A Walt Disney Studios star imperils the marketplace reception of a reported $270 million film by taking a strong anti-Trump stand. It’s the worst nightmare of every film distributor, having the personal, off-camera conduct of talent ignite an extraneous controversy. “'May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace,” posted actress Rachel Zegler. … [Read more...] about Disney Star Ignites Political Storm
social media
Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
Romantic comedy “It Ends With Us” is headed for a relatively big cinema premiere Friday, helped by buzz from its star-laden premiere. “It Ends,” whose star Blake Lively was catalyst for extensive media coverage of its premiere, is a PG-13 rom-com from Sony Pictures Releasing. The film is based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. The gala Aug. 6 premiere at the … [Read more...] about Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
‘Mean Girls’ Cast Leverages Social Clout
The casts of the two “Mean Girls” movies pack a wallop in social media, which was leveraged for a theatrical premiere this past weekend. The high-school satire musical opened Jan. 11-23 in cinemas to an estimated $28 million in domestic boxoffice (decent given horrible winter weather across the nation). The PG 13-rated film mixes in the cast of an identically titled movie … [Read more...] about ‘Mean Girls’ Cast Leverages Social Clout
Hollywood’s Go-to Video Blogger at TikTok
TikTok video blogger Reece Feldman, whose handle is @guywithamoviecamera, is the go-to influencer for films marketed to the youth demographic via social media. In just three years after leaving college, Feldman has created a cottage industry of his journalism-style v-logger posts and commentaries on movies and TV programs. The 25-year-old marketing promotional wiz is on paid … [Read more...] about Hollywood’s Go-to Video Blogger at TikTok
‘Priscilla’ Spawns Elvis-era Cosmetics
A $49 woman’s makeup kit from the movie “Priscilla” allows fans to wear their own “winged eye” look made famous by the wife of Elvis Presley. This film-licensed cosmetics merchandise is making a publicity splash. The publicity is the viral type as fans go online with tutorials and commentaries about the Priscilla x Half Magic cosmetic product and the source movie. There are … [Read more...] about ‘Priscilla’ Spawns Elvis-era Cosmetics
Oscars Tighten Campaigning Rules
Rules governing campaigning for Oscar awards were tightened in social media and in other areas this week, but loosened allowing “shortlists” to be promoted. Rules tweaks for the Academy Awards are done annually but this cycle are extensive, particularly after a little-known British actress Andrea Riseborough got nominated last year after waging an aggressive social … [Read more...] about Oscars Tighten Campaigning Rules
Film Fests Wobbly on Free Speech
Once self-proclaimed bastions of free speech, film festivals increasingly kowtow to woke progressive and grievance-culture growing in U.S. society. As a consequence, acclaimed and quality films perceived to be on the wrong side of mandated group-think get the boot from movie fests in acts of self-censorship. “A new, unspoken modus operandi [is that] festivals — once the … [Read more...] about Film Fests Wobbly on Free Speech
TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce
Trying to increase its advertising/promotion revenue from film distributors, top social network TikTok has added presentation of local movie start times. The Showtimes on TikTok initiative will facilitate direct online ticket sales as well. TikTok touts its value to Hollywood with its own research showing 52% of moviegoers research a “movie, show or actor through its … [Read more...] about TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce
Streamer Erases Cigarettes From Posters
Look what today’s cancel culture got now! HBO Max is sanitizing movie posters of cigarette/cigar smoking which gets knocked by film fans on social media and makes for some bizarre-looking images. “Angry movie fans took to Twitter to reveal the missing smokes on HBO Max’s feeds, which appeared to be scrubbed from iconic movie posters for Robert Altman’s ‘McCabe … [Read more...] about Streamer Erases Cigarettes From Posters
Film Campaigns Pivot on Datapoints
Hollywood marketers are awash in consumer activity data in real time from cyberspace that sometimes point to a need to pivot, according to last week’s Variety Marketing Visionary Awards Presented by Spotify. Hollywood movie marketers have a full plan at the get-go, but the mindset is to be alert to implementing mid-course corrections as well as planned late-stage new … [Read more...] about Film Campaigns Pivot on Datapoints