Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones, Instagram etc.. What does all of this have in common? yes, they are the ideal sites where procrastination takes place, and they are all Social Media webpages (or channels). but one other thing they all have in common is that they have been adopted by the film industry, Big time.
Everything has been turns around the internet lately. If we think in our solar system, all the planets go around the sun, its their center of gravity, the same thing can be told about the web and the new era of Hollywood and promotion.
The impact that Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and other social media has had in the film industry is major. An example of this is the film of Paramount Pictures "Paranormal Activity" and the success that the film had in the box office with a budget of less than $20,000. The strategy used by the filmmakers was to expand to more and more markets where there was an interest for the film, and with internet the studio can know exactly where this is.Paramount used Facebook to promote the film. Partnering with Eventful to get would-be fans to request a screening of the film in theiir area. (since Paranormal Activity began just in a few areas). Their goal was to get 1 million fan requests for the film to enter wide release. The goal was met pretty quickly. But the real proof came via the box office receipts.
Going Viral & Trailers.
Going Viral in the web is the new trend for promoting the films before they hit theaters. Thanks to social media, elements of viral campaigns can get really intricate and really involve people into them. (which is the goal of every promotional campaign.)
A Great examples of viral marketing for promoting films include Toy Story 3 from Disney and Pixar.
Disney went all out creating vintage toy commercial for Lots-o'Hugging' Bear, one of the new characters in the film.
When it comes to trailers, Social Media has provided a new way to expose information or content to the fans. Before social media you had to go to the theaters to see the trailers of the upcoming movies, or wait for them to appear in the classic Television. Studios now utilize the power of facebook, twitter and of course YouTube to get this trailers and information exposed to fans.
But why is this so important? it is simple. Viral Marketing has proving once and again that is definitely the most reliable way to get to huge masses and still have the confidence and trust on the audience that you gain using word of mouth. For example, if I am a friend of yours and say to you, look at this trailer from "The Conjuring" it looks really good and scary! and provide you with the link, chances are you are going to open the link and see the trailer, either you like it or not thats up to you, but you have been exposed to the information the studio wants you to see and know about, and that is how basically social media is very reliable to get to masses audience, and the reason why Social Media is so powerful and is changing the way films are being promoted.
I agree with you 100%. Social media marketing has become more popular and in my opinion more effective. A person is more likely to read something that is being promoted online or suggested by a friend than in any other channel of marketing. We are in the day where tv commercials can be fast forwarded and many people choose not to watch the twenty minutes of previews before a film. I feel like this type of marketing is acceptable as long as it is done tastefully.
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