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Thursday, January 17, 2008

Bad marketing or a slip-up?

A few months ago, it was only a trailer with no film name. Then a name got attached on the poster -- Cloverfield. For months there was a cloud of mystery around Cloverfield; rumours were flying about as to what the movie could be. Although, I did fear the movie was going to be just another Blair Witch -- all hype but no end product. Still I was willing to head into the theater to see if there was a tiny chance that something genuine lay in store. But on Thursday night, the newest cut of the film trailers on tv gave it all away. I was not interested in finding out in advance so I am a bit miffed. Once again, a Hollywood film trailer gives away too much detail. Sort of like what happenned with 2000's What Lies Beneath.

This act on the marketing part seems like an act of desperation. With less than 24 hours to go in the film's release, why on earth would you give away something that has been kept under wraps for months? The mystery around the film was its biggest draw. So why use that card now? Did the people associated with the movie feel that no one was going to turn up unless they showed what lay in the movie? In my view, this was a poor move that has certainly taken out any interest I had in seeing the film.

2 comments:

Antimatter said...

Weird, since what I've read suggests that Cloverfield is anticipated to do well, though reviews have been a bit mixed. Don't see why they'd need to let the cat out of the bag. I don't know what the secret is, but won't get to see it for a while so am expecting to have it spoiled well before I see it.

Sachin said...

Well I do hope the secret is not spoiled for you :)

Yeah I am not sure why they did that. The secret would have been more than enough to draw people in.