Like any well run business the movie producing industry also wants to know what it can sell and to whom. Where it can make big money and gain market share.
Their product aka films needs to resonate with or at least marginally stimulate the scattered demographic into action to go buy a ticket, rent a dvd or download their content.
That brings us to what they produce and how they market..
Most marketing is packaged into what the story is about. Sometimes not. Previews are a good way to get attention. So what the industry spit out in the last 12 or so months was with the omnipresent hope to get into the hearts and wallets of the young and the restless; those looking for a casket; those that fought wars or those that wished we did not; those with big wallets and those without...
Then various producers hit on a major theme of playing the AGE card and cranked out entire movies to market the theme -
1. This is 40 - this is really about couples that hit the magic number and how the Martians and Venetian psychologies react to reality.. typically a upper middle class lifestyle faced with first world problems it was watchable with Alfred Brooks adding his own brand of comedy.
2. Enough Said - another decade has gone by, so this movie could well be titled - This is 50 - and now Americans are faced with 'what to do with an empty nest' question. This was a conversational film in that it did not have a major plot but revolved around the lives of two divorcees (not with each other) but who cross paths...the lead actor is now dead in real life - the lead actress was a favorite of mine in a four person comedy called Seinfeld couple decades ago.
3. Escape - which really translates into - This is 60 - for Stallone and Schwarzenegger of Governator fame - to show up as oldies with muscle and bust some buildings. Watch if you have nothing else to do.
4. Last Vegas - immensely fun to see some real classy guys - now in their 70s get together to have a bash in Sin City. Viagra and Lipitor jokes not withstanding the old fogies did a remarkable job to keep it entertaining. Kline, De Niro, Douglas and Freeman for $1 a day - not bad at all.
Their product aka films needs to resonate with or at least marginally stimulate the scattered demographic into action to go buy a ticket, rent a dvd or download their content.
That brings us to what they produce and how they market..
Most marketing is packaged into what the story is about. Sometimes not. Previews are a good way to get attention. So what the industry spit out in the last 12 or so months was with the omnipresent hope to get into the hearts and wallets of the young and the restless; those looking for a casket; those that fought wars or those that wished we did not; those with big wallets and those without...
Then various producers hit on a major theme of playing the AGE card and cranked out entire movies to market the theme -
1. This is 40 - this is really about couples that hit the magic number and how the Martians and Venetian psychologies react to reality.. typically a upper middle class lifestyle faced with first world problems it was watchable with Alfred Brooks adding his own brand of comedy.
2. Enough Said - another decade has gone by, so this movie could well be titled - This is 50 - and now Americans are faced with 'what to do with an empty nest' question. This was a conversational film in that it did not have a major plot but revolved around the lives of two divorcees (not with each other) but who cross paths...the lead actor is now dead in real life - the lead actress was a favorite of mine in a four person comedy called Seinfeld couple decades ago.
3. Escape - which really translates into - This is 60 - for Stallone and Schwarzenegger of Governator fame - to show up as oldies with muscle and bust some buildings. Watch if you have nothing else to do.
4. Last Vegas - immensely fun to see some real classy guys - now in their 70s get together to have a bash in Sin City. Viagra and Lipitor jokes not withstanding the old fogies did a remarkable job to keep it entertaining. Kline, De Niro, Douglas and Freeman for $1 a day - not bad at all.
Comments
Post a Comment