Promotion and Marketing... lesson learnt!

Today in our lesson, we were taught ways in which horror films and other genre of films are marketed. Due to the fact that many of us had forgotten about the importance of marketing and promotion, I personally felt it was very helpful, as we would need to conduct such research during our own trailers, posters and magazine covers. In the same way it was useful hearing and discussing, what ultimately attracts people to horror films, going hand in hand with the target audience that particular film aims to target.

Target audience for own trailer:

• Although we have not started our research into target audience for our production, I have already looked into the possible target audience for my trailer (will soon be posting my findings). Personally I want my trailer to target those from the age range 15 and upwards. 

What are the different ways I can promote and market my trailer?

• Interviews (whether is one to one or focus groups.)
• Merchandise e.g. mugs, tops, pens ect..
• Posters
• Soundtracks 
• Magazines 
• Harsh tags on social media such as 'Facebook' and 'Twitter'
• Private screening e.g. could show my trailer to audience, whilst collecting feedback afterwards (what was effective and what needs improvement).
• Cinema adverts (realistically, I'm not entirely sure if this would be possible).

Who / what is distributor?

• The company who own the film and loan it to the cinema to show for a period of time are called the distributors, due to the fact that they distribute the film around the country. 
• The distributors are keen for the film to be successful as possible so they create marketing campaign which aims to raise awareness, throughout the time creating interest. In this way the distributors stand the best chance of making a profit on the film.  

What makes people go and watch films? (This will be helpful when creating my own production, as I would be able to incorporate some on these examples- drawing in more audience in order for my trailer to be successful, as well as my poster and magazine cover). 

• Links to other films
• Word of mouth from peers who have seen it 
• Games which has been turned into films e.g. 'Silent Hill'
• Actors who are present in films
• Good story line
• Classification of age e.g. age range 
• Based on true events 
• Genre e.g. slasher 
• Fan made (fans on take on film) e.g. trailers, poster ect...
• Title (rather is grabbing or not)   

The importance of my trailer:

• Is powerful weapon in the marketing campaign (gives you a sense of whether my  production is going to be successful or not). 
• Posters are important in capturing the initial interest of the audience and drawing them into the your other products e.g. trailers. However they do not bring the excitement and atmosphere of the film in the same way as a trailer does.
• Trailer and sound together is 'larger than life' due to the advancement in technologies, bring audience a great deal of excitement.      
• The trailer stirs emotions and gives us a 'flavour' of the film that is impossible through still images alone.