Friday, November 21, 2008

Story and Character Trumps Star...

Edit to re-attach poster image.

I just saw an interesting bus banner for TWILIGHT -- the movie that premieres this weekend.
It's an indicator that there is hope for the movie industry in terms of understanding and marketing to their audience(s).

So what's different about this bus banner?

There are no cast credits -- only who wrote it and who directed it.

They didn't show the casts names because the audience doesn't care.

The audience cares about the characters - Edward, Bella, et al... and their story. Not necessarily the actors.

Hmmmm....curiouser and curiouser.

(as well as a really good sign for those of us who work with folks who aren't necessarily classified as "stars." )

4 comments:

Trevor B. Cunningham said...

You couldn't be more on target my sick friend. The book already has a built-in audience and frankly...and I've said it a thousand friggin' times...the GENRE is the star.

wcdixon said...

But Bill, the BOOK was the star, with a zillion fangirls lining up around the block. Whoever was in it was irrelevent.

I'm not sure how that translates to a positive to filmmakers producing movies with no stars AND no book that sold millions.

Cunningham said...

"Whoever was in it was irrelevant..."

Exactly my point, Will. The story was the important thing.

This is fuel for another post to be sure...

Mike Curtis said...

wcdixon had it right - Cunningham, you still have it hopelessly wrong - the BOOK was the draw. The BRAND the book had was the draw. The existing market was the draw. A zillion tweener girls knew and loved the book and were willing to go see ANY movie made from it.

How the hell are you going to get zillions of people to know about your story or concept? Oh, wait....you can't, since you don't have the advertising budget.

Your approach is patently bogus.

-mike