waiting for the mobile application marketplace to blow up with limited time application for movies. Interact with anything from the movie, follow progress, and buy tickets for the opening night.
Make sure
people know what it's about
You don’t have to give all the cool parts away to get what
the movie is about ot the audience. But you do want to make sure what they see
in the trailer is entertaining and informative. John Carter’s trailer was a
prime example of what it is like to not know what is going on in the story. So
much money was put into the film and when friends, relatives, and coworkers all
looked at the trailer they were left thinking what is that even about. I don’t
get it. After their initial response the thought of that seeing that movie
quickly faded away and most of the united states agrees.
Creating a film isn’t just about what is looks like on
screen but it also includes getting your film distributed and watched by
others. Because of the technology improving each year people are looking for
more than just one trailer that looks cool. They want trailers, websites,
videos, and anything else that will keep them wanting to know more and then
finally to go see the movie.