Help promote Serenity - part 1! by WhoIsRiver

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Help promote Serenity - part 1!

POSTED BY: WHOISRIVER
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 09:25
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Monday, March 21, 2005 7:42 AM

All,

Initial discussion. Part 1. Trying to keep this to Fireflyfans.net just for now, although once things are finalised I'll move it to other boards too...

How can we help tell the mass market about the Big Damn Movie? Ideas, please!

My ideas: mail drops. People design leaflets/flyers, which are slick, to the point (not too crowded) and get people interested. We want them to think, if only for a minute: "What is this movie called Serenity?". Get the name and concept lodged in their brain.

We print them, organise locations we can cover between ourselves, and then use a few evenings and weekends to post them all in our areas. Even with a very small number of volunteers, with a few hours you can cover a vast number of houses.

Can anybody think of anything else we could do?

I'd love to know who is willing to help - particularly UK browncoats. I'm looking for a few people who are willing to travel short distances and give up a bit of free time to help spread the word.

The UK 2nd screening of Serenity is tomorrow - I will have more of a view of how to promote this then.

We *NEED* to start to do something - if you're all up for it - to get this movie known. Make it so people know roughly about the movie for when they first see the trailers - if they know about it in advance, and you've battered it home to them that it's an 'event' movie, they're going to go away with that impression when Universals advertising kicks in too.

Kick around ideas please, folks, and I'll gladly co-ordinate things for us all.

www.WhoIsRiver.com

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Monday, March 21, 2005 8:15 AM

EVILFAITH

This is a brilliant idea. Hopefully, if time allows, I'll be designing a set of Serenity postcards for the fanart table at the Starfury: Serenity con. If i'm happy with the finished design, i might print up lots to help advertise the film.

As well as posting them in local areas, you could also bring a bunch of flyers/postcards to your local cinema and ask to leave some there. That way you could specifically target your audience. Advertising around the release of a film with a dedicated fan following, say Star Wars: Episode III, would be ideal.

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Monday, March 21, 2005 8:20 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by EvilFaith:
As well as posting them in local areas, you could also bring a bunch of flyers/postcards to your local cinema and ask to leave some there. That way you could specifically target your audience. Advertising around the release of a film with a dedicated fan following, say Star Wars: Episode III, would be ideal.

Comic book shops, especially once with space in the back for gamers. They'll advertise for conventions, why not movies?

Coffee shops - I saw bumper stickers for the new radio station in town at my local shop, why not the movie?

I picked up a complementary admission for a movie at an office-supply store once.

The possiblities are endless!

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

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Monday, March 21, 2005 9:25 AM

RABIT

Quote:
Originally posted by EvilFaith:
Advertising around the release of a film with a dedicated fan following, say Star Wars: Episode III, would be ideal.

Uh, I'm not sure if folks interested in SW are going to be as interested in Serenity.

Not saying that they won't, but we've heard a lot of comments from more "traditional" sci-fi fans coming out of the viewings saying rather derogatory things like "Where are the lasers?" and, well, in my opinion, other such ignorant comments.

I guess I'm not saying we shouldn't do it - I really think it's a good idea. I just want to make sure that we're ready to deal with comments like that, because there are going to be people who just don't get it...

Rabit

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Monday, March 21, 2005 9:40 AM

JADEHAND

I'd been thinking on this a bit myself. Those of you who are still in school (high school/university whatever) there are usually bulletin boards around campus as well as in the dorms. these are great places to get attention. also many colleges have sci-fi clubs, if you're not already a member, these can be great places to meet people who just happened to miss "Firefly", or at least get the word out on our BDM.
Also, Any NYC Browncoats? Every morning I wake up with my TV programmed to turn on in the morning, to the TODAY show, with lots of people standing around with homemade signs hoping to be seen. This would be a great place to get noticed Nationwide, though it looks like it would require getting up fairly early. A really 'Shiny' poster might even cause ol' Al to ask questions.
Even local shows that do a live broadcast are good. Though I don't recommend running out in the middle of a live game disguised as a Ref, to rip off the uniform with and advert on your back, as someone did at the superbowl.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live

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Monday, March 21, 2005 12:28 PM

SHINY

I think someone (Buchanan?) has to convince TPTB to create some discout coupons for the DVD set that browncoats everywhere can print out and take with them to the movie theatre to hand out to everyone in the Serenity line (heck, everyone in ALL the lines -- everybody loves Firefly!!!)

Jayne, your mouth is talkin. Might want to look into that.

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Monday, March 21, 2005 12:44 PM

WHOISRIVER

Quote:

As well as posting them in local areas, you could also bring a bunch of flyers/postcards to your local cinema and ask to leave some there. That way you could specifically target your audience. Advertising around the release of a film with a dedicated fan following, say Star Wars: Episode III, would be ideal.

Excellent idea. Also, if we could pick a few similar films with a target audience that might work, we could do this.

It's worth noting the sidewalk/pavement outside of a cinema is public property, so you can legally stand out side it can give people leaflets.

If people think Episode 3 is crap, too, and somebody hands them a leaflet about a good sounding fresh Scifi adventure... you might be on a winner.

Also: you can tell when screenings finish by asking at the cinema desk - so you only need to be there for 10 minutes as a screening ends.

Another idea: I'm writing "WhoIsRiver.com" on all my bank notes. They're still legal tender, as long as you don't - you know - scribbed completely over them (a bit of text is fine). You'll be surprised how far bank notes will reach, and if YOU got a bank note with 'WhoIsRiver.com' on it - would you be tempted to look into the website? I'm sure you would. (I'm planning to increase the content on the website - with some exclusive stuff - sortly).

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Monday, March 21, 2005 1:13 PM

RAE

Another good place to put up flyers would be game shops. A lot of scifi fans are avid gamers. Also, any Oklahoma browncoats? I know of a few, but never see anyone from here posting. Would love to get together with other locals.

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Monday, March 21, 2005 5:55 PM

EXCITINGNEWCRIME

Quote:
Originally posted by WhoIsRiver:
I'd love to know who is willing to help - particularly UK browncoats. I'm looking for a few people who are willing to travel short distances and give up a bit of free time to help spread the word.

I'm very tired and out of ideas for the moment, but love the ones that are being batted around! I'm willing to tackle bits of the Sunderland area, including our shiny new 12-screen Cineworld!

Also love the bank note idea!

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Monday, March 21, 2005 7:17 PM

RIELPRYN

Quote:
Originally posted by WhoIsRiver:
It's worth noting the sidewalk/pavement outside of a cinema is public property, so you can legally stand out side it can give people leaflets.

No they're not. We tell folks to shove off at my theater, if they don't leave police are called. Ask first before you stand outside and possibly bother the customers, many theater managers will let you as long as its nothing obscene.

Gabriel Pryn
"I reject your reality and substitute my own."
Browncoats of Memphis: http://firefly.meetup.com/53/

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 1:31 AM

WHOISRIVER

Quote:
Originally posted by Rielpryn:
Quote:
Originally posted by WhoIsRiver:
It's worth noting the sidewalk/pavement outside of a cinema is public property, so you can legally stand out side it can give people leaflets.

No they're not. We tell folks to shove off at my theater, if they don't leave police are called. Ask first before you stand outside and possibly bother the customers, many theater managers will let you as long as its nothing obscene.

Gabriel Pryn
"I reject your reality and substitute my own."
Browncoats of Memphis: http://firefly.meetup.com/53/

Well, you shouldn't be telling people to 'shove off' as the side walk is actually NOT the cinema's property (unless they explicitly own that land - which usually isn't the case). Many companies THINK they can do this, where in reality they have no legal right to threaten anybody outside of their area. In actual fact, they can get themselves into a legally dodgy area by doing so. So good luck with that.

You can call the police and they can make people move along if they consider them to be causing a disturbance - handing out leaflets does not qualify for this.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 5:28 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

WhoIsRiver,

Great to see some enthusiasm for promoting the BDM! Thanks for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling.

Let me point you to two shiny sites run by two marvelous Browncoats:

http://the11thhour.home.att.net/

http://www.prettycunning.com/

Both of these sites have some great artwork on posters, fliers & bumperstickers to generate interest. We used them at Dragon Con in Atlanta back in September and I know other Browncoats have used them at numerous Cons around the country (dare I say, WORLD) to great effect.

As to the question of legality and property lines, etc, we Browncoats are a loyal lot, but we are a peaceful lot first and foremost. No sense in causing trouble or making anyone all uncomfortable, so I would suggest that before hanging anything up or standing near a business to hand out fliers that we ask the management if it is okay. It only takes a minute or two, but it keeps everything nice and peaceful like.

I think the idea of hanging up fliers is great and very effective. The suggestions to hang them in comic and game shops will make them visible to the demographic 'Versal is looking for and will generate a buzz for those not familiar w/ the show. Keep in mind the Firefly/Serenity comic miniseries is coming out in July. The comics can be used to generate interest as well, and if fliers are already up in local comic shops it could only add to the sale of the comics.

Cons are a great opportunity to really get others interested in the show. Even if you can't swing a table at a Con there are always tables around that allow people to put out fliers for whatever they are promoting. Print of some fliers and set them on those tables. You can talk to people around the Con and give them a flier if they are interested.

If you are lucky enough to operate a table at a Con, set out fliers, bumperstickers, post cards, whatever hand out you can come up with to get the word out. You can draw people in with posters on the wall or front of the table. Banners work well too. Another draw is a television playing the DVD set for people to check out. Be ready to answer questions, and again let your enthusiasm for the series and movie show when you are talking to people. Costumes will draw people in too. It worked well for us at Dragon Con.

Book stores may be another possibility for fliers and posters. Some bookstores have bulletin boards for book signings and the like where (if we ask permission) we may be able to hang fliers about the series on DVD and the BDM. Keep in mind that the novelization for the BDM is due out in September sometime so use that to pitch the idea of hanging fliers in a store. If a bookseller thinks they may get additional sales by the flier going up they will be more open to the idea.

I have posted fliers on my office bulletin board and have them hanging in my office as well. This has actually sparked interest here and gotten me more than a few converts. I also have people from other companies and around the country that visit our office, allowing me to reach even more people w/ the addiction that is Firefly/Serenity.

I would suggest carrying around some of the smaller fliers with you whenever you can. I have handed them out at bookstores when I see people browsing the sci fi section. I strike up a conversation and work Firefly in. If they are open I tell them about the BDM and hand them a flier w/ the fan site addresses on it to check out. If they start looking they may become new Browncoats. I also use this technique at places that sell or rent videos. If they are in the sci fi or western sections I pitch Firefly.

When I tell people about the DVD set, I tell them to check it out for themselves on Amazon.com. There they can read the reviews, see how it is still selling, and check links to learn more.

I am never pushy, just enthusiastic about the show. You all know the old saying that enthusiasm is contagious, and it works when selling Firefly and the BDM. That is just what all of us are doing, selling people on the idea of checking out the DVD set and the BDM. The better we sell it, the more people we convert, the better the film does this September. We are going to bear a good bit of the responsibility for the success of the film, so that means we need to explore every option to get the word out to them as needs it told.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Meet Up:
http://firefly.meetup.com/9/boards/

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 5:51 AM

CHRISTHECYNIC

I'll do what I can, but the population of my entire state is less than that of some cities.

I'll be going on a road trip when my friends graduate from high school (they are young ones) maybe I can get my contacts in New York, Boston, and Miami to help, but I shall not hold out hope.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 6:09 AM

SLAYERFEST

I am assuming you are UK based as many of the proposed ideas in your message are already being doe very successfully in th USA. We should remember that there are subtle differences between US and UK laws when discussing the legality of any action and not assume that we all have the same system.

We are just entering the big convention season in the UK and maybe some folks would like to set up fan tables at events such as Memorabilia in Birmingham or Collectormania in Milton Keynes, or see if you can pay for a table at other conventions.

I will soon be making badges available promoting Summer's official website and Serenity itself. keep an eye out at Starfury: Serenity. I will also have a delivery before too long of the official Serenity badges as distributed at Wondercon to give out to fans too! I will be carrying these with me instead of flyers.

I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT UK FANS SHOULD ENSURE THAT FLYERS HAVE THE CORRECT DATE FOR THE UK RELEASE AS THE FLYERS AVAILABLE ONLINE TEND TO CARRY THE US RELEASE DATE TOO!

Also worth considering that people may be inclined to accept a colourful, well-designed business card with details of the movie or websites etc. They are easier to put in your pocket and will turn up when the person gets home and empties their pockets. Plus they are cheap to print up on home computers!

Andy@summerglau.co.uk

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 6:15 AM

WHOISRIVER

Yup, UK based. Note that I'm only talking UK laws here - I'm not clued up enough on US law to say about that.

Also, just to be clear, I'm not saying we should be breaking the law, or anything like that - I'm just trying to make it clear that handing out flyers on a public street isn't illegal in the UK, unless a company actually owns the street (which is very unlikely).

An important point: although it's great people are targetting conferences and such, the real numbers of ticket sales are outside of this : Joe Public. We *NEED* to start targetting them, too. Leaflet drops are the best idea I can think of so far.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 6:15 AM

ZEEK

One thing I'm going to be doing is just putting the Serenity icon as my logo on AIM and as my avatar on any sites that let me choose my own.

I hope it will act sort of like a teaser. If people see the icon enough, they will be familiar with it when commercials and trailers hit. Hopefully making them go "ooohhhhhh that's what those icons are".

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005 9:25 AM

RIELPRYN

Ok, I think I was confused. In my area there's the area in front of the box office, then a parking lot and then the sidewalk and street. Most people come to the area in front of the box office to pass out flyers, which is owned by the theater, because nobody walks around here, and handing stuff out on the sidewalk is likely to get you run over. Mostly we tell the folks handing out flyers by the box office to("politely") go away.

Of course, I'm actually in the box office, so I've been trying to get my hands on a button or something w/ Serenity on it, so when folks ask "what's that movie?" I can explain it.

Did that make sense?

Gabriel Pryn
"I reject your reality and substitute my own."
Browncoats of Memphis: http://firefly.meetup.com/53/

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